[gunsmoke92]

I'm planning on putting a beaver tail grip safety on my Colt 1991A1. I've seen a number of different brands out there, Ed Brown, Chip McCormick, Wilson, and others. The biggest concern I have, is do I get a drop in, or one that needs some fitting, hence some cutting and grinding on my frame. I like the smooth blended look of the fitted ones, but then there is the appeal of leaving my gun in tact with the ability to return it to stock.

Opinions and photos of what others have used would be greatly appreciated. This is going to be my EDC gun, so form should follow function.

[Quack]

Since you like it blended, don't get a drop-in.

[BuckyP]

I agree, don't get the drop in. I personally prefer the Ed Brown, as I feel it gives me a slightly higher grip and gets my thumb better aligned to the thumb safety, which is helpful if you shoot while riding the thumb safety.

Here is a 1991A1 with Brown beaver tail (and some checkering and stuff).

[Buckfever4life]

Check out Novak's "ANSWER"

http://www.novaksights.com/customguns/1911/answer.html

[knedrgr]

Just bought an EGW for my build and it's but oversized so you can custom blend it without taking off anything on the tang's underside. Picture below is how much meat there is extra to blend.

[samuse]

This is a Springfield Armory grip safety on my Colt NRM 1991. Springfield's custom shop does a good job on grip safeties (IMO). I have three of 'em that they installed.

[faawrenchbndr]

Here's my Springfield with a Smith & Alexander

[knedrgr]

Personally, I'm not a big Colt fan (no offense to those that are), so I don't know what radius (0.220 or 0.250) they have on their tangs. Before going further, you should actually read up on this:

http://www.blindhogg.com/gunsmith/beavertails.html

The radius will dictate the available choices.

[MD357]

Originally Posted by gunsmoke92

I like the smooth blended look of the fitted ones, but then there is the appeal of leaving my gun in tact with the ability to return it to stock.

There's not much of an appeal for value. Large mark 1991s don't go for much. Get what you want, how you want it, and shoot it.

[Quack]

i used an Ed Brown on my R1.

[Jim S.]

I like the Smith & Alexander grip safety because it doesn't have a large upsweep to it, which I don't think looks good, and it is wide and give a good high grip.

[tango44]

Chip McCormick for my Commander!

[quantico]

I did a quick wilson drop in on a colt basic shooter project. Function is great looks are not amazing. I really like the brown grip safety and the nolin is a close second. If the gun is supposed to look pretty get a fitted one. If it just has to work buy a drop in and be done with it. The webbing between thumb and index finger loves the drop in just fine.

[up1911fan]

I'd like to try an EGW next as George's parts are second to none, but i've had good luck with the McCormick in the past. The Wilson BP looks great but is pricey.

[knedrgr]

Originally Posted by up1911fan

I'd like to try an EGW next as George's parts are second to none, but i've had good luck with the McCormick in the past. The Wilson BP looks great but is pricey.

The EGW is nice. We'll see more as I start to blend it with the frame.

Just wondering why the Wilson BP safety is twice the price, when they are both built from bar stock...

[gunsmoke92]

Well, I think I'm going to go with the Ed Brown. A good point was made here, this gun isn't a collector, it's a shooter, so why not. Now I've got to get the Wilson Combat mainspring housing, Ultra Match trigger, and replace the springs with ones from Wolff.

I shot it for the first time yesterday, and I must say, I was impressed. Smooth , soft, accurate, shooter for a compact. Shot WWB and some 230 gr. Gold dots with only one problem. One failure to feed on the last round in one magazine. I think it's mag related, as I had no other problems with the other two mags, including the mag with the GD's.

[knedrgr]

good to hear.