Ambidextrous saftey for 1911

[Brown Rock]

Thinking about putting in an ambidextrous thumb safety on my SA mil spec. Narrowed it down to these two here.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/1070501508/wilson-combat-tactical-thumb-safety-1911-ambidextrous

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/717654/kimber-thumb-safety-1911-ambidextrous-stainless-steel?cm_vc=subv717654#ReviewHeader

Which one of these three would you guys pick? I'm leaning towards the Wilson.

[dfletcher]

I forget which one I've used - it's whichever brand is used on the Dan Wesson line, but with 2 common names I can't keep them straight. I've put them on DW, Springfield & Colt and it operates smoothly, positive stop on the down stroke, fits properly through the frame. Neither comes with the shortened pins so you'll have to buy those too. Although I've put in alot I still cheat and remove the grip safety so I can see inside, helps me not take off too much metal.

I'd expect one would work as well as the other.

[ThatFishGuy]

Of those three the kimber is the best design. It uses a longer hammer pin with a flange to support the weak side lever, instead of the grip panel. It will still loosen over time with heavy use, but will hold up better than the other two. The side plate on the brown is also on the thin side. And while it looks good, it can force your plunger tube to loosen prematurely from the pressure. The kimber is the best choice for ambis unless you want to triple the price range. Unless you're a lefty who is going to see hard use, the kimber will last a long long time.

[Brown Rock]

Of those three the kimber is the best design. It uses a longer hammer pin with a flange to support the weak side lever, instead of the grip panel. It will still loosen over time with heavy use, but will hold up better than the other two. The side plate on the brown is also on the thin side. And while it looks good, it can force your plunger tube to loosen prematurely from the pressure. The kimber is the best choice for ambis unless you want to triple the price range. Unless you're a lefty who is going to see hard use, the kimber will last a long long time.

Thanks for the response guys. I have deleted the Ed Brown from my list and have narrowed it down to two choices. I like the Wilson thumb safety because it has a polished stainless finish. My current single sided safety is polished stainless, so is the slide stop. I'm liking the Kimber though, for the reasons you stated in your post ThatFish Guy.

[GW]

I've always had great service from Wilson products. I've installed Wilson Ambidextrous safeties on 5 of my 1911's and will be putting one on my project gun when it gets out of jail. The only non-Wilson part I've ever liked was the Ed Brown Memory Groove grip safety but otherwise, Wilson is my 1st choice.

[colossians323]

Out of curiosity OP, why ambidextrous?

[croc4]

you may have to modify the frame with the kimber. I had to bevel the pin hole on my sti to get enough pin to protrude on the other side for the safety to engage the flange.

croc4

[JTROKS]

Ed Brown or Wilson.

[JohnCCW]

Out of curiosity OP, why ambidextrous?

X2
What's the point unless you are a lefty.
Worried about getting shot in your right hand and not being able to remove the safety with your left hand? Lol

[Brown Rock]

X2
What's the point unless you are a lefty.
Worried about getting shot in your right hand and not being able to remove the safety with your left hand? Lol

Exactly. You never know, best to be prepared.
Seriously I just like the look of those 1911's with ambi safety.

[CJJohn]

I'll stay neutral on ambi safety for the most part, but hopefully offer something to consider.
For home defense, or a safe / range gun, ambi's are ok. I personally don't carry an ambi safety gun anymore. I bumped if off a few times. It's a little unnerving to remove a carry gun, and realize the safety is off.
Having said that, I would probably go with the Wilson... Or as said above, Ed Brown.

[L-2]

...
Which one of these three would you guys pick? I'm leaning towards the Wilson.

I'd pick the highest-end Wilson:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/1070253030/wilson-combat-bullet-proof-tactical-thumb-safety-1911-ambidextrous-steel?cm_vc=ProductFinding

It appears to have one of the stronger designs.

Another to consider:

http://www.egwguns.com/index.php?p=product&id=149#product-page-reviews

NOTE:
I no longer have an ambi-safety. My Kimber ambi-safety's "fork" fractured. I then went to a single-sided safety on the Kimber and my other two 1911s.

[hermosabeach]

If you ride the safety the entire time you shoot, go for the widest one possible...

Some of the Left Hand releases are small, sharp and dig into your left hand while riding the safety during shooting....

[hermosabeach]

some don't ride the safety while shooting and the safety is not that big of a concern.... Just accidentally engaging the safety is the issue

[Brown Rock]

Well, I went with the Wilson Combat safety. Also decided I would install it myself. I think I may have taken a little too much metal off when using the file. It seems to be working fine though. Did all the safety checks, and all is good.