Where to buy 1911 parts in Canada (besides Marstar)

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Doc M

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Hi All -

so here's the story (in brief). I'm out shooting last weekend, when the safety on my Kimber BREAKS. Literally, the left side of the ambi-safety BROKE off when I flicked it from 'safe' to 'fire' while drawing the pistol. The portion attached to the through-bolt that holds the grip safety in place broke away from the 'lever' portion which I activate with my thumb and rides on the plunger tube.

So, I've basically got a safety which is useless at the moment... and although I could make it a no-safety rig by just machining a pin to allow the beavertail to still function, I'm still not thrilled by the situation.

Obviously, I want to replace the safety as soon as friggin' possible... and Marstar is out of stock for the part I need.

Anywhere in Canada to buy this bit, either right-handed or ambidextrous, before I bite the bullet and get it from Brownell's?

Where's everyone buying their 'trick' 1911 kit up here... ?

To be perfectly clear, I am looking for part #35 from the below diagram - "thumb safety" - which will fit a Kimber SIS Custom.

1891d1051549505-ballester-molina-parts-diagram-exploded-view.jpg


One last thing - though I love it now, the crap I've been through with this Kimber has ensured I'll NEVER buy another Kimber product again. What a piece of junk it was in factory trim... and having MIM parts like this now-broken safety just pisses me off something fierce.

-M
 
Freedom Ventures has STI parts, including safeties.

Late entry: Safeties machined from bar stock are available, from EGW, C&S, and Wilson Combat, etc. (They will cost you at least double that of their equivalent MIM part.)
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/cid=729/k=/t=S/Products/1911_Safeties

http://www.brownells.com/1/3/fitting-a-1911-thumb-safety
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
NAA said:
Busted part on a Kimber??? :eek:

Any chance of it being a warranty repair? :confused:

2007-10-27_091302_1aCoffee.gif

NAA.
Click to expand...

Honestly... with the horror-shows I've heard about warranty service, I'd rather just bite the bullet and replace it with something aftermarket or swapped. I may call Kimber and ask if they would ship me one, but if I have to send in the gun or send in the original part for inspection then the juice just ain't worth the squeeze IMO.

-M
 
CRAFM in Montreal stocks several small, IPSC-grade 1911 parts. I've seen Wilson, EGW, SVI, and other bagged parts in the case next to the pistol counter, and I'd be very surprised if they didn't have a few of the hotrodder extended and/or ambi safeties hanging there. (I think I remember seeing a Swenson.) Phone 'em up and ask.

I'd also be surprised if they have it in anything but stainless, so if you need blue, specify it.

They will absolutely do mailorder to Alberta, by the way.
 
+2 on the need to fit the safety. You can be pretty much certain it won't work properly without some fitting. Scot MacDonald at Cedar Valley, Josko at Double Tap, pretty much any IPSC oriented shop usually has a couple of parts around.
 
Take a look through the Brownells website and pick the safety you like best (I'm partial to Ed Brown) and then call either Armco or Dlask, or I suppose any decent gunsmith of your choosing, and see if they have one in stock. If they don't they will almost certainly order it in for you with their next Brownells order. Busy shops like Dlask and Armco order with Brownells fairly frequently.

I'd also ditch the ambi and go with just a regular safety, unless you really love ambis... Ambis tend to be more prone to breakage than regular safeties because of the way the two halves are designed to fit together. A normal safety is just a solid pin.
 
I agree with Krausb. I had a Wilson ambi on My 1911 for almost 14years and a few weeks ago I had the same issue Doc has.I had a standard issue Colt Us Army safety(1950's) in my tool/cleaning kit.While every one else was loading mags I dropped it into the frame.No down Time.
 
If you aren't used to 'smithing your own, I'd send it to a decent smith to get fitted - some of these things drop in and others require endless fitting to get them to function. As mentioned Armco, and Dlask, and also Bits of Pieces will have the parts and more importantly the experience to do a good job. I'm not sure who the go to guy is in Alberta. PS, count me in on the 'replace it with a single sided safety' side of that discussion.
 
Well ladies and gents, I appreciate the advice - two very kind members have offered me replacement parts along the lines of what I was looking for, so it looks like I'll be buying privately... I'm prepared to fit the safety, and have the time/tools to do it. I just needed a dang part... ;)

So, thanks to everyone for your feedback - I appreciate the help!

-M
 
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