Funny. I'm sending my QCB slide back to them so they can add the serrations (top and rear & sight). I was pissed at myself for not having got them in the first place. Beautiful work.

Harry

 

I've heard that the serrations are designed to help pull your eye to the front sight but, in my experience, I never see the top of the slide when I am shooting my Nighthawk Talon which has serrations that are similar to the CQB Elite top slide serrations....

 

The serrations scatter light and prevent glare.

 

Theoretically, yes, but if you cannot see the top of the slide, then the glare is a moot point, unless someone is going to say that under rapid-fire the heat causes mirage to come off the top of the slide and those somehow diffuse it in some way.

I am waiting for WCR to weigh in on this one as I am not so sold on them either.

 

Serrations on the TOP of the slide are a classic cosmetic touch. They offer no functional value.

 

I've had some pretty well known gunsmiths chew my ass like it was candy for saying that same thing.

 

Yep I'd have to agree, while I have them on my wilsons I think under most lighting conditions you'd be hard pressed to see any benefit to the top serrations. I could see where perhaps under harsh indoor overhead lighting or the sun at just the right angle it might help scatter light better where you could get reflections on the front sight face. However, I'd also guess most matte finishes these days do the same thing.

The same can probably be said for the rear slide face checkering/serrations.

Now that new serrated rear sight face you guys do is a thing of beauty, there have been a lot of situations where I've gotten reflections off the smooth scalloped rear sight face when light is harsh from behind/overhead. Since it's a matte finish it's not bad either way, but it's a lot better with the serrations.

 

You've gotten a couple of different opinions on your question. Under the right set of lighting circumstances, there might be some advantage. But it's mostly cosmetic. I really like them, but stainless guns with the matte finish on the top radius look better without them to me.

The serrations or checkering on the rear of the slide might have more functional use as far as reflections go since you're looking directly toward that surface when shooting.

 

I appreciate everyone's thoughts and opinions. My CQB Elite (soon to be ordered) will be all black. My thought is that it'll have a cleaner look without the top serrations. Unfortunately, I've never held a pistol with top serrations to be certain that I won't like them. I guess there could be worse things to worry about. The good news is that I'll be ordering this sweet pistol very soon.

 

I prefer a cleaner, more business-like look for my weapons. Why mess with what is already a perfect design? Form should follow function IMHO, and serrated slides have no function.

 

Functional or not, I like a flat top with serrations.

 

Whether cosmetic or functional is more from a shooter or usage standpoint. Some clients say there has been a reflection in some guns without serrations and other say no issue. Mostly this would be on what the top of the slide is finished with. From shooting IPSC and IDPA, and various other clients who shoot a lot, and if the top is dull or flat finish the chances would be little or no benefit, but is there is any possible shine or reflection potential in the top of the slide the potential for benefit is greater.

I do know from clients and this may be an extreme a highly polished blue or hard chrome, or polished stainless steel I have heard comments on shooters losing the front sight. But these are casual or 100 round a month types, not the 100 round a day shooters.

Again, just some thought and comments from shooters, clients and folks I have seen on the range for years.

 

I believe top serrations can be of some functional value.

Depending on how or if you press-check, the serrations do help your left hand grip the slide a little better. At least for me it does.

Wilson does an AMAZING job when it comes to serrations, far better than other serrated slide on a 1911 that I've handled. The checkering on the back is also very well done. Their work is top notch in this department (all depts. really) and I'm thinking of sending some of my other slides to Wilson and have them serrated and refinished.

DH