Installed Ambi Safety on 1911, have question

I

Icopy1

New member
Hi guys,

I installed an Ed Brown ambi safety on my Colt Elite Ten Forty. I followed the instructions on the packaging as well as instructions found on this forum. I carefully fitted the safety to the sear with a file. All the safety checks are good to go. Now, here's my question: When the slide is in battery and the safety is in the off position (i.e. down), I can move the safety upwards a bit. Not much. Just about an 1/16 of an inch. Is this normal? Or, did I screw up somehow?
 
It's normal for the safety to move somewhat when pushed, even if the hammer is down. The depth of the detent in the face of the safety can limit the ease with which the lever can be moved, and you definitely do not want it moving upward while firing. I have a very heavy detent effect when the safety is off, and ride the safety with my thumb when shooting to ensure the safety stays down.
 
A Dremel with a small (1/16 ") ball cutter and a very steady hand. (Clamp the safety in a small vise and rest your hand on the vise. Wear eye protection)
 
I strongly suggest you check the operation of the safety with the hammer back. Does the safety snap on and off in the detents properly? That is the real measure of whether it works or not. Also, you aren't describing the RIGHT side safety, are you? If so, then the right side safety usually is slightly floppy because there isn't all that great a connection with the other side. They CAN be installed well, but I have seen a lot that are not.

- Ivan.
 
Thank you for the replies. To Ivan's comment, I am referring to the left side safety. The safety works perfectly with the hammer back. I performed all the safety checks as outlined in various postings and magazine articles. Everything is in order.

I purchased the ball cutter drill last night and I will see if I can increase the deepness of the dimple in the safety a bit. I am going to wait for a new plunger tube spring to arrive from Midway before I do it. I'll let you know how it turns out.
 
You might get to use your ball cutter when you install the plunger tube. If the holes inside the frame are not slightly beveled (countersunk) the tube's mounting pins will not flare out and give you a good tight installation. The ball cutter will bevel the inside of the holes nicely. A drop of red loc tite will ensure your plunger tube will not become loose. You is almost a pistolsmith now! Good luck.
 
Gentlemen, I noticed something last night that I missed earlier. The issue isn't that dimple isn't deep enough. It isn't wide enough. The plunger isn't engaging the dimple much at all. The safety still clicks on and off well enough. But I think if I were to widen the dimplel, thereby allowing the plunging to engage, it would be an improvement. Does that sound right?
 
Yes. The detent needs to closely much the radius of the plunger. Just make sure the detent isn't cut too deep or the plunger will not want to disengage.
 
I agree that having the radius of the plunger and its detents closely match is optimal.

If you want the best feel and operation, polish the plunger to a shine, and do the same with the detents. This can allow for a very positive "click" in both positions without needing a lot of force to operate.

Larry
 
Thank you everyone for your help. I carefully matched the plunger and the dimple to as close as I can get it. I took it to the range yesterday and fired 100 rounds. The safety clicked and off perfectly, and it never engaged accidently while firing.

I could've paid a gunsmith to do this, but I wanted to learn how myself. The experience was very gratifying. Thank you to all who answered my questions.
 
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