Episode 50 - Gunsmithing with JPL : Checkering

This week, we start a small segment focusing on what most competitive shooters end up learning, gunsmithing. Although some might adopt this career path, most are just happy with know enough to maintain and improve their competition guns.

We've asked John from jplprecision.com to come back and show us how things are done in his shop. In this week's case, all about checkering the front strap of a 1911 frame.

If there's something you want to see John cover, please send us an email at powerfactorshow@gmail.com.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Episode 50
• gunsmithing
• guns
• pistol
• handgun
• improvements
• modifications
• idpa
• uspsa
• checkering
• filing
• drill press
• gunsmith
• jplprecision
• 1911
• front strap

[John4566442]

Thank you for the video. Really great demonstration of set up and machining. Maybe a word or two about where to get the cutters and the cost of the fixtures would be helpful for us aspiring pistol smiths. I believe the maker of the frame fixture was mentioned, however it looks to be pretty expensive. Still, if you do enough frames (correctly), you make your money back. By the way, is that an Enco 12x36 lathe in the back ground? Thanks.

[powerfactorshow]

@John4566442 The checkering fixture is from Kustom Ballistics, Neil keller’s shop. His website (kustom-ballistics (dot) com (slash) pistol_checkering.php ) currently shows the price of the fixture, set up for one type of frame, at $700.

The cutters are carbide threading mills. The ¾ inch for doing the radial cuts were about $65 last time I bought some, the 3/8 cutters for doing the longitudinal cuts were about $40, and I get them from Neil.

And, yes, that is an Enco 12x36 lathe.

-JPL

[DG69834]

This stuff is so much more interesting than gun selection. Thanks!

[powerfactorshow]

@DG69834 thanks! We think so too but we get a ton of questions about what kind of gun works for which sport etc.

[baalzimon]

This is really nice to see, but of course I am an engineer and would probably love to see anything in a machine shop. And I know how he must feel when making those cuts. So many chances to make a mistake! But he knows what he's doing, and the final piece looks great.

[powerfactorshow]

@baalzimon You should have heard John's choice of words he used to describe that off-camera :)

[John4566442]

Hey, thank you very much. That's a lot of money, but considering how easy it would be to mess up a frame, it only makes sense to invest in the proper tooling. I appreciate this video and the response. I've read a little about using a checkering file for front strap checkering, but this seems to be a way more professional and practical way to do the job. Thank you for your time. John T.

[lawlpally]

great audio on this video.

[million65555]

Wouldn't a piece of skate board tape be easier? :) What a process, great job.

[powerfactorshow]

@uscbigdawg Will definitely do that thanks!

[vapors750]

You should have John comment on what he thinks about the "gunsmithing techniques" he sees on some of the more popular "reality TV gunsmithing shows".

[uscbigdawg]

Have John cover the differences in barrel fit and such and how building a USPSA Open pistol is different than building a Limited pistol.