purpose of a beavertail
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A beavertail grip safety lets you grip the M1911 higher up for better control, helps you to maintain the same grip position every time and also prevents the hammer spur from reaching back and 'biting' the web of your hand. I have a small hammer bite scar on the web of my right hand from shooting Govt. style 1911s with the original grip safety.
Feud
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In addition to what CWL said, they also make great hats.
XavierBreath
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They are great to eat as well.
My thoughts on hammerbite and beavertails in general are documented here. My preference is an Ed Brown beavertail on a Colt enhanced frame. Such a combination allows me to get the web of my hand a full quarter inch higher behind the bore axis of a 1911. This results in less muzzle flip, faster follow up shots, as well as greater accuracy because the pistol is more in line with my arm. My hand finds the firing grip faster on the draw with a beavertail too. All in all, for me, it means a faster first shot on target, as well as a faster second shot. That is not inconsequential.
A beavertail grip safety is not a necessity for me, but on guns that I do that type of shooting with, they are of benefit.
My thoughts on hammerbite and beavertails in general are documented here. My preference is an Ed Brown beavertail on a Colt enhanced frame. Such a combination allows me to get the web of my hand a full quarter inch higher behind the bore axis of a 1911. This results in less muzzle flip, faster follow up shots, as well as greater accuracy because the pistol is more in line with my arm. My hand finds the firing grip faster on the draw with a beavertail too. All in all, for me, it means a faster first shot on target, as well as a faster second shot. That is not inconsequential.
A beavertail grip safety is not a necessity for me, but on guns that I do that type of shooting with, they are of benefit.
I guess I should've added a little more to my question. I know that the beavertail guards against hammer bite.
What I was wondering...because muzzle flip makes the gun arc up on an axis, and it APPEARS that the beavertail is tight there on the axis...does it prevent / reduce muzzle flip?
I know the energy still has to go somewhere, so I'm thinking it's transferred more to a push backward? (I'm prepared to be wrong there...just my best guess).
What I was wondering...because muzzle flip makes the gun arc up on an axis, and it APPEARS that the beavertail is tight there on the axis...does it prevent / reduce muzzle flip?
I know the energy still has to go somewhere, so I'm thinking it's transferred more to a push backward? (I'm prepared to be wrong there...just my best guess).
The Lone Haranguer
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If you mean does a beavertail act as a leverage point or travel stop against your hand to keep the gun from flipping up, IMO no. The b-tails on 1911s arch up significantly away from your hand. The higher grip afforded by them would reduce muzzle flip a little. I just find them more comfortable to shoot. I don't get hammer bite per se, but the downturned narrow spur of a "regular" grip safety digs into and abrades my hand.
On guns with more flattened b-tails (e.g., S&W full-size M&P), I am not sure.
On guns with more flattened b-tails (e.g., S&W full-size M&P), I am not sure.
Tom Fury
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The closer, tighter grip results in better purchase for your fingers, resulting in a more effective grip overall which I believe lets you control the arc a little better.
I also believe the beavertail spreads the pounding from recoil on the web of your hand, decreasing pain and fatigue in a longer (or shorter, more violent) shooting session. Go ahead, do 100 rounds with a Colt Commander with a "pigtail" safety in 1/2 an hour and I think you'll see what I mean.
Thanks, Xavier; well done.
Cheers, TF
I also believe the beavertail spreads the pounding from recoil on the web of your hand, decreasing pain and fatigue in a longer (or shorter, more violent) shooting session. Go ahead, do 100 rounds with a Colt Commander with a "pigtail" safety in 1/2 an hour and I think you'll see what I mean.
Thanks, Xavier; well done.
Cheers, TF
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TimboKhan
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Grip schmip. For me the only justification for a beavertail is that my big fat hands suffer mightly from snakebite. The better grip angle argument is true, and I am sure there is some effect on felt recoil, but in the end, all I care about is the web of my hand not bleeding profusely. Unlike Xavier, a beaver tail on a 1911 is a must have for me.
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