Which 1911 ambi safety?

[Jaymo]

I need to install an ambi on my ATI Commander sized 1911.
Which ones are best, and why? after reading the reviews on Brownells, I'm more confused than previously. I had initially decided on a Wilson or Ed Brown, but the Kimber looks good too.
Any suggestions, praises, and criticisms from those who own them?
Are they all cast? MIM? forged? The Kimber looks to be MIM, but I don't know about the others.
The captive hammer pin on the Kimber looks interesting. Any pluses or minuses to it?
The Cylinder and Slide unit looks good. Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Jaymo]

Anyone?

 

[txgunsuscg]

FWIW, when the USMC was creating their MEU(SOC) pistols from the old GI models, they used the Ed Brown model R892. However, that is the wide ambi model and may not be suitable for your purposes, so you may want to consider the 892-T, which is a little thinner. As for manufacturing, here is what Ed Brown says on their site:

Do Ed Brown handguns have any MIM (metal injection molded) parts?

No, we use no MIM parts in Ed Brown firearms. While the current thinking is that MIM parts are "good enough" for firearm applications, this thinking doesn't fit with our philosophy at all. All Ed Brown parts are made from either forgings, bar stock steel, or quality investment castings.

 

[buckhorn_cortez]

Wilson Combat Bullet Proof ambidextrous safety. The connection between the two halves on an ambidextrous safety is the weak point. The Wilson design comes the closest to eliminating that problem entirely. You will need to have a gunsmith fit the part for you unless you're skilled enough to do the fitting yourself.

 

[creeper1956]

The captive hammer pin on the Kimber looks interesting. Any pluses or minuses to it?

I believe Kings Gun Works was the designer & originator of the ambi safety that used the dovetailed hammer pin to secure the right control lever. They're out of business, but apparently Kimber has been making this design for awhile now and uses it in production.
I don't know if Kimber has the patent, or if the patent expired and Kimber simply thought it was a good idea... not really relevant is it?

Anyway... I've had the same Kings design safety on both a Colt Gold Cup and a Combat Commander since the early 90s... they're nice and crisp, have not gotten sloppy over the years, are a very sanitary installation with the dovetailed pin and have proven themselves to be durable.



Cheers,
C

 

[Jed Carter]

Most will require fitting to install and work correctly, to get one to just drop in would be fortunate. Wilson Combat, STI, ED Brown, Cylinder and Slide. Midway USA is a good source http://www.midwayusa.com/find?userSearchQuery=ambidexterous+safety Oh by the way you may need different grips or modify the ones you have

 

[Jaymo]

Yep, I have to cut my RH grip for the ambi.
I also want to replace the ejector, but can't decide which one to get.

My factory ejector is a bit soft. I guess I could heat treat it or case harden it. I don't know what alloy it's made of.