1911 Thumb Safety Change

[FinestS&W]

Haven't posted in a while, been busy with work. With that said, I'm thinking of changing the ambi thumb safety on my Smith 1911 but I've never done that before. Is it something that is easy to do? I'm pretty much mechanically inclined, and do most of my own minor gun smithing, but as I said it's something I've never done. So should I bring it to a gun smith, or is it something I can do myself?

 

[FinestS&W]

Haven't posted in a while, been busy with work. With that said, I'm thinking of changing the ambi thumb safety on my Smith 1911 but I've never done that before. Is it something that is easy to do? I'm pretty much mechanically inclined, and do most of my own minor gun smithing, but as I said it's something I've never done. So should I bring it to a gun smith, or is it something I can do myself?

 

[BlindJustice]

CHanging your Ambi safety to what?

R_

 

[FinestS&W]

I recently installed a LaserMax into my 1911 which I got used from a friend. The only thing is, the LaserMax takedown lever is stainless not blue. I really like the way the stainless looks against the black of the frame and would like to replace my blue thumb safety with a stainless one, simply for cosmetic reasons.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Originally posted by FinestS&W:
I recently installed a LaserMax into my 1911 which I got used from a friend. The only thing is, the LaserMax takedown lever is stainless not blue. I really like the way the stainless looks against the black of the frame and would like to replace my blue thumb safety with a stainless one, simply for cosmetic reasons.

The fitting of a 1911 safety is super critical, and most are made oversize requiring filing and very precise fitting. A single file stroke too many and the part MUST NOT and CANNOT be salvaged. It must be discarded and you MUST start with a new one. Failure to heed this advice will result in an UNSAFE firearm.

That said, I suggest you obtain the Bill Wilson video series on the 1911 and they give good instruction with very good view of the parts. They show you exactly where to file. However, the filing must also be absolutely flat, level and straight. Failure to do an absolutely flat cut on the stud that butts against the sear will again result in a completely UNSAFE firearm.

I would let a professional do it.

 

[torrejon224]

He's right, this is a gunsmith job. One small change in the geometry of the angles and you'll have a extremely unsafe weapon. The job should cost approx $75 to $90 plus the part(s).

 

[rbert0005]

If you do it yourself you will need a hand grinder. ie. a Dremel or the like with the proper wheels.

Bob

 

[LuddhaBuddha]

What, why would you need a dremel tool to fit a thumb safety? I fit mine with a small file and it worked just fine, I wouldn't even think about using a dremel to fit a thumb safety.

 

[dennis40x]

I have a safety that was on my SW1911sc which S&W changed out to an ambidextrous. It's blue. If you want to try it send me five dollars to cover purchase of the padded envelope and postage. Contact me at my E-mail address.

 

[FinestS&W]

Thanks for the offer, but mine IS blue... I want to CHANGE it to stainless. I'll probably heed the above advise and just bring it to a gunsmith. Thanks for all the replies.

 

[Joni_Lynn]

If you do it yourself, take the grip safety off so you can see the interaction of the sear/safety and fit slowly with a small file or stone. It's no big deal, even if you ruin the safety you'll know how to do the next one correctly.