Moding standard grip safety for CDR hammer

[SSGN_Doc]

A buddy was given some custom parts from a friend who sold his 1911s. He asked if I could install them for him. What he had is a Springfield GI Parkerized 1911A1, an arched an checkered MSH, a McCormick Commander Hammer, and a Wilson wide extended safety. I told him that most of the parts would work but that he would need a beaver tail safety to accomodate the commander hammer, because they are relieved for it.

He asked why I couldn't relieve the standard grip safety. I then thought about it and said well nobody does that anymore because everyone uses beavertails, but mechanically there isn't any reason. He convinced me that he was not governed by looks as much as he is about function, so I agreed to try my hand at it.

Here is the result.

http://i37.tinypic.com/2lc8p38.jpg

http://i38.tinypic.com/2vmh43n.jpg

[Hawkmoon]

Nicely done. Early Para-Ordnance pistols all used basically that same profile, and Colt's current production blued 1991 Commanders still use it. Since I don't seem prone to hammer bite (which the Commander hammer eliminates anyway), I like that style of grip safety.

[SSGN_Doc]

I guess it's just that you don't see them much any more. It seem like every one wants the beaver tails, and skinny grip safeties aren't "cool" anymore.

I put about 40 minutes into the grip safety, between dremmel (10 minutes) and stones and 600 and 800 grit sandpaper. A couple blasts of Brownells Teflon Moly, and some oven time were all tha was needed to finish the job.

[Hawkmoon]

I did mine by hand using a half-round file of indeterminate parentage (those of you who know files will know why I am not allowed to use the technically-correct nomenclature), which was just about the perfect radius, then I cold blued it with Brownells' Oxpho-Blue.

[niemi24s]

I did mine by hand using a half-round file of indeterminate parentage (those of you who know files will know why I am not allowed to use the technically-correct nomenclature) . . .
Oh, you mean one of those "illegitimate cut" files? :D

[Dave Berryhill]

...I then thought about it and said well nobody does that anymore because everyone uses beavertails...
Not true! I've modified many Government Model grip safeties to work with Commander hammers
http://www.berryhillguns.com/bfp7.jpg

Like Hawk I use an 8" half-round file to remove most of the material and then clean it up with a sanding drum in the dremel tool. Some of those Colt stainless steel parts, like the grip safety in the photo, are HARD steel.

[emilio]

great work!

while i love the modern beavertail on a 1911, its Cadillac fin styling seems like it would be a bit much on a carry gun. if i ever built/bought a Commander- or Officer-profile 1911 i'd probably go for this style.

- emilio

[John]

If you ask me, that grip safety should be standard on all 1911s. Together with a round Commander hammer, like the one Dave used to sell, and a tear-drop thumb safety. The best set up I've used in my life.

Now, if only I knew that when I started using 1911s, I'd saved quite a few $$$$ that I invested in beavertails and extended thumb safeties.