1911 Beavertail

[Slugless]

First time I shot my dad's .45 I didn't like it. Lots of recoil, hard to control & the Browning bite.

I still have a little scar from the bite.

I thought that if I inherited the pistol the next time I got back on that horse I'd want a beavertail. On the Springfield 1911 thread several fellows are talking about adding a beavertail.

But in the meantime I read (on THR, I think) an older fella military trained saying that endless thousands of recruits were trained on the Browning & all it takes is a proper grip.

So I tried it out, I grip high up on the pistol, no bite, less recoil & I'm pretty accurate with it.

So what is it - a hand geometry thing (some need it, some don't) or a technique thing. Or is the Browning bite not the issue?

If it's good all 'round I'd still consider getting one.

 

[HisSoldier]

I've never been bit by a 1911, but my hands are not fat or fleshy, now, the PPK/S is another matter, but since learning to hold it carefully it's no problem. In the PPK/S's case it's the bottom of the slide that was cutting tracks in the web of my hand.
The commander type hammer was developed I think to counter hammer bite, and the beaver tail helps.

 

[Exmasonite]

Apologize if this is a newb question:

In regards to the beavertail, does it help prevent bite and recoil? It was my impression that the beavertail was entirely for helping with concealment.

thanks.

 

[Canuck-IL]

A BT makes concealment more difficult, not less. It protrudes more than the stock tangs and grip safety. The purpose of a BT is to allow the hand a higher grip, closer to the bore axis which allows better control of recoil - not less recoil.

If one is comfortable with the standard grip, bobbing the hammer is an alternative to installing a BT and a Commander ring-style hammer.
/Bryan

 

[Walkalong]

I have never been "bitten" by a 1911 regardless of grip safety style from GI to Wilson beavertail type. Some folks have a problem with it, most do not it seems.

 

[Exmasonite]

Canuck-

Thanks! I figured shaving that corner would make it less likely to print or something. Good to know!

 

[Canuck-IL]

I have never been "bitten" by a 1911 regardless of grip safety style from GI to Wilson beavertail type. Some folks have a problem with it, most do not it seems.

I agree - I've never been bitten but I have long thin hands. The BT does help you use a high handhold, especially with the thumb over the safety, that is common in USPSA.

Other than that purpose, I'd bob the hammer - I like the classic look of regular tangs and GS. That's of course not 'tacticool.'
/B

 

[Noxx]

If you have big fat hands (like me) and are subject to hammer-bite, the BT makes for an entirely different gun, that you can hold with confidence rather than gingerly. If you're comfortable without it, great, if you have to monkey your grip around after the draw to avoid getting bit, definitely try a BT.

 

[Slugless]

Okay, so the beavertail is to allow a high grip, but why do you need a beavertail to do that? Now that I grip high I don't get bit. Is it just for certain types of hands?

And, yes, it isn't less recoil, it's less felt recoil. My brain doesn't notice much difference, it's common to equate the two but not precise terminology.

 

[Noxx]

Is it just for certain types of hands?

Pretty much. If you have big meaty hooks, when you grip that gun tightly there's a good chance a piece of flesh is going to spill over into the "bite" area where the hammer travels to it's fullest extension. If it doesn't happen to you, it's nothing to worry about, but for some folks it's a real deal breaker.

 

[Slugless]

Okay, cool - it's clear now.

Thanks to all!

 

[Wayne G.]

I bobbed the hammer and grip safety on my Mil-Spec to eliminate bite. I used a dremel tool to cut off the end of the hammer and end of grip safety. I then used the grinding wheel attachment to cut off sharp corners/edges. I followed up with 80 grit sand paper to even/smooth surfaces and finished with 220 grit.

Stock safety and hammer

Bobbed safety and hammer

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I have a sample of each with and without a beavertail. The beavertail makes it more comfortable to shoot over a long period. The long tang on my non-BT will rub a little raw spot on my hand.

 

[SouthpawShootr]

Never been bit by a 1911. Now, if you want to talk about one of those older Hi-Powers with the ring hammer........... Left a sort of permanent "lump" in the web of my hand. Was a really nasty blood blister but never broke the skin.

My first 1911, a Colt Government, had a standard military grip safety. I guess I don't grip these high enough. It never bit me. Most of my others came with the beavertail.

 

[JohnnyOrygun]

I noticed the bite more from my Old Combat Commander, when I went to a Government model, the bite wasn't nearly as bad. But I did add a drop-in beavertail and that took care of the bite problem. On my old Combat Commander the drop-in BT didn't help, I had to have a full BT put in by a gunsmith (who had forgot more about 1911's then I'll ever know) I don't know if the longer barrel of the Government mod helped or just the Commander length shorter barrel allowed more muzzle flip. Just my 2 cents.

 

[conan]

They all should come stock with beaver tails

 

[SouthpawShootr]

They all should come stock with beaver tails

Most of the modern ones do, but the so-called military or GI spec ones do not. Colt, Springfield, Auto-Ordnance, Armscor, Rock Island, High Standard are among the manufacturers who currently build some 1911 models with GI grip safeties. There are also specialty things like Colt's New Agent, Kimber's RCP, and Para's CCW oriented guns (3 models that I can think of have an abbreviated grip safety that is even shorter than GI).

 

[RevolvingCylinder]

I have never been bitten by a 1911 and I will only accept the normal grip safety. I have large hands myself and find the 1911 frame to be rather thin for my hands but I like it nonetheless.

 

[1911RjB]

my hands are not really small, but there not huge, i too have never been bitten by my 1911

 

[MICHAEL T]

Never bitten and I don't like or want beaver tail. And will not have on my carry guns period,
Thats one thing I love about my Detonics.

 

[45auto]

The fitted beavertail removes the various edges and "pointed" frame/thin beavertail tangs. Also prevents hammer bite for some. It does allow a higher grip for many.

Almost without exception, 1911s used by competitors, swat teams, Marines all have fitted beavertails.

It wasn't invented or designed for "looks". It came about from people that shot a lot of 45's...and for good reason.

 

[crankshop1000]

Short answer...Yes you want a beavertail.You will feel more at ease shooting if you are not concerned about drawing blood with each shot.I don't believe a beavertail makes a whole lot of difference in concealability as we are talking a full size 1911 here.I added one to my RIA 1911 and it was worth the effort.

 

[Slugless]

Well, I'm not getting bit with a more proper grip but I have one more change to make to avoid my low & left tendency. At this point I'm not worried about it.

If I start shooting lots of .45 then I think crank's and 45auto's advice is spot on.