1911 Beavertail Frame modification

[RVTECH]

Well, after buying my new RIA my Colt .45 cant 'live' with a standard grip safety.

Anybody perform this mod? It looks fairly straightforward and simple (with the jig of course) however I see a .250 radius and a .220 style and was wondering of anyone has done this and knows why there is a difference and how it applies.

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[spookshack]

Paging @Cerberus Group.

 

[spookshack]

I like Ed brown parts. I bought their Bobtail jig and had a buddy use it to mod my RIA frame. Turned out great…..

 

[po18guy]

Maybe look up MosinVirus on Rumble. He has built many custom 1911s.

1911 Build 6 RMR - Part 1

As usual we start the series in the beginning. Shaping and fitting parts

rumble.com

 

[Cerberus Group]

I don't do that kind of 1911 work anymore, just troubleshooting and tuning.

I would think there would be a 'smith around that would do a good job with that.

I don't know of anyone right off, but know a few a few states away I'd recommend.

 

[Campj95]

Well, after buying my new RIA my Colt .45 cant 'live' with a standard grip safety.

Anybody perform this mod? It looks fairly straightforward and simple (with the jig of course) however I see a .250 radius and a .220 style and was wondering of anyone has done this and knows why there is a difference and how it applies.

.250 is pretty standard and will work with, JEM, EGW, Ed Brown. .220 is closer to the radius Springfield and Wilson use. If you want to purchase a safety from Wilson, use the Wilson jig. If you want to purchase from Ed brown, use the Ed brown jig. You'll be removing material and the frame will likely need to be refinished after you blend the beavertail and frame.

 

[VinnieBoomBah]

I've done it a couple times on steel and aluminum frames using an Ed Brown jig. It is "easy" but does take some time and patience especially when you get to the end when small amounts of filing or sanding need to be done. Mine came with little delrin washers that are supposed to protect your frame, but you will end up with circular scratch marks on the frame. Also, 1911 beavertail safeties are not "drop in" and will require some final fitting, there are lots of videos on that, and they are all not shaped the same, so you may need to do some fitting at the rear by the pin and on the tangs

And as much as I love Brownells, they are wondering into H&K territory with this one

ED BROWN 1911 BEAVERTAIL INSTALLATION JIG

Check out ED BROWN 1911 BEAVERTAIL INSTALLATION JIG with 11 reviews and an overall rating of 4.1, available Online at Brownells Today and many more Handgun Tools products are available in our Tools & Cleaning Department.

www.brownells.com

ETA: Just noticed you have a RIA, and depending on the year your frame dimensions may be very close to, but not exactly like a Colt's 1911. I'm working on a Bob Day inspired 9mm 1911 and it is taking longer to get everything fitted than when I added the beavertail to a Colt. It can be done, it just takes a bit more effort

 

[RVTECH]

ETA: Just noticed you have a RIA, and depending on the year your frame dimensions may be very close to, but not exactly like a Colt's 1911.

Yes, I have a new RIA but will be doing this on my COLT 1991 - A1. The extended Beavertail on the RIA is what inspired me to do the mod to my Colt. Actually I was going to do this a couple years ago but didn't proceed with it.

I don't know of anyone right off, but know a few a few states away I'd recommend.

Thanks but I should have been clearer in that I will be doing this myself. I have the metalworking skills and abilities and while never having done this specifically it's looks pretty straightforward and not too difficult!

 

[spookshack]

I don't do that kind of 1911 work anymore, just troubleshooting and tuning.

I would think there would be a 'smith around that would do a good job with that.

I don't know of anyone right off, but know a few a few states away I'd recommend.

To clarify, I was wondering if you knew why there are .220 and .250 radius cuts used for the beavertail that @RVTECH was alluding to. Thus the reason for notifying you about this thread and not your ability to perform the actual beavertail cut.

 

[Cerberus Group]

To clarify, I was wondering if you knew why there are .220 and .250 radius cuts used for the beavertail that @RVTECH was alluding to. Thus the reason for notifying you about this thread and not your ability to perform the actual beavertail cut.

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...that what happens when I try to multi-task.

Different makers use a different radius cut. I think someone already mentioned Springfield uses a .220 cut, which is proprietary to a certain model of Beavertail.

Whichever BT is chosen, look at the required radius cut, and get the proper jig.

Ed Brown is also proprietary, as they their BT fits extremely deep into the frame.

I would go with a Wilson or the like with a standard .250 radius cut.

@RVTECH , if you need a jig I've got one I can send you...I think its made by Wilson, I'll check.
To keep the marks off the frame, use painters tape under the jig.

I'm doing my last full build 1911, will post when done.

 

[Quirt Evans]

I've had Smith & Alexander grip safeties fitted to two Colts.
More than pleased with the way they turned out.
https://www.smithandalexander.com/gripsafety.html

 

[jordanvraptor]

Did you complete your install?

I didn't want to permanently modify my Colt Combat Elite so I used the Wilson Combat drop in beavertail grip safety. It fits good but the inside part that contacts the trigger bar needs to be filed thinner due to the firing pin disconnect safety parts.

IMG_4070.jpeg

• jordanvraptor
• Jan 15, 2026

 

[RVTECH]

Did you complete your install?

No, I did not and decided against it. I've been shooting this gun for over 20 years with no issues so not a big deal.

My plan however is to (hopefully) find a later frame of the Beavertail style and put my upper on it.

 

[orygun]

Thanks for the pic, @jordanvraptor . I always wondered what a "drop in" looked like.