1911 front strap checkering - who to do it?

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Two of my 1911's both have checkered front straps and having gotten accustom to them it makes my other 1911's with smooth front straps feel naked.

I'm thinking of having two checkered. They are not expensive 1911's, a Colt and a Springfield, but I am partial to both and don't mind putting a little more money in both.

I know who some of the bigger name gunsmiths are and I expect there are longer wait times. I'm not looking for presentation grade work as these two pistols are "working" guns that I shoot matches with, and they are somewhat scuffed up as it is.

Any ideas?
 
After doing a little research, it looks like I'm gonna want to find someone who has machine checkering capabilities, because neither of these pistols warrant a top shelf hand checkering job, and I understand from some old posts on a 1911 forum that the price of hand checkering can be significantly higher.
 
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After doing a little research, it looks like I'm gonna want to find someone who has machine checkering capabilities, because neither of these pistols warrant a top shelf hand checkering job, and I understand from some old posts on a 1911 forum that the price of hand checkering can be significantly higher.

I've done several and you would not believe what I charged!!!! I made a mistake on the first one at 125.00 but not on the second and third one at 250.00!! You wouldn't want me to do yours......
 
but not on the second and third one at 250.00!!
I did a little more research just now and that's exactly what Night Hawk Custom charges, not including bead blast or refinish the frame, and freight to and from. And the guy did it a few months ago on one of the very same guns I'm considering.

I might just be better off with stair tread grip tape on the front strap for what I use these guns for, although I hate the idea.
 
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$250 is what Aquila Gun Works charges as well. Probably a pretty standard rate.

He cut a slide for sights for me, turn around was great, and best price I found. Think he instructs at Montgomery.

I'm thinking for $250 I'll buy files and a scar up my beaters. Been thinking that for 3 or more years now. Grip tape works.
 
$250 is what Aquila Gun Works charges as well. Probably a pretty standard rate.

He cut a slide for sights for me, turn around was great, and best price I found. Think he instructs at Montgomery.

I'm thinking for $250 I'll buy files and a scar up my beaters. Been thinking that for 3 or more years now. Grip tape works.
I've thought multiple times about just doing it myself, but every time I read about someone doing it it looks like a huge PITA. Good files and a jig are nearly the price of "outsourcing".
 
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https://vzgrips.com/accessories/hardware/front-strap-tape/front-strap-tape-black-grit

Edit: Shipping costs more than the item. Why they can't just drop it in first class mail I don't know.

Dawsons may be the ticket

https://dawsonprecision.com/1-dawson-precision-grip-tape-blanks/

You can get a whole roll of 3M at Home Depot for pretty cheap. Or PM me, I'll cut you a section and throw it in an envelope. I've lost at least one roll now before I used it all.

Tools are high, but I have at least three guns to ruin the appearance of, someday.
 
Have you considered laser engraving the front strap?
 
Have you considered stippling the front strap?

(Yes, i am aware it is steel. ;) )

A buddy of mine stippled the backstrap of a revolver... mallet and center punch... not as precision a job as checkering...

Sent from my SM-T820 using Tapatalk
 
Have you considered stippling the front strap?

(Yes, i am aware it is steel. ;) )

A buddy of mine stippled the backstrap of a revolver... mallet and center punch... not as precision a job as checkering...

Sent from my SM-T820 using Tapatalk
Holy crap.
 
Decisions, decisions.... The issue with checkering the front strap is the radius. The more coarse the file, the easier it is to get the first row right. I have files in 24 and 30 LPI and it ain't easy, and then doing the longitudinal (long lines) is a bitch. The whole damned job is a BITCH!!
BTW: I think ya'll may have misunderstood my pricing schedule, it's not 250.00 for the job, it's 250.00 per line!!!!
 
https://vzgrips.com/accessories/hardware/front-strap-tape/front-strap-tape-black-grit

Edit: Shipping costs more than the item. Why they can't just drop it in first class mail I don't know.

Dawsons may be the ticket

https://dawsonprecision.com/1-dawson-precision-grip-tape-blanks/
$4.70 for a 9 x 33 roll, delivered. It seems identical to Talon's granulate material. My VP9SK's wearing this stuff now.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/9x33in-S...fessional-Grip-Tape-by-Black-Diamond/48328070
 
Holy crap.
it actually turned out nicely. Stippling is not my cup of tea, but this did not look bad at all.

here is a front grip stipple on a metal frame... looks good...
cccc2c81d28499b4abd20f593b518e83.jpg
 
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I ordered the Dawson grip tape because you can color coordinate, like Barbie and Ken. Plus cheap shipping, and I have good luck with their products. Black for my blued Colt and gray for my Stainless Springer.

Z_GripTape_Blank_4_x_8__62936.1435008672.1280.1280.jpg
 
it actually turned out nicely. Stippling is not my cup of tea, but this did not look bad at all.

here is a front grip stipple on a metal frame... looks good...
cccc2c81d28499b4abd20f593b518e83.jpg
I agree that looks nicely done, and finished well with the cuts at top and bottom of the stippling.

If I did it with a hammer and center punch it might look more like this.

rusty_1911_pistol.jpg
 
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I agree that looks nicely done, and finished well with the cuts at top and bottom of the stippling.

If I did it with a hammer and center punch it might look more like this.

rusty_1911_pistol.jpg
is that 1911 for sale?

looks like it would make for a nice cheap truck or tackle box gun after it is cleaned up...

is the bore in good shape? I can live with a little frosting...
 
