Author Topic: Bobtail?  (Read 1194 times)

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Offline singleVI

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Bobtail?
« on: September 18, 2007, 01:02:09 PM »
Ive seen it on lots of 1911s and I dont know what purpose it serves. What is the reasoning for bobtailing a 1911?

Offline Questor

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Re: Bobtail?
« Reply #1 on: September 18, 2007, 01:36:22 PM »
Assuming you're referring to a "beavertail", it's the best thing to happen to 1911s since the trigger job for people who shoot a lot. It keeps a callous from forming on the back of your hand from the old style fitting. It also goes a long way toward keeping the copious amounts of oil one uses on a 1911 from running all over your hand.

I still shoot a lot with the old style fitting, and there's a permanent looking callous between my thumb and index finger from it.
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Offline Savage

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Re: Bobtail?
« Reply #2 on: September 18, 2007, 02:13:54 PM »
The bobtail treatment reduces printing. Don't know if that is the sole intended purpose, but it looks cool too!
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Offline GRIMJIM

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Re: Bobtail?
« Reply #3 on: September 18, 2007, 02:15:21 PM »
I think he was referring to a "bobbed" frame. Is this correct? A grip frame that has a beveled back corner? I would also like to know if it is just aesthetic, or more for ccw.
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Offline williamlayton

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Re: Bobtail?
« Reply #4 on: September 18, 2007, 11:48:48 PM »
Bobtail is a term which can be used for more than one thing.
Essentially it means removing portions of something.
Bobtailing a hammer is for the purpose of alleviating the bite cause by catching the web between your thumb and first finger between the hammer and the beaver tail. This can also be done with a larger beaver tail. Bob tailing the hammer simply reduces the size of the hammer.
Bob tailing the lower portion of the grip---cutting off the corner at the rear lower portion of the grip--- can do two things.
1) for some games it allows a weapon to fit in the box.
2) this is sometimes done to lessen printing in a concealed carry situation.
OR
It can be done for the "cool" effect.
It is cool.
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Offline Lloyd Smale

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Re: Bobtail?
« Reply #5 on: September 19, 2007, 12:20:00 AM »
I like it but have never done it to a gun. Dont know why though. I dont think it would do alot toward preventing a gun from printing. But it looks real slick and the ones ive handled feel real good in the hand to me.
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Offline singleVI

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Re: Bobtail?
« Reply #6 on: September 19, 2007, 10:10:19 AM »
Yes the bobbed frame is what I meant.  I thought the beaver tail prevented hammer bite? What ''games'' would require a 1911 to fit in a ''box''?

Offline Savage

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Re: Bobtail?
« Reply #7 on: September 20, 2007, 11:25:38 AM »
William was referring to the IDPA box.  http://www.idpa.com/ Check out the rule book for details.
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Offline GRIMJIM

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Re: Bobtail?
« Reply #8 on: September 20, 2007, 12:28:59 PM »
I'd like to ask a dumb question, what do you guys mean by printing?
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Offline jhm

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Re: Bobtail?
« Reply #9 on: September 21, 2007, 03:31:18 AM »
Printing is the weapon showing under your particular type of clothing shirt, vest, Jacket.  HTH   JIM

Offline GRIMJIM

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Re: Bobtail?
« Reply #10 on: September 21, 2007, 11:43:44 AM »
Yes that's what I was wondering.
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Offline tutti confuso

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Re: Bobtail?
« Reply #11 on: September 22, 2007, 03:20:16 AM »
Bob-tailing  originally was [term] used on a revolvers .. the spur on the hammer was completely cut / ground off on double action pistols, primarily so as not to get caught drawing the gun from under clothing, Ruger had a pistol in production back aways that had a bob tail hammer, i think it was the security 6, not sure if you ordered that way or it was a choice.. as well
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Offline John R.

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Re: Bobtail?
« Reply #12 on: September 25, 2007, 03:15:03 AM »
I have a Govt. Model that has been bobtailed. It definitely does not print as much as a standard one. It also feels good in the hand, and yes it looks cool. ;)

Offline pacecars

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Re: Bobtail?
« Reply #13 on: October 07, 2007, 02:00:06 AM »
I have a Dan Wesson Bobtail Commander 10mm that I carry everyday and it is easier to conceal than the regular grip. It also feels very good in the hand and it does look cool!

Offline crabo

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Re: Bobtail?
« Reply #14 on: October 07, 2007, 01:29:33 PM »
How does the Bobtail work for those with big hands?

Offline pacecars

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Re: Bobtail?
« Reply #15 on: October 09, 2007, 07:46:29 AM »
It works extremely well. I have a problem with any compact pistol with my pinkie or last 2 fingers dangling. With Ruger Blackhawks my pinkie is below the grip also. I have absolutely no problem with the bobtail. I have been shooting DoubleTap 200 gr WFNGC with no problem
http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_25&products_id=105

Offline SHOOTALL

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Re: Bobtail?
« Reply #16 on: October 09, 2007, 08:02:18 AM »
I would guess that most serious gun toter's bob-tail a 1911 so on the draw from concealment the hammer won't snag on their clothing and get them  killed ! IMHO !
just like pinning the grip safety , or taping it !
If ya can see it ya can hit it !

Offline williamlayton

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Re: Bobtail?
« Reply #17 on: October 10, 2007, 07:51:36 PM »
There is a strong history of the grip safety being tied down on the 1911---some screwed/screw em down.
The game boys and RO's frown on this but like most in the field you do what you need too get the job done---and defy the rules.
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Offline tutti confuso

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Re: Bobtail?
« Reply #18 on: October 11, 2007, 05:43:35 AM »
shooting a .41 mag.  blk hawk started out as a problem.. like you, my hand was a bit big for the grip.. i cured that by put on a steel 44mag back strap on with spacers between the grips.. much better control now

It works extremely well. I have a problem with any compact pistol with my pinkie or last 2 fingers dangling. With Ruger Blackhawks my pinkie is below the grip also. I have absolutely no problem with the bobtail. I have been shooting DoubleTap 200 gr WFNGC with no problem
http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_25&products_id=105
God must love stupid people... He made so many.

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