Beavertails

[vigil617]

<snicker, chortle, etc.>

OK, now that we've got that out of the way....

What's the deal with beavertails on semi-auto pistols?

I confess that as a still-learning pistol aficionado, I never paid much attention to beavertails when choosing the pistols I wanted to own. But now that I've owned several Third-Gens, I've noticed how much difference there can be among the different models, as far as the length of the beavertails. (Photos show my 3566 Compact, Shorty 40, and 3913TSW and the differences among them.) Plus, when I look at 1911s, and notice the long, curved beavertails on those, I can't help but wonder "how come?" (That, and to think "Gene Simmons".)

What, exactly, is the purpose of beavertails? I understand how their fit across the web between thumb and forefinger provides a more positive grip by preventing the pistol from sliding downward. Some do seem more comfortable than others, and certainly the shorter ones make for easier concealed carry. But is there any other reason for them, perhaps from a structural standpoint of the frame? And why is it that some are so much longer and more pronounced than others? Is it mostly just aesthetics? Is there an "ideal fit" for these; i.e., the longer the better? Do they have anything to do with dampening muzzle-flip?

At least one inquiring mind wants to know.

 

[scwv67]

It's my understanding that some folks with really meaty hands can get bit by the slide on some auto's and that some amount of 'tail prevents this. I can't understand why the tail on some 1911's is so large though. I like the abbreviated tail on your 3913. If I had the nerve and ability, I would consider grinding the one on my standard 3913 down to a similar size.

Part me thinks the elongated beavertails on some pistols, particularly 1911's, are more of a fashion statement than for any functional reason.

Flame suit on.

 

[rog8732]

"Hammer bite", when deep enough to bring blood , and, with whatever pain threshold you have, a fit of profanity, and worse, an irate (not well thought out) heave of your semi-auto into the nearest patch of woods, is the reason for 80% of beavertails....Which, from now on shall bring that awful vision of Gene (Kiss) Simmons to mind.

That bite, and sometimes, just the slam of the rear frame tang (Gene again) into your hand can put you off shooting hard rebound semi-autos.

When you get into the newer little mini 1911 family, most of them weigh less than 30 ounces, and in about any .45 acp loading they are fairly brutal for any long term shooting. Without the fuller support of a Simm -- uuh beavertail ,which all I am familiar with have, few people would take the time to become proficient enough to carry them for protection, which is what the little 26 to 30 ouncers is all about.

For me, a semi-auto has felt recoil more straight rearward, with a slight counterclockwise twist, than directly up, as we have been shown to do in the movies.

The other 20% reasons for the B T is 10% looks, and the remaining 10 is what some refer to as "memory bump", as in, putting your hand-hold as near the same as you can each time for the sake of accuracy.

There is probably several more points for their use, and none that add to concealment. One other thing; most ,not all,do not allow the use of the tang style hammer, so de-cocking a loaded forty five can get a little dicey. Not that it happens too often.

You may not think it, but the fore-going was my opinion, and mine alone.

How will I ever wrap my own hand around that tongue thing again.

 

[JackBlades]

Even if you tolerate pain well, blood all over your pistol, holster, and gear, as well as the shooting bench, is kinda nasty.

1911's are so easy to install beavertails & loop hammers on. Everybody's doing it!

 

[kcode]

I think it was 1969 at a Steppenwolf concert, there was this chick............wait, we're not talking about that kind of beavertail.

I just compared all of my 3rd gen 9mm and had three different lengths, the .40's all seemed to be the same, and the .45's about the same as the .40's except the CS45. Regretfully, I do not have any 3rd gens with a spurred hammer.

I pulled out the 1911's and noticed that with a spurred hammer in cocked position the spur is way below the bottom of the slide which definitely explains the larger beavertail on 1911's especially if you try to keep your grip as high as possible to the barrel axis.

 

[Comrad]

I do appreciate a fine Beaver tail but I don't care for them on a pistol. I'll never have this problem living in NJ but I would worry it would hang up on clothing while drawing from an IWB. And since the only pistola I own is a 6906 there is no problem.

 

[nocents]

I think it was 1969 at a Steppenwolf concert, there was this chick............wait, we're not talking about that kind of beaver tail.

I remember her...but it was the Deep Purple concert ........but back to reality....I just noticed the smaller BT on the TSW pic...compared to the non TSW 3913's I have.....I have to say I prefer at least the look of the longer ones....and as far as function...I grip as high as the BT lets me...firmly...did I mention firmly

 

[JackBlades]

I used to shoot 300+ rounds each weekend of .45 ACP. A stock grip safety tail is narrow & sharp enough that even if you don't get piched by the hammer spur, it'll wear you raw. The BT is full frame-width and just settles into your thumb web soooo nicely. The Ed Brown set shown on my beater is easy to install and the hammer sits down in a hole at full-cock. I can shoot all day with this mod.

 

[vigil617]

Thanks for the feedback and your thoughts and opinions.

Frankly, it had never occurred to me that the beavertail provided protection from "hammer bite" and "slide bite". Makes a lot of sense, and since I've never been fortunate enough to have been "bitten" by anything from a Third Gen (except the bug to own them!) I just hadn't associated the 'tail as a design feature for protection.

It gets a little confusing, doesn't it, when the whole beavertail discussion begins to involve not only the one on the frame of the pistol, but also the "beavertail safety" that is on some of the 1911 models? All part of the learning curve, I guess.

Thanks again for the enlightenment.

 

[JackBlades]

The fact that the 1911 grip safety is so easy to remove/replace is one of the main reasons this mod is so popular. Combined with a checkered mainspring housing (also a two-minute drop-in) and maybe some frontstrap checkering, that gun feels like it's welded to your hand.

 

[fyimo]

As stated the beavertail was to prevent slide bite but also some people really like it because it kept their hand in a high position for their grip that they thought aided the sight picture. I for one really like the beavertail for just that I because I like the sight picture I get with one.

 

[SW CQB 45]

I have large hands (3X) and the hammer spur would bite the web of my hand with a 4500 SW.

I would dremel the spur to minimize however if I did a quick grab out of the holster with a less than perfect grip…I would still get bit.

Yes, I could have gotten a 4516 hammer for my CQB, but the duty holsters I had were made for hammers with a spur to maximize retention.

 

[xcpd69]

Hammer bite. A good(bad?) example is the Browning Hi-Power. Really needs a beavertail, but not easily or cheaply added. Some of us with large hands, using a high hold, do get hammer bit, without a substantial tang,

The Old Colt Officer's ACP, with it's narrow grip safety tang, was NOT a pleasant experience, for me, anyhow. The Colt Defender Plus I currently own, with it's "Ducktail", is a much less painfull experience, since the recoil is spread over a much larger area..