The original design of the 1911 frame did not contemplate the extended beavertail safety. Installation of a beavertail requires radiusing the rear frame tangs. I would suggest against using a drop in grip safety as IMHO the look is extremely ugly- an abomination really! The way a gs is fitted gives a big clue to the overall quality of a gun. Also, please note that not all GS provide for the highest hold- ED Brown provides the highest and most comfortable.
Here is a pic of a decently fitted factory GS.

Take a look at the Colt pic thread for badly fitted factory grip safeties. It seems that Colt still does not give a damn!

 

I think the Wilson "drop-in" is the least ugly of the type.
Be advised that "drop-in" refers to the beavertail vs frame; there might still be fitting required to get the actual engagement right.

 

I have a gun smith lined up to make sure it is done right. How much altering to the frame must be done for a full fit to be installed? Are they any cosmetic changes? Is it costly?

 

The frame has to be radiused (i.e .250 or .220) and then hand fitted. The tangs also have to be blended. Costs around $140 including the grip safety-you will also need to get the frame refinished. I would suggest thinking through whether you want any other frame mods done at the same time, like front strap checkering or an undercut for the trigger guard etc.

Here is a link to a great site that shows a drop in, Brown and Wilson being done.

http://www.blindhogg.com/gunsmith/beavertails.html

Go for it!
Good luck!

Regards,

Alan

 

Any pics of Colts with Wilson Combat drop in grip safeties?

If you have changed out your factory "duck bill" for an upswept beavertail...can you post the pics?

 

Looks like it comes out real nice.

 

Here is a pic of a Springfield LW Champ I had done up. You generally have to use a .220 radius GS on Springields and sometime Colt as well. I used a S&A .220 GS, it is not quite as comfortable as a Brown, but is more attractive and required by that particular application.

 

Wilkow, go throught the "Let's See Your Colts..." thread. I'm sure you will find a few and few others that will make you drool. :biglaugh:

http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=87134&page=135

I've personally gone through every page on that thread.

-1911Collector

 

A Google image search with the obvious keyworks will get you a bunch of images. You can even narrow it down to certain models and have some luck (i.e. I did for the New Agent while I was trying to decide whether to use a Wilson on mine.)

 

The drop-in illustrated at Blindhogg is not a Wilson, so don't let that picture chill your blood.

 

Colt uses Smith and Alexanders...according to their website.

 

S&A told me the same thing. They are easier to install--requiring, I am told, just the radius with little or no blending (thus "E-Z Fit").

Edit--A Colt rep at another forum says they are using .250 radius beavertails of their own design on recent production Defenders FWIW.

 

If it doesn't bother you to modify the frame the go with the fitted model. If modifying your frame makes you want to tear your skin off go with the drop in.

 

Wilkow, don't forget the entire gun will need to be re-blued when installing an aftermarket GS. Your 'smith should have told you that. Unless it's the downswept type what was wrong with the original one done by Colt in the first place? Just curious.

-1911Collector

 

Wilkow, don't forget the entire gun will need to be re-blued when installing an aftermarket GS. Your 'smith should have told you that.

Wilkow's having a Wilson drop-in fitted--or at least, he was until he read this thread.

 

Remember the XSE's have short tangs like a Commander and take the Wilson drop in for a Commander.

They don't look too bad.

http://forums.1911forum.com/showpost.php?p=3067600&postcount=3318

Appears to show 2 Commander drop in's (On the New Agent and Commander) and a Government (on the Government oddly enough)

The XSE Government model would fit like the Commander / New Agent.

 

Looks like Wilkow will have ordered the right one, and some more useful comparison photos in this earlier thread:

http://forum.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=303700

 

I just dropped it off at my local gun dealer who has some guns going to the same smith. I saw other Colts with the same Wilson Combat GS (online). It should turn out just fine. If anything it will look like the new Lightweight Commander

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=216988468#PIC

 

Please post pics when you are done.

 

I will.

 

Here is my Colt Commander with Wilson drop in and a few other mods.
It fits adequately for me...not as nice as a well fitted Ed Brown but it accomplishes the purpose well enough.

 

That looks really nice...I don't see how the Ed Brown could be that much nicer. The Wilson Combat looked...just from eyeballing...like it will match up just fine.

 

This is a Wilson "Drop-in" on my 5" M1991A1 (ORM)

This is a properly fit Wilson (NOT a "drop-in") on the SAME pistol.

 

Not wanting to alter the frame on my Colt re-issue series 70 pistol, I opted for a Wilson drop in GS. I don't think it fits bad and it definitely serves the intended purpose.

 

Again...looks nice. I don't see the complaints about drop in grip safties...

 

This is a properly fit Wilson (NOT a "drop-in") on the SAME pistol.[/QUOTE]

Very tasteful dehorning! :rock:

 

This is a properly fit Wilson (NOT a "drop-in") on the SAME pistol.

Very tasteful dehorning! :rock:

The work was done by Robert Miller.

 

If you drop it in then please save the original parts in the box. Once the frame is hacked, then you destroy any collector value, maybe not a problem for you but maybe for your kids etc. If you have it done by a major smith or esp. the Colt Custom Shop, then save the paperwork. The original parts are still nice to have even if the frame is hacked by the way.

 

Here is the Colt I sent to the 'smith

http://forums.1911forum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=61940&d=1298251507

 

Is the Delta Elite the same drop in beavertail as a 45?

 

Yes, the government model of course.

 

I'll try to post a pic tonight as well.

I have a Colt Combat Commander that I added a WC Drop-in GS. It did not look bad to me at all. Just some minor fitting with a file (Saw a video somewhere out there with the exact areas to fit).

Anyways, it's better than the duckbill any day.