Which grip safety for my Kimber Warrior? (Pics)

[INTrooper4255]

Which of these grip safeties would be the easiest for a smith to install? I am just wanting to know which one will be the easiest/cleanest install for a smith to do?

Chip McCormick: Slid into place with being able to slide the thumb safety in to hold it, It looks as if it would require the least amount of blending on the tang, but more low in the grip area, like a Brown.

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/4224/dscn0840bd4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/4224/dscn0840bd4.1152e7bdac.jpg (http://g.imageshack.us/g.php?h=530&i=dscn0840bd4.jpg)

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/9826/dscn0841oi6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/dscn0841oi6.jpg/1/w640.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img246/dscn0841oi6.jpg/1/)

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/9043/dscn0842dv1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/9043/dscn0842dv1.caedaaa4ce.jpg (http://g.imageshack.us/g.php?h=530&i=dscn0842dv1.jpg)

Or this Wilson Combat 298B: Which doesn’t allow the grip safety to go all of the way in and allow the thumb safety to be inserted.

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/623/dscn0843rz2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/dscn0843rz2.jpg/1/w640.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img246/dscn0843rz2.jpg/1/)

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/7853/dscn0844ct0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/7853/dscn0844ct0.a73e6f3a66.jpg (http://g.imageshack.us/g.php?h=530&i=dscn0844ct0.jpg)

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/8999/dscn0845ey8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/8999/dscn0845ey8.4ce108e541.jpg (http://g.imageshack.us/g.php?h=530&i=dscn0845ey8.jpg)

[garrettwc]

The original Kimber specs were for a McCormick grip and thumb safety. That's what are on my series 1. I would go with that one.

[INTrooper4255]

I was thinking the same, garrettwc, it seems to fill the bill, I was just wondering if it may be more work?

[emilio]

the "easiest" and the "cleanest" install are two different things. you could have a dimensionally small grip safety that drops in and functions but is a rattle-bucket with more gaps than healthcare budgets. then there could be a fat safety that doesn't fit without plenty of shaving and shaping, but it gives you the flexibility to have a hairline-fitting safety, a rattle-bucket, or anything in between. the only way that you might get both is with a frame and grip combo that are very, very close, but that's up to the market - and it seems the CMC might fit that bill the best.

ultimately, the gunsmith should look at the parts and give you a flat rate to install it no matter how long it takes him. if he does a lot of 1911 work then its probably the same price for any safety except special jobs (commander GS fitting, hammer bobbing, etc). if you're new to this guy, ask to see other safeties he's fitted and make sure you know just what kind of feel you're going for. getting a grip safety to fit and work is fairly easy; making it look and feel good is the real skill.

oh, and woohoo for Simonich Gunners! the grips that bite back!
- emilio

[INTrooper4255]

Thanks emilio, I know what you mean, I guess I should have specified, by "easiest" I mean no weld up or anything, and I think by the looks of both of them, neither would require that. My stock GS is a huge rattle bucket and I can't stand it, so I am going to have to replace it. I can hear it rattle as I walk when it's in my IWB holster and it drives me nuts! I sure wish that Kimber would get it right on their grips safeties!

Oh, and thanks, I LOVE my Gunners, the best grips out there!

[thejeepster]

Looking at your examples of grip safeties, my guess is you're looking for one with the "bump" at the bottom? If so Kimber sells a grip safety, just like the one on my raptor

http://www.kimberamerica.com/shop/product.php?xProd=292&xSec=21

One would think it would not need any frame modifications.

[auto45]

Perhaps your smith can 'weld' your existing grip safety and fit it tighter.

Probably easier and cheaper.

[INTrooper4255]

I'm going to go with the McCormick, the stock Kimber grip safety is really loose side to side, so I doubt that there will be much that can be done for that one. Thanks for everyones input.

[thejeepster]

If you probably call Kimber they'll probably fix the grip safety. Mine DOES NOT rattle and I've not had a better fit on a stock gun.. (you want to see bad you should have heard a Charles Daly before it was fixed. ) I've not heard a loose grip safety on Kimbers before. I'm sure it has happened, but I've not seen it. I've been very impressed with Kimber's QC on their 5 inch pistols.

[INTrooper4255]

I'm just going to have the McCormick fit. The pistol has already been worked over pretty well by EGW, so I figured I would get a good custom fit beavertail to finish it off. :D

[Rick McC.]

I have four Kimbers, two five inchers, a four and a three incher.

None of the GS rattle or have any problems. from one over six years old to one bought a few months ago.

If it were me, I'd give Dennis a call, or Jaime, or Ann.

Rick

[auto45]

I figured I would get a good custom fit beavertail to finish it off

I would do the same given the work you've done already. The CMC beavertail will give you a higher "grip" also.