New owner and need of a part

1589 Views 11 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Cimarron, Nov 8, 2007

98C5

Discussion Starter · Oct 8, 2007

Just bought the 1911 and so far I love it. I haven't even taken it to the range yet, but I like the faetures it comes with.

However, I have a problem. My right ambi thumb safety is broken. (see pic below) I will replace it myself instead of sending it to Taurus. I have the part number but want to know is there a 'secret' Customer service numbrt to call, or just use the one on the website? Also, will this be a free replacement? Don't care either or, just need it asap. Thanks for any input/advice.

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Cimarron

· #5 · Nov 5, 2007

Call the Customer Service number. Tip... be nice. These folks get "grouched at" by a lot of callers and a pleasant tone on your part gets you that in return.

They "may" ask you to send then your broken part and the serial number of your gun. Turn around is normally very fast. They may just send you the part (they may still ask for your serial number).

This is a pretty common design for ambi-safeties... so I would presume that the problem is to be found across the board by all manufacturers.

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Cimarron

· #7 · Nov 6, 2007

By far and away most ambi-safety designers use a similar "tongue & groove" arrangement. However be aware that this can create a significant amount of torque if you are not careful.

When replacing grips... if the right side grip is not inserted, when you press down on the left side you are straining the right side and will cause such a failure on the "groove" part of the safety.

If you don't have a definite stop in the right hand grip, and you use the right hand safety, you are putting the same torque on these parts.

Check your grips to be sure you aren't creating the potential of a failure. I also squeeze the safety at the back to tighten it up periodically while I'm shooting to check the safety coming loose and having this torque happen with a loose physical connection

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Cimarron

· #9 · Nov 7, 2007

Great Post Bob...

#1 Do you have a link for the Wilson Combat video. I have the AGI video for my Hi-Power, but it isn't the best production quality.

#2 You're suggestion is good on the safety. Ambi-safeties are the trend, and anyone marketing a gun with all the bells and whistles (as Taurus has done) has to include this, however 90% of shooters both right AND lefties has mastered the single safety. I have thought of the same solution, but so far I haven't had a problem as long as I remember to just squeeze the parts once in a while.

Thanks for the input! This is what makes for a great forum... people who share what they know and have learned.

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Cimarron

· #11 · Nov 7, 2007

I found a pretty good explanation of what is involved...

Here is a good clear explanation of the parts of the thumb safety and what parts need to be filed to fit...
http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?p=361760#post361760

M1911.org
wichaka29th October 2004, 20:28

Take off the old one, and remove the grip safety. This allows you to see the sear, which is what you're fitting the safety to. Keep all the other parts in place.........i.e., hammer, sear, disconnect, MS housing..etc.

Take the plunger out, to make things easier........we'll fit that later.

Insert the safety into the frame, with just a bit of pressure, now you can see how the lug on the safety fits, or will fit onto the lug of the sear........just above the legs. It most likely won't go all the way in at first, as they leave the lug oversized for proper fitting to your sear.

Flip it on and off a few times to take notice how the parts should fit together. When you flip it on & off a few times, this will leave a small mark on the safety lug, and will give you a guide where you need to start. (blue marker helps here)

You'll need to take a bit off that lug,with a fine cut file, use a #4 or better..........VERY SLOWLY HERE, A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY. Then re-fit. Don't get impatient here, as it will take several fittings to get it right. Be sure you get the lug even across it, so it mates up with the sear lug. When you've got that fitted, so it goes on and off, make sure there's absolutely NO MOVEMENT from the sear when you pull the trigger with the safety engaged

One you have that fully fitted, take the safety back out and insert the plunger, and put the safety back in. Now flip the safety on & off a few times to get the feel of the 'snap'. Adjust as needed for proper tension, and fitting into the notch of the slide.

Happy 'smithing........

Here is a very good explanation of how the thumb safety interfaces with the other parts of the firing system and how to evaluate what is working and what isn't
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=245926

I am tempted to find a pretty cheap safety... Midway sells a Swenson safety for $14.95, or a pick-up part from a gun show... and practice before I put down $30 bucks on a part that could be made useless by one too many swipes of the file. But then again... there are moments when a $30 diversion on a cold winter evening sounds like a reasonable gamble... almost as cheap as a dinner out with my wife... and probably more entertaining. It doesn't look that hard, just "knowing where" to file and learning "how much" to file.

Any other links or helps?

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Cimarron

· #12 · Nov 8, 2007

98C5 said:
I plan on getting a Wilson Ambi safety and trying to fit it myself. I will remove the left side safety and file to match it.

Well... I guess we'll hold hands through this process. I found one cheaper than Wilson's on Ebay... so I'll let you know what I find when it comes in... and I'll look for you to do the same should you get it to work. At least you have the comfort that even with the Wilson part, you are saving money over sending the gun back and even if you get the replacement part from Taurus, you now have a nice backup. That sounds confident... we'll trust it to be so!

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