1911 Forward slide serrations - Why do we have them and what are they for?

evolture

evolture

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
267   0   0
Location
Langley, BC
I was pm'ing a dealer about 1911s and he recommended models I hadn't yet considered. And they all had forward slide serrations.

of course they also had nifty features such as upgraded sights.

But this lead me to question:
"Forward slide serrations" - Why do we have them and what are they for?
 
A lot of the serrations are for no purpose other than it "looks cool".

But...their origins were to provide a firm grip when retracting the slide on guns that have scopes or red-dot sights that don't allow the slide to be grasped normally.
 
Or, you could just use reliable magazines, impeccable firearms management, watch the top rould get stripped off as the slide flies forward, and quit drawing your piece, waving it about whilst you chamber check incessantly. Then, in your fantasy TEOTWAWKI, you won't waste time chamber checking after an emergency re-load!
 
i like use front serrations to easily perform a press-check prior to shooting a stage...to double check a round was chambered.

its kind of embarrassing to hear a click but no bang when that buzzer goes...lol
 
I don't have any issues doing chamber checks with the usual rear serrations.

Style pure and simple is my guess. And frankly I don't like 'em.
 
After 100 years, there's bound to be some cosmetic change to the 1911.
Looks a hell of a lot beter than having a "rail", on one.
 
I'm a 1911 purist... I don't like them. Mind you, the only "mods" on a 1911 I'm ok with are ambi safeties,extended beaver tails, skeletonized hammers, triggers, fancy grips (no crimson trace lazer grips) up graded sights are ok as well. Front slide striations arnt an issue, but rails, scope mounts are.
 
generally there is no issue to necessarily need front serrations to do a chamber check. however some pistols have a really stiff mainspring. i find front serrations would help a bit to get that extra leverage to get that slide open when the hammer is down...just my experience.
 
BCRider said:
I don't have any issues doing chamber checks with the usual rear serrations.

Style pure and simple is my guess. And frankly I don't like 'em.
Click to expand...

:agree:
One of the main reasons I got the 'old school' norinco 1911A1 without the beaverbutt. It was the only one in their lineup that didn't seem to come with the hideous front serrations. To each his own I guess. It just sucks when a trend engulfs the market and makes it harder to find the original style that you've grown used to.
 
Forward slide serrations pre-date the 1911, they were featured on an earlier Browning design, the 1902:

583_1902S_6807a.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom