Rockin the night away

[Cappi]

checkered the front strap .
i started least week and finished it yesterday










I moved on to the slide tonight .
i didn't like the sights I installed on it a month ago.
They didn't cost much, so it didn't bother me to yank 'em off...which I did.

I had a front fiber optic in the parts box...only problem was, it's a Novak cut dovetail base...and my GI is stake on...but i wanted that sight on the front.

after all that work with the file on the front strap , I must of been a glutton for more file punishment and cut a front a dovetail by hand.


to my surprise, after appx an hour's work, it started to look like a dovetail






I didn't bother to cut the dovetail to true Novak cut and instead fit the sight dovetail to the "Cappi cut" dovetail dimension, cause it was a whole lot easier to file than the slide

I dawggone pleased with the way it turned out after I blended and finish sanded







Then i fit some new rears ...again glutton for file punishment, cause the sights I had were Bomar cut ...I had LOTS of filing and fitting to make them work .

I'll modify these further I think.
Once sighted in , I'll mold them into the slide and grind down to match profile of slide.
They'll be seamless and "one with the slide" before i paint it







i have to say, it was a lotofdamnwork to save a dime
But she's all mine



..L.T.A.

[NIGHT AL]

You are getting good at this, you may have to quit your day job. the checkering looks good and the sights look as good as any factory fit sights. how are you going to finish it? color ect..........

[JT1911]

Originally Posted by Cappi

checkered the front strap .
i started least week and finished it yesterday

They never taught me how to do that in shop class. I think I ought'a get a refund. lol

Awesome work Cap!

[Cappi]

Originally Posted by NIGHT AL

how are you going to finish it? color ect..........

I might try Cerakote this time, Al ..not sure yet, cause i still have Duracoat on hand

I'm 99.23% sure color will be black w/stainless controls/accents

They never taught me how to do that in shop class.

me neither .
I didn't have clue what I was doing ...just started cutting ...


..L.T.A.

[Mikes_RIA]

Very nice work! I would have screwed something up filing the front sight cut. It looks quite nice though!

[drob]

Pretty slick there, Cappi - nice work.

[kyletx1911]

Hey cappi (hbo)(help a brotha out lol) do all 3 of mine please

[flgolfer29]

Nice work, I can't wait to see the final product..

[Auto Mag]

Looking good Cappi!!

[NAMVET72]

Looking Nice Cappi, can't wait till see it done.......



Clyde

[doc_lazurus]

that looks great cappi!!!

[Mike_45]

Cap you are a MAD MAN.

[AK2NM]

great work..Been thinking about trying to checker my front strap..

[doc_lazurus]

okay i will throw the noob question in here : how do you checker a front strap....keep in mind i was unmechanical until we bought our place ...i went from never have used a powersaw to being able to change out the pump motor on our well and replace all the gaskets and bearings in 45 mins......

[Cappi]

Originally Posted by doc_lazurus

okay i will throw the noob question in here : how do you checker a front strap..

you start with a checkering file.
You can buy them at Brownell's or MidwayUSA.

they come in various lines per inch (LPI)
18, 25, 30, 40 LPI, etc

the lower the LPI number, the more aggressive the grip


this helped me get started


http://www.m1911.org/checkering.htm


..L.T.A.

[doc_lazurus]

thanks again cappi!!

spent time last night reading and rereading the link and studying the pictures. i decided that i will wait on this , as i see badddddd things happening if i attempt it!!

[Cappi]

Originally Posted by doc_lazurus

thanks again cappi!!

as i see badddddd things happening if i attempt it!!

I mentioned I've completed 4 now.
But actually attempted 5.

My first one was a butcher job

that gawd for wrap around grips


none of them have been "perfect" though.
However, the last four came out decent..not what "I'd" call "bad" anyway.
and certainly functional


it is a LOT of tedious work for sure though


..L.T.A.

[Cappi]

I wasn't happy with the rear sight .
I liked them fine for function, but...
too big and too ugly for someone as vain as me ....











The real problem was they were way too high for the front sight
so being the backyard wannabe armorer I am....i start cuttin' with dremel and files .
didn't care if i ruined 'em or not ...I determined there was no two ways about it.... I'll make 'em or break 'em

problem was, lowering them enough required so much removal of the dovetail base, i no longer had a tight fit .
i also had to file down the top of the slide..which is just what I did.
Yea, I stupid that way , but figure worst case scenario , I'll send the slide out to have a Novak low-mount cut milled ....that would take out my hackery


next challenge was securing the sights "somehow" .
Thought about drilling and tapping and using scope mount screws ..but said 'ta heck wid'it...and grabbed some good ole JB Weld
Good enough for backyard mechanics, it's good enough for me .

so I goop'd 'em in, let it cure and started filing a more "streamlined" look and killed two birds with one stone by making them "seamless" with the slide








some final shaping and finish sand .

clean 'n prep then squited Duracoat

It's drying now







I "think" they're gonna be all'ite.
hope so anyway, cause i have appx a million hours in it trying to make the wrong sights work



..L.T.A.

[Geld6]

Cappi,

How 'bout some after pics?

[Auto Mag]

Coming along very nice Cappi!!

Your work looks better than some of the so called "gunsmiths" that are on the forum!!!

Keep it up Cappi, it is looking good!!

[SemperFi1977m]

Way to go Cappi! I always have a lot of respect for anyone who says "to h**l with it" and jumps in feet first.

Look'n neat! Can't wait to see the finished product

[Cappi]

thanks guys

here's what it looks like now






it might not tomorrow though ...

seriously, depending on time commitments tomorrow, I might head over to my friend's shop to strip and Ceracoat .(sp?)
That's what he uses and has a half dozen colors on hand .
as well as blast cabinet with aluminum oxide (which i don't)

i want to see how well Ceracoat holds up


..L.T.A.

[NAMVET72]

Really Nice Cappi, so how does it shoot???????????


Clyde

[Geld6]

Nicely played, Cappi.

[Cappi]

Originally Posted by NAMVET72

Really Nice Cappi, so how does it shoot???????????


Clyde

Shoots very well, Chief .
She's accurate enough...little under 3" groups at 20 yrds

the only issues I've had is the occasional failure to lock back the slide on last rnd
Always with the weaker ammo.
last outing she ran 150 rnds with no mishaps .
Maybe the recoil spring is getting softer after appx 800 rnds

Overall I'm very happy with it



..L.T.A.