1911 grip safety - pic attached

[Robb]

41651

Saw this pic a few days ago, really liked the look and have been searching for a grip safety like this but with no luck.
Anyone know if something close to this currently exists, or one that's close that could be worked to resemble this beavertail?
It resembles the Colt duckbill but is fitted, and I like that alot.

[SideShow Bob]

Colt "Duck Bill" grip safety.

[DFBrews]

Looks like it is on a commander too

[Robb]

4171341715


Okay, but there's a difference between the first pic posted and the two I've just added. The 2 new pics are definitely Duck bills and are not fitted to the frame. I hate the fit. The original pic has the same shape grip safety but has been fitted nicely. What gives? Has the safety been welded up to fill the gaps? That's alot of work. I'd like to find that shape but one that I could have fitted to my frame.

Is this "Colt Wide Beavertail Grip Safety" from Midway the same thing as a Duckbill? 41717 It appears the gap is much smaller in the Midway safety and may be able to be fitted nicely. I may go ahead and order one, but hate to throw my money away not really knowing what I'm buying.

Any insight is appreciated.

[O2HeN2]

Looks like an old Wilson Combat. Nowadays it appears he only stocks safeties with the palmswell (I happen to like the palmswell due to my grip).

Wilson Combat fitted safeties (http://shopwilsoncombat.com/Full-Fit-Grip-Safeties/products/37/)

As implied by "fitted safeties" these require shaping the frame resulting in a great-looking fit.

FWIW, this is the fitted safety (not a Wilson) on my carry 1911, built by a gunsmith in the 'springs:

http://nankoweap.com/pictures/caspiancarry.jpg

O2

[C Ward]

Old school 70's vintage stuff , most everybody has progressed to the speedbump high grip style . At one time King's still made one but you may be hunting for somebody with a bunch of NOS parts .

The website the picture in the first post came from , building MEUSOC clones , has a parts list IIRC . If not Google MEUSOC pistol and there is a ton of info .

[KS63]

4171341715


Okay, but there's a difference between the first pic posted and the two I've just added. The 2 new pics are definitely Duck bills and are not fitted to the frame. I hate the fit. The original pic has the same shape grip safety but has been fitted nicely. What gives? Has the safety been welded up to fill the gaps? That's alot of work. I'd like to find that shape but one that I could have fitted to my frame.

Is this "Colt Wide Beavertail Grip Safety" from Midway the same thing as a Duckbill? 41717 It appears the gap is much smaller in the Midway safety and may be able to be fitted nicely. I may go ahead and order one, but hate to throw my money away not really knowing what I'm buying.

Any insight is appreciated.

To get that perfect fit, depending on the frame, welding , filing and lapping are required. So is refinishing the frame.

[BPTactical]

Most beaver tails are fitted with a .250 radius cut on the frame horns on the rear of the frame. Springfields are smidge different, .220 IIRC.
Stock Colt "Duckbills" have a downward sweep to the tail and use the stock frame horns.
Drop in beaver tails don't require a cut to the frame but you miss the biggest advantage to a cut in beaver tail and that is lowering the entire pistol in the hand about 3/8", which helps to minimize muzzle flip.

Slide it by Robb and let's see what you have. I can also show you a fitted beaver tail.

[C Ward]

That's not a drop in Colt part and welding on drop in parts or a frame to properly fit a grip safety is a good way to ruin a frame .

Get a proper gunsmith fit grip safety and have it installed . Most all the grip safeties are cast and the drop in parts MIM neither react well to welding .

[thedave1164]

That pic is of a MEUSOC variant, probably a Clark Grip Safety (early MEUSOC) now they are using an Ed Brown

[Robb]

That pic is of a MEUSOC variant, probably a Clark Grip Safety (early MEUSOC) now they are using an Ed Brown

Thanks, really like the early variant.