Ambi safety question

[Boone&Smith]

The Kimber Warrior uses a different kind of ambi safety. When this pistol was unveiled there were a few that pointed out that it was a Kings safety and I have read somewhere that Kimber is making their own version of it. I did a search at Brownells and from the diagrams I did not see one by Kings or McCormick (heard that was Kimbers brand) that looked like mine. Does anyone have a part number from Brownells for this ambi-safety? Thanks.

 

[RogersPrecision]

B&S,
I've never seen a factory Kimber with a King's thumb safety.
Some may have been confused as both the King's and the Kimber ambi's use an extended hammer pin to retain the right side paddle.
The Kimber ambi is available through the Kimber Custom Shop and although
MIM construction, is a good piece of hardware.
There are several things that should be done to keep an ambi healthy and happy.
First and most important is the right side paddle should have a positive 'stop' in its downward travel. This can be accomplished by careful relieving of the top of the right side grip panel. This won't work with 'thin' grips, however. An alternative is installing a press fit 3/32" pin into the frame to act as a stop. Without a stop, torque is transfered directly to the tongue and groove joint, and it will eventually loosen.
Second is a very close fit of the grip to the retaining arm on the non-King's/Kimber's style safeties. Most all grips are cut too deep to properly keep the right side paddle in place. This can be fixed by filling the grip pocket with epoxy and remachining it to a very close fit with the retaining arm thickness.
I hope this helps!

 

[Boone&Smith]

Thank you. Just what I was looking to know. I appreciate it.

 

[JoeHatley]

Here is a quote from the American Handgunner article"

"The Warriors include Kimber’s new design for an ambidextrous safety. Typically ambi-safeties have relied upon an extension on the right side riding in a slot cut in the grip. This was the original Swenson design that has served well for decades, but is subject to damage and also provides a nice place for dirt and crud to gather. The other option came from Colt to avoid Swenson’s patent, and used a longer sear pin with a slot cut in it to accept a corresponding area on the right-side safety lever. The drawback of this design is the risk of jamming the safety if the sear pin is damaged.

Kimber’s new design eliminates both of those possibilities and uses a slightly longer hammer pin engaging with the right side safety lever internally. It leaves nothing exposed for possible damage and the operation is sure and positive."

Link to the full review with some photos showing the right side: www.americanhandgunner.com/FTR11.html

Joe

 

[Sheldon]

I got a King's safety put on my Colt Gold Cup to avoid the hassle of getting grip panels relieved for the other style safeties. It has worked well for me.