What's up with all the Shark gills, new trend on auto slides?

[Rembrandt]

Can't help but notice all the latest "Shot Show" handguns are trying to out do their competitors with variations of exaggerated "Shark Gill" cuts on the slides. While it may be a practical aid in pulling the slide back, looks like a problem snagging clothing. Maybe it's a result of focus group marketing research on how to one up the competition. Even the revolvers are starting to do it.

Scroll thru this link and tell us what you think.

http://www.gunsholstersandgear.com/2020-shot-show/

 

[WestKentucky]

Could be worse. I remember some fish scale slides a few years back that I thought were terrible.

 

[Targa]

Yep....they look great on sharks but horrible on guns.

 

[Obturation]

For amphibious mall ninja attack pistols. Only the best will do. Looks dumb.

 

[Trey Veston]

The ones on my M&P40c is why I have to get holsters with sweat guards; the serrations seriously hurt my tactical muffin top.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

I guess I don't mind much - probably won't buy them anyhow.

The one gets to me is the ridiculous preponderance of that idiotic Glock *safety* on semi-autos even when it's gratuitous. Can't wait for that poxxy nonsense to cross-contaminate over to revolvers.

In any case, could be worse, they might have taken their anatomical styling cues from other animals such as; donkey, horse, turtle, camel and the like.

Todd.

 

[WestKentucky]

I guess I don't mind much - probably won't buy them anyhow.

The one gets to me is the ridiculous preponderance of that idiotic Glock *safety* on semi-autos even when it's gratuitous. Can't wait for that poxxy nonsense to cross-contaminate over to revolvers.

In any case, could be worse, they might have taken their anatomical styling cues from other animals such as; donkey, horse, turtle, camel and the like.

Todd.

Turtle shell gripping cuts could be interesting.i would LOVE to see somebody do a very grainy subsurface finish almost like a rough sandcasting but with the raised parts polished above it. Maybe a
Similar affect could be done by grit blasting the serrations and then polishing over the top...

 

[DukeConnor]

How else are you supposed to armpit rack your slide with blood covered hands ?

sheesh, do you guys even tactical bro ?

 

[AK103K]

Who cares? As long as I can get a good grip on the gun when I need to, dont really care what it looks like.

Function over fashion.

I have a couple of the Glocks with gills and the RTF2 texture. Wish Glock hadnt discontinued it (it would save me from having to stipple things), or at least, offered it as an option. Seems a lot of people with tender hands and bodies complained about the texture.

The gills do give some added grip, and maybe they are too aggressive for some, who knows. Ive been carrying one daily since I got it about 10 years ago now, and neither my hands, body, or clothing have been torn up or annoyed, so I dont know what the problem is.

 

[5-SHOTS]

Grand Power X-Calibur and X-Trim have massive shark grills.
Here is my Pardini GT9-1:

 

[skeeterfogger]

All companies use one best secret weapon to sell goods. It's the Barnum principle.

 

[ATLDave]

It's more tactimacal.

 

[1KPerDay]

“New” trend???

 

[Double Naught Spy]

They provide more grip to the smooth metal that might be necessary for manipulating the gun while wearing gloves or having sweaty or bloody hands.

 

[ATLDave]

Can't help but notice all the latest "Shot Show" handguns are trying to out do their competitors with variations of exaggerated "Shark Gill" cuts on the slides. While it may be a practical aid in pulling the slide back, looks like a problem snagging clothing.

Wait a second, are you talking about various aggressive serrations, or the actual through-and-through holes? The latter aren't for grabbing, they're for lightening the slide. Lighter slide = less reciprocating mass. This does have some effect on how the gun behaves in recoil. It's been common on "race guns" for a couple of decades.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Turtle shell gripping cuts could be interesting.i would LOVE to see somebody do a very grainy subsurface finish almost like a rough sandcasting but with the raised parts polished above it. Maybe a
Similar affect could be done by grit blasting the serrations and then polishing over the top...

That sounds interesting. Wasn't the turtle anatomy that I was hinting at but interesting project none the less.

Todd.

 

[hollywood63]

Traction

 

[Aim1]

The ones on my M&P40c is why I have to get holsters with sweat guards; the serrations seriously hurt my tactical muffin top.

Hahaha.

 

[94045]

Who cares what it looks like!

Does it work?

 

[DukeConnor]

I have a stainless Smith E1911 with the fish scales. I like it.

 

[Iggy]

Beam me up Scotty, stuff is getting weird around here.

 

[Riomouse911]

The only one I’m not a fan of are the giant protrusions on the Beretta APX. They may be functional, but they make the slide look like a big piece of rebar.

Stay safe.

 

[Rembrandt]

Wait a second, are you talking about various aggressive serrations, or the actual through-and-through holes? The latter aren't for grabbing, they're for lightening the slide. Lighter slide = less reciprocating mass. This does have some effect on how the gun behaves in recoil. It's been common on "race guns" for a couple of decades.

Guess I was thinking both, but you're right about the thru holes, forgotten the purpose was to reduce weight. After seeing so many new entries with these features, first thought was these may be cosmetic add-ons.

 

[kozak6]

It's an easy cosmetic technique to differentiate themselves from other similar pistols.

In fact, many of the pistols in question are literally parts-compatible Glock copies.

If they look too much like the real thing, Glock will sue them for violating "trade dress", just like they did with ISSC.

 

[Demi-human]

I am a shark. I am awesome. I apologize for nothing.