jkrispies Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 I'm building a 9mm Single Stack right now. Yes, there's a superficial cool-factor in a tri-topped gun, but my question is: Purely in terms of functionality, what are the plusses or minuses to tri-topping that I should know when considering whether to tri-top or not? Are there folks out there who have tri-topped and wished they hadn't? Or those who did it for the first time and had a life-changing experience that sold them on tri-topping forever after? Either way, please explain why... Thanks, J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drewbeck Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 Tri topping removes more material, less material = thinner section properties which also equates to less mass. Less moving mass equates to less recoiling inertia which can equate to less muzzle flip. Thinner steel sectional properties equates to more fragility.....moral of the story, lighter is better but cracks easier. It's less of a concern in minor but it still happens, it also happens more often due to casting and metallurgy than the gunsmith. Slides are a consumable and you only live once, buy what you like Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steviesterno Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 Yes to all above. I had a 6" 40 2011 done and currently my 4" 9mm carry 1911 has it. Lighter moving mass helps recoil, it feels fast, and for me the giant triangle it makes works like a sight for close or really fast shooting. Draws your eyes up and you can look as a flash sight picture and make hits at close distances without looking at the sights proper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motosapiens Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 i have a tri-topped 1911 in 9mm and a standard slide 1911 in 9mm. the tri-topped one may cycle slightly faster, but it definitely makes weight more easily. I still shoot the other one more tho. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aircooled6racer Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 Hello: For 9mm I actually prefer just flat topping the slide over tri topping it. I have tried slides with both on the same lower and the times were almost the same but the flat top just felt better. In 40 S&W I like the tri topped slide better. Thanks, Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkrispies Posted November 14, 2016 Author Share Posted November 14, 2016 I'm curious if anybody has seen a tri topped 9mm slide crack? I consistently see "major power" limited and open slides with way more lightening than just a tri top... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcc7x7 Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 1 hour ago, jkrispies said: I'm curious if anybody has seen a tri topped 9mm slide crack? I consistently see "major power" limited and open slides with way more lightening than just a tri top... Yes BUT I've also seen slides with no cuts crack. Make what you want and hope for the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPostman Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 I love the look so my open gun is tri-topped, and it removed .9 oz from the slide which is beneficial. I just use poly recoil buffers and a 7lb recoil spring to help prolong the life of the slide.Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2MoreChains Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 I'd done it. Limited .40 6" and 9mm and .40 1911s for Single Stack. For sure felt a difference before and after on the 6" Limited gun, but not sure how much difference it made on the 5" 1911's. But I like the look, so that's gotta count for something, right? #Idigit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mach1soldier Posted November 15, 2016 Share Posted November 15, 2016 The sight came down quicker when I tri-topped my three guns. I ended up going down a lb in my recoil spring weights to compensate. I did it for the weight savings but ended up liking it so much, I did it to all three of my guns. I have 50k rounds each on two of the guns. No issues even shooting major. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxer1 Posted November 16, 2016 Share Posted November 16, 2016 I had to do some creative lightning cuts on the inside of my 9mm SS slide to make weight with dawson aluminum base pads. My friends tri-top makes weight no problem. They both shoot about the same IMHO. I run 125gr lead right at minor so recoil is not a problem. Slide speed not that I can tell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkrispies Posted November 17, 2016 Author Share Posted November 17, 2016 8 hours ago, Boxer1 said: I had to do some creative lightning cuts on the inside of my 9mm SS slide to make weight with dawson aluminum base pads. I'm concerned that I'll be in the same boat... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motosapiens Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 Well, my tritopped 9mm cracked this week at the front of the ejection port.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e4effort Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 (edited) 5 hours ago, motosapiens said: Well, my tritopped 9mm cracked this week at the front of the ejection port. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk But was this due to bad casting or just too much material was removed? I've never seen a minor PF gun have these issues if everything was squared away for weight reduction and longevity properly. I will however say that nothing is impossible especially with so many variables at hand. Edited November 23, 2016 by e4effort Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkrispies Posted November 23, 2016 Author Share Posted November 23, 2016 (edited) 9 hours ago, motosapiens said: Well, my tritopped 9mm cracked this week at the front of the ejection port. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Sorry to hear that. May I ask if your slide is stainless or carbon, in case that makes a difference? Of course if it's a bad casting, then it's just a bad casting. Edited November 23, 2016 by jkrispies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motosapiens Posted November 28, 2016 Share Posted November 28, 2016 No clue on the above questions. the gun came that way from the factory. it's going back to the factory this week. all will be well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now