zipper046 Posted August 8, 2015 Share Posted August 8, 2015 (edited) Hey all, Just purchased a sweet custom built STI Eagle from a forum member here. Gun is great...just one small issue that i've found that i'm hoping y'all can help me with... The gun has an Ed Brown Ambidextrous safety. I need this because I am a LEFTY. When I disengage the safety, the left side safety is pinching the web of my left hand between my thumb and forefinger. The attached picture (sample photo, not actual gun) shows a red oval..that is the area where the web of my left hand is getting pinched.... Yes...I have large hands that are somewhat meaty...it looks like there is a small shelf on the grip running along the bottom of the safety and when I grip the gun some of my skin is being pushed into that area between the shelf and the safety. When I disengage the safety and it rolls downward, the gap between the bottom of the safety and the shelf is reduced and the skin of the web of my hand between the bottom of the safety and the shelf get's pinched. I did find a different sequence in my target acquisition that has helped...after I draw and clear my holster, and while coming up on target, I disengage the safety (with my finger OFF THE TRIGGER and gun pointing downrange towards target of course) before I get a full grip. Once on target, I slightly adjust my grip a bit higher...this seems to prevent any skin from the web of my hand getting caught below the safety and the shelf in the grip. (I used to grip, acquire target, and after aligning sights disengage safety....) So without changing how I grip & acquire anyone have other suggestions? File and shape the safety to give more room in the "gap"? Use a different "Thicker" ambi-safety to eliminate the gap? Sand down the shelf a bit to give more room? Thanks! Z- Edited August 8, 2015 by zipper046 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racknrider Posted August 8, 2015 Share Posted August 8, 2015 This is not help but I have exactly the same problem when I shoot my Eagle left handed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandbagger123 Posted August 8, 2015 Share Posted August 8, 2015 Is it stainless or chrome? If its stainless just blend it to your liking and either polish it or blast the area to match. If its chrome you will need to get it refinished. If it were my gun I would get a new safety in stainless and grind on that and save this one for a spare. Safeties do break. The wide EB is pretty popular Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zipper046 Posted August 8, 2015 Author Share Posted August 8, 2015 Is it stainless or chrome? If its stainless just blend it to your liking and either polish it or blast the area to match. If its chrome you will need to get it refinished. If it were my gun I would get a new safety in stainless and grind on that and save this one for a spare. Safeties do break. The wide EB is pretty popular Sandbagger...machined stainless.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandbagger123 Posted August 8, 2015 Share Posted August 8, 2015 Is it stainless or chrome? If its stainless just blend it to your liking and either polish it or blast the area to match. If its chrome you will need to get it refinished. If it were my gun I would get a new safety in stainless and grind on that and save this one for a spare. Safeties do break. The wide EB is pretty popular Sandbagger...machined stainless.... just blend it with a dremel and then repolish it. use a black marker to mark where you want to remove blend Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troupe Posted August 9, 2015 Share Posted August 9, 2015 Cut it out, it wont take long. I have large hands as well, and when I build one , I roll it all out. Plenty of metal to blend with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPatton Posted August 9, 2015 Share Posted August 9, 2015 A Dremel carbide cutter works best. Take your time, wear glasses, and gloves will keep the slivers from getting imbedded in the skin between your fingers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zipper046 Posted August 9, 2015 Author Share Posted August 9, 2015 Thanks guys! Will work on trimming the safety down this weekend...I've done quite a few modifications and maintenance work on Glocks over the years and minor upgrades (sights, magwells, etc) on 1911's I have...so pretty comfortable around a Dremel! LOL. I appreciate all the input! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troupe Posted August 10, 2015 Share Posted August 10, 2015 Use sanding drums and work your way up. Start with 120 grit and go slow and don't use the high speed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPostman Posted August 10, 2015 Share Posted August 10, 2015 Use sanding drums and work your way up. Start with 120 grit and go slow and don't use the high speed. +1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zipper046 Posted August 10, 2015 Author Share Posted August 10, 2015 Thanks guys...I am assuming I have to leave enough at the bottom of the thumb safety so that when it is fully engaged that it covers the small detent in the frame? Dumb question, I know, but this is first time for me doing this...if I mess it up, no worries...will just buy another ambi-safety! LOL... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve RA Posted August 10, 2015 Share Posted August 10, 2015 Yes, leave enough to cover up the holes and then bevel along the bottom edge as that will also cut down on the "trapping". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eric4069 Posted August 13, 2015 Share Posted August 13, 2015 Yes, leave enough to cover up the holes and then bevel along the bottom edge as that will also cut down on the "trapping". I had to do this too, the bevel is key so you dont have to remove as much of the actual edge. (also left handed) Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zipper046 Posted August 14, 2015 Author Share Posted August 14, 2015 thanks guys! I ordered a Dawson Magwell for "LARGE" hands (which I have)...they have relief cuts on side and rear and it helped a little. I then took off the left side safety and with my small files I removed material and beveled the inside bottom edge.....Worked great! Still need to take a little bit more off to be fully comfortable, but progress being made. I appreciate the help from everyone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cactusbrew Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 I used sanding drums on my dremel to sand down the safety where it was pinching my hand on the slide. Take a little at a time, test fit, and then take more off. Welcome to the world of "home gunsmithing." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cactusbrew Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Oh and if you shoot more you do build a nice callous up on your hand where everything rubs. Then you wont have to worry about being bitten or having a blister. After a summer of shooting, I have callouses on my hands and fingers from all the major wear points. So maybe instead of sanding you just need to shoot more. ha-ha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr2e Posted August 17, 2015 Share Posted August 17, 2015 (edited) The original owner has little girl hands and is right handed so he (me) didn't have the issue. Plus a little blood won't hurt it! Sounds like you have it all figured out anyway after reading your other topic. Edited August 17, 2015 by dr2e Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zipper046 Posted August 17, 2015 Author Share Posted August 17, 2015 The original owner has little girl hands and is right handed so he (me) didn't have the issue. Plus a little blood won't hurt it! Sounds like you have it all figured out anyway after reading your other topic. LOL! Thx dr2e! Yup...got it remedied....thanks again for a great transaction...running the gun tomorrow night in our local indoor USPSA shoot.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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