1911 Thumb safety fitting help needed!

[Cherrythief]

Hey there! I have a Wilson combat extended thumb safety that I needed fitted for my Remington R1, and the file I have just won't do the job and I don't want to screw up the new part (if I haven't already!), so I'm looking for someone around northwest indiana that would be able to do it for me and quote me a price. Thanks!

Phone: 219-545-3578 text message preferred

email: nuke_the_trees@yahoo.com

 

[88E30M50]

What type of trouble are you having in fitting it? When I've done them, I don't use a file, but a fine stone instead. It takes a while that way, but better too slow than too fast. Also, are you using layout dye like Dykem? It helps a lot in letting you see where you are getting contact.

 

[Cherrythief]

The safety isn't engaging properly; it won't go into the safe position, but it will move partially up. I don't have any dye, either.

 

[MikeDVB]

I would suggest taking it to a good gun smith. Don't have any recommendations for your area though.

 

[Mr Evilwrench]

Why do you want to use a thumb safety on a 1911? Just more to bother with. I guess maybe there's something to having it work as specified, but I want mine ready to go bang when I pull it out.

 

[88E30M50]

In a pinch, you may be able to use a Sharpie in place of the layout dye if you want to keep trying. Unfortunately, I don't know who the good gunsmiths are up at your end of the state.

 

[SERparacord]

Why do you want to use a thumb safety on a 1911? Just more to bother with. I guess maybe there's something to having it work as specified, but I want mine ready to go bang when I pull it out.

^Next person to be more than likely called 4 toes.

 

[churchmouse]

In a pinch, you may be able to use a Sharpie in place of the layout dye if you want to keep trying. Unfortunately, I don't know who the good gunsmiths are up at your end of the state.

This^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^it works.

 

[JetGirl]

Why

Because.

 

[LCSOSgt11]

Try Gutridge Gunsmith. He's in Hobart area. He has a website too...

 

[Mr Evilwrench]

Because.

Oh, hadn't thought of that. Now I understand.

Really, if it fails hard enough to go bang without a good hold on the grip safety and a finger on the trigger, I'll worry about more than a toe.

 

[SERparacord]

The M1911 Pistols Organization Forums Site - Fitting a thumb safety, steps involved

How to fit a safety

 

[bwframe]

Why do you want to use a thumb safety on a 1911? Just more to bother with. I guess maybe there's something to having it work as specified, but I want mine ready to go bang when I pull it out.

The fastest shooters in the world use 1911 style safeties properly as designed. It's irresponsible to suggest not using the thumb safety on a 1911.

 

[Mr Evilwrench]

Well good for them. I'm not suggesting anything as such, I just don't find it useful myself, and while it's hard to read the subtleties of history, I've been of the understanding that the thumb safety was added due to a requirement by the military.

 

[bwframe]

... I've been of the understanding that the thumb safety was added due to a requirement by the military.

Here is a very interesting thread over on THR that gives a historical rundown of the military and the 1911 with references and commentary. It pretty clearly addresses the direction and outcome of the military's input into the thumb safety issue: Designed to be carried Cocked and Locked: Not! - THR

 

[Mr Evilwrench]

So, it was designed according to specifications given by a committee that wasn't going to be using it themselves but decided it should be carried hammer down, first on a full chamber (!), later on an empty one, and the safety was there to engage during reholstering after actual use by cavalry riding on horses. The cavalry just wanted to keep their revolvers. Then the philosophy evolved toward use by personnel with such minimal pistol training they can't clear a stovepipe. Cleared all that right up!

 

[JetGirl]

Cleared all that right up!

In the patent for the design, JMB referred to the half cock as "The Safety Position"...so initially it was intended as a safety shelf to keep the hammer from resting on the firing pin.

HOWEVER, the patent was 1910.
The predecessor to the 1911 was the model 1910 which was exactly the same as the 1911 with one exception... NO thumb safety.
Having the pistol in hand, the only way to have it on "safe" was using that half cock notch.

With the addition of the thumb safety there is currently NO reason whatsoever to ever lower the hammer slowly on a live round or to the half cock shelf as a "safety".

Pics;

1910:

1911:

 

[calcot7]

Are you kidding or just plain stupid?

 

[dannyc626]

I put an extended safety on my colt it worked great. Safety first cause accidents do happen.

 

[JetGirl]

Are you kidding or just plain stupid?

Since you posted that right after my comment but didn't quote anybody...was that intended for me?