1911 beavertail--Yay or nay?

[Curare]

I'm looking for a 1911 for CCW, home defense and weekly CCW matches (not too competitive close range bullseye in low light followed by going for chicken wings with the guys).

I was thinking of going with a Colt 70 series due to history, aesthetics, and because I own some other Colt products. I've shot a few hundred rounds through 1911s with beavertails, but I haven't had the opportunity to shoot much with a GI grip safety. I wish that my local range had one to rent. I know that the beavertail provides a slightly higher and more comfortable grip, but is the standard safety that much of a hinderance?

 

[Samgotit]

I'm having a Wilson Combat "drop-in" put on a Colt Lightweight Commander at the moment. That sucker is a terror to shoot without one. I'm an isosceles shooter with a reasonably well trained grip, too.

 

[mljdeckard]

I would say yes, but my dad recently bought a Mil-Spec without one. I was worried that he would have bite, as he has large meaty hands, but it hasn't been a problem. I would recommend get to a rental range that has one of each, and try both.

The only complaint I have about them is that they stick out too far for me to close the holster flap on my M-12. I have to leave the flap off and use the thumb break.

 

[dwave]

I like them. I have one with, and one without. I prefer the with one.

 

[Teddyb]

What's a little hammer bite. That's how we knew the 1911's were working properly!

 

[Quoheleth]

IMHO, it's worth the extra bucks to get a 1911 with it. A little hammer bite isn't the end of the world, but it sure isn't as pleasant as a hug from the wifey, either.

Q

 

[Sam1911]

Unless you're interested in an "old school" (looking) gun, get the beavertail safety. It's kind of a no brainer. If you could try one with and one without, side-by-side, the benefits are obvious.

It is far more comfortable, and it allows a higher grip on the gun which will help your shot split times in those competitions.

-Sam

 

[Creature]

I hate carrying a beavertail 1911 for any extended length of time. It eventually digs into my side and becomes quite uncomfortable. I much prefer carrying a 1911 with the "standard" grip safety.

 

[wally]

I don't have a strong opinion either way since the standard doesn't bite me. I've both and never changed any from the way they came. I have added a few ambi safeties to guns that didn't have them though.

--wally.

 

[Sam1911]

It eventually digs into my side and becomes quite uncomfortable.

No "sweat shield" on your holster?

-Sam

 

[Magnumite]

When I use a GI type beavertail, I use the early 1911 short tang grip safety or just grind a 1911-A1 to the same profile. Finished off to match the profile of the frame with the grip safety in and it will handle almost as well as a high grip beavertail equipped 1911.

The only fly in the ointment is the hammer. If you use a high hold with the thumb over the safety it will bite...hard. So just bob the hammer enough to miss the hand.

 

[MountainBear]

I have a scar in the web of my hand from shooting an unmodified Colt 1911. My hold is too high. I prefer to shoot my S&W 1911, and it does have a beaver tail grip safety. Much more comfortable. It allows me to think about shooting instead of the blood splattering over the rear of my slide...

 

[Teddyb]

You should try shooting left handed, you also get brass in the face and breach blast!

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I've had two 1911s, with and without beavertails, and I find the b-tail-equippped one more comfortable to shoot. The edges of the tang on a standard one dig into and abrade my hand. (This is not the same as hammer bite.)

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

I have both, and think the beavertail might be about 70% hype. Sure, thee are some fat handed people that might have a need for it, but the majority of folks would probably be o.k. with the A1 style grip safety. It's more a matter of aesthetics, and how it feels to each of us. The longer A1 tang pretty much solved the original 1911 bite.

 

[rmfnla]

My hands are not beefy, so much so that I ground the extension off the grip safety on my last Combat Commander with no problems.

It was completely flush with the frame and I still never got bit. I really liked making the gun almost an inch shorter!

 

[w_houle]

what's a [strike]little[/strike] hammer bite. [strike]that's how we knew the 1911's were working properly![/strike] we threw rocks and were grateful!

ftfy

 

[MICHAEL T]

You should try shooting left handed, you also get brass in the face and breach blast!

Been shooting one for 40 years left handed and never had that problem Never read here or any where else of a Lefty complaining about this

 

[weisse52]

I like them with a standard hammer, I also like the older Commander grip safety and hammer. I do not really care for the way some of these beavertail's look. I have owned both with and without.

I choice without when I can.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I would get one of the more subtle extensions like those offered by Colt if they are available on the aftermarket. I really like the one on the blued Commander and the duckbill style on the many of the others like the Gold Cup and Defender.

 

[CWL]

I also have a scar on my hand from hammer bite. While I have several 1911s/M1911s without, I prefer the ones with beavertails. Not the drop-in type, but real fitted ones that allow you to get as high grip as possible for accuracy and control.

Shooting accurately is enough of a challenge without having to worry about getting the "bite".

 

[DFW1911]

Yes!

 

[Harvey]

OP, if you are in the market for an older model 70 with 'history', I suspect you'll want to leave the original tang safety alone. But do they even sell new 80's without a beaver tail?

 

[LancerMW]

just bob the hammer if your afrade of hammerbite

 

[Creature]

It eventually digs into my side and becomes quite uncomfortable.

No "sweat shield" on your holster?

-Sam

Yes. Still winds up potruding right into my side when I bend or lean to that side during normal moovement throughout the day.