1911 technical question

[toblerra]

Hey guys, recently bought some after market parts for my Colt Commander XSE and I have a technical question I need some help with. I ordered a Wilson Combat drop in Beavertail grip safety Colt enhanced series 80 from midway USA and after installing it couldn't help but notice a large gap between the safety and the frame at the top, anyone else have this issue? Did I order the wrong part or perhaps get a mislabeled part from midway? See the pic and you'll see what I mean. Thanks, Ryan

[Bullets&Whitewalls]

I would guess that is how they make the drop in part. Bigger tolerances to avoid fitting the part. The question is does it function fine?

[ojisan]

A gap is normal for a drop-in.
Frame shapes do vary so the clearances have to be large to fit all.
There may be a better fitting drop-in out there, have you looked for any specifically made for Colts?

[pipboy]

There are different radius cuts for different beavertails. You need one that has a matching radius to your frame.

http://www.harrisoncustom.com/Static/Beavertails.htm

Even then its not guaranteed to fit perfectly without some fitting.

[1911whore]

Bought the wrong safety for the tang cut you have. Hence the big gap.

[heidad01]

There is no such thing as a drop in grip safety. Hammer and trigger yes, but not the grip safety or the thumb safety. Those need to be fitted. if you want a perfect fit on the grip safety, one has to be fitted to the gun and in almost all cases that would require a refinishing of the gun to get a perfect look.
I'd say your gun looks much better with the original part.

[81Degrees]

I'm surprised the XSE didn't come with a beaver tail safety stock! I thought XSE models come with it. Looks like it's going to need to be shaved and fitted. That's a though radius to work on.

[Dumas1012]

The XSE does come with a grip safety. My guess is that the OP wanted a high grip safety. Like others said, you will need to find a grip safety that has almost the same tang radius as yours. I went through 3 grip safeties until I found one that fit.

[toblerra]

The XSE does come with a grip safety. My guess is that the OP wanted a high grip safety. Like others said, you will need to find a grip safety that has almost the same tang radius as yours. I went through 3 grip safeties until I found one that fit.

^ What he said. I want a "high ride" Beavertail grip safety. Yes my XSE commander did come with a stock Beavertail grip safety that was fitted to the frame, I believe it is a Smith and Alexander part, since I have a later model XSE. There is nothing wrong with the one it came with except it is a little loose fitting and I want to get a little higher on the grip. Does anyone have any suggestions for a high ride safety that you have used on your later model XSE?

[Mute]

No drop-in grip safety is going to close that gap. You did not buy the wrong part. You can buy a thousand different one and that gap is still going to remain. The only way to get a perfectly fitted grip safety is to have it properly fitted by someone who knows how to do so

[walmart_ar15]

There are different radius cuts for different beavertails. You need one that has a matching radius to your frame.

http://www.harrisoncustom.com/Static/Beavertails.htm

Even then its not guaranteed to fit perfectly without some fitting.

+1

Good info

[Snoopy47]

I'm surprised the XSE didn't come with a beaver tail safety stock! I thought XSE models come with it. Looks like it's going to need to be shaved and fitted. That's a though radius to work on.

Colt isn't the most Market savvy. They have a bazillion permutations of 1911s and models that cost $2000+ without front strap checkering.