[bullseye717]

I just saw some pics of Mr. Bill Zollo's checkering and that piqued my interest in wanting to learn how to checker. Beautiful, yet functional, it's something I figured I might take up as I don't trust myself in messing with the internals of a gun. Before I start doing it on a gun, I figured I'd try my skills on pieces of junk metal lying around. Before all this though, I ask where do I start? Where can I find manuals and tools?

[simmonsguns]

brownell's is good for most of the stuff you will need.local metal shop is good for round and flat stock.it's fun once you get the hang of it.

[mete]

Checkering files are available in 20, 30, 40, and 50 lines per inch. The 20 and thirty are used for things like front and back straps. 50 is for something like the back of the front sight or top of the slide. I have checkered the front and back straps of all my pistols, it is great for getting a better grip. If you are going to carry the gun make it flat top checkering , that is don't bring it up to sharp points which rapidly wear your clothing. You may have a problem with guns that are case hardened. I had to grind away the case hardening on my HK P7 [a few thousandths of an inch] before checkering.

[Bill Z]

There are no big secrets to it other than taking you time. It takes quite a while for each job, and there is no rushing it. It is a good idea to start practicing on metal stock, clod rolled preferably, that is not too hard. Start with softer metal until you get the hang of it. One slip of the file and you can get double diamonds and skewd lines and those can be a pain to fix.

[Dave Sample]

Good Luck. It's a great way to learn new cuss words.