Beavertail Grip Safety installation

[sbgruen]

Hello, just found this forum and thought I'd see it anyone has added a beavertail or high ride grip safety to a Springfield entry level .45. I have a parkerized model and would like to change the grip safety to shoot IDPA with it, without hammer bit.

I thought about adding a Ed Brown grip safety and hammer but was wondering if I need to replace the sear also....???


Thanks - Scott

[wichaka]

You'll need to use the Smith & Alexander Grip safety, as the radius on the SA tang is .220 instead of the usual .250. Brownell's has both the grip safety and the jig to do it with.

[sbgruen]

Thanks, looks like that one will work. Can you tell me if I can get away with just replacing the hammer or will I need to replace the hammer and sear as a set?

Scott

[wichaka]

I recommend getting the Nowlin Pro Match sear & either the Ed Brown Hardcore hammer or the Nowlin Pro hammer.

You can you use the existing sear, but its either going to cast or MIM which is not as good as the Pro match. And for 20.00, that's cheap insurance for a quality trigger job.

[kotonk]

if you want to see a nice pictoral step-by-step BT install. john harrison(http://www.precision-gunworks.com/) graciously took pictures of one of his BT installs:

http://www.imagestation.com/member/join_signin_prompt.html?album_id=4288222445&rf=&ru=%2Falbum%2F%3Fid%3D4288222445

you need to create an account on imagestation if you don't already have one, but it's well worth it. he uses a mill to cut the radius, but for us shadetree pistolsmiths...a mill bastard file with the correct BT jig will work. i filed my tangs down by hand since i don't have a mill.

-kotonk

[sbgruen]

Thanks those are some great pictures, and made me realize it is a little more involved than I originally thought. guess I'll have to set more time aside to do the work.

[Gammon]

You have opened up a real can of worms! The Ed Brown is probably the best BT in the sense that it allows the gun to sit lower in your hand, which reduces muzzle flip. Unfortunately, it is also the hardest to install as it requires the removal of more metal from the frame and also the trimming of the right side thumb safety (if you are using an ambidextrous type). Most BTs require the removal of a significant amount of metal to fit (again Brown's requires the most); those that do not, the "drop-ins" aren't worth the effort. I know, I have tried them all. As far as the trigger goes, I have had great success with a McCormick hammer and sear for my match guns; they will give you a 3.5lb trigger with very little work. For a carry gun, I would use an Ed Brown "bullet proof" hammer and sear; this combination yields a 5 or 6lb trigger to start with. None of this work is exactly easy, but can be accomplished with a lot of patience and restraint. If you don't have the patience, or the tools, I would recommend taking the pistol to a gunsmith. BTW beware of the term "drop in" as it applies to gun parts; most of them require a certain amount of fitting, some require a LOT of fitting.
PS I didn't exactly mention this before; I would always replace the hammer and sear as a set. That way you will know how much wear and tear the parts have suffered, and when they migh need replacement. The parts are relatively cheap, so you might as well start with a brand new set.

[Jammer Six]

if you want to see a nice pictoral step-by-step BT install. john harrison(http://www.precision-gunworks.com/) graciously took pictures of one of his BT installs:

http://www.imagestation.com/member/join_signin_prompt.html?album_id=4288222445&rf=&ru=%2Falbum%2F%3Fid%3D4288222445


Couldn't get imagestation to work. Couldn't see the pictures.

It's a shame he chose that method, I would have liked to see the pictures.

I used a file, my pictures are here. (http://www.oz.net/~jammer/Milspec/)

No account necessary, the way it should be. :cool:

[sbgruen]

Jammer Six - Thanks looked very nice. What grip safety and hammer did you use?? Did you replace the sear with the new hammer? How did you refinish the metal on the frame? Blue or re-parkerize?

Thanks Scott

[Jammer Six]

Jammer Six - Thanks looked very nice. What grip safety and hammer did you use?? Did you replace the sear with the new hammer? How did you refinish the metal on the frame? Blue or re-parkerize?

S&A grip safety, McCormick hammer & sear.

I haven't re-finished anything yet. I have some blending to do, and I'm leaving cosmetics until I'm done screwing around, and I'm sure everything works.

[schapman43]

In the pictures he is using a strip of emery paper to do some finishing. Where would I find emery paper?

[gottripletsNC]

you can find emery cloth at any plumbing suppy store, it is most often used to sand and abrade the ends of copper tubing, look in the copper tubing/fitting section, should be able to find it at lowes or home depot real easy.