peacemaker25 Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 I understand why Lim/Open guns have their slides lightened, to speed cycle times and maybe to tune sight tracking characteristics. What I'm less clear on is why people flat top or tri-top Single Stacks. Is it the same thing? If so, how does a light slide act on a 45? This is largely prompted by an encounter with a guy selling a gun which he thought was worth a lot more than I did, largely because it had been tri-topped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2MoreChains Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 If you order a slide flat-topped or tri-topped, I think the cost is the same ($60). I prefer guns that have the slide flat or tri-topped. The amount of weight lost from flat topping is probably minimal, but I like the look. I think tri-topping on the other hand does take off more weight. Near as I can tell, tri-topping is legal for USPSA, but milling slide cuts (i.e. holes) for the purpose of weight reduction is not per Appendix D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonSnow Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 It's 99% cosmetic. Some argue that the flat top allows your eye to align the slide faster and see the sights better, but good luck if you can really tell a difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_C Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 I assume in some cases it's to help make weight. I have a single stack gun with a long square dustcover and a square trigger guard - I'm not sure it would make weight if it were not tri-topped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ak_tech Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 Yeah i also think its mainly cosmetic. I personally like the way it looks. I do find that i like a serrated flat top for reducing glare or the reflection of the sight in some cases, especially here in Tucson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZackJones Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 I think it looks cool and would pay extra for a pistol with a flat top. I also like front cocking serrations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midget Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 Because some of us ended up shooting Open with a single stack because of .2oz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParaGunner Posted January 17, 2014 Share Posted January 17, 2014 It's just the cool thing to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cking Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 If your shooting iron sights flat top slides I find they point shoot faster for close targets, the ones I don't bother using the sights on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oak hill Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 Because some of us ended up shooting Open with a single stack because of .2oz Good point ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polizei1 Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 Because some of us ended up shooting Open with a single stack because of .2oz Yep..been there done that. My STI Spartan doesn't make weight, found out the hard way! Wasted $100 on a L2 match. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kimbertarget Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 (edited) A flat top and tri top cut on a 5" GOV slide saves around 8-10% of the slides overall mass.... Less reciprocating mass makes for smooth cycling and less upward movement when the slide slams back while reducing muzzle dip for quicker signt aquisition. I know alot of guys will disagree but i use "lightened slides" with an 18.5lb wilson spring and buffer system on a 2-piece TUNGSTEN lately and it is absolutely amazing. It is like shooting a 9mm nato cartridge. I video recorded it because i couldnt believe the difference, then i swapped back to the 16lb stock and S.S. F.L.G.R. And it was night and day. P.M. Me if you want link to video. Just my .2 Edited January 21, 2014 by Kimbertarget Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EngineerEli Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 A flat top and tri top cut on a 5" GOV slide saves around 8-10% of the slides overall mass.... Less reciprocating mass makes for smooth cycling and less upward movement when the slide slams back while reducing muzzle dip for quicker signt aquisition. I know alot of guys will disagree but i use "lightened slides" with an 18.5lb wilson spring and buffer system on a 2-piece TUNGSTEN lately and it is absolutely amazing. It is like shooting a 9mm nato cartridge. I video recorded it because i couldnt believe the difference, then i swapped back to the 16lb stock and S.S. F.L.G.R. And it was night and day. P.M. Me if you want link to video. Just my .2 I be curious to see the linked video. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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