I've had this gun for about 5 years, and really like it, but it had a few flaws. The factory grips were too thin, the slide occasionally failed to lock back and the finish started flaking off the slide-catch lever, and it had a stupid ambi-safety.



I got some regular wood 1911 grips on clearance from Springfield Armory a couple of months back to replace the thin factory grips, and the gun fills the hand much better now. After I got the grips on, I decided it was time to fix the other issues as well. I ordered an EGW HD Thumb Safety and a 9mm Slide-Catch lever, and they got here today.

I was really impressed with the quality of the parts. The slide-catch is drop in, and is a quality forged part. It's radiused for the detent to allow easier re-assembly...something I've done to my other 1911 myself, but it was a nice touch coming straight out of the box. I still need to get it to the range, but I'm hoping using the 9mm part with the longer catch solves my last-round lock back issues.

The safety of course required fitting. I took my time and got it done in about 3 hours. It's pretty large as far as 1911 safeties go, so I had to modify the left grip panel a bit, and out of the box there were a lot of rough edges that I had to blend, but I'm happy with the final result. It engages the detent much more positively than the factory safety did, and the right-side lever isn't there to get inadvertently bumped on or off anymore. I'm kinda digging the stainless look, too!

Nice! I would like to make mine single safety also.

Gotta say it looks better than the stock version IMHO. Well done!

Nice upgrades.

I have an earlier 3" EMP. I removed the ambi safety (I'm RH and it is my gun so...), replaced the grips, and upgraded the night sights. And that's it. Very fine pistol otherwise.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Batty67,

Why do people remove the ambi safeties? Doesn't seem to get in the way and, if you ever have to shoot left-handed it might come in handy, no?

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:
Why do people remove the ambi safeties? Doesn't seem to get in the way and, if you ever have to shoot left-handed it might come in handy, no?

For me it does get in the way. I've had it disengage in the holster, and accidentally engage while shooting. I hate them. I can disengage the single-sided safety just fine with my left hand if I have to. For me, the ambi lever is just a liability. YMMV.

I've also never liked the ambi safety, even the lower profile ones I prefer to be eliminated.

Pistol looks good.

quote:

Originally posted by 92fstech:
For me it does get in the way. I've had it disengage in the holster, and accidentally engage while shooting.

Fair enough. That's why I asked

I haven't carried my EMP3, yet, as I'm still breaking it in. So I guess I've yet to see if I'll have issues with holstering/drawing. I have put two hundred rounds down-range w/o issue, though.

I was dry-fire practicing with it, yesterday, and tried some left hand shooting. I found the ambi safety handy for that.

Depending upon your hand size and grip technique, it may not be an issue for you. I'd keep doing what you're doing and practice with the gun before you make any changes. I just know they don't work for me.

I had a first run EMP and there were some issues like below with friends that reported some problems that kinda gave me pause, plus all my other 1911's were single side I didn't have much use for one.

I love those grips on that EMP!

quote:

Originally posted by just1tym:
I had a first run EMP and there were some issues like below with friends that reported some problems that kinda gave me pause...

Yikes! Not good on an SD pistol.

Yeah, that's really bad. I'm not even sure how that happens, unless they designed the notch on the safety pin to be way too short. Even if not being used as a SD pistol, I'd say that's a significant safety concern!