Kimber grip safety.

dayman · May 17, 2011, 04:27 PM

I would like to change the grip safety on my kimber over to one with "memory grooves". I"m not looking to make any major alterations to the frame, and so I was thinking I"d go with the one made by kimber. My question is how difficult that would be to do on my own. Is it going to be a drop in part, or something I should let a professional handle?

Clemson · May 19, 2011, 09:12 AM

You must be able to disassemble and reassemble the pistol. Fitting is minimal, but you have to file the "tab" on the grip safety until the trigger will clear it when the safety is depressed. While you are at it, you might consider replacing that abominable plastic mainspring housing that Kimber feels obligated to use.

Clemson

GURU1911 · May 19, 2011, 01:23 PM

When considering the purchase of a new grip safety, to install on a 1911 frame, i have had great success using the ed brown "memory groove" grip safety.

Guru1911

Clemson · May 19, 2011, 02:52 PM

The Ed Brown safeties are excellent. I use them in guns that I build, but... the Kimber would require a frame modification to use one.

Clemson

dayman · May 20, 2011, 04:56 AM

I changed the msh to an Ed Brown in "snakeskin" as soon as I bought the gun, so I'm all set there. MIM doesn't really bother me, but I"m not a big fan of plastic on a 1911.
I was going to ceramicoat the frame anyway, so I'll have it disassembled soon enough. I also did replace the trigger, but I can't remember if I had to take the grip safety off for that. I kind of think so, but it was a while ago.
It was the filing I was worried about, but I guess the part is only like $40 anyway, so even if I do screw it up it won't be a huge loss.
I am also a big fan of Ed Brown parts, but I'm nowhere near competent enough to try to modify my frame. I also don't want to put a huge amount of money into this gun as I"m trying to save to buy a full Ed Brown gun. I just want to do enough to this one to make it stand out from the other million kimbers out there.
I have a pretty decent file set, but should I get anything special?

May 17, 2011, 04:27 PM	#1
dayman Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2011 Location: The Woods Posts: 1,197	Kimber grip safety. I would like to change the grip safety on my kimber over to one with "memory grooves". I"m not looking to make any major alterations to the frame, and so I was thinking I"d go with the one made by kimber. My question is how difficult that would be to do on my own. Is it going to be a drop in part, or something I should let a professional handle?

May 19, 2011, 09:12 AM	#2
Clemson Senior Member Join Date: March 9, 2001 Location: Greenwood, SC Posts: 875	You must be able to disassemble and reassemble the pistol. Fitting is minimal, but you have to file the "tab" on the grip safety until the trigger will clear it when the safety is depressed. While you are at it, you might consider replacing that abominable plastic mainspring housing that Kimber feels obligated to use. Clemson __________________ NRA Endowment Member, NRA Certified Instructor CWP Holder US Army veteran Gunsmith www.boltandbarrel.com

May 19, 2011, 01:23 PM	#3
GURU1911 Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2010 Location: SEALY, THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS Posts: 501	Choice of grip safety When considering the purchase of a new grip safety, to install on a 1911 frame, i have had great success using the ed brown "memory groove" grip safety. Guru1911 __________________ NRA LIFE MEMBER (1984) & PRESIDENT: S.W. LA. R&P CLUB, LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (1994-1999) METALLIC CARTRIDGE RELOADER (1977) & GENTILE CHRISTIAN ZIONIST INFIDEL !!! "THERE AIN'T TOO MANY THINGS THAT YOU CAN'T FIX, WITH $500 DOLLARS OR A .30-06"

May 19, 2011, 02:52 PM	#4
Clemson Senior Member Join Date: March 9, 2001 Location: Greenwood, SC Posts: 875	The Ed Brown safeties are excellent. I use them in guns that I build, but... the Kimber would require a frame modification to use one. Clemson __________________ NRA Endowment Member, NRA Certified Instructor CWP Holder US Army veteran Gunsmith www.boltandbarrel.com

May 20, 2011, 04:56 AM	#5
dayman Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2011 Location: The Woods Posts: 1,197	I changed the msh to an Ed Brown in "snakeskin" as soon as I bought the gun, so I'm all set there. MIM doesn't really bother me, but I"m not a big fan of plastic on a 1911. I was going to ceramicoat the frame anyway, so I'll have it disassembled soon enough. I also did replace the trigger, but I can't remember if I had to take the grip safety off for that. I kind of think so, but it was a while ago. It was the filing I was worried about, but I guess the part is only like $40 anyway, so even if I do screw it up it won't be a huge loss. I am also a big fan of Ed Brown parts, but I'm nowhere near competent enough to try to modify my frame. I also don't want to put a huge amount of money into this gun as I"m trying to save to buy a full Ed Brown gun. I just want to do enough to this one to make it stand out from the other million kimbers out there. I have a pretty decent file set, but should I get anything special?