Cost of ambi thumb safety

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rock_jock

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Kimber ambi thumb safety

My wife has told me that she will buy me a 1911 for Christmas, which I have been wanting for some time, but allowed other gun purchases to get in the way. Anyway, being a southpaw, I will need to have an ambi thumb safety installed. What is a reasonable cost for this to be done by a pistolsmith, including the part and labor?

BTW, I will probably get a Kimber, and I need some advice as to whether the CDP series are worth the additional $280 difference over a Compact Carry given the extra costs for the ambi safety on the CC?
 
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I bought the pro CDP as my first 1911, because I am a lefty too and no other stock 1911 in my price range came with the ambi. I am thoroughly satisfied with my Kimber, I can say it shoots better than I do for sure. I think they are a good looking 1911 too. Good luck.
 
I have a Compact CDP. And a few thoughts.

If you get a Compact Stainless and put an ambi-safety on it, the safety will cost you about $50.00. The gunsmith will cost you about $50.00. And how long will you wait?

I needed an ambi for my gun, and I wanted night sights. Don't have a clue what that would cost as an add-on to the Stainless, but it made the CDP look like a bargain.

On the other hand, the Stainless has a steel frame that will still be ticking after the CDP has been retired. And the finish on the CDP seems a little fragile. I am very careful not to scratch it.

The CDP is a beautiful gun, and it is very reliable once you tweak the slide release so that it does not lock the slide back prematurely. That seems to be a fairly common complaint. You'd think Kimber would do something about it.

I really enjoy shooting the model I have. It is acurate and it has less muzzle flip than my full size Springfield. But I like to shoot a lot, and I worry about the frame cracking after a few years. I may pick up a Stainless Compact one day and use it for shooting and save the CDP for necessity.

Anyway, it sounds like you will be having a merry Christmas. Just don't shake the box!;)
 
Don't mean to imply that CDPs frequently come from the factory with slide lock problems. What I meant is that it seems to be the number two complaint regarding reliability issues with Kimbers. Magazines seem to be the number one complaint. I bought Wilsons, although the Kimber mag has given me no problems.

But the slide lock did.

Whatever you get, enjoy it.
 
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