[John Forsyth]

Front slide serrations. I can see a purpose for them on a competition pistol. All my 5in 1911's used in IDPA and USPSA have them. But a carry gun does not need them. Especially a Commander.

So why did Colt put front serrations on their Commander XSE? I do not know. They might have been ok if they had a bevel to them. But they didn't, they were sharp as was the slide. I bought myself some nice leather to carry in, Milt Sparks NP-2, for this commander, and was very upset the first time I put the Commander in the holster. That was it, the serrations had to go.

I sent the Colt to John Harrison in Atlanta, with the instructions to remove the front side serrations and the FLGR(do not need these on a carry gun either as far as I am concerned). As I had a little extra money not doing anything, and the Colt was whining that it wanted better sights, I had John mount Novaks on the slide as well.

The pistol has arrived and it is gorgous.

{edited for spelling, not content)

[John Forsyth]

One more pic.

[critter]

That looks good to me-kinda Browning-hi-power-esque.

[boing]

I've seen others that were well done, but seemed too Hi-Powerish. This one is pretty snazzy.

[10-Ring]

Looks like some quality work!

[faustulus]

Front slide serrations. I can see a purpose for them on a competition pistol. All my 5in 1911's used in IDPA and USPSA have them. But a carry cun does not need them.

:eek: You mean you don't shoot what you carry in IDPA? The boys in Manchester will be shocked, John, shocked. ;)

[natedog]

I hate front serations. What's the point, anyways?

[MJRW]

I agree. Front cocking serrations :( .

No front cocking serrations :D

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=341687

[SAWBONES]

Beautiful job.
It DOES look reminiscent of the BHP contours.

Front cocking serrations on the 1911 are unnecessary, and are even potentially dangerous (for those who get their fingers in front of the muzzle while using the front serrations).
And they're ugly, too.

Just like two-tone guns, magazine funnels, full length guide rods and other pseudo-tactical gewgaws that appear on many 1911s nowadays.
If you like 'em, fine, but IMNSHO they're ugly, unnecesarry and faddish.
I'll take the single color, standard guide rod, rear-only cocking serrations model everytime, thanks.

[George Hill]

Could you please post this Gunsmith Artisan's contact information and address?
This guy deserves more attention.

[Nightcrawler]

I'll say. That is BEAUTIFUL. Colt should sell 'em from the factory like that. They'd be different from every other Commander clone on the market.

[John Forsyth]

John doesn't have a website. If someone is seriously interested in him doing some work for you, go to the 1911Forum, www.1911Forum.com , get his email address, and contact him. I am very reluctant to just giving out someone's phone number over the net.

Also, being selfish here, he is building me a Caspian based .45 now, and I would like to get it before he gets loaded up with too much work. He has a regular job, smithing is what he does on the side.

[Standing Wolf]

Pretty gun to my eye.

I personally like the front serrations for the sake of my arthritis, but must admit it took me awhile to get used to the way they look.

[firestar]

I agree, I hate front slide cheese graters also.:D The first time I tried them on my co-worker's Colt XSE, I cut my finger on the front corner of the frame. Why so many sharp edges on 1911s?

[John Forsyth]

How about another picture. Took this one this morning.

[Mal H]

Looks very nice John.

critter - I had the very same thought the instant I saw John's first pic - looks "Browning-hi-power-esque". Makes you wonder if JMB had added front serrations to the Hi-power and then decided to machine them out. "Hmmm. I like that a little better than my first prototype. I think I'll leave it like that. No one will ever know." :D

[Mannlicher]

funny, I have added front serrations to my Commander, and my Springfield 1911A1. I like them a lot.

[Kruzr]

Could you please post this Gunsmith Artisan's contact information and address?

You can reach John Harrision at:

PRECISION GUNWORKS
John Harrison
90 Hickory Springs Industrial Dr.
Canton, GA 30152
Tel. (770) 231-4326
Fax.
e-mail : johnbharrison@alltel.net

[raz-0]

well, you need the serrations if you have optics, I always bought that idea.
I didn't hate them, but never really felt there was much use for them. THat is until I was shooting in very hto weather one day, and discovered how slippery sweat and high tech baked on coatings make a gun. The front serrations were very useful then.