EGW HD 1911 Ambi Thumb Safety - Stainless Steel

Product Overview

The EGW HD 1911 Ambi Thumb Safety was designed to address weaknesses we saw repeatedly in traditional cast and MIM ambidextrous thumb safeties.

Instead of starting with a casting or MIM part, both safety paddles are machined from solid blocks of heat-treated stainless steel. Machining the components after heat treatment allows us to maintain the geometry and rigidity we wanted in a heavy-duty ambidextrous safety.

We also redesigned the way the two sides of the safety connect. A machined flat center joint replaces the tapered-style joint commonly found on other ambidextrous designs, while our patented internal sleeve joins the two sides inside the frame tangs and helps prevent the joint from spreading or loosening during use.

The result is a cleaner, more solid ambidextrous thumb safety design built for shooters who want a durable safety for a serious 1911 or 2011 build.

Why We Redesigned the 1911 Ambi Safety

We saw a need for a cleaner, more solid ambidextrous safety design after seeing consistent failures from inferior cast and MIM thumb safeties already on the market.

An ambidextrous thumb safety has to connect two separate paddles while remaining rigid enough to operate consistently from either side of the pistol. The center connection is therefore one of the most important areas of the entire design.

Rather than simply reproducing an existing ambi safety, we changed the materials, manufacturing process, center joint, and internal support system.

Machined After Heat Treatment

Both paddles are machined from solid heat-treated stainless steel.

We heat treat the steel before machining the final safety geometry. This allows us to machine the components in their hardened condition and helps keep the finished safeties as straight and consistent as possible.

This manufacturing process is a major difference between the EGW HD Ambi and lower-cost cast or MIM thumb safeties.

Patented Internal Sleeve Design

Our patented sleeve is a central part of the EGW ambidextrous safety design.

The sleeve joins the left and right sides inside the frame tangs. The grip safety rides on the round sleeve, allowing the grip safety and thumb safety systems to operate without one being unnecessarily influenced by the other.

The sleeve also helps prevent the safety from expanding where the two sides join. Functionally, it extends the support of each side farther into the frame for a more secure connection with less flex.

U.S. Patent No. 10,126,086 B2

Redesigned Flat Ambi Joint

The center joint between the left and right paddles is machined flat rather than tapered.

Traditional tapered joints can gradually work outward and loosen through repeated operation. Our flat joint works together with the patented sleeve to create a more supported connection between the two halves of the safety.

Three Hammer Pins for Different Frame Widths

Every 11322 HD Ambi Thumb Safety package includes three different hammer pins to accommodate common variations in 1911 and 2011 frame width.

• .750" Frame Width
• .765" Frame Width
• .818" Frame Width

Select the hammer pin that corresponds with the width of your frame during installation.

The hammer pin also serves as the down stop for the right-side safety paddle, making correct pin selection an important part of the installation.

Right-Side T-Slot Retention

The right side of the ambidextrous safety uses a T-slot retention design to help prevent the right paddle from walking outward during operation.

Because of this retention system, there is no need to relieve the right-hand grip panel to retain the safety.

Radiused Left-Side Down Stop

On the left-side safety lug where the safety contacts the frame, we machine a radiused down stop rather than the pointed contact found on many thumb safeties.

This is another detail built into the HD Ambi design rather than simply copying traditional thumb safety geometry.

Serrated Thumb Paddles

Both paddles feature machined serrations to provide positive thumb contact when engaging or disengaging the safety.

The ambidextrous configuration provides an operating paddle on both sides of the pistol for right-handed and left-handed manipulation.

What's Included?

• EGW HD Left-Side Stainless Steel Thumb Safety
• EGW HD Right-Side Stainless Steel Thumb Safety
• Hammer Pin for .750" Wide Frame
• Hammer Pin for .765" Wide Frame
• Hammer Pin for .818" Wide Frame
• Shortened Flat-Head .110" Sear Pin
• EGW Patented Ambi Safety Sleeve

Why Choose the EGW HD 1911 Ambi Safety?

• ✔ Machined from solid heat-treated stainless steel
• ✔ Designed as an alternative to cast and MIM ambidextrous safeties
• ✔ Patented internal sleeve design
• ✔ Redesigned flat center joint
• ✔ Sleeve helps support the joint and reduce flex
• ✔ Three hammer pins included for .750", .765", and .818" frame widths
• ✔ Hammer pin serves as the right-side paddle down stop
• ✔ T-slot helps prevent the right paddle from walking outward
• ✔ No right-side grip relief required
• ✔ Radiused left-side down stop
• ✔ Serrated paddles for positive thumb contact
• ✔ U.S. Patent No. 10,126,086 B2

Installation & Fitment

This thumb safety is not a drop-in part. Fitting is required for proper function in the individual pistol.

Measure the width of your frame and select the appropriate included hammer pin for a .750", .765", or .818" frame.

The safety lug must be properly fitted to the sear and the complete safety system must be checked after installation.

Verify positive engagement and disengagement of the thumb safety, proper sear blocking, correct hammer-pin interaction with the right paddle, proper grip safety function, and complete fire-control operation before use.

Minor fitment may be required due to manufacturing tolerances.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is different about the EGW HD Ambi Thumb Safety?
We machine both paddles from solid heat-treated steel and use a redesigned flat center joint together with our patented internal sleeve. The sleeve supports the connection inside the frame tangs and helps prevent the two sides from spreading apart.

Is the EGW ambi safety patented?
Yes. The design is covered by U.S. Patent No. 10,126,086 B2.

Is this safety cast or MIM?
No. Both safety paddles are machined from solid blocks of heat-treated stainless steel.

How many hammer pins are included?
Three hammer pins are included.

What frame widths do the included hammer pins accommodate?
The supplied hammer pins are intended for frames measuring .750", .765", and .818" wide.

Why does frame width matter?
The hammer pin also functions as the down stop for the right-side safety paddle, so the appropriate hammer pin should be selected for the width of the frame.

Do I need to modify my right-side grip panel?
No. The right side uses a T-slot retention design, so the grip does not need to be relieved to retain the safety.

What does the internal sleeve do?
The patented sleeve joins the two sides inside the frame tangs, provides additional support to the center connection, helps prevent the joint from expanding, and allows the grip safety to ride on the round sleeve.

Is this a drop-in thumb safety?
No. The thumb safety requires fitting for proper function in the individual pistol.

Does minor fitting still apply even with the correct hammer pin?
Yes. The hammer pins accommodate different frame widths, but the thumb safety itself still requires proper fitting and complete safety-function checks.