An addition to my 1911

[Hardtarget]

Nothing special. I'm a left hand shooter and I want an ambi safety. The gun is a Colt 1911 govt. ( 1 year old ).

Is this something I should not do for some reason? Are these ambi safeties good? As in reliable, robust or weak? Is this a no brainer and really just should not worry about it and just do it?

Mark

 

[JTQ]

They are weaker, and I don't have them on my 1911, but if I were a lefty I'd probably put one on. I'd have it done by pro, though.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

They're not hard to put on. Anyone can strip an M1911 all the way down and reassemble it. You simply have a standard safety with a longer shaft and a second thumb piece held on with a set screw. Easy to do.

 

[MaterDei]

Weaker? Have you ever felt the pressure of a 1911 safety? You could use wooden dowels and it would take a LONG time to wear them out.

If this was an issue it would be easy to find left hand only safeties. I know they are out there but they are rare.

 

[JTQ]

If this was an issue it would be easy to find left hand only safeties. I know they are out there but they are rare.

What connects to the plunger on the left side on a left hand only safety?

 

[entropy]

What connects to the plunger on the left side on a left hand only safety?

It's not that making the LH only safety is hard, it's that the machining on the frame is different. Although the advent of CNC machining has made such things easier, there still isn't that much call for them. I have an ambi safety on my Taurus PT1911, and it gets use from both thumbs. The market for LH only safeties is the intersection of the group of LH only shooters, and LH only shooters that insist on just the LH safety.

 

[guyfromohio]

I take issue with Vern's comment. They are not necessarily plug and play. Some fitting via filing in the right places is required. I'd pay a smith to fit one. Should be a $40-$60 job.

 

[Hardtarget]

Thanks for the info! I do plan on having a "smith do this for me. I've never seen a .45 with an ambi installed so I don't think I want to try this. I'm looking forward to having this done and shooting! I think I'll call tomorrow to see when he can fit it into his schedule.

Mark

 

[Jed Carter]

I would get a Wilson Combat Bullet Proof they are very good and seem to me to be easier to fit than all the others I have used. If memory serves me you also have to get a hammer pin that is made for the double safety. It keeps the port side safety in place.

 

[Drail]

For many years ambi safteties that used a mortise and tenon between the left and right levers ALL had a bad habit of becoming loose when the mortise spread open from torque when mashing the right side lever. I have installed many of them for customers who need one and they always started getting loose in short time if the right side lever (the side lefties use) was used primarily. Wilson Combat has supposedly solved this problem but I have not personally tried one yet. Most of the smiths I talk to all say the Wilson is a much better product. Browning either hated left handed people or assumed that Drill Sgts. like mine would MAKE every recruit right handed. In the military everyone uses right handed manual of arms. Or at least they did when I was in. As guyfromohio stated all thumb safeties must be fitted to your frame. They will NOT drop in and work properly. They must be hardfit to ensure the sear is wedged solidly when "on safe".

 

[tonyjr]

I am left handed to . Being left handed - you just learn where safety is .
One gun and not shooting much - maybe .
With 7 different calibers - I don't mind the safeties . [ soon to be 8 ]

 

[Drail]

I am right handed. Every match I have shot that requires a weak hand stage makes me understand the difficulty lefties have with a right handed weapon. It can be done but it feels very awkward to me. Just one more reason I prefer revolvers over autos.

 

[Hardtarget]

All the responses are really appreciated! Just the the feed back I was hoping for.
I tried to contact the 'smith today...I'd written down the phone number wrong.
I'll request the Wilson unit when we talk.
If this was only to be shot on a target range I'd leave it un-touched. Thing is, you never know.
And, for the record, I carried a revolver for years and have four of them. Only two semi auto guns. Love to shoot revolvers!

Thanks again! As usual, The High Road does itself proud!

Mark

 

[hAkron]

The colt ambi safeties ride in a notched hammer pin which holds them in pretty securely. They are pretty easy to DIY if you have the inclination. If you can take the gun all the way apart, and follow simple instructions, you can install an ambi safety.