I was out last month and was looking for a S&W 3913 but had no luck.So I found a S&W 908S which is the budget 3913.To tell you the truth I am glad I got the 908S because it has no checkering on the front strap or the trigger guard.Any one else like the bauld front strap and trigger guard?

You may find that you don't like it as much once you start shooting. The grip will not be as stable in your hand, making trigger control suffer.

When I was having my 1911 built for IPSC style shooting about 30 years ago, I debated about getting the front strap checkered. I went the cheap route and ordered a item from Brownells that was a thin piece of checkered steel that went around the front strap and was held on by the grips. I put a bit of two sided carpet tape underneath and it was very secure. I shot it that way for several matches and found I did not care for it. I then tried other peoples guns that were checkered, stippled, and other methods and still found I liked the plain front strap better. The only one I didn't try, and might have liked was a serrated front strap similar to S&W N frame back straps.

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Have Canon, Will Travel

I find it very comfortable to shoot with out the checkering.I can also shoot a pretty good course in a timely manner.

I like the smooth front it makes the skate board tape stick better. The 908 is not too bad with a curved floorplate on the magazine but run it with a flat floorplate for concealment and it gives you less to hold on to.

Was at the outdoor range today down here in hot sweaty Central Florida with my 908 and 4513TSW. The only time I felt like I was having any issue with the 908 was with the flat floor plate mag. Other than that, not much difference between the checkered and non checkered.