beavertail for P13

[MacEntyre]

Can anyone comment on changing the P13 grip safety? Is there anything proprietary, or off-spec, about it?

Wilson Drop In High Ride Beavertail (http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/38838-46937-898.html) ...do these things really fit without taking some metal off the frame?

I want to shoot with my thumb on top of the thumb safety, like I do with my beavertailed 1911s. With the P13, when I leave my thumb on top of the thumb safety, the stock P13 grip safety causes hammer bite.

Oops.. wrong forum... should have put it in the Parts Bin.

Does Para make a beavertail for the P13?

[RickB]

The pictured Wilson part is designed to fit the contours of Colt frames. Most other 1911s on the market are sufficiently different that large gaps result. Looking at pics of older Paras without factory beavertails, I'd say the Para frame is closer to a Colt frame than most, and the Wilson part might provide a decent fit. I did some grinding on mine, even when installing it in a Colt frame, and then applied a shake 'n' bake finish, which blended very well with the matte blue of the frame. Lots of beavertails that can be added with modification of the frame, which isn't too difficult, but you also have to refinish the frame.

[John]

One thing I do not know is if the P13 has the Government tongues at the rear of the frame or the Commander ones. Wilson sells two models, one for the Government and one of the Commander, and you have to know which one goes on your pistol.

Also, are you really talking about hammer bite? Is the web of your hand trapped between the hammer and the grip safety or is it that the edge of the grip safety is sharp enough to bother your hand? If it is the second, you can always smooth out the edges of the safety to avoid the bite.

[MacEntyre]

One thing I do not know is if the P13 has the Government tongues at the rear of the frame...
I noticed that. Strange frame... it's a Commander with an Officer's grip and a Government 'tongue' at the stern.

Also, are you really talking about hammer bite?
No, I only know one term for both bites. None of my Government style grips safeties have bitten me with the hammer, not Colt Commander, Argentine nor Para.

The problem is that my Argentine Colt's grip safety bit the web of my hand bad a few weeks ago during a competition, and it is still tender. The Para is not as bad, unless I hang my thumb up on top of the thumb safety, which lifts the web of my hand high up on the grip safety. I don't have the problem on my beavertailed Springfield.

I'm probably going to leave it stock, and find a way to hold each gun so that I get the same effect, regardless of configuration. I want a firmer grip with my thumbs, and one way I get that is by riding the thumb safety.