That orange grip tape would probably look good contrasting with the rust. :D
 
I do not like smooth front straps. That is why I have never owned a really cheap or cost effective 1911. Try finding a nicely checkered front strap on a $600 1911. Guess that might make me a snob.
All this reminds me I didn't brag about the front strap on my Colt that is FS. Next bump I guess.

Once you go nice front strap, you never go back.
 
I do not like smooth front straps. That is why I have never owned a really cheap or cost effective 1911. Try finding a nicely checkered front strap on a $600 1911. Guess that might make me a snob.
All this reminds me I didn't brag about the front strap on my Colt that is FS. Next bump I guess.

Once you go nice front strap, you never go back.
The $800 Fusion Reaction 1911 9mm I just bought (and is now my main match blaster) came with a checkered front strap.
Machine checkered, I'm sure.

So does my new Wesson 9mm Valor, which obviously costs somewhat more. So now my two .45's feel nekkid in front.
Full frontal nudity, as it were.
 
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The $800 Fusion Reaction 1911 9mm I just bought (and is now my main match blaster) came with a checkered front strap.
Machine checkered, I'm sure.

So does my new Wesson 9mm Valor. So now my two .45's feel nekkid in front.
Full frontal nudity, as it were.

How is the Fusion doing? They seem like a great deal.
 
How is the Fusion doing? They seem like a great deal.
Firstly, I really like it, but it required some attention.

-Extractor crapped out (didn't break) in 200 rounds, but only needed to be re-tentioned (hat tip to @Amp Mangum for that), which remedied it, but I still fit a Wilson Bulletproof extractor for good measure.
-They don't come dehorned at all, especially the mag release, thumb safety and bottom of the checkered front strap which was all fairly pointy and sharp, but that is easy enough to remedy with a stone and a blueing pen, which I did.

Everything else I did was just to get it like I wanted it. New front sight, fit a different thumb safety, added S&A magwell, and some grippy grips for those hot summer days (VZ Operator 2)
 
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Firstly, I really like it, but it required some attention.

-Extractor crapped out (didn't break) in 200 rounds, but only needed to be re-tentioned (hat tip to @Amp Mangum for that), which remedied it, but I still fit a Wilson Bulletproof extractor for good measure.
-They don't come dehorned, especially the mag release, thumb safety and bottom of the checkered front strap which was all fairly pointy and sharp, but that is easy enough to remedy with a stone and a blueing pen, which I did.

Everything else I did was just to get it like I wanted it. New front sight, fit a different thumb safety, added S&A magwell, and some gippy grips for those hot summer days (VZ Operator 2)

Minor issues. Cool. Might have to add one to the heard someday.
 
Minor issues. Cool. Might have to add one to the heard someday.
Ed Strickland at Deep River in Sanford is the dealer from them in this area.
 
I’ve always liked the checkered front straps. My 1911 is a Series 70 Gold Cup with vertical grooves. I found a local “shade tree gunsmith” who has experience checkering steel but he refused the job because he was concerned that once he cross hatched the factory grooves that the result would be to remove too much metal.

I had to content myself with the removable piece from Wilson. Grip tape is not an option for me because it’s not allowed under the rules for Wild Bunch Action Shooting.
 
Who was the member here machining the 80%CNC lowers, knobs and other parts?? He posted some videos of CNC milling on the forums.... Maybe he could set up and do the checkering?? Sort of automate the process with some micro dovetail cutters..(??)
 
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How is the Wilson removable piece? Easy to kink or pull free from the frame? I have "inexpensive" 1911s (Colt, Ruger) and I would like at least some serrations on the front strap.

Edit: meant to add that one of mine has 20lpi serrations (came that way) and I find that more than adequate for grip, plus it is a lot easier on your shirt hems. Looks to run about half the price of a checkering job).
 
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Did a stainless match blaster this time. Springfield RO.

I have a bunch of this Dawsons adhesive grip tape in both black and gray leftover if anyone wants to do their own. I'll drop some in the mail to any paid supporting member.

fullsizeoutput_a45.jpeg
 
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Stippling done right is attractive to me. I have had a couple of Jim Clark guns that had the Tiger Tooth treatment. Not particularly attractive but you couldn't make the gun move.
 
I broke down and picked up a couple of the Wilson's front strap checkered add ons.

First thoughts is that they are Wilson products - well thought and quality. One side is pre-bent, so loosen one stock and take the other off. Hook the prebent side around the slab insert cutout of the front strap, pull it taught around the front and check checker alignment to frame. In both instances, it fell right in line at the contours of the frame, so I tightened up the loose stock. I pulled the other side around and used a brass rod to index/crease the Wilson part on the other insert cutout of the frame, kept it pulled tight and put the other stock on.

First impressions, the blue matched better than the stainless did to the Ruger, but it still looks nice, though it doesn't conform to the frame as nicely as the Colt; I may try and remedy that. It's fine for the average person, but I'm a nitpicky weirdo. Nice and grippy, no issues so far, but I just ran 4 or 5 mags through at the creek. Function wise they are perfect. My hands are pretty rough, so they were in the sweet spot of grippy but not painful in the least.

Verdict - easily worth the 10-15 bucks they cost. I'll eventually get the Colt serrated, but this will work fine until then.

Photos to follow, please don't judge me for the idiot mark on the Ruger, I didn't put that beauty there. Also, safety is off on the Colt but it wasn't loaded (I know, all of them are always loaded), because I know somebody here has to be that guy.

DDyHJnn.jpg

PhpOOjL.jpg

7uSWRp5.jpg
 
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