1911 grips, continued
Sorry to re-open this locked topic, but I got locked out in the middle of typing my response, and I hate that!
In response to the comments in the earlier thread, I only put the pictures of the snakeskin grips up there as a curiosity for an example of a "crazy" grip you might not otherwise have thought about.
In practice, while they certainly look cool, I would NOT expect grips make of actual snakeskin (or more correctly actual snakeskin glued/bonded to something else) to perform well. They'd likely wear out and start to look ratty pretty fast.
Real snakeskin grips make a nice accessory for "dress up" (maybe to match your JR "Dallas" snakeskin hat and boots), but personally I'd never put them on any gun I intended to shoot a lot or carry for protection.
On the various snake PATTERN (eg wood or micarta) grips, those seem like a more reasonable choice for an actual working gun, as an alternative to conventional checkering. Snake or fishscale pattern checkering actually goes back quite a way historically, and can be found on expensive custom rifles. Here's Ruger's take on the idea:
Here is a side view of an aggressively scaled (IMO maybe too much so) 1911 grip:
You didn't ask, but grips on my ACTUAL Colt series 70 1911 look like this: They have the Colt medallion, and may have come with the gun from the factory, but I think they're actually made by Pachmayr (I'd have to look). They're wraparound checkered rubber.
They were on the gun when I bought it, and they work well enough that I've just left them on there. If I were shooting serious bullseye with the pistol (that's what the gun is for, but I'm not), I would probably swap them for match-type grips, or at least ones with a real thumbrest.
I don't think I would CARRY the gun with wraparound rubber grips, because the tacky texture might be prone to stick to clothing. For that I'd want something non-sticky, but with a textured surface.
As more food for thought, here are some cool textured grips to look at: http://vzgrips.com/
In response to the comments in the earlier thread, I only put the pictures of the snakeskin grips up there as a curiosity for an example of a "crazy" grip you might not otherwise have thought about.
In practice, while they certainly look cool, I would NOT expect grips make of actual snakeskin (or more correctly actual snakeskin glued/bonded to something else) to perform well. They'd likely wear out and start to look ratty pretty fast.
Real snakeskin grips make a nice accessory for "dress up" (maybe to match your JR "Dallas" snakeskin hat and boots), but personally I'd never put them on any gun I intended to shoot a lot or carry for protection.
On the various snake PATTERN (eg wood or micarta) grips, those seem like a more reasonable choice for an actual working gun, as an alternative to conventional checkering. Snake or fishscale pattern checkering actually goes back quite a way historically, and can be found on expensive custom rifles. Here's Ruger's take on the idea:
Here is a side view of an aggressively scaled (IMO maybe too much so) 1911 grip:
You didn't ask, but grips on my ACTUAL Colt series 70 1911 look like this: They have the Colt medallion, and may have come with the gun from the factory, but I think they're actually made by Pachmayr (I'd have to look). They're wraparound checkered rubber.
They were on the gun when I bought it, and they work well enough that I've just left them on there. If I were shooting serious bullseye with the pistol (that's what the gun is for, but I'm not), I would probably swap them for match-type grips, or at least ones with a real thumbrest.
I don't think I would CARRY the gun with wraparound rubber grips, because the tacky texture might be prone to stick to clothing. For that I'd want something non-sticky, but with a textured surface.
As more food for thought, here are some cool textured grips to look at: http://vzgrips.com/
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Lol, I wouldn't know about that jrdallas soap opera nonsense as I hated that crap and never knew why it was on tv in the first place but since you mentioned it, if so inclined would style more after 'The Man with No Name' or something I would imagine.
Anyway I like the snake pattern on the 'Ruger' 1911 grips there though but without the symbol so as to use on any 1911, very cool. Real snake skin I suppose might last for a short while depending on use and would probably just look pretty ratty after awhile but the snake scale wood or plastic grips would definitely work.
Thanks for listing those snake scale grips as I like those and think that I might go for something like that which would look nice, offer a good grip and last a long time.0 -
I never actually watched "Dallas", I just know the lead character wore snakeskin, as a sort of symbol of his ruthlessness.
Anyway, there are a GAZILLION types of 1911 grips out there, out of every possible material, all colors, in any color, and in all kinds of configurations: Pearl, ivory, wood, plastic, rubber, pewter, aluminum, micarta, etc.
My main point is, you don't have to limit yourself to "checkered vs smooth". If you like snakeskin, go for it. My only advice is NOT to put something "crazy" on a gun you intend to use for home defense or carry. The reason is that if you ever use them in a shooting, having some crazy death skull on your grips is going to make you look like a lunatic in front of a jury.
Here's some other not-typical grips for 1911s:
Pewter "President" grips
"Wildman" grips:
Cobweb:
Ostrich skin grips:
Other snakeskin grips: http://www.customkillergrips.com/rattlesnake.htm
Carved elephant ivory:
Custom polymer:
Stag with Colt medallions:0 -
No I didn't know that about larry hagmans character jr wearing snakeskin boots, cant stand anything that's soap opera or reality though, ugh and surprised he took the role but those hollywood people will do anything for a dollar. Yeah I am military and LE and so quite familiar with the genre of military and LE gear; however I really like those snake pattern and spiders web grips though but would have to try them out first. There are some other patterns there that I liked as well and will have to take a closer look into those too, good to know of so many variations thanks. 0 -
Those aggressive grips look like a load of fun to hang on to. 0 -
Beantown,
long time, it seems like. Hope all is going well for you. I saw this:
quote:My main point is, you don't have to limit yourself to "checkered vs smooth". If you like snakeskin, go for it. My only advice is NOT to put something "crazy" on a gun you intend to use for home defense or carry. The reason is that if you ever use them in a shooting, having some crazy death skull on your grips is going to make you look like a lunatic in front of a jury.
That is a great point, and I wanted to add that home rolled ammo is not good in a situation like that either. Especially when the prosecution, makes you look blood thirsty by rolling your own.
Stay safe, and out of the path of Irene.
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I have a pair of ebony stocks in Hogue's dragon skin, which is their take on snakeskin. Carved wood, not hide covered. They are comfortable to hold and not too aggressive. Another option if someone is looking for that pattern. 0
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