Ambi to left side safety swap

[GaryS]

I know that this has come up in the past, but I can't find the thread or threads.

As I've mentioned, I really like carrying my pre rail 3913TSW. The only thing I hate is the ambi safety/decocker. I've found, thanks to a member, a source that has the left sided decocker in stock.

I seem to remember that it's not a straight forward parts swap, which I could do. There is some measurement or adjustment needed, which I MIGHT be able to do, but I'm not sure.

Can someone refresh my memory on this?

Thanks.

 

[JohnHL]

All 2nd and 3rd gen safeties for the single and double stack 9mm pistols and double stack .40s&w pistols interchange.
The only concern is decock timing.

If the hammer falls when you thumb the safety lever down, you're good.

John

 

[GaryS]

Thank you. Now, what do I do if the hammer doesn't fall?

I'm going to go ahead and order one in any case. My shirts will thank me for that!

All 2nd and 3rd gen safeties for the single and double stack 9mm pistols and double stack .40s&w pistols interchange.
The only concern is decock timing.

If the hammer falls when you thumb the safety lever down, you're good.

John

 

[JohnHL]

Thank you. Now, what do I do if the hammer doesn't fall?

Easy.
Fit a new sear release lever. (15 minute job)

John

 

[GaryS]

Thanks. The safety/decocker is ordered. I'll post pictures (if it's a successful operation) when I get it done.

If it works on the non rail 3913, I'll probably spend the money to get one for my railed 3913.

Easy.
Fit a new sear release lever. (15 minute job)

John

 

[tjtoolbox]

I know that this has come up in the past, but I can't find the thread or threads.

As I've mentioned, I really like carrying my pre rail 3913TSW. The only thing I hate is the ambi safety/decocker. I've found, thanks to a member, a source that has the left sided decocker in stock.

I seem to remember that it's not a straight forward parts swap, which I could do. There is some measurement or adjustment needed, which I MIGHT be able to do, but I'm not sure.

Can someone refresh my memory on this?

Thanks.

Hi Gary, just had a LH safety decoker changed to an Ambi decoker because I am LH. They are all the same because S&W would need to change milling service for all calipers . the one that I purchased would work for 9mm 40mm 10mm and 45acp, so they are all the same. I have a LH Safety decoker that I would sell and you need to have a Gunsmith install it. I was going to try to install mu own , but didn,t know how.
Joe

 

[GaryS]

There are some very nice 3rd Gen disassembly videos on You Tube. I've removed the ambi safety on my 3913TSW using them. It's not a very complicated job.

My daughter is left handed and liked shooting my 6906 because it has that ambi decocker/safety. I'm a righty (in both senses of the word), so the right sided decocker is of no use to me.

Please PM me about your offer. I'm interested, but don't want to mess up this thread. Thanks.

Oh, I just saw your location. We're not all that far from each other.

Hi Gary, just had a LH safety decoker changed to an Ambi decoker because I am LH. They are all the same because S&W would need to change milling service for all calipers . the one that I purchased would work for 9mm 40mm 10mm and 45acp, so they are all the same. I have a LH Safety decoker that I would sell for $35.00 and you need to have a Gunsmith install it. I was going to try to install mu own , but didn,t know how.
Joe

 

[4T5GUY]

I don't want to be "that guy", but 10mm and .45 safeties
do not work very well on 9mm's. They are longer and will
move back and forth. Trust me !!!! Maybe on the "value" line
9mm's. (?).

 

[GaryS]

I checked the part number against the S&W parts sheet and they match. Actually, I'm not sure there are any left side only .45 ACP 3rd Gen guns except the 457.

The only 3rd Gens I can think of off hand with single side safeties are the 3913NL and LS, as well as the early blue/black CS9.

Then again, I'm sure someone is going to come up with one to prove me wrong!

I don't want to be "that guy", but 10mm and .45 safeties
do not work very well on 9mm's. They are longer and will
move back and forth. Trust me !!!! Maybe on the "value" line
9mm's. (?).

 

[tjtoolbox]

The gun that I changed out the left side was a 457, like I said I am LH and needed a Ambi Safety.

I checked the part number against the S&W parts sheet and they match. Actually, I'm not sure there are any left side only .45 ACP 3rd Gen guns except the 457.

The only 3rd Gens I can think of off hand with single side safeties are the 3913NL and LS, as well as the early blue/black CS9.

Then again, I'm sure someone is going to come up with one to prove me wrong!

