I have a Para WartHog, wide body 1911 in .45ACP. Nobody specifically lists an ambi safety for this model other than the statement "Fits all 1911's and clones." and Para has not responded to my e-mails. I have waded through many, many pages of Google searches with results being 'Yes' to 'No' and a few points between.

Does anyone know which model/brand will fit up? I am a bit concerned that the typical right-side retention "wing" will not work with the thin grip panels and wide body.

As for 'why', the WartHog is carried and shot, almost exclusively, with my left hand (for a couple reasons) so I'd like a left-handed safety.

Thank you!

Kimber makes a version of the King ambi safety. It does not have the "wing", rather it relies on an unusual hammer (sear?) pin the head of which rides in a dovetailed groove in the back of right side safety.

No wing, no problem. Kimber's version is more than likely MIM, however the older King version was a heat-treated casting that was finish machined. My old brain is not firing on all cylinders as yet, but it seems to me that someone else is making a higher grade version of this safety. I have also heard rumors that while King is out of the custom business it is still making small parts. Their safety was used on select pistols used by some special combined unit of the military a few years back, so those are "good to go" as hey say. It is what my Springfield wears, btw.

The old Colt/Mueshke safety was similar, but in that version the end of the sear pin is extended and notched, capturing the thinned forward leading edge of the right side safety. Either should work just fine, but I know we have double stack Paras in the shop that wear ambi-safeties. Let me take a look at those today and I will report back this evening.

Otony

factory safety. All the Left Handed MPs I worked with learned to do that.

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Of the Troops & For the Troops

My full size P-14 has amphibious safties. It's a Powell gun, and he put them on it, being a lefty. It's not retained by the grip, but there is no brand name that I can find. Heck, I don't need it, I'll send you the receiver, and you can swap them out.:)

JLF

as well as the Kimber rendition.

Food for thought.

The 'net seems to be unified in that King's were the best. (Of course, now that they are unobtanium.) I have found no indication they would be available other than as a 'collectable' item.

From the outside looking in, it looks like a better design.

I'm sure practice will help but there is a moment where I do not feel that I have adequate control of the gun and I do not care for that.

Right-handed, the safety comes off on the way up and re-engaged on the way down...almost automatically. I would like the same ability with the left hand.

As I carry it left-handed, I do not see any increased potential to inadvertantly disengage the safety.

Mah po' haid is reeling. I assume you are jesting a bit as I would need a receiving FFL and all.

I'd have to send it to a dealer, so unless you know a *really* easy going one, it might cost you more than a set of safeties. Any other part, and I would just send it to you, but 1911 thumb safeties without the gun(s) handy for fitting is a gooch just waiting to happen.:) I don't mind sending the receiver for a little round trip vacation, but up their at your end is up to you.

JLF

I do appreciate the offer though!

...that we have in stock and darned if none of the hi-cap versions have an ambi-safety.

The Caspian safety.....

http://www.caspianarms.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CAL&Pr...

.....is apparently very similar to the Kimber/King style for a reasonable price, but I note that there is a Wilson Bullet Proof version available as well.

http://shopwilsoncombat.com/Ambidextrous-Thumb-Safety-Tactical-Levers-Bullet-Proof-Blue...

It is in their higher priced safety series, and utilizes a screw for the hammer pin that engages a groove ala the King.

Sorry I couldn't be of more assistance....

Otony

Nm

...

However, the usual type of ambi safety that uses a 'wing' under the right grip panel for retention will typically not work without 'substantial' modification.

One possible alternative is the Mueschke-type Ambi, which uses an extended and notched sear pin for retention of the right half of the assembly:

• Extended Model @ Brownells (Blue or Stainless)

• 'Standard' Model (Ditto)

One of the standard types came fitted to my Behlert-built Series 70 (although it might be a Colt part; I'm not sure).

In any case, I found it perfectly satisfactory, except for one thing: It was sort of 'blocky', and it had numerous sharp edges to boot, so I had to dehorn it.

Since I have no facilities for bluing, I simply *spray-painted it* with Satin Black Krylon®...
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...Which reminds me: Hats off to The (Formerly) Black Rifle Crowd for making it 'OK' to paint yer guns!

That one really *was* long overdue...

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On another forum...

The writer calls it a 'Colt' part, but you get the idear.

HTH

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