Changing out the Ambi-Safety on a springfield Champion Operator

[JEvanz]

Greetings.
I am new to the High Road, but have read several of the threads posted, and believe, the best advice, available, is to ask someone who isn't attempting to sell you something.
I recently purchased a Springfield Champion Operator. I plan to put LG-401 P14 Chainmail III Crimson Trace Grips on it, along with a Surefire X300 Weaponlight.
I was told by the folks at Crimson Trace that I would need to change out the
Ambi-Safety, to keep the safety from obstructing the lazer.
I am curious if this is a project, I can do myself, or if I would be better off taking it to a gunsmith?

I have done most of the work on my weapons in the past, but I just can't seem to find a good Schematic of this weapon to go by in the event I attempt to tackle it myself.
Any advice?

Thanks

 

[Johnny Guest]

Relocation

Moving this post to the Gunsmithing and Repairs area.

 

[JDGray]

The safety will need to be fitted, but not a hard do it yourself project. Look on 1911fourm for a pictorial on the job. I seen a post in the classifieds where the guy described just cutting the tip off the rightside safety to clear his CT grips.
http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=303212&highlight=fitting+safety+lever

 

[JEvanz]

Ambi safety modification to fit CT grips

ok, so aside from having a gunsmith shave the safety on the right side, is there any alternative?. I am curious if I can simply replace the ambi safety with one that is located on the left hand side only.
It isn't important to me, as I am right handed.
Any advice?
And does anyone know of a good place to get a schematic of the 1911?
Thanks for the advice.

 

[JDGray]

Yes, you can fit a new leftside only safety. I installed a Fusion brand on my SA loaded, and it took 15min to fit. I gave you a link to 1911forum, use it and do a search on "fitting a safety", should show you the area that needs to be filed, stoned, for the new lever to work. They used to have a nice do it yourself sticky on all the gunsmithing jobs that are popular, with great step by step instructions.

Heres a link on this site, showing the surface you need to fit
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=231096