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Recently I acquired a 2009 Dan Wesson Heritage Razor Back on this site. It is in great shape with just a few small scratches and I like the gun but don't like the smooth front strap. I could have sent it off to a real gunsmith, and waited a while for it to be returned; but I like to do things myself.
So I purchased a 30 lpi checkering file, found a very good pictorial how-to online, built up my courage and started in. Now I have a much better understanding of why gunsmiths get two or three hundred dollars for this job, but I'm liking the result --and I did it myself.
EDIT: the link I used, which gave me the courage to practice checkering on a $1000+ gun can be found at:
www.m1911.org/checkering.htm This is an excellent guide, with very clear and detailed pictures.
I have about 8 hours into it including time to high-cut the radius behind the trigger guard, and still have another hour or two to clean it up. Then I will spend some more time with a file improving the fit of the grip safety, and to cut 40 lpi serrations on the rear of the slide; then I'll post more pictures.
Now I just have to decide whether to leave it stainless, or send it off to make it black; I'm leaning toward black. All in all a good project, and I found out that anyone can checker a 1911 with a little time and patience.
EDIT: Finished the job this morning, media blasted it and re-assembled it along with the cocobolo grips that I finished a couple of days ago. Time for a couple of pictures of the finished product. I'm very pleased with the results. It was a great pistol before; now it's even better.
So I purchased a 30 lpi checkering file, found a very good pictorial how-to online, built up my courage and started in. Now I have a much better understanding of why gunsmiths get two or three hundred dollars for this job, but I'm liking the result --and I did it myself.
EDIT: the link I used, which gave me the courage to practice checkering on a $1000+ gun can be found at:
www.m1911.org/checkering.htm This is an excellent guide, with very clear and detailed pictures.
I have about 8 hours into it including time to high-cut the radius behind the trigger guard, and still have another hour or two to clean it up. Then I will spend some more time with a file improving the fit of the grip safety, and to cut 40 lpi serrations on the rear of the slide; then I'll post more pictures.
Now I just have to decide whether to leave it stainless, or send it off to make it black; I'm leaning toward black. All in all a good project, and I found out that anyone can checker a 1911 with a little time and patience.
EDIT: Finished the job this morning, media blasted it and re-assembled it along with the cocobolo grips that I finished a couple of days ago. Time for a couple of pictures of the finished product. I'm very pleased with the results. It was a great pistol before; now it's even better.
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