Esmeralda Grips

[RIATAC45]

I just got some grips from Esmeralda, and they interfere with my Wilson combat ext. slide release, and factory ambi safety. I ordered the grips for the ambi safety, but the end of the arm on the right side. What can I use to modify them without messing up these beautiful grips?

[John]

If you ordered them for the ambi, they should have a cut-out under the right grip panel for the ambi safety's arm which goes under there. Is your problem related to the top of the safety's pad?

[RIATAC45]

Yes Sir it is on both sides

[RIATAC45]

The grips don't allow the safety to fully disengage. I also have a problem with my slide release, I can't even install it with these grips

[John]

It's hard to say what to do without the gun in hand, but this must be some weird safety. I know there is an issue with the right hand side of the Taurus PT1911 safety and some grips, but I've never heard of a safety which does not clear the left side grip panel.

You can always file the safety on the inside a bit, so that it clears the grips, but again, it's hard to say what has to be done without seeing some pictures. As for the extended slide release, these things are not very common, my suggestion would be to dump it and use a standard one. Typically, you should manipulate it with the thumb of your weak hand not the one of your strong hand, when reloading the pistol.

[Pappy]

Nick, any chance you can post a good close-up of the areas in question???

[DuckRyder]

It is not only Taurus.

They do exactly the same thing on a Colt XSE.

The right side is marginally taller than a standard grip and the lever will hit the top of the grip, it is not exclusive to Esmeralda either as some of my Ahrends do the same. On the left side Esmeralda uses a more traditional contour to the area that extends over the plunger tube, as a result the extended safety will interfere with this area. I had a set of VZ that did that as well.

Joni Lynn and I have discussed it on several occasions.

http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=29017

Perhaps If I can remember I will snap some photos tomorrow.

[RIATAC45]

Here are some pics of the area in question. Sorry for the poor photography, I promise I shoot better with my Rock than I do with a camera.

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s282/RIATAC/IMGP0644.jpg http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s282/RIATAC/IMGP0643.jpg http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s282/RIATAC/IMGP0642.jpg http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s282/RIATAC/IMGP0641.jpg

[RIATAC45]

BTW Pappy if you don't mind my askin what part of Texas are you in?

[Pappy]

BTW Pappy if you don't mind my askin what part of Texas are you in?

I'm in Waller county. Out NW 290 from Houston. And you?

[Pappy]

Nick, here is a close-up of my NH.

Notice that the thumb safety lever is at a more upward angle.
You have much more metal in your safty lever and slide release.

I would suggest filing carefully on the underside of the levers to provide clearance. And then a little cold blue.
I'm with you on not fooling with the grips.

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j68/pappy1911/DSC_4088.jpg

[RIATAC45]

Pappy, I'm off of FM 2100 in the big town of Highlands, between Houston and Baytown

I see what you are talking about my Safety is curved alot more than yours. I'm thinking I will just replace it with a GI style safety. My fingers are short enough a don't need the extended one, besides I'm a righty anyways, why do I need a safety on both sides.

[Pappy]

I see what you are talking about my Safety is curved alot more than yours. I'm thinking I will just replace it with a GI style safety. My fingers are short enough a don't need the extended one, besides I'm a righty anyways, why do I need a safety on both sides.

My thoughts also. The safety on the right is not necessary for a rightie. (unless for competition). I have heard that ambi safties are troublesome. Both in reassembly and prone to malfunction.

[RIATAC45]

The safety on the right is not necessary for a rightie. (unless for competition). I have heard that ambi safties are troublesome. Both in reassembly and prone to malfunction.

I would agree with that 100%. I had a heck of a time getting it out the first time, and it still isn't easy now and I know how to do it.

[Bladeandbarrel]

cut the grips, not the safety!

[John]

And how do you refinish the grips?

[Bladeandbarrel]

linseed oil, tru oil etc.

[Pappy]

cut the grips, not the safety!

Cut Esmeralda's grips!!!! :nono: BLASPHEMY

[RIATAC45]

AMEN, Pappy! These grips are way too beautiful to cut.

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s282/RIATAC/IMGP0658.jpg

[Joni Lynn]

I've had to cut several sets of Esmeralda's grips. I refinish where needed with True Oil. On one gun I didn't want to cut too much so I bent the safety lever just a few degrees up out of the way and that did the trick.
Remember when cutting the wood to always cut to the inside so you don't splinter the grip on the outside surface. (not too likely, but possible none the less)
The way I inletted the safety levers into my grips on a couple of the guns the wood actually provides support when in the lower position.

[Bladeandbarrel]

Ahhh, a voice of reason. Its a lot easier to refinish cocobolo than metal. Thats for sure.

[AFH]

600-grit emery paper on the grips; just relieve a little at a time and rub in some tung-oil. You can even use White-Out to see where you need to relieve. MUCH easier than cold-bluing your safety, and you'll never know it wasn't original...

Doc H :cool: .

[Joni Lynn]

If you modify the gun and it works out to your satisfaction, great! If by chance you mess it up then it'll cost more to correct than the grips cost in the first place. I can replace grips pretty easy.
I did both sides of these grips. Didn't even have to think twice about it.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/Joni_Lynn/SpaltedGoldCupL.jpg

[RIATAC45]

Joni Are those grips Spalted Maple?

I received a phone call from Esmeralda shortly after my last post. She said that if I would send the grips back she has a fix for it, and would do it free of charge. How is that for customer service. I think I'm gonna try the GI safety and see how I like it before I do. I really don't need the ambi, and I'm not convinced that should I decide to carry it, that the ambi would be better. Any comments?

[Joni Lynn]

Yes, they're Spalted Maple. They fit well and do what I want them to do.

[DuckRyder]

I received a phone call from Esmeralda shortly after my last post. She said that if I would send the grips back she has a fix for it, and would do it free of charge. How is that for customer service.

That is Excellent Service. If you do decide to let her do the Fix let us know how it turns out.

She does amazing work, I really like the set that I have.

[sprice1973]

Very good customer service!

[RIATAC45]

Joni - That is an awesome looking piece you have there. Spalted Maple was my other choice, very nice looking. I decided that Cocobolo would look better with the finish I'm going to apply.

I'm going to build a dedicated .22 pistol, and I will put the Spalted Maple on it.

[dakota1911]

I got one set from Esmeralda that had an issue with the ambi safety on a Colt XSE. They did not have an issue with the ambi safety on my Kimber Grand Raptor. It was the top of the grip. Detailed on this thread are many ways to deal with the problem. Wood is easier to deal with than metal in the grip area. Then I got another set from Esmeralda that worked great on my Special Combat Gov. with ambi. It might be grip to grip and a millimeter or two too much wood..