Changing thumb safety on 1911...need instructions

[C-grunt]

Ok first off I did do a search and found a video on youtube on how to take off the ambi thumb safety on his RIA tactical. Is it the same way on my Springfield Milspec? I want an extended safety as the plunger is pretty stiff and its almost impossible for me to re-engage the safety with my shooting hand.

So if I have it right, I take off the slide and kinda put the safety in the half way position and wiggle it out. Is that right?

 

[Old Jimmy]

You take off the grips too on ambi safeties as the right side is captured by the right grip...

 

[chieftain]

Ok first off I did do a search and found a video on youtube on how to take off the ambi thumb safety on his RIA tactical. Is it the same way on my Springfield Milspec? I want an extended safety as the plunger is pretty stiff and its almost impossible for me to re-engage the safety with my shooting hand. So if I have it right, I take off the slide and kinda put the safety in the half way position and wiggle it out. Is that right?

May I suggest some of the information you will probably need to fit your new safety can be found in one of two sites. (with pictures too) WWW.1911Forum.com and/or www.m1911.org Both are fine sights with a very large amount of useful information.

Note: DO NOT USE A DREMEL TOOL. More 1911's have been ruined by dremel's than in combat or with bad reloads. Get a nice set of small files and stones. Look at Brownel's or Midway. There are others, but those are the two I use for most of my "smithing" tools.

Be advised, I am not a GunSmith, but I do all but the metal work of the frame or slide on my 1911's. In fact about 3 weeks ago I fitted a new Ed Brown Tactical thumb safety to my Carry piece, one of my Two Colt Gunsite Pistol's. I like the Ed Brown 'model' better than the excellent Wilson Combat version it came with.

Understand Wilson makes good parts too, I just subjectively prefer Ed Brown for extended magazine releases, and carry thumb safeties. I also get most of my Recoil plug and short military guides from them too.

Good luck, it will become a long journey with your 1911 as you begin to upgrade it and/or adapt it to "your" gun.

Fred