Filing the Proper Angle on a 1911 Thumb Safety Tang

[blind bat]

I purchased a Wilson Combat cast, ambi, thumb safety and tried to fit it to my Dan Wesson Valor. The part comes with a round sear tang. I tried to match the angle of the original (beautiful barstock) part but failed miserably. It blocks the sear but doesn't have as much contact area against the sear compared to the original becaused I botched the angle.

Is there a trick to filing the correct engagement angle on the safety tang that blocks the sear?

[JD45]

I had the Wilson video that included fitting a regular thumb safety. Believe me, it is a delicate process of file/stone and trial fitting. If you remove a hair to much, the sear moves a little if the trigger is pulled with the safety on, setting up a dangerous situation. So, you then need a new part.

I would only trust this job to a really good gunsmith. A crappy one could mess it up and wouldn't even know.

[twodownzero]

The trick is to not file too much. as long as the sear cannot move, it is safe.

[Powder Finger]

I never completely fit a safety to the sear. get close then take the rest off the sear flat.<br />now you don't have to mess/replace the safety everytime you change sears or hammers.