Front strap serrations.

Handguns » 1911 Discussions

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Front strap serrations.

Posted: 8/29/2015 3:00:16 AM EDT

NOT trying to compare them to checkering, but how do they feel to you, compared to a smooth front strap? Do you even notice they are there, or do you feel like they help, or does it seem to be more aesthetic?

ETA: Especially for the more classic ones, not the ones that go across.
Something like this:

Posted: 8/29/2015 4:30:28 AM EDT

[#1]

I notice they are there and there is certainly a little more grip but nothing huge. My sigs with the horizontal serrations makes a bigger difference but there are a lot more of them.

I don't know that I would pay to have it done. My escalation would be skateboard tape straight to checkering.

Posted: 8/29/2015 5:51:45 AM EDT

[#2]

Have them on acouple of my 1911's. More traction than nothing.
Best is to have checkering. 30 lines per inch is my favorite. Gives plenty of grip without tearing up your hand.
If you wear shooting gloves like some of the military guys, then you could go a little courser , 20 or 25 LPI.

Posted: 8/29/2015 7:06:38 AM EDT

[#3]

Quote History

Quoted:
Have them on acouple of my 1911's. More traction than nothing.
Best is to have checkering. 30 lines per inch is my favorite. Gives plenty of grip without tearing up your hand.
If you wear shooting gloves like some of the military guys, then you could go a little courser , 20 or 25 LPI.

View Quote

This...plus some VZ Gatorbacks (gloves req'd!).

Posted: 8/29/2015 7:09:53 AM EDT

[#4]

my 1911s were competition guns, and I went straight to checkering and stippling... I actually preferred the stippling on the later guns... I'm not into aesthetics

Posted: 8/29/2015 8:58:33 AM EDT

[#5]

I like them on my 226

Posted: 8/29/2015 9:54:29 AM EDT

[#6]

Can't help you on a 1911, but on a Beretta 92 series, they don't do anything and once my hands get sweaty it's even worse.

Posted: 8/29/2015 11:02:49 AM EDT

[#7]

Never cared for checkering on the front strap on a 1911. MSH checkering is OK. YMMV

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Posted: 8/29/2015 12:06:42 PM EDT

[#8]

Hate them. All of my grip is in the grips so the front just feels weird and uncomfortable to me. Only go with them if you feel your fingers slipping while firing.

Posted: 8/29/2015 12:19:45 PM EDT

[#9]

If you want to try checkering, I suggest getting the wilson removable checkered front strap. It is $10 and IMO it works well.

Posted: 8/29/2015 9:16:43 PM EDT

[#10]

I have the serrated front strap on my SW1911.

It is better than smooth, but not a whole lot better.

I put on a set of the old Pachmayr rubber grips with the wrap-around checkered rubber front strap, and it is much easier to hold onto when it's 95 degrees and 100% humidity and I'm soaked with sweat.

Posted: 8/29/2015 9:58:22 PM EDT

[#11]

I like them. Not as good as checkering, but I'm not a fan of checkering anyway.

Posted: 8/29/2015 10:10:54 PM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:
I notice they are there and there is certainly a little more grip but nothing huge. My sigs with the horizontal serrations makes a bigger difference but there are a lot more of them.

I don't know that I would pay to have it done. My escalation would be skateboard tape straight to checkering.

View Quote

I agree.

Posted: 8/30/2015 9:41:05 PM EDT

[#13]

I recently read somewhere that any front-strap treatment "allows you to get an improper grip, and easily keep it." I have skateboard tape on my RIA, and practice my draw a LOT (pretty much almost every day), and if I get a bad grab, those words end up ringing true. Learn and practice your draw stroke, and the front-strap treatment may become one of those chicken/egg kinda things.

Posted: 8/30/2015 9:55:09 PM EDT

[#14]

Always liked them better than checkering.

Posted: 8/30/2015 9:59:37 PM EDT

[#15]

Posted: 8/30/2015 10:12:14 PM EDT

[#16]

Like most modern 1911 features, they are completely unnecessary.

Posted: 8/30/2015 10:42:07 PM EDT

[#17]

I hand checker mine.

I like 20lpi the best

I think this shot was a 25lpi IIRC

another one, in progesss...

When all the custom work is done, I send them to METALIFE for industrial hardchrome

Posted: 8/30/2015 10:45:30 PM EDT

[#18]

Had those on my Colt Gunsite. I think they look cool but they didn't do anything for grip.

Posted: 8/31/2015 6:58:17 AM EDT

[#19]

GT-5000 grip tape for me

Posted: 8/31/2015 10:42:23 AM EDT

[#20]

Quote History

Quoted:
I hand checker mine.

I like 20lpi the best

<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/derek45/media/1911/STI046.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v488/derek45/1911/STI046.jpg</a>

I think this shot was a 25lpi IIRC

<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/derek45/media/1911/40206048.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v488/derek45/1911/40206048.jpg</a>

another one, in progesss...
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/derek45/media/1911/checker.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v488/derek45/1911/checker.jpg</a>

When all the custom work is done, I send them to METALIFE for industrial hardchrome

<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/derek45/media/1911/1911pistols076.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v488/derek45/1911/1911pistols076.jpg</a>

<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/derek45/media/1911/1911pistols040.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v488/derek45/1911/1911pistols040.jpg</a>

View Quote

As I've said, not a fan of checkering, but that is nice work.

Posted: 8/31/2015 12:15:13 PM EDT

[#21]

one of the keys to shooting a handgun is consistency

if the gun is moving around during recoil, you won't be consistent

making the handgun grippy with checkering or skateboard grip-tape can help a lot

I've heard gunshow commandos make the comment that my checkering will tear up hands if you shoot a lot
LOLOLOL

I shoot A LOT

I've been to classes were we shoot 1000 rounds in two days

my paws have no troubles

Posted: 8/31/2015 1:20:14 PM EDT

[#22]

I have a series 70 gold cup with the serrations. To be honest, I really don't notice any difference between the serrations and a smooth front strap. I put the precut VZ tape on my smooth front straps and it provides some pretty serious traction without being TRP aggressive.

Posted: 8/31/2015 1:22:04 PM EDT

[#23]

Quote History

Quoted:
one of the keys to shooting a handgun is consistency

if the gun is moving around during recoil, you won't be consistent

making the handgun grippy with checkering or skateboard grip-tape can help a lot

I've heard gunshow commandos make the comment that my checkering will tear up hands if you shoot a lot
LOLOLOL

I shoot A LOT

I've been to classes were we shoot 1000 rounds in two days

my paws have no troubles

View Quote

I've done week long classes with pretty aggressive checkering and had no trouble with my hands. I've had more trouble with my trigger finger and knuckle from Glocks than from aggressive grip textures.

Posted: 8/31/2015 1:22:14 PM EDT

[#24]

I don't care for serrations. Much rather have checkering and serrations are worse than a smooth front strap IMO.

Posted: 8/31/2015 4:23:06 PM EDT

[#25]

Quote History

Quoted:
one of the keys to shooting a handgun is consistency

if the gun is moving around during recoil, you won't be consistent

making the handgun grippy with checkering or skateboard grip-tape can help a lot

I've heard gunshow commandos make the comment that my checkering will tear up hands if you shoot a lot
LOLOLOL

I shoot A LOT

I've been to classes were we shoot 1000 rounds in two days

my paws have no troubles

View Quote

I have smooth CCW grips and Simonich grips for competition, and have found that with a good thumbs forward grip on a 1911 the grips could be made of deer guts, the gun still won't be moving around in your hands.

The way the gun is designed you're pushing it back and up into your hand with a good grip.

Posted: 8/31/2015 8:58:15 PM EDT

[#26]

Quote History

Quoted:

I have smooth CCW grips and Simonich grips for competition, and have found that with a good thumbs forward grip on a 1911 the grips could be made of deer guts, the gun still won't be moving around in your hands.

The way the gun is designed you're pushing it back and up into your hand with a good grip.

View Quote

They would make an awesome IPSC or IDPA stage
UPON START SIGNAL, PICK UP THE 1911 COVERED IN DEER GUTS AND ENGAGE TARGETS T1-T3
PREFORM A MANDATORY RELOAD AND ENGAGE TARGETS T4-T6
VIRGINIA COUNT BLA BLA BLA

. . . . make mine checkered

.

Posted: 8/31/2015 11:13:26 PM EDT

[#27]

Quote History

Quoted:

I've heard gunshow commandos make the comment that my checkering will tear up hands if you shoot a lot
LOLOLOL

I shoot A LOT

I've been to classes were we shoot 1000 rounds in two days

my paws have no troubles

View Quote

What kind of checkering do you have? The checkering on my TRP will most certainly take skin off. There is a pretty big spread of checkering ranging from cheese grater to comfortable grip aid.

Posted: 8/31/2015 11:33:34 PM EDT

[#28]

I have both, with & without..........I can shoot Iike shit with either one.

Posted: 8/31/2015 11:40:27 PM EDT

[#29]

I have the serrations on a CZ Rami and they do help a little. Also have the horizontal serrations on a P226 and I think they work better that the vertical ones.

I just put the VZ pre cut grip tape on the front strap of my RO and it works better than the serrations IMHO. If grip tape is out of the question than Pachmyr wrap arounds would be my next choice.

Just a little note - the VZ grip tape comes in packs of 3. Make sure you don't lose the pack, because they do wear out. I have been hunting for mine for 2 days.

Posted: 8/31/2015 11:57:12 PM EDT

[#30]

Quote History

Quoted:......What kind of checkering do you have?....

View Quote

I posted a bunch of pics on page one.

I like to hand checker 1911's, and prefer 20lpi

brownells sells chackering files, and I homebrewed a jig to setup the vertical and horizontal lines.

here's a few more....