ltwguns.com

... A rough surface on the front and back straps of your handgun grip is desirable, especially in target work and particularly on the .45ACP. Some budget watchers attain this no-slip grip by wrapping the butt with sandpaper. Others resort to stippling, which is simply the pockmarking of the metal with a hammer and a three-cornered punch. Either of these methods work, but sandpaper does little to enhance the gun’s appearance and if not properly done, stippling can mutilate a handsome pistol.

R.J. Phillips, a craftsman operationg at RFD #2, Oakdale, Conn. 06370, has sent me a sample of the checkering he is doing on flat mainspring housings for the 1911 automatic. Beautifully excecuted, this checkering is extremely fine – 30 lines per inch. This prevents it from causing any discomfort to the heel of the hand, a common fault of stippling jobs.

Jay will pretty up your flat 1911 housing in this fashion for five bucks, or will send you one ready to install for $6.50. The same coverage of the front strap is done for @12.50. This is money well spent on an expensive target auto. ...