1911 grip safety fitting

[MattTheHat]

I've got an unused Essex stainless receiver that I've cut for a grip safety using the Wilson cutting guide. I'm reasonably sure the left and right tangs are cut true and to the same length.

I notice when I install the thumb safety, the grip safety is shifted slightly counter clockwise (as viewed from the rear). The shifting is very slight, but it's visible to (probably over critical) eye. I would assume this means the left tang is still a bit oversized, but again, the cut looks very true and to the same depth as the right (at least when judged against the cutting guide).

I guess the other possibility is that the hole for the thumb safety pin may have been machined at a slight angle. As unlikely as that seems, I honestly think that might be the problem. I need to get some long pin stock and a small square to investigate further.

So, my question is, whether or not any of you have ever run across a thumb safety pin hole machined sat a slight angle?

Any other ideas?


-Matt

 

[TroyHarp]

Do you have a few photos to better illustrate?

 

[Drail]

If you work on enough 1911s you will encounter pin holes drilled in the wrong place, drilled on an angle, and not parallel to each other. The real fun begins when you try to explain this to the proud owner and tell them you do not want to work on it.

 

[Oro]

If the grip safety appears to be obviously clearing the cut frame tangs, consider this:

I encountered this problem not long ago. It was the Thumb safety pin diameter that was the culprit. The new thumb safety pin diameter was about .005" smaller than the previous one and was enough to let the grip safety can slightly and malfunction.

This may or may not be your problem, but it might be worth measuring that diameter, or trying another thumb safety. It could be a case of "tolerance stacking" that the new grips safety's pin hole is slightly larger than the stock one.

Another possibility is the grip safety's tang width is a little thin or it's hole drilled slightly angled.

 

[MattTheHat]

Thanks for the replies.

I don't think it's the thumb safety pin diameter as it's brand new, and goes in quite tightly.

I'll be using some long pin stock tonight to see if I can figure out what the heck is going on. I was really hoping someone would chime in and say there's no way the hole is drilled incorrectly.


-Matt

 

[1911Tuner]

I don't think it's the thumb safety pin diameter as it's brand new, and goes in quite tightly

Brand new doesn't guarantee that it's right. Besides the possibilities that Drail mentioned, you could also have a tolerance stack problem.

Every dimension has a plus/minus tolerance. If the hole in the grip safety is at the lower limit and the thumb safety pin is on the high end...there could be a little frictional contact between them. If you add a little angle to the hole...drilled at an angle...the contact gets tighter. It could also be the holes in the frame. Essex isn't known for perfection.

Check the ID of the grip safety hole and the OD of the thumb safety pin. Slip it in and see how tightly it fits. Do the same with the holes in the frame. Note any binding. If there isn't any, there's a crooked pin or a cattywampus hole somewhere.

 

[navyretired 1]

If you use dial or digital calipers and measure distance between hammer hole and safety hole on both sides of frame and compare measurments you'll know if the hole was drilled and reamed crooked.
I just had the same problem and found that I'd left a slight angle on one tang side. I discovered it with felt tip marker or prussian blue. As soon as I got rid of rubbing the safety then started working without bind.
I beleave in Ocum's Razor ( the simpleist answer is generally the right one)