beavertail safetys

remchuck · 10-14-2006, 12:58 AM

i have a colt 1991 compact.i love it but i would like to put on a beavertail grip safety.they all say 250 radius frame.what does that mean,are they hard to put on,and which are the best.

jerry · 10-14-2006, 07:35 AM

Frames are typically cut differently to accept a beavertail. I'm a full size 1911 shooter so can't vouch for the compacts. Some companies offer a "drop in" where the frame does not need to be modified. Check Wilson.

Big Dog · 10-14-2006, 07:40 AM

I have the "drop in" beavertail safety in my full-size 1991A1. I tend to get a bad 'bite' from the regular 1911 tang, so the wider beavertail really helps. It still pounds me a bit, but I have learned to lower my grip so it isn't as bad.
The real beavertails needing the frame grinding are the best, but are more expensive, and you need to find a good smith. A bad smith could really ruin a frame.
My Star Super has no grip safety - the tang is fixed. That puppy has drawn blood during a shooting session! OUCH!

Dave Sample · 10-16-2006, 12:43 PM

Here is how a good smith fits one on a LW lower end.

It came out nice after the Paint Job!

10-14-2006, 12:58 AM	#1
remchuck Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: nashville Posts: 363 Blog Entries: 1	beavertail safetys i have a colt 1991 compact.i love it but i would like to put on a beavertail grip safety.they all say 250 radius frame.what does that mean,are they hard to put on,and which are the best.

10-14-2006, 07:40 AM	#3
Big Dog Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 14,126	I have the "drop in" beavertail safety in my full-size 1991A1. I tend to get a bad 'bite' from the regular 1911 tang, so the wider beavertail really helps. It still pounds me a bit, but I have learned to lower my grip so it isn't as bad. The real beavertails needing the frame grinding are the best, but are more expensive, and you need to find a good smith. A bad smith could really ruin a frame. My Star Super has no grip safety - the tang is fixed. That puppy has drawn blood during a shooting session! OUCH! __________________ "A bold spirit embiggens the smallest man!" Jebediah Springfield Last edited by Big Dog; 10-16-2006 at 03:11 PM.

10-14-2006, 07:35 AM	#2
jerry Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 13,768 Blog Entries: 1	Frames are typically cut differently to accept a beavertail. I'm a full size 1911 shooter so can't vouch for the compacts. Some companies offer a "drop in" where the frame does not need to be modified. Check Wilson.

10-16-2006, 12:43 PM	#4
Dave Sample Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 99	Here is how a good smith fits one on a LW lower end. It came out nice after the Paint Job!