1911 safety removal in detail strip

stratus · November 8, 2005, 08:50 PM

Having trouble getting the thumb safety out in order to install a drop-in beavertail. Is there some trick to it? I've looked on a lot of sights but can't seem to get detailed-enough information.

Thanks!

kart racer · November 8, 2005, 09:15 PM

move it about 3/4's up,you may ahve to wiggle it some.is it an ambi safety?

stratus · November 8, 2005, 11:49 PM

Well.................

I sorta took the MSH off, and now I can't get the hammer to cock in order to move the safety up. And, when I attempt to reinstall the MSH, the hammer doesn't even cock anymore.

Think I'm just gonna see a gunsmith, and watch him very carefully when he works on my gun. But if anyone has any further suggestions that could help me, feel free.

hkg3 · November 9, 2005, 12:04 AM

“The Colt .45 automatic: A shop manual” by Jerry Kuhnhausen is an absolute must if you own a 1911.

stratus · November 9, 2005, 12:10 AM

Yeah I'm definitely gonna order it....

moredes · November 9, 2005, 02:07 AM

When replacing the MSH, be sure the 3-leaf spring is aligned flat and correctly (in its' slot) against the inside of the frame. Then watch that the tip of the hammer strut aligns with the huge 'detent' (socket) atop the MSH as you slide it back into the grip's grooves. If you get that far, you may need to muscle the MSH into the frame (depending on the strength of the mainspring, which is housed in the MSH).

If you've been successful to this point, you should be able to cock the hammer and engage the thumb safety. Wiggle it up and down *just slightly* (less than 1/8" total travel)while pulling it out of the frame.

James K · November 9, 2005, 02:50 PM

When you remove the safety, make sure the plunger doesn't fly out and get lost. GI pistols had a kink in the spring and little lugs on the plunger to make the three parts into one unit, so the plungers can't get loose, but some of the clones just use straight plungers and a straight spring.

Jim

November 8, 2005, 08:50 PM	#1
stratus Senior Member Join Date: October 5, 2005 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 881	1911 safety removal in detail strip Having trouble getting the thumb safety out in order to install a drop-in beavertail. Is there some trick to it? I've looked on a lot of sights but can't seem to get detailed-enough information. Thanks!

November 9, 2005, 12:04 AM	#4
hkg3 Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 1999 Location: Kalifornia, on my way to Arizona Posts: 1,149	“The Colt .45 automatic: A shop manual” by Jerry Kuhnhausen is an absolute must if you own a 1911. __________________ "The next time I shoot somebody I could be arrested." - Lt. Frank Drebin, The Naked Gun

November 8, 2005, 09:15 PM	#2
kart racer Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2005 Posts: 175	move it about 3/4's up,you may ahve to wiggle it some.is it an ambi safety?

November 8, 2005, 11:49 PM	#3
stratus Senior Member Join Date: October 5, 2005 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 881	Well................. I sorta took the MSH off, and now I can't get the hammer to cock in order to move the safety up. And, when I attempt to reinstall the MSH, the hammer doesn't even cock anymore. Think I'm just gonna see a gunsmith, and watch him very carefully when he works on my gun. But if anyone has any further suggestions that could help me, feel free.

November 9, 2005, 12:10 AM	#5
stratus Senior Member Join Date: October 5, 2005 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 881	Yeah I'm definitely gonna order it....

November 9, 2005, 02:07 AM	#6
moredes Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2001 Posts: 325	When replacing the MSH, be sure the 3-leaf spring is aligned flat and correctly (in its' slot) against the inside of the frame. Then watch that the tip of the hammer strut aligns with the huge 'detent' (socket) atop the MSH as you slide it back into the grip's grooves. If you get that far, you may need to muscle the MSH into the frame (depending on the strength of the mainspring, which is housed in the MSH). If you've been successful to this point, you should be able to cock the hammer and engage the thumb safety. Wiggle it up and down just slightly (less than 1/8" total travel)while pulling it out of the frame.

November 9, 2005, 02:50 PM	#7
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	When you remove the safety, make sure the plunger doesn't fly out and get lost. GI pistols had a kink in the spring and little lugs on the plunger to make the three parts into one unit, so the plungers can't get loose, but some of the clones just use straight plungers and a straight spring. Jim