Greetings all -
After researching the past 3 months of topics related to the subject (took a little while), I did not see a complete answer to the topic, thus a new post.
Of the several critical aspects of getting a handgun to do what you need it to do, when you need to use it, the grip has to be one of the most significant. Properly indexing the handgun to the desired point of aim / impact, naturally positioning the weapon's controls (trigger, safeties, and releases), and compensating for recoil to provide correct cycling, user control, and comfort readily come to mind.
Handgun manufacturers (as well as the aftermarket grip industry) have spent a considerable sum of money to provide a decent compromise to accomodate a certain percentile of potential users. Some (such as Beretta's PX-4 and S&W MP series, to name a few) offer a variety of backstraps to allow the user to make some adjustments to their personal weapon grip to improve one or more of the factors impacted by the grip.
As an avid golfer, I notice a significant improvement in my ability to make shots on the golf course with properly fitted golf clubs. The best experience was with a custom fitter who (among other measurements) looked at my hand size and grip in selecting the right sized golf grips. Where is the parallel in the shooting world?
Certainly, my local gun shop has a few different models of 1911s and a few different aftermarket grip choices to try out once I decide on the caliber and task in mind for the gun, however, there are many more combinations of grip material, texture, thickness (in addition to MSH for the 1911) and shape to choose from than the local shop has available.
I replaced the factory grips that came with my Kimber CDP Pro with Hogue rubber wrap-arounds to improve the interface with the gun when shooting. Why the Hogues? Well, they provided a perfect feel for me when fitted to my CZ-75 and they were available to try in the gun store. They did improve the feel, however, not as much as with the CZ-75 (A little too thin for me). To keep the feel consistent between my CDP Pro and my Kimber Warrior, I switched out the 'Nutter Butter' stock grips with the Hogue wrap-aounds as well.
Are the 1911's better now? Compared to stock, the grips and the accuracy of my offhand shooting are improved. Are they perfect? Not really. I don't want to be conscious of my accomodation to the grip when engaging a target. It should be natural.
In a perfect world, there would be a travelling gun fitter (not unlike the Golf Tour Trailer) that carried examples of all the various grip manufacturers that could be fit to your weapon at the range to help you get the most out of your shooting experience. I can't afford to order grips from VZ, Gunner, Esmerelda, Alumnagrips and others just to see which one would be the best for my needs. Does this service exist?
Alternatively, are there manufacturers that can take a hand print along with a photo of how you hold your handgun to make grips that truely meet your needs?
Thanks for your thoughts and advice - still searching...
Pk
After researching the past 3 months of topics related to the subject (took a little while), I did not see a complete answer to the topic, thus a new post.
Of the several critical aspects of getting a handgun to do what you need it to do, when you need to use it, the grip has to be one of the most significant. Properly indexing the handgun to the desired point of aim / impact, naturally positioning the weapon's controls (trigger, safeties, and releases), and compensating for recoil to provide correct cycling, user control, and comfort readily come to mind.
Handgun manufacturers (as well as the aftermarket grip industry) have spent a considerable sum of money to provide a decent compromise to accomodate a certain percentile of potential users. Some (such as Beretta's PX-4 and S&W MP series, to name a few) offer a variety of backstraps to allow the user to make some adjustments to their personal weapon grip to improve one or more of the factors impacted by the grip.
As an avid golfer, I notice a significant improvement in my ability to make shots on the golf course with properly fitted golf clubs. The best experience was with a custom fitter who (among other measurements) looked at my hand size and grip in selecting the right sized golf grips. Where is the parallel in the shooting world?
Certainly, my local gun shop has a few different models of 1911s and a few different aftermarket grip choices to try out once I decide on the caliber and task in mind for the gun, however, there are many more combinations of grip material, texture, thickness (in addition to MSH for the 1911) and shape to choose from than the local shop has available.
I replaced the factory grips that came with my Kimber CDP Pro with Hogue rubber wrap-arounds to improve the interface with the gun when shooting. Why the Hogues? Well, they provided a perfect feel for me when fitted to my CZ-75 and they were available to try in the gun store. They did improve the feel, however, not as much as with the CZ-75 (A little too thin for me). To keep the feel consistent between my CDP Pro and my Kimber Warrior, I switched out the 'Nutter Butter' stock grips with the Hogue wrap-aounds as well.
Are the 1911's better now? Compared to stock, the grips and the accuracy of my offhand shooting are improved. Are they perfect? Not really. I don't want to be conscious of my accomodation to the grip when engaging a target. It should be natural.
In a perfect world, there would be a travelling gun fitter (not unlike the Golf Tour Trailer) that carried examples of all the various grip manufacturers that could be fit to your weapon at the range to help you get the most out of your shooting experience. I can't afford to order grips from VZ, Gunner, Esmerelda, Alumnagrips and others just to see which one would be the best for my needs. Does this service exist?
Alternatively, are there manufacturers that can take a hand print along with a photo of how you hold your handgun to make grips that truely meet your needs?
Thanks for your thoughts and advice - still searching...
Pk