[Squidsix]

Beautiful job on the front strap checkering. Are you going to put a mag well on it? If so, which one>

I will install a Chen “Shooter Installed” magazine well on this one.
I had it on a Colt before but never did and blending on the piece. I did a pretty rough blend on the frame to remove the ledge that mags were hitting on the Colt and did not clean it up when I removed the part and sold the gun. I am still mad at myself for that. Based on that I will make sure this gun’s frame bevel is clean and pretty before install.
I will likely still profile/trim the magwell a little to make sure the line to the grip is clean

 

[Squidsix]

Blending the rear

 

[Squidsix]

 

[Squidsix]

Starting serrations

 

[Squidsix]

adding in the rear sight for serrations. Rear is 50LPI

 

[Squidsix]

Swapped in the spare extractor and did some more serrations to make sure both extractors match

 

[K19eleven]

adding in the rear sight for serrations. Rear is 50LPI

Looking good. I keep wanting to undertake something like this, but terrified of the results, or the lack there off (starting a project and never finishing it).

 

[Squidsix]

Looking good. I keep wanting to undertake something like this, but terrified of the results, or the lack there off (starting a project and never finishing it).

You can do it. Take your time, practice on small parts fitting and such. I am still pretty new at this stuff. My first acceptable checkering job was maybe two years ago. My first unacceptable one was the one just before that.
The thing I have yet to figure out how to do is flat top and serrate a slide by hand. I think it looks cool, and I want to do it, but I need a donor slide for something like that, because I imagine I will bugger it.
Cutting on this gun is basically done for now. I have to find a proper front sight among my parts and get it back together and put lead down range, then clean it up and blue.
This one is going to be a gift, so I want to make sure it is as perfect as I can make it when I hand it over. That means shooting it and adjusting while it is in the white, then detail stripping and dunking it, then assembly, which is pucker factor of ten when you just polished and blued all the parts. My last one the hardest part to not make mistakes on was the plunger tube. I would really love to do that before bluing, but smarter guys than me have told me it can go poorly.

 

[Para53]

You can do it. Take your time, practice on small parts fitting and such. I am still pretty new at this stuff. My first acceptable checkering job was maybe two years ago. My first unacceptable one was the one just before that.
The thing I have yet to figure out how to do is flat top and serrate a slide by hand. I think it looks cool, and I want to do it, but I need a donor slide for something like that, because I imagine I will bugger it.
Cutting on this gun is basically done for now. I have to find a proper front sight among my parts and get it back together and put lead down range, then clean it up and blue.
This one is going to be a gift, so I want to make sure it is as perfect as I can make it when I hand it over. That means shooting it and adjusting while it is in the white, then detail stripping and dunking it, then assembly, which is pucker factor of ten when you just polished and blued all the parts. My last one the hardest part to not make mistakes on was the plunger tube. I would really love to do that before bluing, but smarter guys than me have told me it can go poorly.

That young man will be quite surprised and appreciative that you did this for him. He'll never forget you or the generosity of your time and labor toward that endeavor. Quite impressive, Squidsix...

 

[Squidsix]

That young man will be quite surprised and appreciative that you did this for him. He'll never forget you or the generosity of your time and labor toward that endeavor. Quite impressive, Squidsix...

Thanks! He is a hard working kid, and so far has been totally understanding that he is writing a blank check to the American people for “up to and including one human life”

 

[Tactical Rico]

Go ahead and file the top of the slide flat and then use your checkering file to serrate it. If I can do it anybody can. The hardest part is keeping the file flat so the top of the slide is flat. Go for it........
TR

 

[Squidsix]

Go ahead and file the top of the slide flat and then use your checkering file to serrate it. If I can do it anybody can. The hardest part is keeping the file flat so the top of the slide is flat. Go for it........
TR

I was actually thinking the other way: Put the file flat on the bench and rig up some kind of channel to move the slide in to keep it flat. I have to think about it. It is a "maybe" for sure. TR, you have any pics?

 

[Squidsix]

Assembled to check function. I will shoot it and then take it all apart and polish it up before bluing

 

[Hollowhandle]

I like every part of it. Thanks for the updates. I actually bought a checkering file last year after one of your posts. But now I can’t find it.

 

[Squidsix]

I like every part of it. Thanks for the updates. I actually bought a checkering file last year after one of your posts. But now I can’t find it.

Been there. I found a brass ballpeen I had been looking for FOREVER in a pistol case in the attic.
No earthly idea how that happened.
I am glad you like this build. I am excited to shoot it. It is very tight. Barrel fit is excellent (which is pure luck)

 

[joray3]

What front and rear sights did you use? The reason I ask is that I have a Garrison also and the original sights just are not working for me. Thanks

 

[Squidsix]

The rear is Wilson U-notch and the front is a Novak gold bead in .180, which matches the factory sight height.

 

[Squidsix]

Took it to the range to verify function and that the sights hit where I want. I had to be super sneaky because the kid was there, and I did not want him to see it, or at least not get a good look at it.
It shot great, and the sights are just fine like this.
Last couple of pics before I tear it down, polish, and blue.

 

[joray3]

Looks sweet the way it is now.Can’t wait to see the finished result. Great job

 

[Squidsix]

Looks sweet the way it is now.Can’t wait to see the finished result. Great job

Thanks mate!
It will be much nicer when it is all done, but I am very happy with how it has turned out so far.
The kid goes to basic end of August, then AIT, then airborne, then RASP. (Some hazing before going to a Ranger regiment)
Ranger school should be in January or Feb, and it is 44 days. I will present this pistol (and some goodies) upon his graduation.
If he wiffs it, and fails, or breaks his leg or whatever, I will stick it in my safe for his 21st birthday or something.