1911 Customization

DC Reed/Director

1911 Customization, Carry Cuts and Slide Stop Beveling

As to carry cuts and slide stop hole beveling on 1911s.

I am by default against going too far off John Moses Browning’s design. I can be wrong but seem to be still alive having heeded this principle and having defended myself with a Colt on more than one occasion.

Relieving the slide that way reduces mass, meaning the recoil spring to gas to slide speed to firing pin spring weight must be all be in perfect balance or when something gets slightly off you have stoppages. Will a stock replacement recoil spring work or does it take a certain weight spring? Is this another cosmetic touch or a design to “aid” concealment? More on this later.

As to slide stop hole beveling, generally done on the right side of the frame. I agree it looks cool. Looks “custom”. My issue is that this is a very critical stress point on the frame and a critical element in the cycle of operation of the 1911. Don’t screw with it. The slide stop is a frequently encountered problem as they break. Slide stop breaks, gun stops. “Bullets go no more” type of break.

The slide stop goes from left to right through the frame, through the barrel link (locking the barrel against the top of the slide) and out the right side. Disassembly of the gun requires the operator to push it out from right to left. The beveling is supposed to make it easier to push the stop out and as it is scalloped out ‘prevent’ the stop from being accidentally pushed out of place.

Bull. It just looks cool. Cutting the frame in this critical area potentially adds to the metal stress here, as there is less metal. Especially with aluminum. “But If they sell it it must be okay, right?” Ha!

By the way, when people tell me their 1911 needs to have the slide to frame fit ‘tightened’ I wince. Generally it’s the barrel link that needs be adjusted or replaced with a larger link. See how important? Keep an extra slide stop in your bag.

Oh, back to slide carry cuts. If you have a a holster that requires you to have slide cuts to open the holster to get the gun in…. Get another holster!

Tactics are driven and developed by the real world problems they counter. I can adapt my tactics to solve new problems but I use the simplest tactics possible to counter the greatest number of problems.

Let’s not add our own equipment to that mix! I refuse to adapt tactics just for a piece of gear that forces a certain method or order of drill to operate.

In short, if my equipment doesn’t facilitate my being able to put bullets on target rapidly, then, “fling!” is the sound of it whizzing away from me towards a dumpster.

Last note. In reference to carry cuts being used to help open IWB holsters that close up after drawing my gun, I actually hate most IWB holsters and I only have them for deep concealment use. I’m too fat. But…This is an example to me of what Clint Smith said about carrying guns. That they are supposed to be ‘comforting’ not ‘comfortable.’

The Milt Sparks/ Bruce Nelson Summer Special or the new breed of wide, long tuck ambles are notable exceptions. General use, I wear a hip holster such a DeSantis scabbard or a Galco JAK (inside the belt but outside the pants). It all depends on your body type as discussed in earlier blog posts.

But, I can be and am frequently wrong. Ask the wife.