Hoping some of the more knowledgeable 1911 owners out there would know if there are any beavertails that can accommodate a stock spur hammer? I have a Colt 1911 Government 70 Series and like to keep it looking stock if possible.

 

- TokenEntry

Not really. Some of the JTM ones might work ( http://www.johnmasen.com ) but they look pretty horrid. On and off someone will make a run of such things, extended but flat like this one: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/639454/pachmayr-beavertail-grip-safety-1911-series-70-with-spur-hammer-rubber-covered-black

 

Thing is that if you replace the beavertail safety you aren't really keeping the stock look anyway.  Ask yourself why you are replacing it, because if it is for looks then the answer is go with the commander hammers or bobbed spurs, and if it is for function you are probably doing it to get a higher grip or avoid hammer bite. The only way to fix those last two is a smaller hammer.

 

if you are concerned about resale value, then save the original parts and get a grip safety that doesn't require removing metal from the frame, but that should only be an issue with Springfields, not colts.

Not really. Some of the JTM ones might work ( http://www.johnmasen.com ) but they look pretty horrid. On and off someone will make a run of such things, extended but flat like this one: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/639454/pachmayr-beavertail-grip-safety-1911-series-70-with-spur-hammer-rubber-covered-black

 

Thing is that if you replace the beavertail safety you aren't really keeping the stock look anyway.  Ask yourself why you are replacing it, because if it is for looks then the answer is go with the commander hammers or bobbed spurs, and if it is for function you are probably doing it to get a higher grip or avoid hammer bite. The only way to fix those last two is a smaller hammer.

 

if you are concerned about resale value, then save the original parts and get a grip safety that doesn't require removing metal from the frame, but that should only be an issue with Springfields, not colts.

 

Replacement was more for functionality, higher grip. I wanted to keep the spur hammer as it was easier to draw the hammer back without having to change my grip. I had purchased the Wilson Combat High-Ride Beavertail Grip Safety Semi Drop-In 1911 Government Series 70, 80 Stainless Steel and upon installation the stock Colt spur hammer was unable to draw fully back when it was installed.

If you want higher grip, then you are going to need to to replace or bob the hammer. Your hand and the hammer would need to share the same space.

 

Also you should probably never need to manually cock the hammer on a 1911, but even if you do they are all perfectly operable unless you go with a completely spurless high speed hammer deal. The standard "commander" type hammers work fine, which is why you see them on nearly every modern configured 1911.