If you’re looking for the best 1911 Ambi Safety, you have come to the right place. Not only do your personal wants and needs come into consideration, but so do the other factors that play a role in making your final decision.
While a safety has its purpose, each manufacturer is diverse in terms of how they make theirs, so not all safeties are created the same.
We’ll be looking at some of the best safeties on the market. One of them may be yours to take home after a little more digging into how it works and why many people love it.
| Ambi Safety Kits | Name | Editor’s Comment | Rating | Get The Deal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Ed Brown – 1911 Ambi Safety Set | Most Recommended Option 1. Fully machined from high-quality bar stock steel | 10/10 | SHOP NOW |
 | Wilson Combat – 1911 Extended Ambidextrous Safety | Premium Option 1. CNC machined for a long lasting and fit | 9.5/10 | SHOP NOW |
 | STI – 1911 Extended Thumb Safety | 1. Snag-resistant 2. Contoured, serrated thumb pads 3. Available in stainless steel or blue finish | 9.5/10 | SHOP NOW |
 | Sig Sauer Ambi Safety Set for 1911 | 1. Fits with Sig 1911s and also other 1911s 2.. Stainless steel finish 3. Easy to install. | 7.0/10 | Currently unavailable |
Are Ambidextrous Safety Kits Worth Upgrading?
The short answer is yes. Having an ambidextrous safety is worth the upgrade and for good reasons too. For 1, this product occurs to preclude your gun from accidentally going off. Accidental gunfire can pose a threat and have deadly consequences, not only for yourself but for those around you.
At the same time, having the best 1911 ambi safety is totally worth the trouble because some safeties may even derail gun users who shoot left-handed or right-handed. Some left-handed users have grieved that one of the main reasons they stay away from one that is its lack of a left-hand version.
Regardless of which hand you choose to use, there is a product on the market that can allow you to turn it on no matter which direction you shift it.
The Criteria for the Best 1911 Ambi Safety
You simply can’t choose an ambi for your gun and call it good, because you’ll end up with one that you may not like. There are a few buying considerations before making a final decision, just like how you’d do before getting other accessories. You should take the time to consider each aspect and how it will profit you personally. Here are some aspects that past buyers have taken into consideration before making a decision:
Right Handed or Left Handed
Even some factory-made safeties will benefit the right-handed shooter and leave the left-handed shooter out lonely. With an ambidextrous safety, it simply does not matter. However, these choices will most likely profit the left-handed shooter most.
Ease of Installation
If you have little to no gunsmithing skills, you may want to consider a product that is considered a “drop-in”. It means that you won’t need to install this professionally or need many tools for the procedure itself. Sometimes, it may need to be sanded so it can fit snugly. This may be due to a common manufacturing error in its design. If the safety is not a drop-in, then it may require some gunsmithing skills to have it installed. Your other choice is that you can have it professionally installed by a gunsmith.
Materials
Most of your ambidextrous safeties will be made from some sort of steel. This will make sure that your choice is durable and will last for a very long period of time. The 2 common finishes for these safeties are stainless steel and blue. The finish will make sure that the safety is resistant to damage or scratches.
How Do You Install Ambidextrous Safety 1911?
To make sure that the install process of your ambidextrous safety is not perplexing, consider this part as your quick guide on how you can install your safety with the simplest of ease. Please refer back to this article as you wish, should you have more ambidextrous safeties to install. First and foremost, here are some tools you will need:
- ⅛ and 1/16 Pin Punch
- A Standard Hammer for the Pin Punches
- Plastic Hammer
Your gun must be taken apart in order to install an ambidextrous safety. When you’re taking apart the top end of your gun, be sure that the hammer does not fall freely. Then ease the hammer down using your thumb.
Here are the steps you should take:
Step 1 – Take the mainspring housing using the ⅛ pin punch. It should be able to slide off conveniently.
Step 2 – Pull the hammer back and take the single-sided thumb safety off. With a little bit of wriggling, it will come out. One thing to note is that the safety plunger assembly will pop out. The grip safety should come off as well.
Step 3 – Press the trigger and pull the hammer front. The sear spring should easily come off.
Step 4 – Replace the sear pin with the ambi-sear pin. Make sure that your frame is entirely laid flat. If it’s not flat, the sear pin will slide off.
Step 5 – Orient the ambi-sear pin where the notch is facing backwards (or the back portion of your frame). If it doesn’t go in conveniently, it means that the sear is out of alignment. If it is out of arrangement, use your 1/16 pin punch to adjust it back to its proper alignment. Reorient the sear pin to where the right side of the ambi-safety will slide in.
Step 6 – Reassemble your gun in the following order: Place the sear spring back. Then partly place the mainspring housing back on. Replace the grip safety and the hammer strut. Then replace the mainspring housing while holding onto the grip safely. Place the right side of the thumb safety on first. Then pull back the hammer with ease and place the left side of the thumb safety. Make sure the safety is a little bit entered between the lock and unlock position. Use the 1/16 to push the plunger in. Use your plastic hammer to make sure the safety is on tight. After that, check the function. The hammer is not supposed to come downwards if the safety is up. Likewise, the hammer should go down when the safety is down.
The Best 1911 Ambi Safety For Sale
The following are some of the best 1911 ambi safety sets that are currently on the market as of this writing. It is recommended that you look into each one carefully as you consider some of the additional factors that will be part of your final decision. Each of these has its own special features along with its set of pros and cons.
