Effects of slide mass

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Clifford

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From time to time I see 1911's with the front of the slide cut in the Browning Hi Power style. I really like the look of it, especially on commander's. My question to all is, are there any negative effects of the lighter slide?

Con's
I'm thinking that in max effort loads the lighter slide may allow the barrel and slide to unlock to soon with possible case rupture as the end result. Less weight on the muzzle would also allow more muzzle flip.

Pro's
With minor PF loads the lighter slide would cycle faster and softer possibly getting the muzzle back on target sooner. It looks neat!!!

Maybe 1911TUNER could chime in on this, any thoughts guys?
 
IPSC shooters routinely lighten slides to speed cycle time and keep recoil "flat."
This is considered such a competitive advantage that IDPA does not allow it.
Guns with light slides and light springs have good endurance in competition shooting hot Major power factor 9mm, .38 Super, and .40 loads. It took one guy in my area about 300,000 rounds to wear one out.

Seems not to be any cons in guns handbuilt and adjusted. I figure we don't see light slides in production guns because it would cost more and the guns are selling ok already.
 
Slide mass works both ways; it tends to slow down slide movement but if the slide is too light, the gun won't function. Remember that once the gun unlocks, it is slide momentum that carries it through the rest of the cycle. And momentum requires mass. That is one reason slides are not made from light alloy, even though it has been suggested.

Jim
 
STI used to have a "high power cut" slide. I don't know if they still offer it, but it had the front of the slide cut down like the BHP.

Pic link
 
I have seen these, too, and been impressed with the looks. It's commonly just called a "Hi-Power" cut. By my informal eyeball estimate, the amount of mass by which it is going to reduce the slide is pretty small. I have read what a few gunsmith's who've done this have said, and they have made no spring rate changes to compensate.

The cut is indeed attractive when done right. It's critical to get it just right at the end of the dustcover (and that linked STI got it badly wrong). It's also a nice option for those restoring old Colt slides which are often badly pitted around the muzzle from poor storage.
 
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