what are the front slide serrations for??

[jeff22]

this might be a stupid question but what are the front slide serrations for on 1911 handguns. I have a kimber fullsize with front serrations, a kimber pro carry no front serrations, and a sprinfield micro compact no front serrations.

What are the serrations for on the full size. It's something i've been thinking about but never really thought about finding out until now. the curiosity got the best of me.

I noticed that almost all 1911 fullsize have front serrations except for the springfield G.I.

[vincent63]

personally,i think it was a way a machinist came up with to set his 1911 apart from the rest of the pack,,,which was great until the pack jumped on the bandwagon

[bk30]

what are the front slide serrations for?

flossing your teeth :)

thats all their good for imo

[pangris]

Wouldn't have a 1911 without them. Best way to press check your gun... grasp front grooves from under the gun with thumb and pointer, and you can confirm both by feel and visually that the chamber is empty.

Paul

[Carlson1]

Originally posted by pangris
Wouldn't have a 1911 without them. Best way to press check your gun... grasp front grooves from under the gun with thumb and pointer, and you can confirm both by feel and visually that the chamber is empty.

Paul

+1

[c00p]

You'll have to excuse me, but I'm a little slow (ask my wife, she'll vouch)...can someone better explain a "press check" or maybe just post a quick pick? I'm guessing it's just to verify that there is or is not a round in the chamber one handed?

[ThreadKiller]

I understand the "press check" concept but I accomplish the task by pinching the slide behind the ejection port with my middle finger and thumb and use the index finger to do the digital snooping. Works for me. Obviously don't need the front slide serrations in my case.

Of course, I run Sigs, so what do I know? :)

[ThreadKiller]

Originally posted by c00p
You'll have to excuse me, but I'm a little slow (ask my wife, she'll vouch)...can someone better explain a "press check" or maybe just post a quick pick? I'm guessing it's just to verify that there is or is not a round in the chamber one handed?

I don't know how you'd do this one handed. Maybe wedge the grip against your leg and use one hand to pull back the slide? I see no other way to get 'r done.

But you're right, it's simply a maneuver to verify a round in the chamber without looking.

[BigTex171]

Originally posted by ThreadKiller
...it's simply a maneuver to verify a round in the chamber without looking.

And without ejecting said round. ;)

[chromeluv]

I personally think they are invaluable to a 1911.

I wish my Ed brown had them :(

For a carry gun, when you have time in the morning to grab the rear of the slide to press check your firearm..I can see why one wouldn't want them.

For a work/tac gun, I love them and think they are very appropriate.

Some argue why bring your fingers 'close' to the muzzle. I dont understand this argument, if your riding the slide with your trigger finger while displaying trigger discipline, especially on a commander, its not any closer IMHO.

I think they great also, as long as they are done right.

[pangris]

Originally posted by c00p
You'll have to excuse me, but I'm a little slow (ask my wife, she'll vouch)...can someone better explain a "press check" or maybe just post a quick pick? I'm guessing it's just to verify that there is or is not a round in the chamber one handed?

Correct, it is to verify the condition of the firearm. One handed would be tricky, you might lose your pinky above the first knuckle.

The advantage of the left (weak) hand check, IMHO, is that you don't have to change your firing grip, or at least I don't... but I have big mitts.

[c00p]

Thanks for the clarification...like I said, just a little slow. I'm still not sure if I see the benefit of using front -vs- rear serrations to do a chamber check though...

To each their own...I'm too poor to own any guns with those fancy front serrations anyway ;)

shoot safe

c00p

[Trumpet]

What are they for? Chewing up holsters, and generally looking ugly. Other autos seem to do fine without 'em.


Bk30,
Your avatar is hilarious. Our Dal sleeps the same damn way.





Rich

[chromeluv]

Originally posted by Trumpet
What are they for? Chewing up holsters, and generally looking ugly. Other autos seem to do fine without 'em.


Alot of autos do great with them also.

To be able to verify the condition of your firearm without changing the grip of your firing hand, angling the gun, or peaking over your hand are some of the reasons I think the FCS are an asset to a fighting gun.

[10mm4ever]

Originally the checkered front portion of the guiderod plug could be used to press check, hence the checkering. When full length guiderods started becoming popular, front serrations became a necessity to still perform a press check. Ever try a traditional press check with a full length guiderod? If you've noticed, full length guiderods are usually only included on 1911's with forward cocking serrations and standard(traditional) guiderod setups will normally be found on 1911s with standard, rear only cocking serrations.

