I’m happy to introduce the first in a new series of distinctive frontstrap/mainspring housing treatments, which I’m calling the Progressive Traction ™series (or abbreviated as ProTrac ™).
As the name implies, this series of textures are specifically designed to give the 1911 shooter a degree of traction which is proportional to the amount of grip force applied. In other words, if the shooter takes a solid grip on the gun, he is firmly locked into it for superb recoil control. Loosen the grip, and the pistol slides easily in the hand, should a grip adjustment be needed during a draw or a reload.
Other great alternative frontstrap treatments have these characteristics, such as Rogers golfballing, Heinie and others' scalloping, Christiansen Conamyds, etc., and these work very well. The ProTrac â„¢ series carries on this tradition with a keen, forward looking eye on both performance and aesthetic.
The ProTrac â„¢ treatments are carefully engineered to provide these characteristics....details such as the cutter type, cutter diameter, depth of cut, line spacing, and the type/direction of the pattern itself are all carefully considered and balanced with one another to produce the desired result. Hopefully as a byproduct, we can produce a stunning, distinctive look as well.
The first in this line is Progressive Traction Checkering™. You will note its look is different, yet familiar at the same time, as far as frontstrap treatments (and texturing in general) go. Rather than being cut at 90 degrees to one another, the lines are cut at 30 and 60 degrees to each other, depending on your frame of reference. Now of course this is a very familiar pattern, having been used on grips, hammers, etc. and knurled parts of all kinds in many industries for many years. However I believe this pattern has only been applied to 1911 fronstrap/MSH’s with traditional checkering files and/or engraving tools, yielding similar traction characteristics as traditional checkering.
Our pattern, though it may look similar, produces a very different result from a practical standpoint, by yielding the progressive characteristics outlined above. Because of the wide spacing of the lines, the individual diamonds are larger and more robust than traditional diamonds. Yet, they are NOT overly abrasive because the diamonds have a more gradual side profile and the depth at which they are cut. Many, many different variations of the pattern were cut on barstock, until what I consider an optimal blend was found.
The diagonal lines are also oriented to effectively counter the diagonal torque of the pistol upon firing, and offer a great deal of vertical traction, which some textures lack.
As always, all work is done by me in house....
As illustrated on my temporary personal shooter, a work in progress in the white. Forgive the graininess of the pics, it's a new camera and I don't quite have it figured out yet
Diamonds roll edge to edge around the tight radius/4th axis of the frontstrap.
On the rear of the pistol, the checkering is not only on the MSH, but is also cut onto the sides of the frame and parts of the magwell. At first look this may seem like an insignificant detail. But these additional cuts actually yield a 53% increase in “tractioned†surface area, thereby giving the shooter greater control of the pistol. Additionally, when machined this way, the pistol has a very distinctive, solid, one piece feel in the hand. (Of course I am not the first one to do this; it was Conamyds on brother Ned Christiansen’s pistols that brought this to my attention.) Also on cue from Ned, the bottom portion of the frame/MSH/Maxwell assembly is machined at a slight angle to reduce the girth of the pistol. Yes, that Ned really is a genius!
I’ve had a chance to really wring this out on my personal pistol over the past couple of weeks. I simply love it, and yes, I may be very biased, but it is my favorite frontstrap treatment of all time. Rock solid traction in rapid fire, but when I have to flip the pistol to hit the mag release for reloads (I have very small hands), it just slides smoothly in my hand when I momentarily let up on the grip. It works great with gloves as well.
Last week I attended a Pat Rogers EAG Tactical carbine class, where the weather on TD1 was a cold steady rain, bordering on snow. Despite cold wet, muddy hands and gear, the pistol was totally secure in my hands during transition drills. I also had the chance to put the pistol in hands of several tac team shooters. The feedback was universally positive, with most commenting on the superb traction without being too harsh on the hands.
Thanks for looking!
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