What is the purpose for....

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WC145

· #3 · 5 mo ago

The end of the hammer stays inside the end of the beavertail to keep it from biting you as pictured above.

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TheCollector

· #4 · 5 mo ago

If it doesn't have the upsweep its called an ottertail.
As in... "I otter got the other one"

Membranophone Drum Musical instrument Toy Hat

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Maddogkiller

Discussion Starter · #5 · 5 mo ago

H Golf Sport said:
View attachment 1163667
Prevent Hammer bite.

Thank you for your post, but it doesn't address the question. I understand the purpose of a beavertail grip safety is to prevent hammer bite. A round Commander style hammer will do the same and a beavertail can do so without the upsweep. But again, thank you for your reply.

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N

Nater

· #6 · 5 mo ago

I always figured it helped my hand get into position on a fast draw, but that's something I've never thought about...

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2Blown98

· #7 · 5 mo ago

I believe it’s up swept so that you don’t accidentally hit your hand on it when trying to establish your grip

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Rex

· #8 · 5 mo ago

That's funny. That's the big reason, in 1924 colt redid the grip safety tang and hammer because the pre a1 could lay you open if you weren't careful with your grip. The upsweep also helps guide your hand into place if you happen to come in a little high for the grip.

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racer32

· #9 · 5 mo ago

I'll give it a go.

Prevent hammer bite when it was initially introduced. Then it became a standard option. At one point it transitioned to an aesthetic that people expect to see.

I'm going on a limb here but it probably also has to do that the small part makers make them that way and very few manufacturers bother changing them... Maybe one of our forum builders can jump in with a bit of insight on this speculation.

Staccato have bobbed and scalloped their grip safeties. I now prefer those reduced grip safeties to the standard beaver tail. But like so many things on a 1911 it's just another detail that can be personalized.

M

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wheelyfun44

· #10 · 5 mo ago

Allows for higher grip and prevents the ol sharp edged tang from making you bleed.
My Springer Mil-Spec draws blood every time..

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Rex

· #11 · 5 mo ago

Somehow I missed your post understanding hammer bite. As just said the upsweep really can't dig into you. I have average hands, wear L gloves, and have to be real careful on a pre a1 or I'll be bleeding. A1's don't bite but the back of the tang does dig into my web when I go for a normal grip. The beavertail allows me to get up high in the gun and the length and upsweep comfortably sinks into the web, hot or snappy rounds aren't uncomfortable to shoot. I'm not a paper puncher even though I have a bullseye gun built on a pre a1 colt.

My pistol shooting is based on self defense shooting. My local range and an indoor range 50 miles away had action pistol matches based on IPSC/USPSA and IDPA when they were still young. We used our 50yd range starting in front of the range and your last group of targets could have your shooting spot from 40 to the 49yd line. 15 targets for 30 rounds were the norm to be revolver neutral and you may have a shooting box,shoot under a barricade from prone, over or around a barricade, open a door to see your targets and hostages..... you had to move alot compared to most of the sanctioned matches. I used these as training instead of a game unless a particular stage prevented it such as a shooting box forcing you to crowd cover on a barricade. That beavertail is wonderful when you run near 50yds shooting 30 rounds in 30 to 40 seconds. I think I'm too old now to do that anymore.

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notshawn54

· #12 · 5 mo ago

If it was flatter, it would be a ducktail.

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Rex

· #13 · 5 mo ago

Haha, someone made one back around 1980. I can picture it in my head but damned if I can remember who made it. Colt's first attempt in 92 on the enhanced wasn't that bad, a bit closer to a beavertail but it sucks compared to the real thing. They just cut the back of the tangs and put it on, Wilson's compound radius cut gets you a little higher up the gun.

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Bicentennial zach

· #14 · 5 mo ago

You can get a “bobbed” grip safety like this one:

Air gun Trigger Gun accessory Electric blue Gun barrel

Anyone Have Pics of the Wilson Concealment Beavertail?

Hey all. Been looking around for a grip safety that would look great on a RETRO type build that I want to do on my Colt. I understand that the Wilson Concealment might be a good choice but I've never seen any pics of it on a 1911. I'd like to see how it looks on the pistol instead of just a...

www.1911addicts.com

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SPEEDYCQB3G

· #15 · 5 mo ago (Edited)

Maddogkiller said:
...the upsweep on every beavertail grip safety? View attachment 1163619

Save’s you from being bit,, great shape for speed plate 👍🇺🇸

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Maddogkiller

Discussion Starter · #16 · 5 mo ago

Bicentennial zach said:
You can get a “bobbed” grip safety like this one:

View attachment 1163764

Anyone Have Pics of the Wilson Concealment Beavertail?

Hey all. Been looking around for a grip safety that would look great on a RETRO type build that I want to do on my Colt. I understand that the Wilson Concealment might be a good choice but I've never seen any pics of it on a 1911. I'd like to see how it looks on the pistol instead of just a...

www.1911addicts.com

Where are such available for purchase?

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gunman9

· #17 · 5 mo ago

I use it so my hand is always in the right position everytime I grab the gun to shoot. I can also put upward force on it to keep muzzle flip down. I also use the thumb safety for downward force. There is a beavertail on guns that do not have a grip safety and I use it for the same purpose as well as hammer bite. So I think that is what the upsweep is for IMO

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jcc7x7

· #18 · 5 mo ago

Some say it is to draw smoother as you're coming over the top of the pistol.

I believe it's added material that gives you the opportunity to shape as you prefer with out having to weld extra material on etc etc

The older ones we used to call duck bills.
They were almost straight out, i.e. no up sweep.

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49stateShooter

· #19 · 5 mo ago

Maddogkiller said:
Thank you for your post, but it doesn't address the question. I understand the purpose of a beavertail grip safety is to prevent hammer bite. A round Commander style hammer will do the same and a beavertail can do so without the upsweep. But again, thank you for your reply.

Don’t know the legit origin besides anti-hammer bite, but point your upswept beavertail 1911 straight down, and consider that the upswept beaver presents a soft, curved edge, which may print less and just kinda not be quite so sharp and pointy

Probably just a happy coincidence, but hey-your question got me thinking about it…

Happy New Year

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Rex

· #20 · 5 mo ago

Wilson Combat makes it I believe although that looks a little spooky and different. That gets close to biting me. I run the brown hi cut so that would fold my web skin up and over that when I get my grip in a holster. Wilson's full tail doesn't bother me but I prefer the lower bore axis of the brown and my instinctive grip would need to grab lower. That's also a stock commander hammer, not good with the oval at all.

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