Author Topic: Springfield 1911-A1 Beavertail Grip Safety (Read 5202 times)

indeeptrouble · « **on:** March 02, 2005, 04:50:33 AM »

About a year ago I purchased a SA 1911-A1 from a local gunshop and have slowly been adding mods to it. I have added a Wilson full length guide rod and a Nowlin trigger group (trigger/sear/disconnecter/ hammer/ etc). It is the trigger group that I am having trouble with. The commander style hammer won't work with my current grip safety (the hammer contacts the safety and won't allow the slide to fully retract). My question is: Are there any beavertail grip safeties that will drop in without modification to the frame? I don't want to alter the frame because that means more work - grinding PLUS refinishing. I also don't want to modify the frame just in case I don't like it. I would like to have the option of going back to the factory hammer/grip safety. I know I saw one in a catalog but can't remember wich one. I have checked brownells/wilson/etc. and can't find one.

Thanks

Iowegan · « **Reply #1 on:** March 02, 2005, 05:08:37 AM »

Wilson make the one you need. Brownell's P/N 965-429-100 for blue, or 965-429-101 for stainless. See: http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=16464&title=1911+AUTO+DROP-IN+BEAVERTAIL+GRIP+SAFETY&s=37011#37011

indeeptrouble · « **Reply #2 on:** March 02, 2005, 07:13:17 AM »

thanks for the quick reply. I checked it out and it says

SPECS: CM steel, blue or stainless steel, matte finish. Fits Colt Series 70 and 80 1911 Auto only. Commander also fits Officers ACP. Ship wt. ½ lb.

Since I just recently became a 1911 owner there are still a few things I don't understand. Such as the model 70/80 series differences. What is the difference/which is mine? Will parts (such as these) that say Colt series 70/80 fit my SA? Is the spec. saying series 70/80 1911 auto only or 1911 only or Colt series 70/80 only. The wording is a little tricky.

Thanks

Iowegan · « **Reply #3 on:** March 03, 2005, 04:26:42 PM »

Your SA is basically the same as a Series 70. Series 70 & 80 are Colt designs that differ in several ways. The Series 70 (and 1911 Clones such as the SA), do not have the firing pin interrupt device.

In a Series 80, the tab on the grip safety is thinner and the frame is cut out to accomodate two "L" shaped parts, one fits on the hammer pin, the other on the sear pin. These form linkage from the trigger bow to the firing pin interrupt in the slide. The grip safety tab must be thinner on the Series 80 so it won't hit the firing pin interrupt linkage.

Your SA can use either a Series 70 or 80 Govt Model or 1911 Grip Safety. The Commander or Officer ACP Grip Safety won't work on your SA. They have a different frame radius.