1. Wilson Combat – 1911 Extended Ambidextrous Safety
Our first safety is the 1911 Extended Ambidextrous Thumb Safety from Wilson Combat. Out of the few we listed, this one is considered the best overall. Let’s see why it is.
Firstly, this is probably one of the best and roughest ambidextrous safety you can find today. That’s because it is made from steel. Furthermore, it’s CNC machined so it stays in place and will not wobble.
This item has an exclusive hammer pin that secures the right-hand side of the lever in place without the use of grips. If you want a flawless, comfortable shape right out of the box, you’ll be happy with this product for your 1911.
It comes in stainless steel or blue-colored finish. While some fitting may be needed, the installation is easy if you know what you’re doing. As a matter of fact, some of the users have called this a drop-in type of best safety. When you hear the words “drop-in”, you’ll know that the gunsmith install reviewer won’t be a stressful thing.
This bar stock clearly deserves the top spot for a few reasons. For one, this is a very easy to install product. Secondly, it fits well with a lot of 1911s. So if you want an item that won’t differentiate, you may want to consider this as a possible option.
You may have multiple 1911s with you, so you’ll probably need that one ambidextrous safety that you can consider your top choice. If that’s the case, you won’t be disappointed with Wilson Combat.
2. Ed Brown 1911 Safety Set
Next on the list, we’ll take a look at the 1911 Machined Ambidextrous Tactical Safety Set from Ed Brown. Some 1911 fanatics are huge fans of the Ed Brown brand. One of the likely reasons is that it is quite affordable. This is most likely your best option if you happen to be one of those looking for a safety, but are on a tight budget.
This ambi safety has a carry profile lever at 0.154. This is perfect for concealing and carrying your 1911. For invincible quality and no warpage or porosity, this kind is available in a fully-machined version. This is made for all 1911s and is made from high-quality steel. If you want instructions on how to install, then this product will come with those.
Like the previous ambidextrous model, this has the prospect to be your go-to option if you own multiple 1911s. However, it may fluctuate in terms of installation. Some gunsmithing may be needed if you typically have a problem with installing a safety.
The Ed Brown safety is a good go-to ambidextrous option and recommendations if you don’t want to spend a lot of money. On top of that, it fits most, if not all 1911 models. However, the downside is the installation process. If you have some gunsmithing skills, you’ll find it a convenient task.
If not, it may need to be installed by a professional. Looking beyond that, this is an ambi safety that is worth your money and probably worth the extra investment to get it installed. That’s because it is guaranteed to last a long time and will firmly stay on your gun with little to no wiggle to speak of.
3. Sig Sauer Safety Set 1911
The Sig Sauer is seen to be a reliable brand among gun owners and enthusiasts. This safety has a unique, low profile design that is flawless for those who conceal carry their guns. Some gun users have said that they’ve been happy with this sort of design.
Although it fits perfectly with 1911s, that doesn’t mean it will not be able to fit almost all 1911s. So if you have one that is not a Sig, then you may want to give this a try. It comes with an attachment that is fortified with a slot safety pin. The good news is that it will work just fine without the right side or the grip panel in place.
If you’re looking for a drop-in selection, you’ll be happy to know that this product is easy to install and does not need any kind of fitting. If you’re looking for the best one for a fair value that will work as intended, you may want to consider the Sig Sauer as your best choice.
The Sig is a good ambi-safety to have if you’re on a tight budget, but don’t want to deal with the bother of having it professionally installed. An easy way to install option is always the best option if the last thing you want to do is to spend the time struggling with the installation process.
This is another one that is good for your money. Since it is finished with stainless steel, you’ll know that this will last you quite a while and will also be resistant to scratches.
4. STI 1911 Extended Thumb Safety
Last but not least, we have the STI 1911 Extended Thumb Safety. This is a contoured safety with serrated thumb pads that comes with a slight downward angle which will allow your thumb to contact the pad in a natural far-reaching motion.
This also has a relaxed thumb position for shooters that use the thumb-high hold. If you want a choice that is resistant to snags, the STI has rounded edges that will avert your gun from snagging your holster or clothing. If you’re looking for one that won’t loose up your carrying gun, you’ll be happy with the STI.
If you’re looking for one that is a step up from the factory made version on your guns, then you may want to give the STI 1911 Extended Thumb Safety a look. This product works pretty well, even though it sits a little lower than your regular ambi-safeties. Since it is very durable, you probably won’t have to buy another one for a very long time.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that finding the best 1911 safety doesn’t have to be hard. Consider the aspects above, along with your personal requirements as you shop for a product that’s fitting for you. It will also be wise for you to explore further into a couple of safeties that pique your interests. This can also mean doing research via various gun forums or product reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which is the best 1911 thumb safety for the money on the market?
The best 1911 ambi safety definitely goes to Ed Brown 1911 Safety Set because of the reliability, durability and affordability for the comprehensive features. Besides that, Ed Brown 1911 Safety Set has compatibility with mostly 1911 models but bear in mind, that the installation process may differ accordingly.
Hello there, it’s Michael here. A gun lover since young, served the country for the last 20 years. I started the blog to share my experience and gun-related knowledge accumulated throughout the years. Hopefully, you will find something useful over here or just have fun! You can learn more about me here.