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Are they purely cosmetic or serve some function?

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45Fundi

They are largely cosmetic, but since you can rationalize almost anything, the functional purpose is to lighten the slide.

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www.HarrisonCustom.com

The grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love and something to hope for.

Function is function and Art is art. Sometimes form follows function, but sometimes things are simply nice to look at, so long as they do not interfer with function. A ball cut falls into the latter, and that is part of the pleasure of owning a gun that has these small, but nice touches. Dave

Here's another rationale, the ballcut is more true to the early versions of the 1911s. It's the real retro look.

OK I'm still learning. What are ball cuts, and could someone post a pic?

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Ball Cuts or reffered to as Bullet Cuts are cuts made on the dust cover with a 1/2" Ball endmill to somewhat corner out the gradual sweep of the radius that runs the length from the muzzle to the back of the dust cover. Instead of gradual sweep, you have a flat line with a quick radius that drops straight down to the end of the frame when finished and assembled.

Scot, the 2 Deltas I am building for B. Parker feature these cuts, but you can also see them done on a few Springfield Custom guns.

Thanks,
Bob

Ball cut by John Harrison/Precision Gunworks. Picture taken from Precision Gunworks website.

All of the ones I have seen are on the slide. What does the dust cover have to do with it? Just curious.

I see. I actually had to pull out my Colt and compare the two. I prefer the ball cut, it looks very good.

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Hard work pays off

Smoothone - how did you take such a wonderful picture??

Richard

Richard:
I can't take that credit or compliment. John Harrison took that picture.

Dave,

The dustcover is related only because the ball cut is made on the slide so that where to runs off the slide it meets with the front of the dustcover. It's just nice to have the ball cut end where the dustcover begins (when the gun is assembled).

Read the post. He said he made the cut on the dust cover. I realize that he wants it to line up with the dust cover on the lower end, and I like the look. To me, that ball end mill cut is made on the lower portion of the slide where the recoil spring plug lives. Just like to call it like it is. I think it is neat to do anything different to a gun that is almost 100 years old and the machinist's here do that very nicely. I love cosmetic improvements!

I think it was a typo on his part, but you are right he does say "cuts made on the dust cover with a 1/2" Ball endmill" I believe he meant to say, "cuts made on the slide with a 1/2" ball endmill to somewhat corner out the gradual sweep of the radius that runs the length from the muzzle to the back of the dust cover."

That is what I think too. No biggie. It is a very nice thing to do!

My apologies for the confusion. In my post, I was refering to the recoil plug area on the slide as the dust cover. I have always refered to this area as the "slide's dust cover" in conversation.

I hope this didn't throw you for too much of a loop.

Thanks,
Bob

I have always wished we had a good name for that area of the slide because I use a different blasting media on the top round of the slide and also use the rough stuff for that area. I tape off the sides of the slide so I get the Old Time Colt Look! If anyone has heard a good name for that area that is standard, I would love to use it when I have to describe the way I prep the slides now!

I usually refer to it as the spring tunnel.

Spring tunnel is what I've heard also.

45Fundi,

Ball are cuts are completely functional. Their function is to make a rough spot on many 1911s look good. I have developed a very strong liking for ball cuts, but that's just me.

I also call the bottom front of the slide the spring tunnel. When ball cuts are done to be flush with the dust cover, the dust cover is often milled true so it matches the cut of the slide. I swear an oath, I done seen't it did. So, it is quite possible that the dust cover is milled in the process. However, it is likely not done with a ball end mill. Just my $0.000000002

~Jim Keeney

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"I'd rather die on my feet than keep living on my knees." - Emiliano Zapata, Mexican Revolutionary

Whoa, I'm so glad this wasn't about what I thought it was. Dump a bike in the cactus..................owieee

Ross

Or some of the good Dr. Wang's surgery.

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'Blending Art With Firepower'

OOOO Chopper!!!! Just 2 years, 8 months away!!??

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Thanks, Guys! I think that is a great name for that area and it seems like I have heard it before a long time ago. It has a nice ring to it! That is what I will call it from now on! "The Spring Tunnel".

Ross
You've ruined it for me! Now I'll never be able to look at BALL CUTS with out wincing!

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45Fundi

Sorry to dredge up an old thread, but I have been looking all over for a reverse spring plug like this one, or similar.

I found the EGW monogram keyed plug, but I was hoping I would find a drop in fit for my STI. Let me know if anyone has a source for something like this.

Many thanks.
Rock

Ooops. Double tap.