1911 grip safety question

[neomentat]

I have a question in regards to the 1911 grip safety.

I'm comparing the GI grip safety to the high ride Beaver tail Grip safety, which one allows for a higher hand hold or are they the same? By gripping both I don't really "feel" a difference. If both allows the same high grip, then the only advantage that I see with the high ride beaver tail grip safety is that it prevents hammer bits am i right?

Can someone confirm this for me? thanks

[Knauga]

I've only ever had a hammer bite problem with the original 1911 design, not the A1 design. Unless the web of your hand is actually riding up past the top of the grip safety it isn't going to bite you. The beaver tail just keeps your hand from slipping above it. I use the same "grip" on both styles of grip safety, I only hold a little lower on the early pattern 1911.

[neomentat]

I've only ever had a hammer bite problem with the original 1911 design, not the A1 design. Unless the web of your hand is actually riding up past the top of the grip safety it isn't going to bite you. The beaver tail just keeps your hand from slipping above it. I use the same "grip" on both styles of grip safety, I only hold a little lower on the early pattern 1911.

so the beaver tail high ride safety is a "little" higher than the GI grip safety?

[Mr. Meeseeks]

I have small hands and don't have a problem with slide or hammer bite.

However that being said, the frame and safety on a GI style 1911 have sharp edges that start to blister the web of my shooting hand after about 100 rounds of standard 230gr .45 ball.

I think this is because the GI style grip safety concentrates the backwards force of the recoil into a smaller area, where as the Beaver tail type does the opposite and disburses the pressure out over a larger area of your shooting hand.

So I guess for me its more of a comfort issue. But I do love the way a GI spec looks.

Other's experiences may vary on this matter.

Happy Day!!!

[Knauga]

so the beaver tail high ride safety is a "little" higher than the GI grip safety?

no the beaver tail covers a larger surface area than your standard GI grip safety. It will keep the gun from sliding further into your grip if you are a weakling and can't hold the pistol

It is a comfort thing, it also helps makes it a touch easier to depress the grip safety than the standard.

The big change that did away with the hammer bit was when it went from 1911 to 1911-A1. 1911 had a larger hammer with a rear edge that would go over the top of the grip safety when cycling. They changed the hammer (amongst other things) when they changed to the A1 variant. The beaver tail cleans up any chance that the hammer will come over the top of the the grip safety to cover the web of your hand.

[Mute]

It depends on the grip safety. CMC and Ed Brown's beavertail grips do allow the hand to sit a bit higher towards the boreline than other beavertails and definitely higher than the standard GI grip safety.