Posted: 1/15/2011 9:44:51 PM EDT
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I am picking up a new Colt Commander XSE pretty soon (late next week).
I want a beavertail with the "palm swell" on it, but this one does not have it (funny thing is, Colt's website is showing the new Commanders as HAVING the palm swell, but none of the one's I've seen available have it). I do not want to cut my frame or have to send it out to a custom shop for sizing, so I am looking at drop ins. I read the info on the resources page, but wanted to know if anyone had any further advice on this. I am not a gunsmith and have zero experience doing advanced work on 1911s. Is this a job I should attempt or not? How complicated is it? Appreciate any advice. Thanks. |
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i am using a wilson drop in part for my sistema colt. but to make it run, i had to file off a little bit of the lower angle of the nose, which is setting free the trigger if safety is disengaged. i did this with a cheap nail file.
if this the case i recommend this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oSg42YCfP8 |
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http://www.blindhogg.com/gunsmith/wilsonbt.html
I need to read up on this myself. Found this link neat the top of the 1911 page here on ar15. |
Ed brown beavertail fitting jig, a couple files, sandpaper, big balls, and a little patience can produce really nice results. It's not too difficult to do but it's damned scary when you make your first cut on the frame. 
I like the fit/feel of the Ed Brown beavertails over the Wilsons. Drop ins almost always suck. |
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I am picking up a new Colt Commander XSE pretty soon (late next week). Congratulations on finding one of those! I have been looking for over a month for one with minimal luck. Here is a video of a guy that is installing a drop in Wilson grip safety, should help you out some. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oSg42YCfP8 |
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Quoted: Ed brown beavertail fitting jig, a couple files, sandpaper, big balls, and a little patience can produce really nice results. It's not too difficult to do but it's damned scary when you make your first cut on the frame. I like the fit/feel of the Ed Brown beavertails over the Wilsons. Drop ins almost always suck. 100% truth. it was a complete pucker moment when I made the first cut on mine. it was really easy for me to get the profile correct but it took a little time for me to be satisfied. I got the jig and BT from midway and I got files from a lapidary somewhere in California. I bought #4 and #6 swiss cut needle files in half round and round. OP: if you are seriously considering doing it yourself, I will gladly LEND you the jig. I use the files regularly, so I can't loan those out. |
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Since you spent the money on the xse, get a BT fitted correctly Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile I appreciate your point of view, but I do not want to have to ship my new gun off to a custom house, and then wait weeks (or possibly even months) for them to get around to doing it. I MIGHT still go that route, but I'm still thinking. Hmmmm. Anyway I will come back and update the thread when all is done no matter which route I go. |
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Got a Wilson drop in for my stainless XSE Commander. Took all of about a half hour to install........had to file the tang down some, mirroring the duckbill tang's profile, no big whoop. So you basically were able to just "eyeball" the profile of the tang on the duckbill, and then file down the drop-in tang to match, and you pretty much got it right on the first try? Thanks. |
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Got a Wilson drop in for my stainless XSE Commander. Took all of about a half hour to install........had to file the tang down some, mirroring the duckbill tang's profile, no big whoop. So you basically were able to just "eyeball" the profile of the tang on the duckbill, and then file down the drop-in tang to match, and you pretty much got it right on the first try? Thanks. Measured, not eyeballed, removing a little at a time. Really was not difficult. Pistol operates properly. |
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i had two 1911s done by a buddy of mine in dallas.
both times he stripped the frame and took them to the grinding wheel; the first time he was instructing a guy on how to mount an engine on a harley at the same time! and they look awesome. Dennis is the best! luckily i haven't needed any of his services in about 15 years. |
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I'm right there with you man. This week I'll be changing out a whole slew of parts in my R1.
We've got a new slide stop, grip safety, thumb safety, sear, disconnector, hammer, firing pin stop, and extractor. Oh, and a new rear sight from 10-8 that should fit my rear dovetail. Pictures when it's done 
ETA: and before anyone curses me as a retard for changing out parts that are not broken. The whole point on this pistol was to get to know the system better. The Remington parts are nice, and I figure this way I will have spares for the Zombie attack. |
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Yeah, those are awesome pics. Well, the beavertail is on order and D-Day is set for Friday (or Saturday if I am too tired). Thanks again for all the help & advice. Do post pictures when your done! I am getting ready to do this with my Springfield Mil Spec. |
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She's done guys!
The job took me three hours, because I was unfamiliar with disassembling the frame and also I had to file the drop in BT down a little which took more than one try to get it right. Thanks for all the advice, and of course, here are the pictures. BEFORE: 
AFTER: 
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Quoted:
I am picking up a new Colt Commander XSE pretty soon (late next week). I want a beavertail with the "palm swell" on it, but this one does not have it (funny thing is, Colt's website is showing the new Commanders as HAVING the palm swell, but none of the one's I've seen available have it). Nice work on the BT Omega, yeah I noticed the same thing on Colts web with the lightweight I have been looking for and thought I would have to go the same route..went to the gun show today and still could not find one, my dealer said since the SHOT show is over he has them on order with the upswept beaver, but it will be a while...I couldnt get the Pony in the stall,..but my second choice was a SA Loaded, and found one NIB with accessories and a Kimber Pro Carry II HD for $700 like new in case,...so Im happy for now...good luck with yours.... |
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Ed brown beavertail fitting jig, a couple files, sandpaper, big balls, and a little patience can produce really nice results. It's not too difficult to do but it's damned scary when you make your first cut on the frame.
I like the fit/feel of the Ed Brown beavertails over the Wilsons. Drop ins almost always suck. +1 Get an ED BROWN and have it done right. Don't do it half-assed |
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She's done guys! The job took me three hours, because I was unfamiliar with disassembling the frame and also I had to file the drop in BT down a little which took more than one try to get it right. Thanks for all the advice, and of course, here are the pictures. BEFORE: http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/omega62/ComComm.jpg AFTER: http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/omega62/ColtComm2.jpg Are you saying that you did not have to file any area of the frame, only the BT? Whose BT did you use? |
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Quoted:
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She's done guys! The job took me three hours, because I was unfamiliar with disassembling the frame and also I had to file the drop in BT down a little which took more than one try to get it right. Thanks for all the advice, and of course, here are the pictures. BEFORE: http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/omega62/ComComm.jpg AFTER: http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/omega62/ColtComm2.jpg Are you saying that you did not have to file any area of the frame, only the BT? Whose BT did you use? Yes, precisely. I used a Wilson Combat Drop-In. That was the whole point of this - I do NOT want to make any cuts on my frame. |
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She's done guys! The job took me three hours, because I was unfamiliar with disassembling the frame and also I had to file the drop in BT down a little which took more than one try to get it right. Thanks for all the advice, and of course, here are the pictures. BEFORE: http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/omega62/ComComm.jpg AFTER: http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/omega62/ColtComm2.jpg Are you saying that you did not have to file any area of the frame, only the BT? Whose BT did you use? Yes, precisely. I used a Wilson Combat Drop-In. That was the whole point of this - I do NOT want to make any cuts on my frame. I like it. Thanks very much for the info. |