[cogit8r]

Dave here. I'm a noob on this forum but have been shooting, reloading and WECSOG-ing for many many years. I've built ARs, AKs, FALS from bags-o-parts, rebuilt Garands and SMLEs galore and done minor and major gunsmithing on everything I own.

I recent got the bug to upgrade my loaded Springfield 1911, and am in the midst of fitting new/upgraded parts to replace some of the MIM stuff on the gun and fitting everything to look like it grew that way. The intent is to end up with a carry piece, not a match shooter.

I searched the forum for a discussion of the merits and drawbacks of the various ways to improve the traction on the pistol frame. I would love to hear your opinions of stippling, checkering and serrating. I plan on visiting Front Sight one of these days and would like to return with some of the skin on my hands intact.

Thanks in advance;
Dave in Memphis

RVN 1969 - 1970

[Jim Watson]

Depends on how hard your hands are. Checkering will give the most grab but will wear on you in long sessions. You might well have a checkered frontstrap and cover it with tape for a long class. Stippling is highly variable, it can be so light as to make no difference or it can be pretty sharp. I don't think serration does a whole lot of good.

I have a couple of guns with flattened checkering - about 1/3 the height of the diamonds filed down - that do very well.

I made it to the SHOT Show and handled the different Ed Brown textures. The checkering was keen and would not be comfortable to me for very long. The Chain Link was less aggressive, but I liked the Kobra Skin best of all. I have not been around some of the other textures like "Golf Ball."

[krs]

I've fired a kazillion rounds with a self stippled frrontstrap without any pain or suffering. I worked as a mechanic most of that time too, and had callouses over most of the load bearing parts of both hands. Still have those, pretty much, but seem to be turning into a sensitive old coot so I softened the stippling on that now old gun a little bit. :)

I like fineline checkering just fine but 20 lpi does get to feeling pretty sharp.

Never had a gun with the newer cuts on it and they don't appeal to me much either.