Lines per inch

[Gene Langston]

Originally Posted by Jerry Harlow

It is very difficult to measure with a ruler as there is little difference between 16 LPI and 18 LPI for the naked eye. I'm using a Gunline Tools Checkering gage which is just a clear piece of plastic with the lines marked over it. But without a doubt an unaltered VH has more LPI than an unaltered Trojan. I would agree with the 16 LPI for the Trojan which I believe is what TPS states. I could not find it tonight, but I believe it also stated VHs used 16 LPI. I would say it was 18 LPI at the least, and forends look even finer. Side by side, one can see the finer checkering.

Most recheckered guns no longer have the flat cut checkering that the lower grade guns had that should be done with the 60 degree cutter to leave flat top checkering instead of the 90 degree tool which points them up. However, the pointed top diamonds (90 degree tool) on recut guns surely give a better grip, and will eventually wear flat, so I do not worry about that on recut guns that will get lots of field use.

Something that works perfectly is a screw gauge you can get at any hardware or auto parts store for a couple of bucks. Just get the "inch" gauge and not the metric.