Handgun slide milling/machining.

STAINLESS90 · Nov 28, 2015

I am thinking about sending my Glock 42 in to have the rear cocking serrations deepened and front cocking serrations added. The end result will look like this pretty much anywhere I have it done.

That picture is from Robar but they are all pretty much the same. My question is does anybody have any slide work done and do you have any companies to recommend?

leghog · Nov 29, 2015

Do you use rear or forward grip with your weak hand when racking the slide? Only mill that part of the frame. Only mod the slide for your use.

That said, a forward grip when racking the slide is a fairly new phenomenon. It requires more reach and often causes a shooter to bring the pistol with gripping strong hand toward his body. The handgun was designed to have the slide racked from the rear, slingshot style, to clear any jam without the need to bring the pistol with gripping strong hand toward your body. Forward gripping to rack the slide can also get in the way of ejection and/or clearing a jam if you shoot left handed/left eyed. As with all tools form follows function. Forward slide serrations are truly not the best functionally and qualify as a solution in search of a problem. Remember speed is key in getting the pistol into action/back into action. Speed requires smoothness in an economy of efficient motion. Honestly most people who like forward slide serrations like them because they think it looks cool. I disagree and think it a stupid reason to modify a slide. The way you train is the way you will fight. Use the rear slide serrations.

STAINLESS90 · Nov 29, 2015

leghog said:
Do you use rear or forward grip with your weak hand when racking the slide? Only mill that part of the frame. Only mod the slide for your use.

That said, a forward grip when racking the slide is a fairly new phenomenon. It requires more reach and often causes a shooter to bring the pistol with gripping strong hand toward his body. The handgun was designed to have the slide racked from the rear, slingshot style, to clear any jam without the need to bring the pistol with gripping strong hand toward your body. Forward gripping to rack the slide can also get in the way of ejection and/or clearing a jam if you shoot left handed/left eyed. As with all tools form follows function. Forward slide serrations are truly not the best functionally and qualify as a solution in search of a problem. Remember speed is key in getting the pistol into action/back into action. Speed requires smoothness in an economy of efficient motion. Honestly most people who like forward slide serrations like them because they think it looks cool. I disagree and think it a stupid reason to modify a slide. The way you train is the way you will fight. Use the rear slide serrations.

Thank you for the info. I already have my mind pretty well made up about having it done I was looking more into getting info about people's experiences with different companies.

leghog · Nov 29, 2015

STAINLESS90 said:
Thank you for the info. I already have my mind pretty well made up about having it done I was looking more into getting info about people's experiences with different companies.

Find a local COMPETENT gunsmith. The task is not difficult and will very likely be done much cheaper yet just as well or better by a local smith.

But I'm still intrigued enough to ask again. Do you actually use front slide serrations when racking the slide?

slims_88 · Nov 29, 2015

As far as forward slide serrations, I really have no use for them on carry guns. If you shoot any sort of competitive shooting where showing weapon clear after a stage of fire is needed, they are awesome for doing a quick press check for the RO.

That aside, I'd recommend Controlled Chaos Arms out here in Iowa. Michael's a good dude, and does awesome work.

When I built my AR pistol, I took all the parts for my upper out to his shop, and one of the guys in the shop helped me get it all put together and running smoothly. I test fired it off his back porch at the steel targets other side of the pond.

STAINLESS90 · Nov 30, 2015

leghog said:
Find a local COMPETENT gunsmith. The task is not difficult and will very likely be done much cheaper yet just as well or better by a local smith.

But I'm still intrigued enough to ask again. Do you actually use front slide serrations when racking the slide?

Not under any normal circumstances but I also don't regularly clear malfunctions one handed or rack the slide off my belt or boot tread using the sights but it is still something I practice. Just like the VZ grips on my 1911 or the Talon grips on my Glock it is overkill but I like having more purchase and more options.

robgmn · Nov 30, 2015

Not that ther's a whole lot of stress on it to begin with, but can this machining weaken the slide in any way, or is it more cosmetic (as far as the structure is concerned)?

Sid Post · Nov 30, 2015

leghog said:
Do you use rear or forward grip with your weak hand when racking the slide? Only mill that part of the frame. Only mod the slide for your use.

That said, a forward grip when racking the slide is a fairly new phenomenon. It requires more reach and often causes a shooter to bring the pistol with gripping strong hand toward his body. The handgun was designed to have the slide racked from the rear, slingshot style, to clear any jam without the need to bring the pistol with gripping strong hand toward your body. Forward gripping to rack the slide can also get in the way of ejection and/or clearing a jam if you shoot left handed/left eyed. As with all tools form follows function. Forward slide serrations are truly not the best functionally and qualify as a solution in search of a problem. Remember speed is key in getting the pistol into action/back into action. Speed requires smoothness in an economy of efficient motion. Honestly most people who like forward slide serrations like them because they think it looks cool. I disagree and think it a stupid reason to modify a slide. The way you train is the way you will fight. Use the rear slide serrations.

leghog said:
Find a local COMPETENT gunsmith. The task is not difficult and will very likely be done much cheaper yet just as well or better by a local smith.

But I'm still intrigued enough to ask again. Do you actually use front slide serrations when racking the slide?

It called a "press check". Try press checking without them and you will understand why skilled shooters want them. Granted, the "mall ninja's" like them for the cool factor but, there is a real reason to have them.

Also, pay attention to who does the work. They can really eat a holster up if not done well.

Best Regards,
Sid

Sid Post · Nov 30, 2015

robgmn said:
Not that ther's a whole lot of stress on it to begin with, but can this machining weaken the slide in any way, or is it more cosmetic (as far as the structure is concerned)?

