1911 front strap checkering

[AllenM]

A little checkering I did over the weekend.

Springfield stainless frame.



Once I know me vise is square in the mill, I use the cutting bit to find the lowest point on the front strap. Then I use that point to set my depth of cut.. Like most 1911's it was closer to the trigger guard.
Depth depends on the LPI choice. I have the options to do 20, 25 and 30 LPI with this setup.








I work my way around with the horizontal lines, or vertical lines, which ever you want to call these...
It looks like i could go up farther but the frame starts to get thicker at this point so it is where I am stopping. Not all frames are equal here.







Then the fixture is is turned up and I start working my way down. this is the tedious part. Make 1 cut and adjust the mill each time









A little hand cleanup with a file if needed.

Since it is a stainless frame I do not have to refinish it, Just a little bead blasting to restore original look






Done

 

[88E30M50]

That’s beautiful. Can’t wait to get it back together.

 

[AllenM]

That’s beautiful. Can’t wait to get it back together.

 

[Backpacker]

Thanks for sharing. We appreciate your skills.

 

[JHB]

Beautiful job. I did a couple the old fashion way years ago. A stainless and a blued steel one. The stainless took me eight hours to do then it took a week before I could use that hand for any type of work. After that I said never again.

 

[drillsgt]

That turned out awesome, glad to see you doing some more checkering. Why no initial true up cut around the radius?

 

[MarkC]

Beautiful work.

Thanks for sharing this with us. It gives me a "peek behind the curtain" as to how these processes come about, and an appreciation for the skill and artistry that goes into it.

 

[Fordtough25]

Very nice work, that looks better than factory pistols I have seen!

 

[Colt556]

Amazing work! Great attention to detail and execution.

 

[AllenM]

Thanks, I don't even like shooting a 1911 near as much if the front strap isn't checkered. Makes a world of difference, It is a little tedious but worth it.
I cant imagine the guys that do this by hand with a file.

 

[WalterSobchak]

Very nice, my 1911 was supposed to come with checkering. Poor marketing...

 

[WalterSobchak]

Is this something I can have you do for me Allen?

 

[AllenM]

Is this something I can have you do for me Allen?

It is

 

[WalterSobchak]

It is

Awesome! I have a regent 350, I would like checkering and a threaded barrel for it. Also considering threading a rifle barrel or two. Let me know what you think. Thanks!