I have a S&W 1911 now and it is a fine gun. I have noticed that the newer "Performance Center" S&W 1911's have cut-outs in the slide. Other than a minor weight reduction, do these have any function? They cannot act as compensators as they aren't in the barrel and I doubt that the 1911 really needs any extra heat dissipation. Just curious.
Functional or for show only?
- Thread starter the45er
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The Happy kaboomer
New member
A gimmick...........
I've got a Shadow Systems with slide cuts and a fluted barrel. It lets them charge more 
Haven't really noticed a buildup of crud getting in there even though it is an EDC, a kydex over leather holster probably helps with that.
I think the worst example of cutouts I ever saw was a skeletonized AR receiver. Not the really bad one with a skull for a magazine well, but it looked like as much was cut out of the lower receiver as possible and still maintain functionality.
Haven't really noticed a buildup of crud getting in there even though it is an EDC, a kydex over leather holster probably helps with that.
I think the worst example of cutouts I ever saw was a skeletonized AR receiver. Not the really bad one with a skull for a magazine well, but it looked like as much was cut out of the lower receiver as possible and still maintain functionality.
Jim Watson
New member
Right, Colt started making Commanders with lightened slides for the original 9mm. Early Gold Cups had lightened slides for midrange .45 ACP. But done internally, not as a styling exercise.
I've got a Smith and Wesson 9mm EZ PC that has slide cuts. If they make any difference I can't tell it one way or the other. Same goes for the "ported barrel." I suspect they're really there so you can see the fancy "gold/silver" barrels, but since I've got the plain black one...
I haven't noticed the cuts gather more crud either, but then I do use a Kydex holster.
I haven't noticed the cuts gather more crud either, but then I do use a Kydex holster.
Making the slide lighter means less mass, so less inertia, so that with the same amount of "push" it moves sooner, and faster.
and, while this can increase reliability with light loads, it can, if taken too far, reduce the gun's service life with standard or heavy loads.
Semi auto slides are a balancing act between mass and forces in both directions. Go too far and you have to do something to regain the balance.
Cut holes in the slide, reduce to a bare skeleton and you will need to increase the recoil spring power to compensate, or the gun will batter itself.
What is the tipping point? Engineers get PAID to figure that out. Mechanically, almost anything can be done to achieve balance, BUT one has to stay within that is both practical, and what appeals to the market.
A pistol with a skeleton light weight slide that needs a 75lb spring is not going to sell,
THere is another point, holes in the slide (or an "open" syle action) that "let dirt in"... also let dirt OUT!
In theory this should balance, but in the real world, sometimes, it doesn't.
and, while this can increase reliability with light loads, it can, if taken too far, reduce the gun's service life with standard or heavy loads.
Semi auto slides are a balancing act between mass and forces in both directions. Go too far and you have to do something to regain the balance.
Cut holes in the slide, reduce to a bare skeleton and you will need to increase the recoil spring power to compensate, or the gun will batter itself.
What is the tipping point? Engineers get PAID to figure that out. Mechanically, almost anything can be done to achieve balance, BUT one has to stay within that is both practical, and what appeals to the market.
A pistol with a skeleton light weight slide that needs a 75lb spring is not going to sell,
THere is another point, holes in the slide (or an "open" syle action) that "let dirt in"... also let dirt OUT!
In theory this should balance, but in the real world, sometimes, it doesn't.
Reminds me of an car cartoon from the fifties where a Detroit automotive engineer points to the holes in the side of a Buick and solemnly proclaims "I predict by the end of the decade that every car in America will have 'holes in the side'."
Side note: the holes in the side of Buicks are called VentiPorts and appeared first in 1949. Here's more info on them.
https://jalopnik.com/i-bet-youd-like-to-know-what-those-holes-in-the-sides-o-1818673895
Side note: the holes in the side of Buicks are called VentiPorts and appeared first in 1949. Here's more info on them.
https://jalopnik.com/i-bet-youd-like-to-know-what-those-holes-in-the-sides-o-1818673895
reynolds357
New member
Weight reduction for slide velocity. Barrel can be ported to match and achieve good recoil reduction. I had a Delta Elite years ago that I had similar cuts put in slide and barrel ported to match.