ltwguns.com

My only commander, a pre series 80 with the "answer."

The smiths at the Novak Shop are second to none.

Extremely nice!!

One thing I like is the "softening" of the checkering on the grips, along with the mag release relief. I am still wondering if "The Answer" is really the answer to grip safety stories I have heard. I personally have shot my 1911's, for over 3 decades, without ever experiencing any grip safety problems, but that is not to say that I couldn't live without one. If the thumb safety is fitted correctly, I have always felt that it is sufficient. Another thing I would like to see is the all black trigger that is not coated or anodized. An all black gun like yours needs that all black trigger to finish the look...IMHO!!!

Thanks for sharing this little jewel!!

tex45acp

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"In Texas, if you kill someone, were gonna kill ya right back"

Ron White-Blue Collar Comedy Tour

Tex45,

I have never had issues with a standard grip safety either.

The "Answer" reduces the size of the grip as well. The reduced grip gives the gun a smaller feel.

I like the 1911 design. I have enough of them to put a little variety in the collection.

very nice. I've been curious about the "Answer". The fit sure looks clean.

I hope someday Novak will allow other smiths to install the ANSWER as Id really like to have a Commander with one!

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Kentucky Colonel, Tennessee Squire & Combat Leprechaun
"You won't rise to the occasion - you'll default to your level of training." Barrett Tillman

Another fine example of the work the Novak shop puts out. I am really intrigued by "The Answer" although there is a part of me that appreciates the added security of the grip safety.

Nice pistol. I too love the idea of the Answer, but seem to like the additional assurance provided by a grip safety on a 1911. It seems funny to me in light of the fact that I don't miss a grip safety on a hi power and I have never had an issue with a grip safety.

Very nice, clean work. While it is only my OPINION (based ONLY on my experience), I feel "The Answer" is the answer to an non-existant problem. I have never considered or found the grip safety to present any problem whatsoever for me. I am sure there are some with different physiques, hand structures and different grip that might have a problem with it........ but as for me.............. never been a problem so I will keep the additional safety. That being said, I also agree with the previous post that I have never missed the grip safety on my Hi-Powers and never felt ill-at-ease with a Hi-Power cocked and locked.
Maybe I am just wierd........
Best regards to all,
Jeffro

Jeffro,

Like you and Only a 1911, I carry my Hi Power cocked & locked without any concerns of not having a grip safety. I also have a CZ75B that I carry the same way.

One thing mentioned by ST5MF, is that the Answer made the grip feel smaller with the absence of the grip safety. This could be a plus for the shooter with small hands and shorter fingers, wanting to shoot the 1911 platform guns. Since I have hands like Magilla Gorilla, that is not an issue for me....my wife on the other hand would benefit from the smaller grip. She had made a comment once about the 45GAP pistol and I thought then how a smaller grip configutation of the standard 1911 in 45acp would be preferable for me. She is also looking at the new 9mm 1911, the EMP, being put out by Springfield Armory. Who knows what whe will want, or if she will ever make up her mind.

tex

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"In Texas, if you kill someone, were gonna kill ya right back"

Ron White-Blue Collar Comedy Tour

While disengagement of the 1911 grip safety may not be a problem for the responders, it is a problem (under stress) for many, myself included - 98% is not good enough. IIRC, Col. Cooper back in the day, found that a significant percentage of Gunsite attendees could not reliably activate the grip safety under pressure. As a result, Gunsite offered pinning the grip safety as an option on Gunsite pistols and even offered a fairly expensive at the time, grip reduction package for the 1911 to further assist people with smaller hands.

HTH,
John

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NRA Endowment Life Member
I may be big, old, and slow, but so are the ball rounds in my 1911.

Jeff Cooper himself pinned the grip safeties of his 1911s. If you look at the M1911 Organization's forum you can find a thread with pictures of some of the Colonel's personal 1911s and nearly all of them have pinned safeties.

I agree with the references to Cooper's findings and pinned safety, but I think the grip safety 'speedbump' along with the litigious society of today make that practice not worth it. I think the Answer might just pass muster given Novak's reputation, but that question is probably another whole thread.

Looking at this pistol makes me think I need a custom commander.

Pinning the grip safety or replacing with the Answer, the end result is the same - elimination of the grip safety. I would think the legal liability, if any, would be the same.

John

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NRA Endowment Life Member
I may be big, old, and slow, but so are the ball rounds in my 1911.

The difference is that one is a DIY hodge-podge mod while the other is a part created and installed by a reputable company - I'm no legal expert, but I'm quite sure it makes a difference.

The same company that at one time built guns for the FBI HRT.

The "Answer" may not be for everyone; but it does not make a weapon "unsafe." Either the handlers are competent or they are not.

joffe wrote
"The difference is that one is a DIY hodge-podge mod while the other is a part created and installed by a reputable company - I'm no legal expert, but I'm quite sure it makes a difference."

Novak is no more reputable than Col. Cooper and the gunsmithy at Gunsite.

STSMF wrote:
"The "Answer" may not be for everyone; but it does not make a weapon "unsafe." Either the handlers are competent or they are not."

Neither does pinning the grip safety make a 1911 unsafe.

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NRA Endowment Life Member
I may be big, old, and slow, but so are the ball rounds in my 1911.

All the above points of view have validity. I must plead mea culpa to not considering the dimensional difference with "The Answer", as that has never been a concern for me. If one feels the need for the conversion, then it is great that it is available and from a quality 'smith.
All told, I guess it comes down to the old addage that my Papa used to say:
"What is BETTER................ a red sweater or a blue sweater?"

Best regards to all,
Jeffro

definately the blue sweater....

...at this time of year??? The Red Sweater definately...More Christmasy

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"There is a true glory and a true honor, the glory of duty done, the honor of integrity and principle."--Gen. Robert Edward Lee