XSE Ambi Safety

[Cajun]

I just purchased a brand new XSE in Stainless Steel. The ambidextrous safety on the ejection port side scratches the frame when moved. I removed the grip panel and noticed that the panel itself holds this half of the safety captive. I removed it and noticed a raised circular pad under this half of the safety which is in line where the scratches are on the frame. Is this part perhaps not completely finished and this circular pad need to be polished flat?

Anyone else have this problem?

[RickB]

It's very sommon for safeties to scratch the frame. What I try to do is tweak the safety a bit, so that all the rubbing is under the grip panel where you can't see it. You can also grind and polish around the edges, so that the rubbed area is not exposed by the safety's movement. Or, leave the hammer and sear pins just above flush, so the safety rides on the pins rather than the frame. The raised pad is probably something left over from the casting process, and not necessary for function, though considering the above, you might be able to use it to your advantage, if it's the only part that's rubbing.

[wmw221]

mine does it too. there must be something wrong with me, because it doesn't even bother me. i don't know, maybe it's because i have the attitude that it's a tool and tools that get used, get scratched.

[1903a3spring]

King's makes and excellent ambi safety that doesn't have that little tab that rides under the grip. I have one and it works great and doesn't scratch the frame.

[RickB]

Although I originally heard only King's gunsmithing services were closing, it appears their parts may no longer be available, either. Kimber and Wilson Combat both have ambi safeties that use a modified hammer pin for retention, which was pioneered by King's.

[Cajun]

It's very sommon for safeties to scratch the frame. What I try to do is tweak the safety a bit, so that all the rubbing is under the grip panel where you can't see it. You can also grind and polish around the edges, so that the rubbed area is not exposed by the safety's movement. Or, leave the hammer and sear pins just above flush, so the safety rides on the pins rather than the frame. The raised pad is probably something left over from the casting process, and not necessary for function, though considering the above, you might be able to use it to your advantage, if it's the only part that's rubbing.

It appears that there was a loose fit where the ambi safety mated. I tried to close the gap on the female side of the safety but it was too fragile and broke. In all fairness I called Colt and Karen offered to fix it if I sent it in.

I declined and ordered a Wilson tactical single side safety today as my experience with ambi safeties of this type they always worked loose and broke.

BTW some 2400 grit polishing cloth cleaned up the scratches beautifully!

This pony's a shooter, took her to the range yesterday and put 4 out of 5 shots in the same hole in the X-Ring of a B-27 at 7 yards (PMC 230 FMJ RN). I pulled the 5th shot a little but am impressed with its out of the box accuracy.

[RickB]

You're right-handed, and all of your experience with ambis is that they loosen? I'm a lefty, use only the lever on the off side, and have only had to slightly tighten, one time, one of my eight or ten ambis. Whenever I read that someone is replacing an ambi with a single-sided safety, I have to think the installation of the ambi was bad, since there couldn't be that much wear put on the off side by a right-handed shooter, could there?

[dakota1911]

Another thought on ambi safeties is that some holsters are not friendly to them and may flip them off. Same with large, extended, righty only safeties.

[Cajun]

Just received a Wilson Tactical Thumb Safety (single side) which appears to be designed for concealed carry. The finish is matt stainless which matches the slide stop and plunger tube.

Another plus is that it is much better finished than the stock Colt ambi which looked like it had a case of acne..................

Can't wait to fit this part and put this issue to sleep.