One of My 1911's

Since I started this post about John Moses Browning's classic 1911 Combat Pistol, I thought I might as well show one of mine that I have done a bit of handiwork to. The biggest change I made was to customize the Hogue grips I purchased. I wanted to increase their "grippiness" (is that a word? NO!).

To accomplish this, I checkered the inside of a simple triangle pattern on each grip half. In addition, I inlet a small personalized disc into each side of the grip. The Hogue is a split grip (two halves), and attaches with the standard 1911 grip fasteners in place of the factory grips.

The 1911 pistol is without a doubt, one of the most modified and customized pistols in the world today. It is also one of the most recognizable. There are many, many manufacturers of the design from all parts of the globe. For the most part, main parts of the pistol are interchangeable from manufacturer to manufacturer. This is due to the drawings of JMB's original design being in the public domain. However, it does not guarantee that all parts are exchangeable, will necessarily fit your particular 1911, or for that matter, function properly.

Modern manufacturing practices allow drawings to be directly input into Computer Numerically Controlled Machines (CNC) and the machines can then produce the part using that drawing's information. Tolerances of the finished parts are a different matter all together. Tolerances become a manufacturing decision,  how tightly the parts will be held to the original specifications is a bottom line thing. It's all about time, and money (cost). Back in JMB's day, 1911 originals were machined and then hand fitted by craftsmen, the best of the best craftsmen. Come to think of it, tolerances and or lack thereof, could be an entire new post.

Checkering is by far, not a hobby for folks with a short attention span. It requires fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and laser focus at times. Come to think of it, most of the time really. Mistakes are not easily hidden from a discerning eye. However, it is a most satisfying carving accomplishment. It looks wonderful, and is functional. Pretty cool for a form of art. Functionality, that is.

I have not yet attempted engraving. Now that, I reckon, would be a magnitude above checkering in the concentration and motor skills departments. Wood is a bit forgiving, stainless steel, not so much.

Here it is...My full size (5 Inch) Ruger SR-1911 with my modified grips.

& My Ruger SR1911 Talo Edition Navy SEAL Special Edition 1 of 500

Do the right thing!

Gaff