 

[0849]

left side only to ambi

I had purchased a 3913TSW that the previous owner had changed to left side only safety/decocker, and I changed it back to ambi, easy change and no problems; also changed my CS9 when I initially purchased it new, had left side only, and also changed that one to ambi with no problems.

 

[Ethang]

I had purchased a 3913TSW that the previous owner had changed to left side only safety/decocker, and I changed it back to ambi, easy change and no problems; also changed my CS9 when I initially purchased it new, had left side only, and also changed that one to ambi with no problems.

Did you save the two left side only ones....

 

[4T5GUY]

Gary, I can send you one if you need one. It came off my
908 that I put an ambi on. Got "extra" new plungers and
springs if you need one of both to go with it too. There is
a small scratch on the lever if that makes a difference.
Jim

 

[GaryS]

Another member here is looking for one. He PMed me last night to ask where I ordered mine. That was Cylinder and Slide, but apparently, I got the last one. Lucky for once!

Anyway, if he wants it, he should pop in here or PM you. If he doesn't, PM me and we can work out the details. I have one for now, but I have a second gun that I'd like to do the modification on as well.

I will take you up on the offer for the plunger and spring, if you want to PM me.

Gary

Gary, I can send you one if you need one. It came off my
908 that I put an ambi on. Got "extra" new plungers and
springs if you need one of both to go with it too. There is
a small scratch on the lever if that makes a difference.
Jim

 

[gregma]

Another member here is looking for one. He PMed me last night to ask where I ordered mine. That was Cylinder and Slide, but apparently, I got the last one. Lucky for once!

Anyway, if he wants it, he should pop in here or PM you. If he doesn't, PM me and we can work out the details. I have one for now, but I have a second gun that I'd like to do the modification on as well.

I will take you up on the offer for the plunger and spring, if you want to PM me.

Gary

I have a new to me 3913TSW that I'd love to convert to a left side decocker only if you all wind up with an extra one. Not a gunsmith, but can take em apart if simple enough.

-Greg

Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

 

[GaryS]

Here is a question for the armorer folks. Will a 2nd Gen safety/decocker fit and work in a 3rd Gen slide?

I should really know more about the differences between the two generations than I do. Which is why I ask.

 

[4T5GUY]

Great question, I always went the other way. Since none of our
resident armorers have checked in, I tried it.
I assume you're still thinking about single sided safeties. I only
have one on a 2nd gen, that being a 439. I put it in a 908, and
it went right in. It did not function, didn't even move. It was a nightmare to remove too. Once I did get it out, I put it in a
6906, thinking somehow a "value" line would be different. Again,
it went right in, and again did not function or move. It also was
very hard to remove.

 

[GaryS]

That is good enough for me. I guess it's a case of it being the same thing, only completely different.

Great question, I always went the other way. Since none of our
resident armorers have checked in, I tried it.
I assume you're still thinking about single sided safeties. I only
have one on a 2nd gen, that being a 439. I put it in a 908, and
it went right in. It did not function, didn't even move. It was a nightmare to remove too. Once I did get it out, I put it in a
6906, thinking somehow a "value" line would be different. Again,
it went right in, and again did not function or move. It also was
very hard to remove.

 

[JohnHL]

That is good enough for me. I guess it's a case of it being the same thing, only completely different.

Some caveats:

The 1st rule at S&W is there are no rules.

I realize I don't have the same mechanical aptitude as other members of the Forum.

Not knowing it had already been proven not to work, I have been exchanging 2nd and 3rd gen safeties (both single lever and ambi) in both directions (2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 2nd) for some time now.

John

 

[GaryS]

Continuing that theme. I picked up a 457 single side safety yesterday. I bought in anticipation of a future 4513 purchase. I had previously measured the width of the slide on my 457 against my 3914NL. The 457 slide is a bit wider, enough so that the it would seem that the safety would be just a bit longer.

When I got home I laid the stainless and carbon pieces side by side. They are identical. As it turns out, those clever folks at S&W relieved the slide enough that the safety fits more or less flush with the slide. That's the lever side, of course. On the 3914 and my 3913s, that side sticks out just a little bit.

I don't know if that was a cost saving measure for the 457 only, or if that applies to the other compact 45xx guns.

As you say, the only rule at S&W is that there are no rules.

Some caveats:

The 1st rule at S&W is there are no rules.

I realize I don't have the same mechanical aptitude as other members of the Forum.

Not knowing it had already been proven not to work, I have been exchanging 2nd and 3rd gen safeties (both single lever and ambi) in both directions (2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 2nd) for some time now.

John