Memphis area 1911smith - Safety Install

[Guest atomemphis]

I'm looking to install an Ed Brown Safety on my Kimber CDP II Pro. (Neverliked the ambi safety, and now that it has quit on me, it was time to get what I wanted).

I'm competent in taking the 1911 apart... And putting it back together.

I don't know where I need to remove metal from the safety to make it fit in flush and work properly. Also the how part (to remove metal from the safety) is unknown to me. I don't want to screw anything up and have to buy another.

So who be a good 1911 gunsmith within a 45 minute drive of Memphis? Also, what's the estimated time for a 'smith to do such a job? Fast as installing sights or what?

[Guest Halfpint]

I would recommend Bob Mason at Dowdle, as I have a lot of faith in his work, but I was just at his shop today with one of our (shop's) guns, and he was as backed up as I've ever seen him. There's a gentleman at Tommy Bronson's (Poplar/Highland, I think) who should be able to do it, but I've never worked with him before. Other than the Memphis area, the only 'smiths I know are in south TX . . . good luck finding someone, though.

[Guest atomemphis]

Where is this Dowdle that you speak of?

And what of these guys: http://www.emgamerica.com/

[Guest atomemphis]

They seem to be the same shop perhaps.

[Guest Halfpint]

Yeah, that's them. Sorry, didn't know they had their own website. Anyway, Dowdle is on Germantown just across the railroad tracks from Fox & Hound, on the left if you're coming from Germantown/Poplar. It's in the same parking lot as Chrome Depot and a liquor store, their shop is in the back of Dowdle--just go through the store's front doors. Give them a call, but you might be waiting a while--he definitely does top-notch work though.

[Guest EasilyObsessed]

I'm looking to install an Ed Brown Safety on my Kimber CDP II Pro. (Neverliked the ambi safety, and now that it has quit on me, it was time to get what I wanted).

I'm competent in taking the 1911 apart... And putting it back together.

I don't know where I need to remove metal from the safety to make it fit in flush and work properly. Also the how part (to remove metal from the safety) is unknown to me. I don't want to screw anything up and have to buy another.

So who be a good 1911 gunsmith within a 45 minute drive of Memphis? Also, what's the estimated time for a 'smith to do such a job? Fast as installing sights or what?

You may want to give Kimber a call first. The ambi-safety crapped out on my CDP as well and they replaced it free of charge and threw in a couple free magazines for the trouble. When it was there they also did a nice tune-up of everything else on the gun. Sent it overnight on a Monday, had it back the following Monday afternoon.

You could probably ask what it would cost to have them replace it with a standard safety instead, or they may even do it for free.

Send an email to Dennis and include your name, number, and a description of the problem. dennism@kimberamerica.com I received a phone call in a couple hours both times I have sent them an email.

[Guest TNDixieGirl]

You could call and speak to Little John (gunsmith) at Brighton Arms. Last time I used him, he was pretty backed up.

[Guest atomemphis]

I think I will try a smattering of all of these ideas. I was disappointed in the softness of the black finish of the frame on the CDP (scratches WAY too easily), so if I can get anything extra from Kimber, it would be my extractor tuned and the frame refinished.

Of course, all these things could be done at any of these local gunsmiths. Phone calls begin today, but don't stop giving input

if new ideas crop up.

[Guest EasilyObsessed]

I think I will try a smattering of all of these ideas. I was disappointed in the softness of the black finish of the frame on the CDP (scratches WAY too easily), so if I can get anything extra from Kimber, it would be my extractor tuned and the frame refinished.

Of course, all these things could be done at any of these local gunsmiths. Phone calls begin today, but don't stop giving input

if new ideas crop up.

FWIW...when my CDP went back to the factory to have the safety replaced, they did adjust the extractor. IIRC, they also polished the feed ramp, refinished the barrel, and adjusted the slide stop.

[Guest atomemphis]

I just got back from Ed Mason Gunsmith's (Dowdle Sports) shop. He certainly was backed up, but told me the fitting would take no more than 10 minutes and began immediately while I waited.

Sure enough, he was right. And if I get the frame refinished, I'll be using his Arm-Mor finish. He let me go nuts with a wrench on a test AR lower coated in the black finish and it is incredibly durable.

He also believes the KimPro finish to be a simple paint.