Checkered my front strap and some other work to my 1911 so I wanted to share. - Page 1

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Checkered my front strap and some other work to my 1911 so I wanted to share.

Posted: 1/1/2014 8:16:07 AM EDT

Springfield Lightweight Champion with night sites. 4lb trigger job, all stainless internals, 10-8 trigger, VZ grips and turbo screws, colt lightweight msh, checkered the front strap and finished in dark earth. As light as a glock but looks so much better. =D

Posted: 1/1/2014 8:23:00 AM EDT

[#1]

Great job Brother, that 1911 looks wonderful. Checkering looks wonderful.

Posted: 1/1/2014 8:24:17 AM EDT

[#2]

Thank you sir. It was my first time and it took a lot longer than I thought it would. I am not so sure I want to do it again lol

Posted: 1/1/2014 8:29:44 AM EDT

[#3]

I agree, it does look much better than a Glock!

Life is too short to carry an ugly handgun.

I wish I had your patience, I have one Caspian framed pistol with front strap checkering, but yours looks much nicer.

With my old gnarled fingers I know I would suffer a lot of pain attempting to checker a front strap.

Posted: 1/1/2014 8:30:26 AM EDT

[#4]

Very nice. Not a fan of the flat trigger.

Who did the checkering and what did it cost? I have two that I have never done...........

Posted: 1/1/2014 8:37:02 AM EDT

[#5]

grendelbane, my fingers are swollen and still hurt lol.

I did not like the flat trigger at first but decided to give it a try and like the way it feels better and will keep it now. I did the checkering using a homemade jig using a c-clamp and flat stock to start it and a zip tie, a few small files and a 20 lpi file from brownells. I think it costs on average about $250 to $300

Posted: 1/1/2014 11:14:24 AM EDT

[#6]

I admire your courage! Looks like you did a fine job. I don't have the skill or patience for something like that.

I have to agree with one of the other posters about the flat trigger, but it's your gun and the overall package is very nice.

Posted: 1/1/2014 11:54:36 AM EDT

[#7]

front strap looks good....

Posted: 1/1/2014 12:18:34 PM EDT

[#8]

Looks like it was done at the factory.

Nice work man.

Posted: 1/1/2014 1:52:58 PM EDT

[#9]

First time? Impressive! Much better than a lot of career smiths I've seen. You should be proud.

Posted: 1/1/2014 5:37:27 PM EDT

[#10]

Great job.

Love the grips too.

Posted: 1/1/2014 5:48:13 PM EDT

[#11]

Nice gun....

Posted: 1/1/2014 8:34:10 PM EDT

[#12]

Nice work, good work that takes a lot of patience. The grip screws are a great addition too.

Posted: 1/1/2014 9:05:13 PM EDT

[#13]

That looks really good, I'm trying to teach myself how to do that now

Posted: 1/1/2014 10:27:10 PM EDT

[#14]

Damn "sexy" weapon all around. Excellent job!
Takes a lot of gumption to take on hand checkering, and it takes real balls to try it for the very first time on a pistol that nice!

Posted: 1/2/2014 6:41:28 AM EDT

[#15]

Nice checkering!

Posted: 1/3/2014 9:01:15 PM EDT

[#16]

Thanks a million guys! I went shooting today. Had a blast with the 1911 and the AR. Learned I need a new slide stop.

Posted: 1/4/2014 2:50:48 AM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:
grendelbane, my fingers are swollen and still hurt lol.

I did not like the flat trigger at first but decided to give it a try and like the way it feels better and will keep it now. I did the checkering using a homemade jig using a c-clamp and flat stock to start it and a zip tie, a few small files and a 20 lpi file from brownells. I think it costs on average about $250 to $300

View Quote

Can you give us a little more detail on this?
I'm itching to checker my LW Champion.

I was going to buy the cheap jig from Brownell's when I get the files.
The verticles would seem a no brainer with flat stock, but what about the horizontals?

Posted: 1/4/2014 5:51:32 AM EDT

[#18]

Quote History

Quoted:
Can you give us a little more detail on this?

I'm itching to checker my LW Champion.

I was going to buy the cheap jig from Brownell's when I get the files.

The verticles would seem a no brainer with flat stock, but what about the horizontals?

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:

grendelbane, my fingers are swollen and still hurt lol.

I did not like the flat trigger at first but decided to give it a try and like the way it feels better and will keep it now. I did the checkering using a homemade jig using a c-clamp and flat stock to start it and a zip tie, a few small files and a 20 lpi file from brownells. I think it costs on average about $250 to $300

Can you give us a little more detail on this?

I'm itching to checker my LW Champion.

I was going to buy the cheap jig from Brownell's when I get the files.

The verticles would seem a no brainer with flat stock, but what about the horizontals?

I am buying the same jig for next time (The jig has a guide that goes over the strap to start the horizontal line) because of the horizontals. I used the zip tie to make the start as a guide and had to make a course correction but it can be done. Once that first grove is made it is not that hard to create the next set of groves as long as you go slow and use little pressure and a smooth straight stroke. You can practice on a pipe.

Posted: 1/4/2014 7:03:44 AM EDT

[#19]

like that a lot.

grips really set it off.

checkering looks great.

clown

Posted: 1/4/2014 8:40:22 AM EDT

[#20]

Excellent, great job !

Posted: 1/4/2014 8:56:57 AM EDT

[#21]

I've been trying to practice on just raw metal, how in the hell do you get the vertical lines straight?

Posted: 1/4/2014 9:00:13 AM EDT

[#22]

Here is a good guide: http://www.m1911.org/checkering.htm

Posted: 1/4/2014 12:33:56 PM EDT

[#23]

Checkering looks great!!!

Not a fan of the thick green coating on there, but nonetheless a nice gun.

Posted: 1/4/2014 1:03:39 PM EDT

[#24]

Looks great and you're crazy.

No way I'd attempt that. Good on ya.

Posted: 1/4/2014 2:47:23 PM EDT

[#25]

I would have left the sights black for some more contrast but otherwise great work! I would be scared to cut my frame!

Posted: 1/5/2014 10:53:20 AM EDT

[#26]

please post more pictures to see the whole 1911 please, looks good

Posted: 1/5/2014 10:55:06 AM EDT

[#27]

Quote History

Quoted:

I would have left the sights black for some more contrast but otherwise great work! I would be scared to cut my frame!

View Quote

In hindsight...I agree and wish i would have painted the sights black. I may redo it.

Posted: 1/5/2014 10:59:57 AM EDT

[#28]

Quote History

Quoted:

please post more pictures to see the whole 1911 please, looks good

View Quote

Here are a few more.

Posted: 1/5/2014 11:12:26 AM EDT

[#29]

Quote History

Quoted:
I am buying the same jig for next time (The jig has a guide that goes over the strap to start the horizontal line) because of the horizontals. I used the zip tie to make the start as a guide and had to make a course correction but it can be done. Once that first grove is made it is not that hard to create the next set of groves as long as you go slow and use little pressure and a smooth straight stroke. You can practice on a pipe.

View Quote

Good idea. Thanks for the tips, SScot.

Posted: 1/6/2014 3:27:26 AM EDT

[#30]

WOW !!! Super job for your first one.

Cheers
Ron

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Checkered my front strap and some other work to my 1911 so I wanted to share.

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