Laser weld or Tig weld

[J_Hensley]

I have a particular thumb safety that came on a custom 1911. The safety does not interface correctly with the detent. I am tempted to have the piece welded to correct the fitment issue.

Can any of you guys recommend someone who I might be be able to trust to get the job done right?

 

[Twdmar]

Does the safety work? Figure out what its made of before trying to weld it, just in case its cast or MIM.

 

[J_Hensley]

The safety does not function properly as the detent does not interface correctly. It is an old Swenson safety.

 

[J_Hensley]

I replaced the safety with a single sided stainless safety. But I would like to have the hard chromed Swenson working correctly.

 

[Twdmar]

How do know the detent is the problem? perhaps its sear blocking portion. Does it work sometimes if you don't push it all the way up(where a better fit in the detention would be)? Is the slide in spec? Are you going to rechrome it after welding? Matching colors is sometimes tricky.

 

[jrb06]

Can you get pictures of the problem, I am not sure exactly what you mean by not interfacing with the detent? Are you referring that the plunger doesn't engage in the safety hole or it just doesn't have a solid click when engaging and dis engaging?

 

[Sniperhandle]

.

 

[J_Hensley]

I'll try to get some pictures when I'm home later.

 

[Sniperhandle]

Before I tried welding, I would try changing the sear. A lot of times, Guys will grind or file on the sear portion that interfaces with the knub on the thumb safety. Worth a try if you have some laying around.

 

[JFrank]

Is that safety an original Colt part or aftermarket ?

 

[J_Hensley]

Is that safety an original Colt part or aftermarket ?

Armand Swenson

 

[JFrank]

Armand Swenson

That seems to be a common problem with aftermarket parts.
If Colt offered that part I would order it.

 

[Sniperhandle]

The Swenson parts were most likely higher quality than the oem parts from when that Colt was made, He was renowned 1911 smith in his day.

If you order that from Colt today, It will be an MIM piece of junk also.

 

[ShtrRdy]

Is the Thumb Safety Plunger riding on the Thumb Safety? I'm wondering if a longer plunger or plunger spring would help.

Or, it's because what I think you described -- the Thumb Safety doesn't have the shape needed to behave like a detent. You could have some material welded on and then you or someone could shape it. The finish wouldn't match so then you would have to have it chromed.

 

[ELR LVR]

The safety does not function properly as the detent does not interface correctly. It is an old Swenson safety.

I used to have a safety very similar to that one, I forget what brand though
If I am understanding correctly
The detent is not "Timed" correctly
or the detent needs to be re-located on the left side safety?
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to me this seems like no big deal to "TIG" weld some build up,
grind, dremel, beadblast to re-correct the issue
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is this what you're thinking?
the cost may be more than simply buying a safety that would work
for instance if I did the work, it would be at least $120

 

[JFrank]

The Swenson parts were most likely higher quality than the oem parts from when that Colt was made, He was renowned 1911 smith in his day.

If you order that from Colt today, It will be an MIM piece of junk also.

But ‘ it would fit and operate correctly. There is really no need for tool steel on a thumb safety, it’s not ignition parts.

 

[RLB]

Just a thought. I know absolutely zero about pistols. But if it came to the point where you were gonna attempt the weld idea I might consider silver brazing. I know brazing isn’t as cool as tig but…
There are 2 major benefits.
1- lower overall temp
2- the tig fill is harder than the surrounding material making fab difficult vs silver.
I might do say 45%
It’s like arguing over ford/ Chevy.
There are good tig who think that’s the best.
I agree with some projects. But brazing has a lot of good as well.
I have been brazing bicycle frames since the mid 90’s and love my torch setup.

 

[J_Hensley]

Honestly, I wonder if silver solder wouldn’t be sufficient. I don’t have the time to dig it out tonight. Pictures tomorrow. The plunger basically rides the face of the safety, not the edge.

 

[ELR LVR]

Honestly, I wonder if silver solder wouldn’t be sufficient. I don’t have the time to dig it out tonight. Pictures tomorrow. The plunger basically rides the face of the safety, not the edge.

Correct
Silver/brass would be too soft for a detent
The TIG filler being harder than the parent metal would actually be a benefit in that circumstance
The front of 1911 Safety's have a dimple which is a constant wear/bearing surface
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[Sniperhandle]

Now that I see where you are talking about, It should be an easy fix.