1911 Grips
If I wanted to inlay a metal emblem in a set of wood grips, what would be the best adheasive to use?
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I'm getting a new 45, my first one actually. It has smooth plain wood grips.
Are smooth grips okay, or does a checkered wood grip help when shooting?0 -
Its really whatever feels comfortable to you, as what someone else may like or dislike is there opinion and only subjective however what you think will be of the essence. I would suggest going to some local gun stores and or ranges and trying out some different 1911's with different grips and if you still cant decide then get a pair of smooth and checkered as they are inexpensive depending on who makes them and super easy to change and there are alot of cool grips with nice artwork and such. 0 -
Smooth 1911 stocks are OK as long as your hands are dry. They work OK with a checkered front and back straps with sweaty hands.
Checkered stocks will help the gun from twisting in the hand. You can get a inexpencive set of checkered stocks and see which ones work best for you.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Horney toad
I'm getting a new 45, my first one actually. It has smooth plain wood grips.
Are smooth grips okay, or does a checkered wood grip help when shooting?
Smooth grips are perfectly fine for shooting. Which is "better" is largely subjective and mostly a question of personal preference plus how you are going to use the gun.
The only real drawback to smooth grips, as mentioned, is that they can become slippery if wet or with sweaty hands. If that is a problem, then a checkered front or backstrap (or skateboard tape there) can help increase grip without changing the grips themselves.
Some people prefer smooth grips because they are less abrasive to the hands than checkered and because they can help show off the grain of underlying wood (or other material) on the grips. They're nice for display.
Some people prefer checkered because of the grip, or because of appearance, etc.
Also, those aren't the only two choices! The simple flat-back design means that 1911 grips come in every possible configuration you can imagine, plus probably some you can't. Grips are available not only in every conceivable type of wood, but also hard plastic, rubber, ivory, metal (aluminum, pewter, etc), micarta, bone, horn, and other materials:
For example, if you can't make up your mind, you can get HALF-checkered grips:
Half checkered cocobolo grips, "highfiguregrips.com":
Stippled grips:
Half-stippled grips:
Actual snakeskin grips:
Snakeskin pattern micarta grips:
ETC. . .0 -
Smooth wood grips also cause less wear and tear on clothing over time if you're carrying concealed.
Some checkered styles can work like a cheese grater on jacket linings.0 -
beantownshootah - how are those snakeskin grips, look pretty cool how do they handle, probably wear well since they can be boots and wallets and such? 0 -
My opinion:
I like the checkered grips because they offer the better grip, or "purchase" on the gun. There just is not as much sliding around if your hands sweat or if your grip is a bit loose.
I also think they look better on the M1911. I personally do not care for any other design other than the "double diamond" design on the M1911.
You can purchase "standard" style grips, grip scales those that are thicker and those that are extra thin and still get grip scales that look the same, so think about that as you decide which grip scales to buy.
I have a pair of soft black "rubber" grips that I use on a Springfield M1911 that came with a Clark Custom gun I bought from someone. These are of the double diamond design and they feel great.
However, my favorite are still the old, original style double diamond wood grips. Years ago, one of the warehouse companies advertising in The Shotgun News offered new, unused original military double diamond wood grips dating back to the early 1920's first "rebuild" of the service weapons from the earlier war. They were very inexpensive, so I ordered ten pair. I have seven sets of them left, and they are my favorite grips for the M1911.
Here's an thought: Why don't you order about five to ten sets of grips from your favorite mail order house and try them on your gun, just for fit, handling characteristics, etc., and not to actually shoot with, then keep the set you like and return the rest?0 -
Snakeskin is thin and being textured does not in fact wear well. 0 -
Must not be the same cut or application as the snakeskin used for boots then as the snakeskin that I handled seemed okay and not too thin but I am not sure how it was applied either. 0 -
The top grips are rattlesnake and the lower grips are python. Python is the thicker skin, but not by much. In boots they are bonded to cowhide. These appear to be glued to wood or plastic grip slabs. OK for dancing boots, but not so hot out on the ranch/farm. When they get wet the scales curl leaving 'fuzzy' looking boots. 0 -
Thought that must be it with snakeskin on cowhide and is what I probably came across, heard that about getting them wet too, not so good, too bad as they look cool. 0
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