Has anyone put a new grip safety on a Springfield Mil-Spec 1911

[cowboyinblue]

I am looking at putting a new beavertail on a Springfield Mil-Spec 1911-A1. So far I am looking at an ED Brown with memory groove, Midway# 746615, and a Wilson High Rise, Midway# 114538. The Wilson looks like I won't have to do as much or any shaving on the back of the frame, but I also don't want a huge gap between the frame and safety. Does anyone have a possible pic of a similar job on a Mil-spec, or a suggestion for a certain beavertail that would work with the least amount of metal removing. I am expecting to have to fit the safety but don't want to hack of a whole lot off if I don't have to. I wouldn't mind, but its not my gun and I feel bad grinding on a buddy's gun.

Thanks for the help.

 

[BBBBill]

Because of Springfield's frame tail shape, a Brown will not fit a cleanly as an S&A .220" radius or Wilson. The S&A will be far easier to fit than the Wilson with its compound radius and will require less material to be removed than any other option except a "drop-in". Be sure to get the .220" radius version that was developed especially for the Springfield.

 

[cowboyinblue]

Thanks, makes me feel much better. Just to clarify S&A is smith and alexander correct? Thanks for the help, i really didnt wanna have to take the dremel to someone else's gun, or at least anymore than i have to.

 

[Drail]

Just wanted to be sure that you understand, there are drop in beavertails (big gap) and fitted beavertails. On a fitted beavertail you're going to have to carefully remove most of the original frame tangs. (think dremel and files) You're going to need a fitting jig unless you're really good with freehand work. If you're not comfortable with that then you should go for a drop in. Fitting a beavertail properly is not a job for the faint of heart. It takes some amount of skill and precision or it can end up looking like a hack job.

 

[cowboyinblue]

Fitting isn't a problem, but with the ones i was looking at it was starting to look more like reworking than fitting. With the Brown i think i would have to take about a 1/2 inch of the back of the frame, big estimate of course, i dont mide rounding the tang i just didnt wanna cutthe whole thing it off. I don't doubt my abilites...yet... I've had many succesfull builds so far just never put a new tail on a Mil-Spec. The reason i'm asking is i tried to put on the tail off my kimber just for compairison, and i couldn't even come close to gettin the thumb safety pin all the way in. Like i said i dont mind doing some fitting and rounding, i would just like to do as little as possible.

Thanks for the help.

 

[BBBBill]

Then "drop in" is the way to go. Look for one that fits closest to the stock frame tangs and go with that. You will still have to check/adjust the fit of the trigger blocking arm.

Edit to add - I don't use drop ins, but I believe that those for a Colt Commander will provide the best cosmetic fit. Check with Wilson Combat to verify.