[larryw]

What's the trick to remove a Swensen-type ambi safety? Its time to detail strip and clean my Valtro and the right-side paddle isn't pulling off as it "should".

thanks,
Larry

[Sheldon]

I think the Swensen type safety lever is held in by the right side grip panel. You should be able to see a piece of the right side safety riding under the rt. grip panel. You need to remove the rt. grip panel first and then the safety on the rt. side "should" just pull straight out.

I have a King's safety and you won't see a piece sticking out from the right side safety going under the grip because they use a dovetail groove and a special sear pin to hold that rt. side safety in place. On these you need to remove the left side of the safety first as you would a standard safety (in about the mid-on/off postition and lift straight out). Than you need to remove the rt. grip panel to give you clearance to rotate the rt safety off the dovetail of that sear pin and once clear of that you just lift straight out.

[larryw]

Nope, it doesn't come apart like a "normal" ambi safety. There's a catch or some other trick to it.

[Sheldon]

Just curious....can you get the left side of the safety off? Have you ever taken any 1911 thumb safety off before?

I looked at the Valtro site and it sure looks like a standard Swensen type safety. Of course the site did not go any further than to show just a field strip.....darn!!! Maybe it is just a really tight fit between the left and right sides of that safety?:confused:

[larryw]

No, I can't get either side off. I've had tight ambi safetys before, but this one has me stumped and don't want to attack it with pry-bar and pliers before I learn the secret handshake. ;)

[Sheldon]

I hear ya on that one. I hope someone else has one and can tell you what's up.;)

[larryw]

Oh man, I just noticed I posted this in the wrong area. Sorry for that!

LW

[Sven]

Larry,

The thing that bugs me is that Jardine explained this to me once, but I didn't take notes fast enough!

Hope you figure it out soon.

-s