Grip safety too low

[Golfer]

Thought I would ask the pros.
I have a pistol with an extended grip safety, but even with the extended pad it is too low for my hand to push it down enough to disengage the trigger.
Any ideas on how to extend the pad another 1/8".
Thanks and best wishes.

[Ross6860]

You may first want to check and see if it is fit properly. The original 1911 grip safeties had no such extensions and they worked just fine. Some minor fitting will allow the safety to clear earlier and still provide its intended safety function.

Also, just asking, are you sure you have a good grip? You may want to borrow a different style mainspring housing (arched to straight, or vice versa) to see of the pistol fits you any better. Got any buddies that wouldn't mind lending you a part?

Barring having it re-fit (or properly fit), depending on the material the grip safety is made out of, you could have material welded onto the pad and machined to look presentable. You could also add a .125" thick piece of stock to the back of the safety and have it screwed and pinned in place. Both of these options sound like a lot of work and probably aren't necessary.

Just my $0.02

[Golfer]

Ross:Thanks for your reply. You brought up good questions. I will attempt to answer.
1. The GS is installed properly. Fit and function are perfect. The old 1911 GS was OK but more so because they weere not used whith a high grip.
2. My grip is very good [IMO of course] the gun is stable and recovers quickly after recoil. I use a hig grip with thumb over safety. This tends to pull my smallish hand slghtly away from the GS.
I have two Kimbers and they are fine for me, but the GS does extend slghtly further out. I do have this problem with my present pistol and one other. Both have raised GS's. The worst is my Gold Cup which is a real problem for me. It does not lend itself well to a higher hold as it has the original safety.
3. I had thought of welding to the pad for improvement. Someone might weigh in and give me some ideas there.
4. Not sure I understand your thought about adding to the back as it seems that would throw about everything off. .
Thanks again and best wishes.

[Frank]

If you're having trouble with the grip safety not disengaging, you might want to sensitize it. It can be a fairly simple matter to make it more sensitive, and thus more easily disengaged with less pressure, without disabling it completely.

Check out John's post #6 in the thread http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=55241

BTW, I have small hands and use a high grip with my thumb riding the safety. I haven't had any problems, but if I did, sensitizing the grip safety as described in John's post would be the first thing I try.

DVC

[log man]

Just in case.

If it takes a lot of travel or must be depressed all the way. Why not tune it to your grip, if you've never done that, it's time you took a look and break out the files. To get a good look, remove the grips, hammer, sear, and disconnector. Now with the sear spring and MSH slide up into place you can actually see the arm block the trigger bow and exactly where to file and how much. Take a little at a time and try with all the parts. The GS is a passive safety and doesn't need a lot of engagement to be effective if it where called on. Not to sure there is a good scenario for that, but I like it to work myself.

LOG

[kenhwind]

I've installed grip safeties and they seemed fine, and had to dissasemble again and rework the installation.
Ken

[Golfer]

Fank; thaks for the lead. In this case, the problem is just that my hand is not making enough contact with the grip safety bump to push it forward. The GS requies very little movement to disengage. It works perfectly with a moleskin patch I put over the bump.
I'm just looking for a permanent thing I can add to make it work.
Thanks and best wishes.