beavertail for Kimber?

V

vanfunk

New member
Hi folks. Does anyone know of a drop-in grip safety for the Kimber Classic? I know what you're thinking- Kimbers come with beavertails. Truth be known, I just don't like the factory safety, and want to replace it with, say, a Brown "memory groove" or similar safety. Surprisingly, the Chip McCormick "extreme" grip safety is a no-go. Is the Kimber frame peculiar in any way, or should beavertails from Brown, Wilson, King's et al. drop right in? Thanks!
 
Vanfunk, I'm relatively new to 1911's, so I have to ask what is it about the Kimber factory grip safety you don't like? And how are some aftermarket safeties better? Thanks

Dick
 
to monkey leg,different beavertails place your hand in slightly different heights, to put your hand closer to the bore in hopes of reducing recoil ,so they say! most people change them out cause they like the way a certain one looks ,some are thinner and some have relief pads on them to help make sure you get it depressed when you need it to .
 
Monkeyleg- I'll reiterate what Killer45 said-for whatever reason, I do better with a "pad" than a "slope" on a beavertail. Killer- methinks the Kimber does have a .250 radius cut(I could, of course, be very wrong)but I'm concerned that other angles and shapes involved may render the gun incompatible with aftermarket safeties. Anyone else have a similar dilemma? Thanks for your very prompt responses, guys!
 
Wilson makes a drop in beavertail I believe. I'm not 100% sure it'll fit right into a Kimber, but it may.
Check out the Wilson Combat website for info ( www.wilsoncombat.com ).
I too prefer Beavertails with the raised memory pad. I will have the stock beavertail on my Kimber replaced in the future as well.
 
Monkeyleg & killer45auto: The beavertail grip safety was thought up to keep the old original style from pinching the web between thumb and index finger.

I've tried several different styles. The wide, flat Colt factory style works best for me, compared to the "flipped up" beavertails.

It has more to do with the thickness and relative size of one's hand, mostly, as to which style is best.

FWIW, Art
 
Most drop in beavertails are designed to work with the Colt spec, standard grip tang. A Kimber does have the .250 radius cut to begin with, but it won't work with a Brown grip safety as the Brown requires a bit of contouring and blending on the underside of the tangs to blend it to the safety and remove a hump and the edges. Been there done that several times.

Brian
 
Drat, double drat. I guess I have to learn to like the Kimber safety or pony up the funds for gunsmithing. Thanks to all for your input.
 
Brian,

When you say it won't work with a Brown safety, that is it won't drop in, correct? Does it require much work to properly fit a Brown safety to a Kimber?
 
TaxPhd,
My friend had his gunsmith replace the Kimber beavertail on his Target stainless with an Ed Brown safety, in required some recontour of the area. You can see the finish product at "http://www.ohio.net/~mjb/index~1.htm".
 
Tax,

Correct. The underside area of the tang has to be blended in and the tips at the bottom of the tang removed. It's sopmething that allot of peope try to do themselves, but few do it right or cleanly. I get allot of "oops" jobs where people want me to try to clean it up or fix it after they botch it. Reminds me of the old saying "You can always take more metal off but you can't put any back on."

Brian
 
Ah yes, I have used the .250 jig and ran into the contouring problem...

I have a beater Norinco (which I love more than my kimber but that is another story) that I used the Brown beaver tail jig (.250 radius cut) to install a Brown memory grove safety. The part "drops in" fine after you make the .250 cut but, it does indeed need additional shaping under the tang. I am too chicken to attempt to contour the frame by removing the protruding tangs without a jig. I can cut along a jig like any monkey but I know my limits. Brian's point about not being able to put metal back is well taken. I talked to a local gunsmith about removing the tangs and he got pissy with me about doing it myself and not wanting to touch a gun that had been "home gunsmithed." I have been meaning to tuck my tail between my legs and take it to another gunsmith for a proper fix.

I am contemplating ringing Mr. Brown himself and sending it to him so he can bail me out.

good luck,

~lurker~
 
Lurker,
Well in one case, I know 'bout them Norinco
45's. A friend has one that he traded for and
I keep trying to talk him out of it...the best one of its' kind I've seen...BUT he
won't sell it to me :( Oh well, gonna keep
tryin'.
Bob

------------------
Illegitimi non Carborundum
NRA LIFER
 
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