Colt Defender Beavertail

Keltyke · April 9, 2008, 08:12 PM

My wife has a Colt Defender. She would like a high-rise bevertail installed. My reserarch shows the Wilson #429 to be a "drop in" replacement. I'd really rather not do any machining on the frame in case we want the original reinstalled. Can anyone comment on this?

TIA!
Gerald

**Unclenick** · April 11, 2008, 06:51 PM

I haven't tried the Wilson, specifically, but the other drop-in beavertails I've seen are not entirely satisfactory. they have to be narrow out to the end of the frame, and when you depress the grip safety, that narrow extension comes down and wears a red place in the web between the thumb and index finger, just the same as a regular grip safety does. If your wife's hand is bothered by the standard grip safety, she won't get the same general spreading effect of a broad BT grip safety unless it is installed by removing some of the metal at the back of the frame to make it fit.

WESHOOT2 · April 12, 2008, 08:14 AM

www.brownells.com might be able to offer some thoughts......

April 9, 2008, 08:12 PM	#1
Keltyke Junior member Join Date: April 6, 2008 Location: Spartanburg, SC Posts: 2,933	Colt Defender Beavertail My wife has a Colt Defender. She would like a high-rise bevertail installed. My reserarch shows the Wilson #429 to be a "drop in" replacement. I'd really rather not do any machining on the frame in case we want the original reinstalled. Can anyone comment on this? TIA! Gerald

April 11, 2008, 06:51 PM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	I haven't tried the Wilson, specifically, but the other drop-in beavertails I've seen are not entirely satisfactory. they have to be narrow out to the end of the frame, and when you depress the grip safety, that narrow extension comes down and wears a red place in the web between the thumb and index finger, just the same as a regular grip safety does. If your wife's hand is bothered by the standard grip safety, she won't get the same general spreading effect of a broad BT grip safety unless it is installed by removing some of the metal at the back of the frame to make it fit. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

April 12, 2008, 08:14 AM	#3
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	telephone direct www.brownells.com might be able to offer some thoughts...... __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"