Who to checker my front strap?

**DGreno** · 02-24-2012, 17:05

Hey all, Essentially I am wanting to know who the GT 1911 crew recommends. All I am wanting is standard 25Lpi checkering.

I know this has probably been beat to death, however, I have hit a dead end. There is a very well known and respected gunsmith in Savannah that has been my go to off and on. I went in there with my SR1911 inquiring about getting the front strap checkered. He told me he has stopped doing it in house due to the time vs profit and arthritis in his hands. While I am upset he cant do it, I do understand why.

His advice was to send it to Fusion Firearms to have it done. In email conversation with them, I was advised that they do not do any manufactures frames other than their own.

Sorry for the long post.

Goldendog Redux · 02-24-2012, 17:14

Throw some grip tape on the beast and use it for a while and re-consider whether you want to pay to ship it somewhere have it checkered and refinished.

I have grip tape on my Colt. If a reputable/competent smith wanted to checker my front strap for free, I would be all over it as I would prefer checkered to grip tape but taking the time and money into consideration, I will stay with the grip tape.

Good luck either way.

MF

humphreys19 · 02-24-2012, 17:29

+1 on the grip tape!
I just put 3M tread tape on the front straps of a couple of guns, and it is amazing. Unless you really want checkering for aesthetic reasons, try the grip tape.

Tom

**DGreno** · 02-24-2012, 17:30

Its stainless/bead blasted. All I need is the checkering done, I have access to a media/bead blaster.

glock2740 · 02-24-2012, 17:32

SA's Custom Shop (SACS).

dakrat · 02-24-2012, 18:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by glock2740

SA's Custom Shop (SACS).

+1 on Springfield Armory custom shop

dakrat · 02-24-2012, 18:18

OP question, where to take my gun for 25 LPI?

answers: grip tape.......

uuhhh.. reading comprehension much?

Tim151515 · 02-24-2012, 19:30

how long will grip last? i think it would be pretty cool to add to my r1. the grips are very grippy as it is, but i figure that it wouldnt hurt seeing how its not permanant.

**Jason D** · 02-24-2012, 19:45

Springfield will work on any quality 1911 with no problem.

Hand checkering from Springfield 20 LPI 200.00, 25LPI 220.00, 30LPI 250.00.
Machine checkering 20LPI 150.00, 25LPI 160.00, and 30LPI 170.00 respectively.

Serrate front strap 110.00, stipple 135.00.

Goldendog Redux · 02-24-2012, 20:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by dakrat

OP question, where to take my gun for 25 LPI?

answers: grip tape.......

uuhhh.. reading comprehension much?

Hey Junior, it's an option he may have not considered and the advice is worth as much as he paid for it.

Rinspeed · 02-24-2012, 20:37

Pete Single is as good as you're going to get for machine checkering. He doesn't deal with the public though so you would have to find a local smith to send it or run it through Novaks or Chuck Rogers.

glock2740 · 02-24-2012, 21:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rinspeed

Pete Single is as good as you're going to get for machine checkering. He doesn't deal with the public though so you would have to find a local smith to send it or run it through Novaks or Chuck Rogers.

While I agree with you 100% about Pete Single, by the time it was all said and done, you'd have as much tied up in the checkering as the cost of the gun the OP is wanting worked on. On a true custom, Pete would be the tops. But on a Ruger SR1911?

**DGreno** · 02-24-2012, 22:30

And now for the Noob question: What are the pros and cons of hand vs machine checkering?

**NeverMore1701** · 02-24-2012, 23:10

I don't think I'd shell out the dough to have a sub-$1k gun checkered, but I look forward to pics when you do

***okie*** · 02-24-2012, 23:33

I don't own one but here is another option

http://shopwilsoncombat.com/Checkere...ductinfo/100S/

**kirgi08** · 02-24-2012, 23:41

There is a poster here that does AMAZING work.Dremel Jockey,his work is

. If I ever have the chance ta have a custom build,Rogers Precision will be the smith.'08.

**NeverMore1701** · 02-24-2012, 23:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by okie

I don't own one but here is another option

http://shopwilsoncombat.com/Checkere...ductinfo/100S/

I actually slapped one on my ACII. Didn't like the smooth front strap, and like I said, I'm not shelling out to have a cheap gun checkered. So far so good.

megawatt · 02-25-2012, 06:17

A couple years ago I sent my ultra compact in for some front strap machine checkering to the SA custom shop. Been very happy ever since. If you can afford the checkering it is well worth it and it last forever. There is lint on a couple of the points, those are not blemishes.

Jim Watson · 02-25-2012, 06:41

If cost is a consideration, don't forget the frame is the gun and FedUp Airmail will add a lot to the expense.

***okie*** · 02-25-2012, 07:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeverMore1701

I actually slapped one on my ACII. Didn't like the smooth front strap, and like I said, I'm not shelling out to have a cheap gun checkered. So far so good.

Could you be talked into posting a pic my friend

***okie*** · 02-25-2012, 07:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by megawatt

A couple years ago I sent my ultra compact in for some front strap machine checkering to the SA custom shop. Been very happy ever since. If you can afford the checkering it is well worth it and it last forever. There is lint on a couple of the points, those are not blemishes.

SA did awesome work my friend

rich n · 02-25-2012, 09:19

Colt will do it for 180$ or serrate for 100. My combat elite frame is getting serrated and refinished for 75$ while its in for service.

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I like black · 02-25-2012, 09:58

I was wondering how long the process is for having Colt perform the work you are having done?

Thanks

ILB

Quote:

Originally Posted by rich n

Colt will do it for 180$ or serrate for 100. My combat elite frame is getting serrated and refinished for 75$ while its in for service.

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rich n · 02-25-2012, 13:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by I like black

I was wondering how long the process is for having Colt perform the work you are having done?

Thanks

ILB

They just sent me a work order after about 3 weeks. I called yesterday and they are going to start on it next week. I'm guessing 4-6-weeks turn around. I asked about Ion bond and Cerakote and he said to add another 4 months for those services .

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glock2740 · 02-25-2012, 13:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by rich n

They just sent me a work order after about 3 weeks. I called yesterday and they are going to start on it next week. I'm guessing 4-6-weeks turn around. I asked about Ion bond and Cerakote and he said to add another 4 months for those services .

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4 months for Cerakote?!?!