sheepdog

Anyone here shooting a S&W 1911 have problems with the grip safety not engaging the FP safety without lots of extra effort to make the grip "right" or having any signs of timing problems with the set-up? Signs of peening on the safety plunger? I want a S&W 1911 in the 4.25 size, but their FP safety turns me off due to problems I had with the Kimber version. If you had problems, was S&W's fix enough, or is it just...the design?
TIA

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What Would Gumby Do?

JD

I only had problems on my Kimber series II after I changed out the main spring housing, but some light filing on the inside face of the housing fixed that.

Smith had a recall on them back in '06 IIRC.

Personally I prefer NOT having the additional safety, and like Springfields approach at it by using a heavier spring and lighter (Ti) firing pin.

When it comes to the firing pin safeties, I prefer the current Colt design over the Schwartz design used in Kimbers, Smiths, and a couple of others.

Some complain that in the Colts the trigger pull is afffected with the added guts of the safety, but I can't tell the difference.

I'd suggest checking out either 1911Forum.com or m1911.org to check the threads under the S&W sections to do do some research on the subject.

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On "Vacation" till thing settle down with the little guy.

Garrett Matthew _______, 8lbs 4oz. 21"
11-25-08

joffe

Just get a 1911 without the firing pin safety - it's a worthless anti-lawyer measure, condition 1 series 70 guns are safe as ever and you won't have to worry about engaging the FPS when you should be worrying about other things.

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Free State Project

JD

But the problem with that is finding a Commander sized (meaning a true 4.25 bushing bbl, not a 4" bushingless) 1911 with the desired options from the factory for under $1K.

__________________
On "Vacation" till thing settle down with the little guy.

Garrett Matthew _______, 8lbs 4oz. 21"
11-25-08

ccwguy

I have a S&W 1911Sc Commander model, and I have almost the exact opposite "problem". The grip safety is disengaged with only a very slight touch... just a couple of millimeters of movement. It isn't a problem yet, but could it continue to worsen and get to the point where it doesn't even function as a safety anymore?

joffe

You don't need the grip safety anyways, the thumb safety is more than enough. Jeff Cooper pinned the grip safety on his 1911s.

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Free State Project

OD

S&W will fix the pistol if you have a timing problem the safety. It really isn't a bad design if it is carried out correctly, the Swartz safety was first used in 1937, it was dropped during WWII as the US Government requested their M1911A1s without it. The safety was designed by Colt engineer William L. Swartz.

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OD
"Slow down, you'll get a more harmonious outcome...."
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"The pistol, learn it well, carry it always ..." - Jeff Cooper

QKShooter

The grip safety is disengaged with only a very slight touch... just a couple of millimeters of movement.
"It isn't a problem yet, but could it continue to worsen and get to the point where it doesn't even function as a safety anymore?"

ccwguy
No, that would not happen. The grip safety is basically a lever flange that moves up to unblock the trigger.
So once it moves up and off the trigger bow it basically does not contact anything else and for that reason it's not normally a part that would "wear" or get worse over time.

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sheepdog

I have STI and Springfield, and prefer them for the reasons the users above stated (and my Kimber problem), but I may get a chance at an excellent deal on a S&W very soon. I have had very good response with S&W service in the past, but wanted to avoid it at all. I noticed several posters here have the guns. I'll wander over to the 1911 forum and see what they have to say, but it seems like troubles are often over-reported.

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What Would Gumby Do?

OD

A lot of people are quicker to complain, than to praise.

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OD
"Slow down, you'll get a more harmonious outcome...."
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"The pistol, learn it well, carry it always ..." - Jeff Cooper