Jump to content
Brian Enos's Forums... Maku mozo!

Anyone running a EGW billet ambi?


repins1911

Recommended Posts

http://www.egwguns.com/index.php?p=product&id=150

This is double the cost of any other ambi safety other than an SV. Wanted to see if anyone was using one.

I have seen ambi safeties break, only two that I can think of, but I have always had pretty good luck with mine. I do ride my thumb safety really hard on my 2011, so this one caught my eye.

Thoughts?

Edited by repins1911
Link to comment
Share on other sites

They're expensive because they're bar stock like SV. I was going to try one on my new limited gun, but the SV fell right in my lap on a trade. Also, Ed brown and a few others are making billets for about the same price.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Buy it and don't look back.

I needed a captive pin ambi safety and all I could initially find was a Kimber. I ordered it and fit it and discovered the mortice and tenon were so loose the allowed 1/4" of freeplay between the levers. Since the part is MIM, it could not be tightened sufficiently without breaking off one of the lobes.

I had the devil of a time fitting that safety, because the T-slot was not formed deelyp enough, I had to take material off the T-head of the hammer pin. It took a considerable amount of work to get the flats of the paddles flat enough to so that the pin would engage. Etc.

Then I discovered the EGW ambi safety and ordered one. It is machined from pre-hardened billet. I touched the frame side flats with a stone to see if there were any high spots. There were none. I chamfered the hammer pin hole in the frame so the hammer pin would sit flush. I reamed out the too tight hole in the GS, and kissed the flats of the tenon so it would be a slip fit into the mortise. Aside from fitting the safety to the sear, that's all it took.

As far as I'm concerned, this part is worth its weight in gold. The sleeve that goes over the joint is a stroke of genius. Not only does it keep the mortise from ever expanding, it eliminates any interaction from the GS. There is zero play between the paddles.Move the left up a thou and the right moves with it.

It is worth the money. Brownell's doesn't carry it. I discovered it on the EGW web site while I was researching something else. I like it so much I ordered another one, just to have one on hand.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Buy it and don't look back.

I needed a captive pin ambi safety and all I could initially find was a Kimber. I ordered it and fit it and discovered the mortice and tenon were so loose the allowed 1/4" of freeplay between the levers. Since the part is MIM, it could not be tightened sufficiently without breaking off one of the lobes.

I had the devil of a time fitting that safety, because the T-slot was not formed deelyp enough, I had to take material off the T-head of the hammer pin. It took a considerable amount of work to get the flats of the paddles flat enough to so that the pin would engage. Etc.

Then I discovered the EGW ambi safety and ordered one. It is machined from pre-hardened billet. I touched the frame side flats with a stone to see if there were any high spots. There were none. I chamfered the hammer pin hole in the frame so the hammer pin would sit flush. I reamed out the too tight hole in the GS, and kissed the flats of the tenon so it would be a slip fit into the mortise. Aside from fitting the safety to the sear, that's all it took.

As far as I'm concerned, this part is worth its weight in gold. The sleeve that goes over the joint is a stroke of genius. Not only does it keep the mortise from ever expanding, it eliminates any interaction from the GS. There is zero play between the paddles.Move the left up a thou and the right moves with it.

It is worth the money. Brownell's doesn't carry it. I discovered it on the EGW web site while I was researching something else. I like it so much I ordered another one, just to have one on hand.

Thanks for the insight. Too bad you aren't on commission, you just sold me, lol. My entire ingnition system and rear sight is EGW and I am very happy with those parts, very high quality.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, one bright spot is you'll have to remove a little less metal when fitting to an EGW sear than you would if you were using a C&S or EE sear.

Here are a couple of hints. When fitting to the sear it helps to have the sleeve inserted on the left safety. After you are done and want to install the safety, the right side goes on first. Put the sleeve on the left safety and install as you normally would. For some reason, it is much more difficult to install the left safety if you put the sleeve on the right.

The fit is tight, as you would expect. When removing the safeties, the right side comes off first. Don't grip the wing and pull. It will make life difficult. Grip the wing. Using your thumb and finger as the pivot point, rotate the safety outward. You won't actually be rotating anything, but that motion causes the arm to come straight out of the hole. If you do it right, removal is easy. If you are cocking the arm, cuss words will flow.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

They work for 2011s? Shooters connection has them, there is a note on their product page stating they aren't compatible with wide bodies.

ETA: Just received a response from EGW, their hammer pins are too short for widebody frames. They will have an updated pin out in the future.

Edited by feederic
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I haven't used one yet but can say it's expensive for a reason. It's a nicely built, high quality part.

I have never been disappointed with anything egw I've bought. I've found their prices are usually cheaper than a comparable part. So when it costs more you know it'll be special. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I wish someone would incorporate an integral shield with this type safety so as to create a modern quality "Swenson" style safety. Anyone know of a prototyping machine shop or gunsmith willing to take on such a project? I think they would sell like hot cakes.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I wish someone would incorporate an integral shield with this type safety so as to create a modern quality "Swenson" style safety. Anyone know of a prototyping machine shop or gunsmith willing to take on such a project? I think they would sell like hot cakes.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

I wish someone would incorporate an integral shield with this type safety so as to create a modern quality "Swenson" style safety. Anyone know of a prototyping machine shop or gunsmith willing to take on such a project? I think they would sell like hot cakes.

I don't have mine back yet, but I just went to check it out. Here's a pic my smiths facebook

They work for 2011s? Shooters connection has them, there is a note on their product page stating they aren't compatible with wide bodies.

ETA: Just received a response from EGW, their hammer pins are too short for widebody frames. They will have an updated pin out in the future.

My gunsmith made it work, and did a phenomenal job.

post-33368-0-27570100-1428089236_thumb.j

post-33368-0-51872400-1428089252_thumb.j

Edited by dafdov368
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...