1911 front strap

JC5503 · April 16, 2011, 10:36 PM

Hi,

Ive searched for awhile now and cant seem to find any good videos of someone checkering the front strap of a 1911. I found a good walk-through guide on a 1911 forum but I cant find a video. I seem to pick things up and work better if I can watch something.... plus I would like to get as much info and tips before I try anything on my gun lol

so thanks in advance for any help.

James K · April 16, 2011, 11:14 PM

I don't know what the video courses say, but you don't checker that strap as you do wood, one line at a time. Assuming you don't have a checkering cutter and a milling machine, you use a checkering file, which cuts a number of lines at one time. They are available in 20 lpi to 75 lpi. Like any checkering, practice first on scrap metal. Brownells has the tools and also a video guide.

Jim

JC5503 · April 17, 2011, 08:08 PM

Thank you I knew I needed a file I just like being able to watch people do it first lol and I didnt know brownells had a video for that thank you.

does anybody have any pointers that I should keep in mind? or has anyone checkered their own front strap?

James K · April 17, 2011, 08:43 PM

Well, I have, but not on my own gun; I did it for customers. As I said, practice - it is not as easy as it looks

JC5503 · April 17, 2011, 08:54 PM

To practice should I get a pipe or something roughly the same as my front strap. did you use a checkering guide or just a vice?

GunCat · April 17, 2011, 09:24 PM

A length of 3/4" diameter round stock is a close match for the curve of most 1911 front straps. Ask your local metal supplier or related business for a piece of "cold rolled" (CRS) or "mild screw stock".

Usertag · April 17, 2011, 10:28 PM

Watch a video of a guy doing it on another gun. No matter what gun, it all depends on if the grip is metal, wooden, or polymer grip. Just make sure it is a good walk through.

April 16, 2011, 10:36 PM	#1
JC5503 Member Join Date: October 4, 2010 Location: southeast Ohio Posts: 76	1911 front strap Hi, Ive searched for awhile now and cant seem to find any good videos of someone checkering the front strap of a 1911. I found a good walk-through guide on a 1911 forum but I cant find a video. I seem to pick things up and work better if I can watch something.... plus I would like to get as much info and tips before I try anything on my gun lol so thanks in advance for any help.

April 17, 2011, 09:24 PM	#6
GunCat Member Join Date: December 27, 2008 Location: Western, KY Posts: 41	A length of 3/4" diameter round stock is a close match for the curve of most 1911 front straps. Ask your local metal supplier or related business for a piece of "cold rolled" (CRS) or "mild screw stock". __________________ Hardships are quickly forgotten. Intense heat, bitter cold, rain and snow, fatigue, and luckless hunting fade quickly into memories of great fellowship, thoughts of beautiful country, pleasant camps, and happy campfires. Fred Bear 1902-1988

April 16, 2011, 11:14 PM	#2
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	I don't know what the video courses say, but you don't checker that strap as you do wood, one line at a time. Assuming you don't have a checkering cutter and a milling machine, you use a checkering file, which cuts a number of lines at one time. They are available in 20 lpi to 75 lpi. Like any checkering, practice first on scrap metal. Brownells has the tools and also a video guide. Jim

April 17, 2011, 08:08 PM	#3
JC5503 Member Join Date: October 4, 2010 Location: southeast Ohio Posts: 76	Thank you I knew I needed a file I just like being able to watch people do it first lol and I didnt know brownells had a video for that thank you. does anybody have any pointers that I should keep in mind? or has anyone checkered their own front strap?

April 17, 2011, 08:43 PM	#4
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Well, I have, but not on my own gun; I did it for customers. As I said, practice - it is not as easy as it looks

April 17, 2011, 08:54 PM	#5
JC5503 Member Join Date: October 4, 2010 Location: southeast Ohio Posts: 76	To practice should I get a pipe or something roughly the same as my front strap. did you use a checkering guide or just a vice?

April 17, 2011, 10:28 PM	#7
Usertag Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 2011 Location: Louisville Posts: 261	Watch a video of a guy doing it on another gun. No matter what gun, it all depends on if the grip is metal, wooden, or polymer grip. Just make sure it is a good walk through.