The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: bjtraz on March 15, 2010, 10:21:28 PM
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While considering a CTC laser grip for my new Kimber Tactical Ultra Carry II, I learned that the factory ambi safety won't work w/o modification. So I went to Kimber's web site and found a replacement for the right side paddle and ordered it. My question is, does the safety work like other 1911 style safeties? So is it just a pressure fit to the left side? Trying to decide if this is something I can tackle or need a gunsmith.
Brian
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Ambi safeties are 2-piece......most are like a tongue and groove fit...so, if it's just the right side pad, it should be a simple press in fit from the right to left, since it came from the manufacturer.
If you are retaining the original left side of the two-piece safety, it should not need re-fitting.
I would still do a full safety check on it though.
Here is a link to an older thread with some 1911 info. There are several links to fitting and safety checking 1911 safeties.
http://www.downrange.tv/forum/index.php?topic=3879.0
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That's what I was thinking. I've worked on full size 1911s,but wasn't sure if the procedure was any different.
Brian
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You may want to look at this again. You may have a thumb safety with a protruding hammer pin on the right side.
Some of the modern Kimber ambi-safeties are an extended hammer pin type. Meaning it does not have an arm which slides under the grip panel to hold in the right side safety lever. Rather it has a slightly longer hammer pin which is machined to lock into the right side lever by rotating down onto the protruding pin.
You probably will not need a gunsmith if it is the pin type. Just know that the right side lever will not lift out. It must be rotated upwards to disengage from the protruding hammer pin. To do this you should pull the left side lever out a bit to allow the right side lever to rotate freely.
Please let me know if I can help.
Stay Safe,
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Is this the piece you bought?
http://www.kimberamerica.com/shop/product.php?xProd=310&xSec=21
(http://www.kimberamerica.com/shop/shopimages/products/normal/Black%20bobbed%20safety.jpg)
After Scott's post I checked again and it's hard to tell from the photo what type of engagement surface is on the pin. It looks like it may be the type he mentioned. If you could take a pic and post it, it might help.
I have worked with several types but the Kimber's is a different type (at least on the outside).
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Yes, that is the item that I bought. When I receive it in the mail, I'll do a pic to verify the type with you guys. Thanx for the help so far.
Brian
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I'm Pretty sure you will need the left side half, it has a longer pin with a groove that the right side slides over. It is a really great design much better than a wilson style with the tab under the grip. Good luck
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You may want to look at this again. You may have a thumb safety with a protruding hammer pin on the right side.
Some of the modern Kimber ambi-safeties are an extended hammer pin type. Meaning it does not have an arm which slides under the grip panel to hold in the right side safety lever. Rather it has a slightly longer hammer pin which is machined to lock into the right side lever by rotating down onto the protruding pin.
You probably will not need a gunsmith if it is the pin type. Just know that the right side lever will not lift out. It must be rotated upwards to disengage from the protruding hammer pin. To do this you should pull the left side lever out a bit to allow the right side lever to rotate freely.
Please let me know if I can help.
Stay Safe,
Thank you for all your help. The part came today and it did have an end similar to a mortise and tenon as someone else said, also of which I am familiar. The part that was different as Scott said, was that it did slide over the hammer pin. Thanks to your advise, I was able to replace it in about a half an hour. Thank you very much. Now waiting on the CTC laser grips for this and my Keltec P3AT.
Brian
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Glad to hear it went well........it makes it better when you do it yourself.
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Great News!
Glad to hear it all worked out.
Enjoy the laser. I really like mine.
Stay Safe
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New safety installed last week, and , glory, glory, men in brown delivered CTC laser grips today. Ran downstairs and installed them and the one for my Keltec and am giddy with excitement. Can't wait to verify/sight in. Not this weekend, but soon.
Brian
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New safety installed last week, and , glory, glory, men in brown delivered CTC laser grips today. Ran downstairs and installed them and the one for my Keltec and am giddy with excitement. Can't wait to verify/sight in. Not this weekend, but soon.
Brian
oops! Those silly warning stickers fell off while I was cleaning my pistol. Darn! ;D
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I demand Kimber Porn! ;D
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Porn of completed project! I've never carried a steel gun everyday before, but to be honest with you, paired with a Crossbreed Supertuck holster, it is not much more difficult than my plastic guns. And the caliber is more reassuring!
What project next...........................HHMMM?!?
Brian
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Porn part 2
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Awesome!!! Really, Really Nice. Grips are great. Ambi, came out great. I'm sure it shoots as good as it looks. Let us know.
Thanks for the pics.....Another one added to my list.... ::)
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Porn part 2
What keeps the ambi safety from falling out?
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On the back side of the right safety is a slot that an extended hammer pin slides into. The hammer pin has a flattened end, similiar to a "T" shape that mates up to a coresponding slot on the safety. For another explanation see the previous post by Scott Ballard.
Brian
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That's a great looking gun Brian. I'm glad the ambi worked out.
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Fine looking gun, dude! Where do ya get the NRA laser grips?
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Thanks for posting the pics, Brian. Glad the ambi worked well. You are making it much easier for me to decide on my next 1911 (when the pennies pile up). That is a fine looking gun. The super-small 1911 is the one variety of that format that has eluded me for years. I really would like one of the sub-sized 1911's so I could go back to CCW carry with a 1911 instead of my Glock (nothing against the G27, I just like 1911's better).
Thanks,
Peg
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Fine looking gun, dude! Where do ya get the NRA laser grips?
Actually, they are just stock CTC lazer grips. My options were the fake burlwood or these. I'm assuming that NRA gets a cut, but no mention on web site either way. I thought these would give better recoil control than the plastic ones.
Brian