How to get a Reliable Hard Use 1911?

[SW CQB 45]

ETA: your hammer follow test sounds interesting. I’ve always heard that you never let a 1911 slide drop on an empty chamber from slide lock. Is that just for guns with trigger jobs then?

We have to check/document our guns once a year if carried on duty.

I do it once a year unless I change internals.

[WobblyPossum]

Thanks for the knowledge everyone. Time to start diving a little deeper into some of the 1911 threads.

[Gary1911A1]

It's a long video, about 3 1/2 hours, but there are gems of knowledge here and there on the 1911 especially from Joe Chambers.
https://youtu.be/85aAkeTPK8A

[Chuck Whitlock]

I’m a huge fan of 1911s WITHOUT front serrations, and have gone so far as to have them removed from two of mine, but on some I like them.

Could you expound on this a little bit, if you don't mind? As in purely an aesthetic thing, or handling-wise?

My two 1911's (Ruger Nightwatchman Commander .45 and SA Champion 9mm) have slick front straps. I'm currently using Pearce finger grooves and slim grip panels...I've been contemplating the Talon front strap product in either rubber or PRO, but maybe I'm over thinking this.

[HCM]

Could you expound on this a little bit, if you don't mind? As in purely an aesthetic thing, or handling-wise?

My two 1911's (Ruger Nightwatchman Commander .45 and SA Champion 9mm) have slick front straps. I'm currently using Pearce finger grooves and slim grip panels...I've been contemplating the Talon front strap product in either rubber or PRO, but maybe I'm over thinking this.

I think y’all are talking about two different things.

You are talking about the front strap of the grip - SoCalDep is talking about front / rear serrations on the slide.

[BillSWPA]

Regarding front serrations, I have watched multiple people ranging from new shooters to those claiming to have an affiliation with "special forces" get their hand in front of the muzzle while racking the slide. I prefer to avoid anything that will encourage someone to put their hand near the muzzle.

I do, however, appreciate the top serrations on a Brownells Glock slide for use in one-hand slide manipulation.

[Chuck Whitlock]

I think y’all are talking about two different things.

You are talking about the front strap of the grip - SoCalDep is talking about front / rear serrations on the slide.

Crap. Reading is fundamental. Thanks for catching that.

[TGS]

Crap. Reading is fundamental. Thanks for catching that.

Well, for what it's worth regarding your question:

If you're deciding between the rubber texture and Pro for a shooters piece that doesn't need to look pretty, get the Pro....hands down, no questions asked. The rubber gets slippery with moisture; rain, sweat, blood, etc.

The last time I had looked at Talon Grips, they only had the granulated and rubber...the former being too aggressive for EDC, the latter being useless. A few months ago one of the guys in my office showed me the Pro on his gun, which I had missed the release of. It's fantastic, and now on all three of my carry guns (admittedly not my 1911s, where I don't mind the smooth front strap as fun guns for the range).

[Trooper224]

Regarding front serrations, I have watched multiple people ranging from new shooters to those claiming to have an affiliation with "special forces" get their hand in front of the muzzle while racking the slide. I prefer to avoid anything that will encourage someone to put their hand near the muzzle.

I do, however, appreciate the top serrations on a Brownells Glock slide for use in one-hand slide manipulation.

I don't use front serrations. I won't turn down an otherwise nice piece if they're present. But, I have this strange aversion to grasping a pistol near the muzzle.

[Totem Polar]

I don't use front serrations. I won't turn down an otherwise nice piece if they're present. But, I have this strange aversion to grasping a pistol near the muzzle.

This.