Kimber's 1911 grip safety is FUGLY!

[Black Majik]

Am I alone on this?

The more I look at it, the more I think how much I hate it. I keep looking at it and it just bugs me to look at. It looks so out of place on an otherwise very nice 1911.

It doesn't look "too" bad on the stainless models, but the finish on the blued/kimpro guns just looks like it was spray painted on. The finish doesn't match, nor does it wear very long. The MIM part just plain looks like it was made out of a high school metalshop class.

I love my only Kimber, its a series I, but everytime I look at that grip safety, damn....

And that ugly lookin' hump.

Sorry, I dunno why I'm rambling about this, I'm just thinking outloud.

 

[HighVelocity]

Replace it if you don't like the way it looks. You have options man!
I don't know what the radius is of the frame where it's cut for the grip safety, either.225 or .220 but you can get replacement parts with either cut.

Personally, I don't have a problem with the way it looks. It shoots great and that's what's important to me.

 

[lunde]

I am very fond of the Ed Brown "Memory Groove" beavertail grip safety, found on several of my pistols (Ed Brown Executive Elite w/Bobtail and custom Colt Delta Elite w/Bobtail):

 

[MaterDei]

What exactly is the memory groove remembering?

 

[TexasRifleman]

And another vote for the Ed Brown memory groove. I love them, have them on all my 1911's.
The idea is that your hand goes to the same spot because it "remembers" the feeling of those grooves.
Works better than I thought it would.

I would post a pic but I won't post pictures in the same thread as Dr Lunde, that's too tough an act to follow

 

[lunde]

I haven't a clue. It's simply its name. This is from the Ed Brown web site:

This grip safety has Memory Grooves cut into a raised pad on the rear for positive depression of the part. With normal use, your hand becomes accustomed to the feel of the grooves, and will remember where the perfect grip is for consistent shooting.

I find it very comfortable. The most annoying beavertail grip safety I have used is the one on the SIGARMS GSR. Its lower edge was rather pointed, and dug into my hand.

 

[boing]

The memory grooves are a gimmick, but they do look nice. My Kimber wears an Ed Brown GS. Took many hours of fitting and refinish, but it was really worth it.

 

[Browns Fan]

lunde,
Dude! that is a thing of beauty! Very nice!

 

[McNutt]

I ground the grip safety down on my Dan Wesson Patriot. I hate all grip safeties with the bump at the bottom as I find they make shooting uncomfortable. My SA GI has the old-style Colt grip safety that fits flush with the grip when held and it works just fine.

 

[f4t9r]

Change it

 

[Shipwreck]

I ground the grip safety down on my Dan Wesson Patriot. I hate all grip safeties with the bump at the bottom as I find they make shooting uncomfortable. My SA GI has the old-style Colt grip safety that fits flush with the grip when held and it works just fine.

See, I prefer that bump - I Like the ones that Springfield puts on the guns, and didn't like that Kimber is missing them.