FAQ for Tokyo Marui Hi-Capa, 2011, 1911, MEU & Detonics type variants

[apilar]

Check this video out. I think in the 1st four minutes he may cover your problem!

LaZouche Custom airsoft grip safety's, fitting, problems and fixes. - YouTube

[TaroBear]

Thanks. Informational, but he didn't resolve the problem. I thought he did when he described the notch at 2:11, but I compared both of mine, and they both have the notch cut in it.

This is what it looks like if I try to put it in:



There's still some space it needs to go before it's fully in there.

And the larger view:




I think this little ledge here might be the culprit:

[apilar]

hmmm strange... here are some pictures of my 3 MEU's side by side. All grip safeties are interchangeable.

2 black are stock, silver is a nova which i assume to be similar to yours.
The nova had to be filed before it would fit. Maybe compare the image of mine to yours?

Black with wood grips - guarder
Tan - hurricane
Other black one is a nova

From the photos you can see that all 3 frames have the indent or lip/ledge as yours does. I have a strong feeling that you should need to file the grip safety to make the 'notch'

But maybe someone else can chime in -- Illusion maybe

[ILLusion]

Originally Posted by TaroBear

Despite asking for advice on what grip safety to use...Illusion, I might have goofed. I was so sure everything was coming together so well...until I was doing the final reassembly and realized the grip safety wasn't working.

Here's the one I bought:

http://www.redwolfairsoft.com/redwol..._Stainless.htm

Which resulted in it not fitting. Near as I can figure out, there's a little bit on the inside of the frame that prevents this grip safety from going all the way in. I compared it to the stock one, and the thickness is quite noticeable.

I don't see why it wouldn't fit... I fit the SFA style safety in that exact same frame, which should be made for the same series frame as the Kimber safety.

Originally Posted by TaroBear

This one might work?

http://www.redwolfairsoft.com/redwol...eel_Type_1.htm

I can't tell, but the picture makes it look like it's of the thinner variety.

Sure, you could use that one... if you don't mind pinning your safety in (disengaging the safety permanently.) That's what it was designed for, and is why it looks thinner. The set screw is to pin it in a permanently depressed state.

[TaroBear]

I think apilar might be correct. It does look like the Nova doesn't come pre-notched. Which doesn't seem to make sense, if Illusion had installed one without fitting work. Illusion, you wouldn't have a picture of that grip safety sitting around, would you?

Apilar, what did you use to do your filing work? A small metal file?

[ILLusion]

My apologies, I was incorrect. I'd forgotten that I had previously filed a notch in to the Nova grip safety to get it to fit the Shooters Design frame. Other MEU frames do not have as pronounced of a "ledge" as the Shooters Design MEU frame has.

[ILLusion]

This is where I filed it:

[apilar]

Exactly what I did too! File down that notch area same place as illusion's picture and test fit as you go!

I did use a small needle file but if your hands are steady a dremel would probably work also.

Goodluck!

[ILLusion]

If I recall correctly, I started with a Dremel side cutter to remove the bulk of the material, and then I got in there with a triangle shaped needle file to give it the final shape.

Stainless steel... not an easy, nor quick material to work with when using hand tools...

[TaroBear]

Did you guys file anything else? It looks like I've taken a good chunk off more than both of you, and I'm no closer to a fit than when I started.





Is it possible I haven't filed close enough to the ring for the grip safety/deep enough? I'm not seeing any improvement in fit at all.

I also compared the ledge on the SD MEU kit and the 1911A1 stock plastic frame. The ledge doesn't look any larger on the SD...Maybe you can't tell without getting exact measurements?

But if it is, at this point it'd be WAY easier to sand down the ledge on the frame than trying to grind down stainless steel with hand tools.

[ILLusion]

Your problem is you're not filing flat enough to the bottom.

[TaroBear]

Hmm. From eyeballing it though, there's more than enough space for the little ledge to clear by a generous amount. Either that, or it must be COMPLETLY flat. Like down to the point where the grip safety is in danger of snapping in half.

When I took apart the frame down to the bare components:

This little notch inside the frame seems to be the problem, not the notch at the top. It's literally blocking the grip safety from moving in any more...or is it supposed to do that? Want to make sure I'm not spinning my wheels here. When I put the old grip safety into the old frame, I notice nothing of the sort happening.





As you might be able to see, it juts out of the frame to block the grip safety from going in any deeper.

This is the same little ledge I posted earlier:



Grip safety's current state:

[apilar]

In your top photo it seems to fit fine? There is no gap at the tangs? .. it should rocker around the pivot point which is the thumb safety.. can you assemble it? Or is it a complete no go?

From the looks of the picture it fits enough to get the thumb safety in? And as long as it swings freely you should be good...

I don't think u need to file anymore, it is getting very thin!

[TaroBear]

The gun can be assembled. The problem is that the grip safety doesn't go all the way in. What you see in the picture is how it is even when the gun is together...it doesn't move. The gun technically fires very roughly if you pull the trigger.

This is what it looks like now:




Almost forgot:



This is what it looks like now. As far as I can tell, we're no closer to fitting than two days ago when I started. Hence why I'm skeptical it's the top ledge that needs to be filed, instead of the one on the frame.

Anyone know what exactly the ledge on the inside does? I can't tell, but it doesn't seem to do much of anything. And it's not there on the A1 frame. Another Shooter's Design quirk?

[TaroBear]

Got it. It turned out that it wasn't the ledge underneath the thumb safety, nor was it the one in the frame...it was a fitment issue. The problem was that it was cutting caught because the grip safety was slightly too large for the frame...a problem remedied by sanding down the bottom edges of the G.S. gently. Thanks for the help, guys.