Colt Gov't Model Ambi Safety Question

[Nightcrawler]

Eventually (probably when I get home from overseas next year) I'm going to send my Colt (new rollmark) Government Model off to get an ambidextrious safety installed.

Here's the thing. I do NOT want an extended safety. I don't shoot with my thumb on the safety (can't really do that anyway, with the standard safety and grip safety). Extended safetys, on pistols I've handled in stores, when pushed down press against my trigger finger and it's bothersome. Besides, I don't like the way extended safeties look.

However, extended safeties, beavertails, and commander hammers are by far the most popular these days. Does anyone even MAKE a non-extended, ambidextrious, Colt-style safety? Something well made; this is not a part you want breaking on you.

 

[Sean Smith]

Actually, there is such a part. Colt used to offer it, and you can get an identical version from Brownells.

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=9213&title=1911+AUTO+AMBIDEXTROUS+SAFETY

 

[Nightcrawler]

Excellent. Thank you.

Couple questions. Where would be a good place to send this off to have it done? I have little in the way of mechanical inclination (or tools), so I'm NOT going to attempt this myself.

Second, do you need special grips for an ambidextrious safety?

 

[Sean Smith]

Ned Christiansen is in Michigan.

http://www.m-guns.com/

Most ambi safeties need the right side grip cut to clear the safety lever. I don't know if these need that or not.

 

[nextjoe]

If you want Ned to install it for you, I suggest emailing him right away to get your name on his waiting list. I put my name on his "short list" last August and I expect he'll call me sometime around July or August of this year. If you want a full-blown custom project, your name goes on the "long list" and the wait jumps to 3-4 years.

Best,
Joe

 

[Nightcrawler]

Eek.

I'd just as soon send it to somebody else and have it back in three weeks.

 

[Frenchy]

That's the same model that I've ordered for my Commander. Any half way competent Smith should be able to handle it.

 

[Nightcrawler]

Problem is, there simply aren't any gunsmiths around here, that I'm aware of.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Of course, you can install it yourself and test it out. It's not hard at all.

BTW, I suspect that the one posted by Sean Smith is the same that Colt sold under its own name. I bought several for myself and love them.

 

[Nightcrawler]

What all is involved in the installation of the safety? I don't have a dremel.

 

[4v50 Gary]

The Muschke ambi requires that the grips & old safety be removed. That's easy enough.

It features a disconnector/sear pin that has a milled slot that secures the left thumb safety and prevents it from falling out. Insert the sear pin and then the right side safety. The left side safety goes in and is rotated into place such that it fits into the dovetail cut of the disconnector/sear pin.

Don't think you have to dremel anything as the left side safety doesn't have a finger tab that is held into place by the grips (unlike the Swensen version). That's what I like about the Muschke safety.

 

[Nightcrawler]

Where does one secure the Musche safety?

I'm a little hesitant to do this operation myself because I've heard that 1911 clones need fitting for parts installation, usually.

On an annoying side note, know how when you let something scrape against a wall it'll get paint on it and the paint can be hard to get off? Somehow I got a mark like that on the top of my Colt's slide, near the front sight post. How it got there is beyond me; the pistol's never been in contact with a wall.

And it won't come off! Grr...no biggie, though. It's a workin' gun.

 

[BluesBear]

Since the price of genuine Colt ambi safties are over $60 I have used the Mueschke ambis on my last two Colts. On one I needed to do a little fitting with a small file and on the last one it dropped right in.
They don't snag on holsters or clothing and are just as fast to work as a regular safety. I also like the fact that they work with anybodys grips

I won't own a Colt without one.