Bobtail

eman · February 26, 2013, 09:31 PM

I'm thinking about trying to do a Bobtail on my Colt Gold Cup (I bought it new about 30 years ago)
I can borrow the Ed Brown jig from a buddy and I'm pretty mechanically inclined.
Any advice from those who have done it ?

shootniron · February 26, 2013, 09:59 PM

I have not done it personally, but it is my understanding that it is not a difficult project at all. If you do it, be sure to let us follow along through posted pics.

And remember, if there are no pics...it didn't happen.

**Unclenick** · February 27, 2013, 11:31 AM

You mean you want to install a beavertail grip safety? IIRC, the Ed Brown beavertail is for a Commander style hammer and will interfere the standard Goldcup hammer, so your in for a new hammer and trigger work if you don't have that already.

Otherwise, no problems. I have one the Ed Brown fixtures and it is pretty hard, so the file slips right over it. I dress the result by draw filing with a chalk loaded fine mill-cut (don't want to trip the word filter with the actual term) file. I just used Oxpho-blue on the exposed steel, as it is covered pretty well by the safety.

After that, the extension from the safety that blocks the trigger had to be filed at the nose on mine until it didn't rub the trigger bow as it engaged. I also had to file a little up under that extension so the trigger bow would slip under it freely when the trigger is pulled. That's something you can file until the safety just engages enough. That way your grip doesn't have to be perfect to release it. I also had to file a little off the bottom of the safety behind the two retaining feet in order for it not to rub on the mainspring housing.

Once you've done all that work and have the safety in place, I think you'll be happy with it. The standard safety always rubs the web between my thumb and index finger until its red. For long shooting sessions the beavertail is much more comfortable.

ScottRiqui · February 27, 2013, 11:35 AM

I think he's talking about a "bobtail" treatment, where the corner at the bottom of the MSH is "cut off":

**Unclenick** · February 27, 2013, 11:47 AM

Ah!. (Smacking my forehead with my palm.) It hadn't occurred to me he'd want to do that with a Goldcup just because I don't think of it as a carry gun. I also don't recall Ed Brown had that bobtail mainspring housing when I was still building 1911's regularly (like 20 years back), but I could be wrong. The grip safety fixture is the same.

eman · February 28, 2013, 10:56 PM

I don't want to use it for carry, it just feels better in my hand with the Bobtail grip.

February 26, 2013, 09:31 PM	#1
eman Member Join Date: December 20, 2009 Posts: 42	Bobtail I'm thinking about trying to do a Bobtail on my Colt Gold Cup (I bought it new about 30 years ago) I can borrow the Ed Brown jig from a buddy and I'm pretty mechanically inclined. Any advice from those who have done it ?

February 27, 2013, 11:31 AM	#3
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	You mean you want to install a beavertail grip safety? IIRC, the Ed Brown beavertail is for a Commander style hammer and will interfere the standard Goldcup hammer, so your in for a new hammer and trigger work if you don't have that already. Otherwise, no problems. I have one the Ed Brown fixtures and it is pretty hard, so the file slips right over it. I dress the result by draw filing with a chalk loaded fine mill-cut (don't want to trip the word filter with the actual term) file. I just used Oxpho-blue on the exposed steel, as it is covered pretty well by the safety. After that, the extension from the safety that blocks the trigger had to be filed at the nose on mine until it didn't rub the trigger bow as it engaged. I also had to file a little up under that extension so the trigger bow would slip under it freely when the trigger is pulled. That's something you can file until the safety just engages enough. That way your grip doesn't have to be perfect to release it. I also had to file a little off the bottom of the safety behind the two retaining feet in order for it not to rub on the mainspring housing. Once you've done all that work and have the safety in place, I think you'll be happy with it. The standard safety always rubs the web between my thumb and index finger until its red. For long shooting sessions the beavertail is much more comfortable. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

February 27, 2013, 11:47 AM	#5
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	Ah!. (Smacking my forehead with my palm.) It hadn't occurred to me he'd want to do that with a Goldcup just because I don't think of it as a carry gun. I also don't recall Ed Brown had that bobtail mainspring housing when I was still building 1911's regularly (like 20 years back), but I could be wrong. The grip safety fixture is the same. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

February 26, 2013, 09:59 PM	#2
shootniron Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2011 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,599	I have not done it personally, but it is my understanding that it is not a difficult project at all. If you do it, be sure to let us follow along through posted pics. And remember, if there are no pics...it didn't happen.

February 27, 2013, 11:35 AM	#4
ScottRiqui Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 2,905	I think he's talking about a "bobtail" treatment, where the corner at the bottom of the MSH is "cut off":

February 28, 2013, 10:56 PM	#6
eman Member Join Date: December 20, 2009 Posts: 42	I don't want to use it for carry, it just feels better in my hand with the Bobtail grip.