better ask someone else... LOL

It is my understadnig that aside from the dust cover, these are the same
in every other way...

Now, either I am right, or soon, I will be flamed to high heaven! :biglaugh:

 

from what i gather the GS is slightly different due to different rear tangs. I believe different length and radius on the tangs from a Gov. I need either a visual or dimensional que to identify which it is.

 

I have never heard that there was a difference in the rear tangs between a GM & Cmdr. I believe the same GS would work for either. Hopefully, one of our "pro's" will notice this thread and post an authorative answer.

 

On original Colt guns, there's definitely a difference which is why the Govt and commander had different hammers. If you're talking about some other non-Colt 1911 then there may not be a difference, I'm not familiar with all of them.

The difference is just in the length of the tangs, so it's hard to tell you how to know the difference. The Govt has a longer tang so you can put a Govt safety on a commander and you'll just have a big gap, but a commander safety won't go on the Govt model. Good luck.

 

Here's a shot of the two types of frames. It's hard to see, but if you look close you can tell the difference. Be aware that because of the odd shape of the tangs, none of the drop in safeties will mate up clean and perfectly like on a beavertail frame gun that's been radiused.

Commander

Govt

 

yup

Been there done that...

first pic is a GM tail on a Gold Cup with commander tangs (colts with the duck bill beavertail have commander tangs). notice how the beavertail is squared off at the tangs:

this pic is the commander beavertail, notice how it is rounded at the tangs:

hope this helps,
Ray

 

forgot to make the point, its not as simple as Gov't or Comm frame, its really what type of tangs your frame has.

I understand that Commanders get the comm GS, but Gov't 'may' need either, depending on the tangs on the particular frame.

I understand that Colts which come with the duck bill beavertail, it will have the rounded commander tangs and need the commander GS to fit best.

Hope this helps,
Ray

 

good info. im loking at getting a new beavertail to replace the duckbill GS on my XSE. looks like i may need the Cmndr instead of the govt beavertail.

 

was it a legit "drop-in" part or did you need to sand/file anything. I actually want something shiny, so it may be perfect for me...

 

Externally it was drop in, internally the arm which contacts the trigger bow had to be filed some, which is a good thing, you can adjust the amount the GS has to be depressed to allow the gun to fire.

---
Ray

 

i made a mistake when i ordered an ed brown drop in. i didn't know there was a difference and got one for the gm instead of the commander. it didn't fit so i just tossed it in my gun box. after seeing the pics posted i can see why.

 

called brownells today and told them what i seen on the 1911 forum and my problem. i bought the grip safety over a year ago and would they exchange it. i said if they couldn't i would understand. they told my to send it with any info i might have on the purchase and they would swap it out [i have an account with them]. great customer service.

 

The later XSEs (Govt included) all use Cmdr length tangs....

 

New Agents, Defenders, Commanders will use a Wilson #429 BC drop-in as I have installed many of them on those models. But on my old 70 Series Commander I used a Les Baer GS and used a Browns beavertail jig and blended the frame to fit the Baer tail. The drop-in tails have more space on them from front to back looking at the side. The govt Wilson tail has less space so one usually has to grind off the frame tangs to get one of those to fit so the rear pin on the thumb safety will go in....................TW