school me on 1911s

[Bruce3]

im thinking of getting a 1911 and was wondering how hard would it be to swap out the thumb safety for an extended thumb safety? would it have to be custom fitted or do generic ones work?

[Chief-7700]

Some people will say "It's a drop in part so no fitting is required." Each one that I have installed required some minor fitting.

[sava6e]

What he said!!!

[kendog4570]

It is relatively easy to swap the part, but it takes some know-how to tell if if it is functioning correctly, and some more skill to fit it properly.

[mrlightning559]

Where does material typically need removed from? is it just the "shaft" if you will or the actual functional part of the safety

[kendog4570]

The lug that blocks the sear must be fit to completely eliminate any sear movement, while indexing in the slide notch properly at the same time. You can do it yourself if you are mechanically inclined, but it would be best to have someone that really knows these pistols check your work. One bench test would be to cock the pistol, engage the safety, then squeeze the trigger pretty good. Then pull back on the hammer (assuming it didn't fall) and listen carefully for the click of the sear resetting in the full cock notch. If you hear anything at all, it aint right, and the safety needs refitting or repalcement. If you are not sure, pay a gunsmith to do it right.
Kuhnhausen has a shop manual on the 1911 that is full of good info, available at Brownells.

1911's are fun. What caliber are you considering?

There is really only one caliber...