The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Hand checkering -- and then the gun's "finish"

Hunter Customs · May 25, 2016, 09:26 AM

For years I hand checkered 1911 front straps and mainspring housings at 20 LPI, then after many years of doing it my hands and elbows gave out on me.
So I knew I needed to come up with something that could be gripped as good as 20 LPI checkering that I did not have to do by hand.
I believe it was in 97 or 98 I came up with my "Speed Grip" front strap treatment that I could do on my mill.
The gun in the picture has the front strap done with this treatment.
There's other types of front strap treatments being done now and also machine checkering which is every bit as good as hand checkering if not better.
As for re-finishing the gun, it's no big deal to re-finish stainless with a matte bead blast finish.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter

May 25, 2016, 09:26 AM	#13
Hunter Customs Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2005 Location: Osborn, Missouri Posts: 2,697	For years I hand checkered 1911 front straps and mainspring housings at 20 LPI, then after many years of doing it my hands and elbows gave out on me. So I knew I needed to come up with something that could be gripped as good as 20 LPI checkering that I did not have to do by hand. I believe it was in 97 or 98 I came up with my "Speed Grip" front strap treatment that I could do on my mill. The gun in the picture has the front strap done with this treatment. There's other types of front strap treatments being done now and also machine checkering which is every bit as good as hand checkering if not better. As for re-finishing the gun, it's no big deal to re-finish stainless with a matte bead blast finish. Best Regards Bob Hunter