1911 30lpi

I have a 1911 that came with 20lpi checkering on both the front and back strap, and it is WAY TOO SHARP. Feels like it's trying to rip the skin off.
(A friend suggested it was meant to be used with gloves.)

I suspect 30lpi will give you non-slip without rip.
Just my opinion.

Fud

Because it's comfy and it works?

P-32 has 30 LPI on the front strap and MSH and it's great.

It is generally considered to be easier on the hands than the courser 20 LPI checkering. You can dull the points on 20 LPI checkering to make it more comfortable.

It depends on what I'm going to use the gun for, but either 20 lpi or 30 lpi dramatically increase my control on the gun. Now, when I pick up a 1911 without front grip checkering, if feels slippery as snot to me.

And that's without my hands even sweating.

Good rule of thumb (for me) is: 30 lpi for fun guns, and 20 lpi with dulled tips for carry / duty guns.

Rich

In all honesty, how I hold the 1911 for day to day shooting, I can live without checkering entirely. But I understand how those that use the 1911 in more stressful environments than I insist on some type of grip enhancement.

I hear a lot of folks saying that the 20lpi is too sharp or too agressive for bare hands but my guess is that a lot of folks possibly using said 20lpi checkering just might be wearing gloves.

Having said that, I have handled several custom guns with 20lpi checkering that was just way, way to agressive for any reasonable non-gloved use. There was one beautifully customized Springfield Armory piece from a lesser known 'smith that has been mentioned by several folks on here that had a beautiful brushed black chrome finish that I was absolutely in love with but the checkering could have easily drawn blood.

My Kimber TLE II has it (came that way from the factory) on the front strap. My understanding is that the work itself is an extra $100, so if I had to send a gun back for it, I wouldn't. It does however, feel "right." Now, all three of my Para-Ordnances have 20 lpi on the mainspring housings. I don't like this one bit. Extended shooting sessions at the range result in a sore palm where the MSH contacts. Yeah, I could wear gloves and recently aquired a pair of shooting gloves.

I,prefer 20 lpi over 30 lpi.

JMO though,

clown

I almost picked up a used Springfield TRP (I think that was it) and it had 20 lpi. The points were a little to sharp for my hands. Others on another board (TFL) said it was good for holding the pistol if it got dirty or bloody. Had a chance to hold a custom 1911 checkered with 20 lpi which was dulled (not sharp) and it was confortable. For me, I prefer 30 lpi.

I have 30lpi on my mainspring housing but I keep the frontstrap smooth.

It works for me. YMMV



besides it doesn't eat up the ring.

30 lpi

It came on my new Kimber 1911, I like it, it helps you get a better grip on the pistol, the backstrap is rough also, it does help the feel and grip.

you can see it in this picture:

I've always checkered my guns , usually 20 lpi but sometimes 30 lpi .HOWEVER mine are always FLAT TOP checkering .Many never seem to have heard of flat top checkering, but it is much better . The checkering is not cut completely but is stopped before they come to a point . There is a little flat on top.One of the first checkered pistols was the S&W M39 which was notorious for wearing out your clothing because of the sharp checkering ,flat top would have prevented this problem.Also flat top doesn't irritate your hands while at the same time gives a very secure grip .

20 lpi is way too hard on my soft, delicate, yet manly hands..

WildfingersAlaska

Where is a good place to send a 1911 to get 30 lpi checkering? How long should it take to have this done?

It would certainly improve the grip but I also kind of like the looks it adds to the pistol.

We generally run about 60 days to get it done, cant speak for others altho some guys take months...

WildalldependsonhowbusyAlaska

Thanks for the reply! That sounds like a good turn around time to me. I may call you about this later this year.

I have a Kimber that came with with 20lpi checkering ( you get a if you can guess which model) and have no problems with it. It's not that bad to shoot. Sure your fingers will be a little sore after 200 rounds if you haven't shot for a month or two, but just handling the gun, practicing draws, reloads, etc... keeps my hands used to it. Even my wife, who does no manual labor at all doesn't mind the checkering.

If I were to go with something besides the 20lpi, I'd just go down to Lowe's or Home Depot, pick up a roll of 3M 1" wide grip tape and cut a section for the front strap. I did that to my Springfield and it stays put in rain, sweat, etc... and hasn't had to be replaced in almost a year and well over 1000 rounds, most all of which were fired during a south tx summer.

If you go with the tape, just make sure you degrease the frontstrap very well, cut the corners so they're rounded a bit and don't touch the sticky when you put it on.