[pangris]

the press check off the plug means you have a finger verryyyy close to the muzzle... of a firearm you're checking the condition of - thanks but no thanks!

[freakshow10mm]

I don't care for front serrations on any gun. I think they look ugly and break up the lines of the weapon. In the very, very rare event I perform a chamber check, I use the overhand method. Point the gun to the left. Do the thumb's up and lay your hand on top of the slide so your index knucle is in front of the ejection port and your thumb is on the side of the slide facing you, opposite the ejection port. Grab the slide and push your hands together. I don't need any front serrations, I don't want any front serrations.

Times my weapon is unloaded:
1) When being cleaned
2) When performing maintainence
3) When going to WI and can't carry a concealed weapon, it is unloaded and placed in a gun case.

Other than that it is 100% always loaded no matter what. I do not load and unload when I get home and go to bed or go into school or whatever. After I clean it, I rack a round, insert full magazine and go on with life.

The one handed method might be to place your thumb on the rear of the frame by the grip safety and fingers on top of slide. Press forward with your thumb and against the rear sight with your fingers. All you need is just enough to see brass or copper.

For people that like front serration and want them fine. Just leave them off of my guns.

[brianc142]

I don't care for front serrations either and I think it's unfortunate that just about every production 1911 has them. That's one thing I really like about the S&W 1911; it doesn't have front cocking serrations.

[10mm4ever]

Sure about that??;Q

[AnimalK]

IIRC, the serrations on the front of the slide were to assist in "Press-Checking" competition raceguns, as the scope mounts covered the rear serrations.

Then everybody started putting them on due to the sudden "coolness factor".

[Mitrod3]

they are they to drive 1911 purists nuts.

be safe, shoot well.

[Kinny]

I don't really care for them, but they don't bother me either. I do prefer a 1911 without them though. Hehe.

[BilltheCat]

I dont like em. John Browning didnt like em either. so there. ;e

[1911nut]

You can do a one hand press check if you don't have a full length guide rod. Thumb in the front of the trigger guard and middle of index finger on the checkered front of the recoil plug.

I use the front serrations to move the slide rearward on a 1911 with an Ultradot sight - can't get at the rear serrations as easy.

[wolfy692005]

Originally posted by vincent63
personally,i think it was a way a machinist came up with to set his 1911 apart from the rest of the pack,,,which was great until the pack jumped on the bandwagon
+1 looks .... IMHO is all they are good for, and i dont like the looks :(

[WIG19]

Originally posted by freakshow10mm
Times my weapon is unloaded:
3) When going to WI and can't carry a concealed weapon, it is unloaded and placed in a gun case.

;z But I'll bet the mag is nearby, eh pardner?
Mine would be 'when I'm returning home from any other nearby state except IL.'
;T
Hoping we'll veto Gov. Saddlehead in November...

Originally posted by freakshow10mm
Other than that it is 100% always loaded no matter what. I do not load and unload when I get home and go to bed or go into school or whatever. After I clean it, I rack a round, insert full magazine and go on with life.

+1 There ya go.

;?

[Jammer Six]

They're bling, for amateurs.

I shoot in a league in which gripping the muzzle of a weapon on the firing line will draw a correction.

I'm with Freakshow.

My weapons are never empty, haven't done a press check in a couple years.

If I did, I would use the rear of the slide, after establishing that (safer) habit, it's easy.

In another sport, they'd be called "a hardware solution to a skill problem".

I'll take skill over hardware, any day.

Personally, I think they're a solution for a problem that doesn't exist. :cool:

[El_Ron1]

Can't kill zombies without them!

[pangris]

Originally posted by Jammer Six
They're bling, for amateurs.


Hmmmm... ah, screw it.

[pangris]

Originally posted by BilltheCat
I dont like em. John Browning didnt like em either. so there. ;e

Bill, next time you talk to JMB, tell him to shoot me an e-mail - I'd like to get his opinion on a few things as well.

If nothing else, ask him how he feels about the use of Ti and Scandium...

;)

[faawrenchbndr]

I allways find them great for scratching my uuuuuuuhhhhhh.........




baaaaack.

[Jerseycitysteve]

to help you get the nickname "fingers."

[ShootCraps]

They look hot! And that's all you need to know. ;) ;c

[1911austin]

Originally posted by jeff22
this might be a stupid question but what are the front slide serrations for on 1911 handguns.

To annoy me. I can’t stand them.