Question about the 1911 Colt "O" Package ambi safety

Dust Monkey

New member
I just picked up a colt 1911 O package. I have a question about the positioning of the ambi thumb safety. The right side safety where is plugs into the frame, is it supposed to ride against the frame or stick out a very minor bit. See attached pics. This is a new in box 1911, I have not had the chance to get to the range.

Any help I will appreciate it.
 

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I have installed a few of those on 1911s, and that looks clearly wrong.

I don't know how they are installed on a Colt "O" - but try to squeeze it back together, they usually are just spline fit. Wrap both sides with soft leather or something and then clamp. You also don't want it so tight that it is riding up and down on your slide serrations, leaving marks. Here's some pics of one I have installed on a Caspian build.

IMGP2317.jpg


IMGP2319.jpg
 
Take off the right grip and take out the right side safety, then take out the left side one. Try to fit them together off the gun. You should be able to see if there is a problem.

The right side "safety" (actually just the thumb piece) should be held close to the frame by the grip; that looks like there is too big a cutout in the grip, which could allow the thumbpiece to stick out. If that is the case, you will have to look at the grip and possibly try to fill the gap in some way.

(FWIW, the Model O is just Colt's name for the Government Model frame.)

Jim
 
That does seem to be sticking out a ways.

Does it work as it is supposed too?

Does it rub against the grip panel?

Do what Jim says and see if there is something that is making the 2 pieces not fit snugly together, forcing the "right" side safety out further. Some ambi safetys use a longer sear pin with a notch in it to retain the right side although that isn't the case here that I can see.
 
As Lurch says, not all ambidextrous thumb safeties are retained by an "ear" under the right grip panel.
Is yours retained that way or by the edge of the safety running in a groove in the extended sear pin? If the latter, is it IN the groove? Looks like it is setting out by just about the width of the groove on one of those. If so, just take it apart and put it back together right.

If not, complain to Colt or seek out a real gunsmith.
 
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