grip safety problem

When I first got back into BE shooting, I was running a CZ 97, later a Tangfoglio both in 45acp. No problems, like the fat grips.
I then got a nice 1911, found the grip safety was something I had to really concentrate on, or no firing. Then got a Pachymar grip, the one with the rubber finger grooves and wood panels, and that helped, but still some difficulty getting the damn grip  safety to engage.
If I am only shooting at a range, is it stupid to tape down the grip safety? Maybe build it up a bit to engage sooner?
Ideas most welcome.

L. Boscoe wrote:When I first got back into BE shooting, I was running a CZ 97, later a Tangfoglio both in 45acp. No problems, like the fat grips.
I then got a nice 1911, found the grip safety was something I had to really concentrate on, or no firing. Then got a Pachymar grip, the one with the rubber finger grooves and wood panels, and that helped, but still some difficulty getting the damn grip  safety to engage.
If I am only shooting at a range, is it stupid to tape down the grip safety? Maybe build it up a bit to engage sooner?
Ideas most welcome.

If you aren't concerned about appearance, you can clean and degrease the grip safety, buy a tube of epoxy putty and put a lump of it on the grip safety. After the epoxy putty is cured, you can sand and shape it. It will surprisingly stay in place forever.

There are grip safeties with a built up area to increase engagement, or you can glue on a rubber pad

Quite a few years ago I asked the top officials at Camp Perry if a one piece mains spring housing  so there is no grips safety could be used at Camp Perry matches or any NRA match. I was told that being the gun was not a typical out of the box 1911 a grip safety was not required. I have been using one piece units ever since for at least 15 years. They also said that if the grip safety is not one piece it can't be prevented from working. Unfortunately I don't know anyone making it anymore. Adam has contacted (forgot the name) a guy making them, still does but will only put it is 1911s he makes. Individual units are not for sale.
I have a few 1911s I'm building and making a jig to have the grip safety and main spring housing welded together to form one unit.
 As to you tape the grip safety when no one is at the range would be up-to the gun club range use rules because you are defeating the function of an existing safety. Granted the only person you could hurt if there is no other there is you then you become the liability.

Froneck wrote:Quite a few years ago I asked the top officials at Camp Perry if a one piece mains spring housing  so there is no grips safety could be used at Camp Perry matches or any NRA match. I was told that being the gun was not a typical out of the box 1911 a grip safety was not required. I have been using one piece units ever since for at least 15 years. They also said that if the grip safety is not one piece it can't be prevented from working. Unfortunately I don't know anyone making it anymore. Adam has contacted (forgot the name) a guy making them, still does but will only put it is 1911s he makes. Individual units are not for sale.
I have a few 1911s I'm building and making a jig to have the grip safety and main spring housing welded together to form one unit.
 As to you tape the grip safety when no one is at the range would be up-to the gun club range use rules because you are defeating the function of an existing safety. Granted the only person you could hurt if there is no other there is you then you become the liability.

The taping idea was not serious, as I would not personally want a gun like that lying around.
I thing the epoxy idea sounds good, or my local gunsmith who is a master armorer, makes and sells high dollar 1911's, can
help out with the project.  I went to the range today and managed ok, actually shot the 45 better than the 22.

Ok, called Les Baer and he said skateboard tape on the pad at the bottom of the
safety lever.  That will be the plan.

Don't do that. Add a piece of plastic or cut buffer to the mainspring housing top and it will.keep grip safety activated. Clean and easy, no mods.

I swear it works beautifully!

Aaaand when you don't want to f.ck with your gun's internals or need a working grip safety --> just trim a piece of furniture legs pad and stick it on. It gets glued pretty good. Completely removable. 

Probably should get CMP's opinion if you go with amy mods to the safety as far as its function.

Sounds like a call for a speed bump grip safety

And now for something completely different:  I have more problems with a speed bump beavertail than with a standard GI grip safety.  I can often feel the arm running over the trigger bow (?) on the beavertail.  Zero issues with the standard safety.

skateboard tape works.

gjoyce3 wrote:And now for something completely different:  I have more problems with a speed bump beavertail than with a standard GI grip safety.  I can often feel the arm running over the trigger bow (?) on the beavertail.  Zero issues with the standard safety.

Sounds like you need to make a little more clearance between the safety arm and the trigger

Your grip safeties are setup too tight/close. The safety tab/arm is not relieved enough and is requiring near perfect gripping to function. If properly relieved/clearanced you should have no problems with function. Very simple fix with a file and stone afterwards.
Jon