1911 right side ambi safety is proud of the frame

[YBNORMAL]

Hey guys, after years of lusting, I picked up my first 1911 a couple weeks ago, a Dan Wesson Specialist. I didn't care for the color of the VZ grips that it came with (brown/black), so I swapped them out with a set of Harrison square bottom carry grips. I had to file a little bit on the top of both grip panels for the arms of the ambi safety to clear and blend to my liking but no big deal.

The problem is that from the factory, the right side safety is proud of the frame a good bit. I have seen this mentioned in more that one review of the pistol. This causes the safety to be quite stiff. Removing the right grip panel releases the tension on the right side safety keeper arm and the safety feels great.

I worked on the joint between the left and right side by pulling the right side safety out, trying to get the two parts to mesh a little tighter width wise, but I don't want to go crazy till I ask some one more used to fitting than I. Since I can easily get the right side out, I was filing a little length off the 2 arm side of the joint, lets call it the "female" side. But maybe the "male" is what needs a little length off of it?

At this point, I feel like my best option would be to get both sides of the safety out, measure the frame thickness and work on the safety width by filing the joint till I get a few thousanths bigger than the frame.

Is this my best option, or is there another way?

[bigandy1966]

I would take from both sides equally. The over all length of the connecting shaft seems to be the problem, if the double '"female "side is reduced the "male"single side will still bottom out in the slot..

[YBNORMAL]

I would take from both sides equally. The over all length of the connecting shaft seems to be the problem, if the double '"female "side is reduced the "male"single side will still bottom out in the slot..

Yeah, thats what I was afraid of, I guess I'll have to tear it down and see exactly how the two sides are currently fitting, and go from there.

Thanks for the reply

[YBNORMAL]

Well, it did not go well. By the time I got enough metal out of the joint to narrow the two sides of the safety so they would fit better width wise, the tongue and groove joint was too loose for my taste. Crap.

I called DW today and ordered a whole new ambi safety. I first left a message with Glenn, in the warrantee/service dept, then called the parts number and ordered the safety. To my surprise, Glenn called me back at 4:30 (on a friday) and said that I could send it in, or he could walk me through fitting the safety lug to the sear over the phone.

Overall I am tickled at the level of service, some of the reviews of DW that I have read are that they take a while to get back to you etc, etc. I can't expect them to fix what I screwed up. Although I guess maybe I could ask for the safety to be fitted better from the factory. I just don't feel like sending it back and going through all that hassle.

I would have gone with the Wilson bulletproof ambi but the machine work just doesn't look the same and I wouldn't be happy with the miss match. The new Nighthawk ambi is a pretty close match, but it is wayyy pricy.

YB

[thundrr1]

The Wilson thumb safety is the best "feeling" thumb safety that I've ever used. Meaning it is very smooth on the thumb and still retains enough traction to ensure confidence that it will work when needed.

[normanvin]

I have had good luck with DW, I picked up a .357. It did not have a barrel wrench or manual. They sent out a wrench shim, manual, two sets of sight inserts.

The cost for all that was free.

[Lycanthrope]

You should be able to pinch the fork side to get the safety to fit tighter.

If you fit a new safety, you need to usually do a little bit more than just file the sear engagement tab. I usually deburr the safety where it rides against the frame because new safeties tend to scratch.

http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.ph...steps-involved

Lycannotthathardthrope

[YBNORMAL]

You should be able to pinch the fork side to get the safety to fit tighter.

If you fit a new safety, you need to usually do a little bit more than just file the sear engagement tab. I usually deburr the safety where it rides against the frame because new safeties tend to scratch.

http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.ph...steps-involved

Lycannotthathardthrope

Thanks for all the replies gentlemen. I agree that there is room in the joint to pinch it down a lot tighter than what it was, what is going to happen when I want to take the thing apart someday? I don't want to have to attack it with a flathead between the right safety and the frame..........

[Emptymag]

"proud of the frame"


Can you translate?
I've honestly never heard the word "proud" used in this manner.

[YBNORMAL]

In this context, it means that it sits higher (or further out) than the part it is meant to sit flush against. My right side safety is not tight to the frame, there is a gap between the safety and the frame

A nail head that sticks out and hasn't been sunk into the baseboard trim yet with a nailset could be described as sitting "proud" of the trim.

I guess I picked it up from oldtimers in woodworking/machining.

Check the pictures in this thread to see what I mean about the right side safety:

http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=363890

YB