1911 Ambi Safety

[762x51]

How difficult is it to install an ambi safety in a standard 1911? Something the average guy can do with hand tools or something that I should have a smith do? I don't actually HAVE a 1911 yet so I can't really look at it to see whats going on in there. Thanks.

 

[Old Fuff]

It doesn't take any special tools, and it isn't especially difficult. But it better be done by someone who know what he's doing. The safety blocks the sear so that it can't move far enough to release the hammer when it is at full-cock. If it doesn't do this for whatever reason the sear may be able to move far enough so that when the safety is disengaged the hammer falls.

Also if the safety is incorrectly fitted it will probably be ruined, and buying a replacement is (or at least may be) expensive.

 

[Navy joe]

I will preface this by saying I work with metal for a living, but it was easy and took me 1 hour to fit a Wilson ambi to one of my guns. Half of that was lopping off the left side pedal to my liking, rebluing, and inletting the right side stock for the retaining tab to ride under. Did both of those tasks with a dremel tool.
I fitted the safety with only a DMT diamond file, a sharpie marker and patience. I installed it, felt where it started to bind when applying the safety, removed and looked at where the metal was marked and filed. Sharpie markered area black and repeated. When I was done I worked on the detents so the safety was more positive in staying off. Passed all safety checks.

I found it useful to work only installing the left side of the safety and also to remove the grip safety so yo could study how the parts interacted.

 

[762x51]

Thanks for the replies. Doesn't sound too bad. My give it a try myself.

 

[1911Tuner]

Best Way

Is to assemble the gun with the grip safety out so you can see how
everything works. Leave the plunger and spring out to speed up
the job. Before you file anything, compare the one that came out of the
gun with the new one to get an idea of where to start, then go slow.
One stroke of the file and check.

Luck to ya!

Tuner