It all depends on the slide in question. On "most" slides it won't affect the mechanical life of the pistol. If you use your pistol as a club ....

maybe ...

leghog · Dec 1, 2015

Sid Post said:
It called a "press check". Try press checking without them and you will understand why skilled shooters want them. Granted, the "mall ninja's" like them for the cool factor but, there is a real reason to have them.

Also, pay attention to who does the work. They can really eat a holster up if not done well.

Best Regards,
Sid

Trust me, I know what a press check is. Pinching the front of the slide from underneath to unlock the pistol is not a press check. It's really a pinch check because the pistol cannot be press checked. I've owned, shot, and/or carried M1911A1s for a couple of decades. At one stage in my life I was loading and shooting ~10,000 .45 ACP cartridges a year. So, yes, I know what a press check is. If press checking is that important to you (and I really don't know why it would be), carry a pistol like the 1911 (without a full length guide rod---as designed) which can be press checked (truly PRESS checked). Again this is akin to form following function. But if you need front serrations for pinch checking because you don't have the weak hand strength to pinch check without them or your hands are wet/sweaty, just use the rear serrations. You'll be no less cool. Trust me on that.

And many truly skilled shooters get by just fine without front slide serrations and have done so for a very long time. Let's be honest about a few of things here --- press checking and pinch checking have absolutely nothing to do with skilled shooting (I've been an instructor and CRSO for much too long and have seen just about all to be convinced otherwise), and about the only time front serrations are truly useful is in some applications where a pistol has a telescope mounted, and the main reason pistols are sold with front slide serrations out of the factory is because people will pay extra for that tooling simply for the look and/or wanting to look cool while using them. Think about it --- why are there front slide serrations on a Glock 42/.380 ACP?

mete · Dec 1, 2015

No one has mentioned the slide material ! Does that Glock have a finish like other Glocks ? It has a special treatment that gives Glocks a very hard and corrosion surface. It has to be ground off but then what ? Do you replace the surface treatment ?
The sensible rule for custom work is never make changes unless necessary -- nothing just for show !

upland1911 · Dec 1, 2015

Check out Business End Customs. Lou Biondo does amazing work.

robgmn · Dec 1, 2015

I can just visualize someone doing a "xxxxxx-check" and accidentally discharging their firearm, losing the end of a pinky or ring finger in the process.

Even the most "skilled" (well, maybe not) operator can have a bad day:
[video=youtube;zw-jTCNZSmY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zw-jTCNZSmY[/video]

STAINLESS90 · Dec 1, 2015

mete said:
No one has mentioned the slide material ! Does that Glock have a finish like other Glocks ? It has a special treatment that gives Glocks a very hard and corrosion surface. It has to be ground off but then what ? Do you replace the surface treatment ?
The sensible rule for custom work is never make changes unless necessary -- nothing just for show !

The slide material is steel. The coating they use is now a nitride process as Glock stopped using the Tenifer treatment around 2011 most Gen 3 and 4's have the new coating. For the last question yes I plan on having the gun recoated with the nitride finish. The funny thing is most people refer to the Tenifer coating when in fact it is a way of using cyanide to harden the metal which is then powder coated black. Even if you remove the powder coating on older Glock's the Tenifer properties remain within the metal. On the last statement even if it is not necessary I like the looks of it and it may be 3% useful. We are members of a community that customizes all manner of things for no reason other than "I like the way it looks".

STAINLESS90 · Dec 1, 2015

robgmn said:
I can just visualize someone doing a "xxxxxx-check" and accidentally discharging their firearm, losing the end of a pinky or ring finger in the process.

Even the most "skilled" (well, maybe not) operator can have a bad day:
[video=youtube;zw-jTCNZSmY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zw-jTCNZSmY[/video]

Unfortunately you can usually tell when someone is about to have an ND in these kinds of videos. Its starts when they tell everyone in the room how much more experienced and qualified they are. It's like there is a negligent discharge fairy who is summoned by that phrase.

Danke42 · Dec 1, 2015

Check out 1:32 press check keeping your hand away from the muzzle.

[video=youtube;nGf3Y1Mm5ds]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGf3Y1Mm5ds[/video]

leghog · Dec 1, 2015

STAINLESS90 said:
Unfortunately you can usually tell when someone is about to have an ND in these kinds of videos. Its starts when they tell everyone in the room how much more experienced and qualified they are. It's like there is a negligent discharge fairy who is summoned by that phrase.

If you've been around a while you will know there are two types of shooters --- those who have had a ND and those who will have an ND. EVERYONE is included in those two subsets.

STAINLESS90 · Dec 1, 2015

leghog said:
If you've been around a while you will know there are two types of shooters --- those who have had a ND and those who will have an ND. EVERYONE is included in those two subsets.

I agree 200% but there are the guys that have an ND for a semi honest reason and then there is the cocky jackass who is "too highly trained" to have one. That's usually the guy who does it at the range or in a crowded class like this. I'm lucky and very careful, I've made it 18 years or so without ever having one and hope for 18 more. Rule #1 the gun is always loaded.

leghog · Dec 1, 2015

Danke42 said:
Check out 1:32 press check keeping your hand away from the muzzle.

That's not a press check. That's racking the slide.

leghog · Dec 1, 2015

STAINLESS90 said:
leghog said:

If you've been around a while you will know there are two types of shooters --- those who have had a ND and those who will have an ND. EVERYONE is included in those two subsets.

Click to expand...

I agree 200% but there are the guys that have an ND for a semi honest reason and then there is the cocky jackass who is "too highly trained" to have one. That's usually the guy who does it at the range or in a crowded class like this. I'm lucky and very careful, I've made it 18 years or so without ever having one and hope for 18 more. Rule #1 the gun is always loaded.

Negligence is negligence.