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wrong with them? I hear many so called knowledgeable people on this and other similar forums deride them or order guns without them. Is this a form of snobbery or is there a draw back to them.
Personally I like them for chamber checks and am able to keep valuable body parts from in front of the muzzle easily.
Marsh

I agree fully w/ your statements and viewpoint...

I think that a lot of it is personal preference. Some people like them and some don't. I personally don't mind them and could see how they would be quite useful if you had a gun with a full length guide rod and used them for a chamber check.

I think some of the negatives that you hear about them is that they snag on holsters during holstering and that they can snag while drawing and slow your draw some, but I can't image that they would be that big of a deal. And, I guess some people just don't like the looks of them and think that they draw away from the classic lines of the 1911.

There are at least a couple of reasons:
- There are several other ways to do a chamber condition check without putting your hand near the muzzle
- They tend to tear up leather holsters
- Finally, IMHO, they look awful and ruin the classic look. Of course, I'm taling about Colts ! (Forget about the XSE series).

As a custom holster-maker, I'm with OldLawman. I don't know whose idea it was to put a file on the front of the slide. They will shred the inside of almost any holster well-fitted holster.

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I think 1911s look better without them, but they are funtional for me. (on a 5")

I have no use for them and don't like the look.

Another "solution" for a non-existent problem.

I also think that they look awful on a classic colt.

I find it hard to imagine a holster receiveing enough wear to matter, and looks are subjective.
Marsh

My thoughts exactly.

Classic Colts are no longer the finest 1911, just the first. They are more collectible than shootable. This not meant to demean them or those that like them. They are a piece of our history and are to be revered, but I personally prefer my Wilson. Front serration or not.
Marsh

Front cocking serrations = Yuck.

If that is the case you are not carrying your pistol enough. If you carry a pistol the front slide serations will abrade the mouth of the pistol and the rough leather will retain all manner of crap, it will also slow your draw.

Most new pistols are too rough for serious civillian carry. The front slide serations and aggressive front strap and MSH checkering wear out your clothes and your holsters.

A few years ago it was the rage to get a "carry Bevel" package on your pisto. That made a lot of sense. Today the rage is to make your pistol as rough as possible so you don't drop it or so you can get a good grip.

Checkering and front slide serations are not needed for a good grip.

I have a Colt Series 70 from Yost Bonitz that has no slide serations, a grooved front strap and MSH that is a joy to shoot and carry! I think they should all be made that way. Smooth is easier to use for a longer period than rough. I have three 1911's with forward slide serations that I would like removed.

Mike Fletcher

Not sure who the first 'Guru' decided it would be 'cool' or 'tactical' to start peeking into the chamber after racking the slide, but here's my take on the practice:

Load a magazine 'full' of rounds. Count 'em twice if you need to or check the witness holes. Put the mag in the pistol, and rack a round (slide all the way back and don't follow it forward). Safety on, remove mag and top off. Reinsert the mag and 'leave it alone'. Pulling the slide back out of battery is a recipe for disaster just when you might need the pistol the most. If you wind up actually having to use the thing and have the time and urge to 'peak', stuff another mag into it, rack the slide and go back to work.

Thanks, I feel alot better.

Well, it seems ya'll spent a lot of time thinking about this "serious" matter and I thank you all for your thoughts. I had no idea it would provoke such strong opinions.
Marsh

I like'm on a working gun; but what do I know?

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I can take em or leave em. If given the choice, I'd prefer not to have them, mainly for looks. I have them on both of my carry guns, but they are dehorned enough that they don't really abrade any of my custom leather, which gets used pretty much every day. My Colt Series 70 that's sitting at the gunsmith now doesn't have them, and wont have them when he's done with it.

As far as wearing down your holsters, a good way to reduce wear on your carry leather is to buy a bunch of holsters and rotate them. It also satisfies my addiction.

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I've gotta get in here and support my old buddy, Marsh I like front cocking serrations on working guns, i.e. those I shoot a lot in IPSC or Idpa. We see a lot of chamber checking going on in the start box as nervous nellies get ready. I don't have them on carry guns because I don't need them nor do I have checkering on carry guns.

I am always amused at how strongly some people feel that everyone else should agree with their opinion on esthetics.

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Bob

Smiths and 1911s are what it's all about!

Ditto. And, why encourage people to put their hands near the muzzle? I see a lot of folks using the front serrations instead of, and not in addition to the rears, and I wince every time. There was a blurb on one of the TV shooting shows, with Todd Jarrett giving (excellent) shooting tips, and he swept the palm of his weak hand as he performed his forward-serration loading and unloading. If experts can mess it up . . .

Hi Bob,
I thought you and Marsh were revolver guys?

And, I wouldn't pass up a pistol because it had front serrations, I just wish there was more of a choice among the high end 1911's. Wilson, Les Baer, Ed Brown and Nighthawk make some darn nice 1911's and I wish some of the 5" models did not include the front serrations ( I know the Ed Brown SF model doesn't)

Mike

I find it funny how opinions differ completely between this board and another one I post on. Most of the guys on the other board wouldn't be caught dead without them.

We are Mike, we are!! Marsh traded me out of my S&W 696 no-dash before I knew how valuable it WAS.

I still have that pair of Bowens too, Mike but I've added two more HDs in .45 Colt to the Bowen group, a 4" and a 6 1/2". What you have for sale these days?

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Bob

Smiths and 1911s are what it's all about!

Bob, we are revolver guys as well right. We like most fine firearms and don't nay say regardless of how it is fed, and thanks for speaking up. I have both front and non front serrations and like them both. I just wondered way some where so adamant about it. Now I know.
Marsh

Mr. Fletcher,
I can respect your opinions.
I do not care for the way you have expressed them.

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Mr. Chuck Rogers,
Please accept my apology. I did not intend to offend, particularly those individuals who have skills that far surpass mine. I have several friends who have had work done by you and they are more than pleased with the results. I have admired examples of you work as well.

My intent was to express some personal frustration at being able to obtain a high end 1911 with darn near any option except the deletion of forward slide serations and sharp checkering.

I have reread my post and I see two sentences that appear overly harsh. They have been edited. Thank you for your comments.
Sincerely,
Mike Fletcher

I wouldn't have a working gun without them.

An instructor I know who carries EVERY DAY with LOTS of presentations took 10 years to wear out a Sparks VM using a 5" gun with FCS.

I don't see buying a new holster every 10 years as a problem.

Good point! Neither do I.
Marsh

I don't care for the look. If someone insists on doing that kind of chamber check, I would think that a "Browning Cut" on the slide ala John Harrison’s would suffice and look good too.

Personally, I still do a pinch check, so what do I know.

ML

I also think it has a lot to do with what you grew up looking at. I'm only 29 and started paying attention to 1911s about 12 years ago, so many if not most of the guns I've looked at "growing up" had FCS.

I agree with Pangris. I think a lot of it is in what you're used to seeing. Personally, I abhor the front serrations. I dislike them so much, that it steered me completely clear of Kimber's 5" guns. Stupid, I know...
I'll stick with my ol' slabsides type Colt's.

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