1911 slide cutouts...

Koda94 · March 11, 2018, 01:51 AM

What are the slide cutouts for on a 1911?

Occasionally I will notice custom work done including cutouts in the slide over the barrel area, then I recall that at least one production gun... Smith and Wesson makes a production gun with slide cutouts. So I go to its web page and it doesn't appear to be related to a ported barrel. So whats the point? Seems like it would just expose the internals to debris collection.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms...model-sw1911-1

rock185 · March 11, 2018, 03:39 AM

Style/marketing/charisma/sales.

**44 AMP** · March 11, 2018, 05:16 AM

The linked S&W site describes them a "slide lighting cuts", so I'd say that's what they are. Though I would have said "lightening".

The point is to reduce the slide weight. It also said the purpose of the gun was competition shooting, enthusiast, and state compliance.

So, its a "game gun", set up a certain way. Why they make it that way is anyone's guess, give them a call and ask, I suppose...

RickB · March 11, 2018, 10:44 AM

My 6" gun has holes in the slide to lighten it to approximately the same weight as a 5" gun.
Heavy slides can be sluggish, especially with the lighter recoil springs used in competition. The same amount of weight could perhaps be removed from the inside of the slide if someone didn't like the look of the holes.
On a short gun, I wouldn't want the slide lightened.

T. O'Heir · March 11, 2018, 11:29 AM

The Smith pistol cuts are decoration. Otherwise, they're supposed to aid gripping the slide.

Koda94 · March 11, 2018, 01:31 PM

ah... I didn't scroll down enough to catch the competition, enthusiast, compliance "purpose" part... but regardless its a 5" Govt size 1911... I didn't know "needed" lightening. So this is purely cosmetic only for enthusiasts...

tipoc · March 12, 2018, 11:35 AM

It would make for an overall lighter gun. 40.5 ozs vs. 41.2 ozs or so.

The speed of the slide in recoil would increase so you'd need a different weight recoil spring from standard to insure proper functioning.

It's not for porting so it's just for looks and an overall lighter gun by less than an ounce or so.

Also more places to clean powder residue from for those that really get into cleaning guns.

tipoc

KyJim · March 12, 2018, 12:30 PM

I would think a heavier slide would be better for competition. After all, that's a primary reason many folks give for preferring a full length guide rod. It allows faster follow-up shots.

WVsig · March 12, 2018, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KyJim

I would think a heavier slide would be better for competition. After all, that's a primary reason many folks give for preferring a full length guide rod. It allows faster follow-up shots.

Heavier guns also slow your swing from one target to another. I can feel the difference between my CZ Shadow II which is a tank vs a 75B.

RickB · March 12, 2018, 03:53 PM

Quote:

I would think a heavier slide would be better for competition. After all, that's a primary reason many folks give for preferring a full length guide rod. It allows faster follow-up shots.

Conventional wisdom goes through phases.
Fifteen years ago, the USPSA hot shots were running full-length dustcovers and heavy slides, then, a couple of years later, everyone was running ported slides to reduce weight.
Longslides with 6" barrels have been fairly popular right along, but I've seen them with and without slide lightening.

A not-very-good pic of my 6" gun with lightening holes. It was pretty exotic in 2001, not so much, today.

KyJim · March 13, 2018, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Heavier guns also slow your swing from one target to another. I can feel the difference between my CZ Shadow II which is a tank vs a 75B.

Fair point. I wonder, though, if those shooting a 1911 with a lightened slide also have a full length guide rod.

RickB · March 14, 2018, 10:44 AM

Static weight and reciprocating weight are not the same thing.

A gun with a ventilated slide and FLGR would weigh about the same as one with a solid slide and G.I. guide rod.
There are shooters who would have a preference for either one.

It's common to "move weight around" to balance the gun.
A buddy has a gun with aluminum frame but heavy parts attached, while another has a steel frame and lightweight small parts.

March 11, 2018, 01:51 AM	#1
Koda94 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Location: Cascadia Posts: 1,295	1911 slide cutouts... What are the slide cutouts for on a 1911? Occasionally I will notice custom work done including cutouts in the slide over the barrel area, then I recall that at least one production gun... Smith and Wesson makes a production gun with slide cutouts. So I go to its web page and it doesn't appear to be related to a ported barrel. So whats the point? Seems like it would just expose the internals to debris collection. http://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms...model-sw1911-1 __________________ lightweight, cheap, strong... pick 2

March 11, 2018, 03:39 AM	#2
rock185 Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2001 Location: Out West in Rim Country Posts: 1,093	Style/marketing/charisma/sales. __________________ COTEP 640, NRA Life

March 11, 2018, 05:16 AM	#3
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,846	The linked S&W site describes them a "slide lighting cuts", so I'd say that's what they are. Though I would have said "lightening". The point is to reduce the slide weight. It also said the purpose of the gun was competition shooting, enthusiast, and state compliance. So, its a "game gun", set up a certain way. Why they make it that way is anyone's guess, give them a call and ask, I suppose... __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

March 11, 2018, 10:44 AM	#4
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	My 6" gun has holes in the slide to lighten it to approximately the same weight as a 5" gun. Heavy slides can be sluggish, especially with the lighter recoil springs used in competition. The same amount of weight could perhaps be removed from the inside of the slide if someone didn't like the look of the holes. On a short gun, I wouldn't want the slide lightened. __________________ Runs off at the mouth about anything 1911 related on this site and half the time is flat out wrong.

March 11, 2018, 11:29 AM	#5
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	The Smith pistol cuts are decoration. Otherwise, they're supposed to aid gripping the slide. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

March 11, 2018, 01:31 PM	#6
Koda94 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Location: Cascadia Posts: 1,295	ah... I didn't scroll down enough to catch the competition, enthusiast, compliance "purpose" part... but regardless its a 5" Govt size 1911... I didn't know "needed" lightening. So this is purely cosmetic only for enthusiasts... __________________ lightweight, cheap, strong... pick 2

March 12, 2018, 11:35 AM	#7
tipoc Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2004 Location: Redwood City, Ca. Posts: 4,114	It would make for an overall lighter gun. 40.5 ozs vs. 41.2 ozs or so. The speed of the slide in recoil would increase so you'd need a different weight recoil spring from standard to insure proper functioning. It's not for porting so it's just for looks and an overall lighter gun by less than an ounce or so. Also more places to clean powder residue from for those that really get into cleaning guns. tipoc __________________ 1. All guns are always loaded. 2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy. 3. Keep your finger off the trigger till you are ready to shoot. 4. Identify your target and know what is beyond it.

March 12, 2018, 12:30 PM	#8
KyJim Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2005 Location: The Bluegrass Posts: 9,142	I would think a heavier slide would be better for competition. After all, that's a primary reason many folks give for preferring a full length guide rod. It allows faster follow-up shots.

March 14, 2018, 10:44 AM	#12
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	Static weight and reciprocating weight are not the same thing. A gun with a ventilated slide and FLGR would weigh about the same as one with a solid slide and G.I. guide rod. There are shooters who would have a preference for either one. It's common to "move weight around" to balance the gun. A buddy has a gun with aluminum frame but heavy parts attached, while another has a steel frame and lightweight small parts. __________________ Runs off at the mouth about anything 1911 related on this site and half the time is flat out wrong.