Snag-Free Pistols: “Girly Man”, “He-Man”, or "Spin Doctors" working!

[Mad Magyar]

With the ever-growing number of states & pistoleros acquiring the CCW, the gun mfgr’s are using every edge in marketing technique aimed directly at this select clientele. At first, it was all about downsizing the gun regardless of caliber….Next; create a large bore in a reliable small package with a large mag capacity. Now, “snag-free” with pistol finish smoothed, dehorned, deburred, hammerless, sleek sights, ad nauseam. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t like sharp edges either but some of these pistols are becoming so castrated to the point of appearing “feminine”; the one for your sister or wife. I notice that Kahr, Sig, Kimber, and others are really emphasizing or should I say possibly creating a “non-existent problem?” Is “snag-free” features really all that important in rapid unholstering of your firearm, or is this really an induced memory-implant by the “merchants of propaganda?” It’s never made clear what is the “snagee”? Is it your holster or clothes? Personally, after carrying service pistols for nearly two years, my few snag encounters have been with thumb-break holsters. BTW, they have been cut-off. With my assorted Yaqui slides, what’s the problem? How important is “snag-free” in your purchase considerations for CCW?

 

[SpookyPistolero]

Grips to match the belt, my oh my! Tre chique! Talk about bein' the most handsome devil at the barbeque.

I think some of the logic behind the dehorning is that if you're working with your pistol all day long, those less-than-gentle edges start to become angry teeth. Running a bunch of malf. drills when your sights are sharp, or practicing he drawstroke all afternoon eventually puts wear and tear on the ole' paws.

Plus, if you've got your piece on all day long, every day, the exposed edges start to wear right through that favorite shirt or jacket.

Now my carry 1911 has more than a few edges to speak of, but I think there is merit to the dehorning of a constantly carried & used piece.

At the end of the day, though, it's a free market, baby.

 

[RyanM]

With holster carry, especially OWB, edges aren't a big deal. But IWB can be a little more tricky, since a sharp edge could snag on your shirt or something. And pocket carry is obvious.

 

[orangeninja]

This thread has exceeded the alloted polyester allotment and should be immediately remanded into the custody of 1970....

BTW...I realize that this is probably wool......is that smell mothballs?

 

[Manedwolf]

One of the reasons I'd chosen the Taurus PT series over the Kahr was that the Kahr's slide release sticks out way too far and has too much of an edge for a flat, quick-to-draw pistol. The Taurus' are darn near recessed, slight ridges against the polymer frame.

Much better design for not catching on a holster. And of anything catching on a holster, the slide release is definitely NOT something you want to pull!

 

[RodneyKSig]

I agree...

Maybe I am just a novice in the world of shooting, but it seems to me that all the new ultra carry's are just a poor excuse for sub-par weapon proficiency. I just don't by all the revolutionary guns being sold on the market today. Don't mistake me I love gun improvements like polymers and various caliber changes but I have been taught "if it ain't broke why fix it?" Jeff Cooper is my source for handgunning and shooting, I follow his advice. We don't need all this new stuff, just another waste of money.:banghead:

 

[Old Dog]

Ahem. I happen to have a couple "carry-melt" or "dehorned" 1911s, and have been looking hard at the new SIG SAS.

Frankly, I think the snag-free deal IS an improvement. I submit that if you carry concealed daily and have been in the position of actually having to draw quickly (either for real or in training), especially while wearing multiple layers of clothing -- snag-free pistols are not a marketing gimmick -- they're possibly a life-saver.

Is it necessary for a carry pistol? Of course not. Is it a deal-maker or deal-breaker for me? Hardly. Would I pay extra for it? No ... But I'm darn sure not gonna pay big bucks for any handgun that has a lot of sharp edges, protruberant levers, catches, releases or extended anything, either ...

P.S. - That's a whole lotta snakeskin,there ...

 

[Headless Thompson Gunner]

I like "snag free" guns. Not because I'm worried about snagging my clothing, but because I've cut my hads on a few sharp-edged guns over the years.

I tore up my left hand pretty well in one of my defensive pistol classes. I had to finish the class with my hand wrapped in tape. A snag free gun would have been a welcome improvement.

 

[made2cut]

Given a choice between a nicely finished pistol with rounded edges verses one with sharp corners and extra appendages I'll take the "girly" pistol everytime. Just seems like it's improving the design and manufactuing to me.

 

[nswtex]

I think I am with "made2cut" on this one, I wouldnt pay extra but I would like the streamlining on my carry gun. Although I carry perhaps one of the most un-streamlined guns that I have seen.

 

[Zundfolge]

I carry a pistol IWB 24/7/365 and have done so for several years, so anything the manufacturer can do to make it more comfortable and easier to draw the better.

I could care less if it makes it look "feminine"

Its there in my pants to save my life if necessary and the more comfortable it is the more likely one is going to carry 24/7/365.

 

[Clipper]

Gimme a break...Girly gun?

...I've never felt the need to let slide releases, safeties and sight corners dig into my side or my back to prove how manly I am. Rounded edges are easier on my holster, my clothes, and me, and I'm glad to have these modifications that I would have had to make myself anyway, to be standard on more and more guns. We're not all beautiful people without spare tires to be dug into, or the ability or desire to wear sport coats that allow OWB carry wherever we go. I have to use a pocket or else a SOB carry, and I know that I got real tired real fast of my Kimber Ultra Carry's new extended slide release digging me in the back whenever I sat down until I took my Moto-Tool to it and softened the edges like the rest of the gun was from the factory.

BTW, would you actually not carry an otherwise perfectly good pistol because you were afraid it might look 'too feminine?' Who are you trying to impress? The whole idea of a concealed pistol is that nobody sees it...

 

[torpid]

Rounded edges vs. stock cornered edges?... Ha, that's all still well in girly man territory.

Sharpened edges are what separate the truly rugged folks from the marshmallow masses.

.

 

[slystad810]

I would say matching gun accessories is more "Girly Man" than a snag free pistol Although that is p-i-m-p!

I really think "snag free" is more just to be p-i-m-p than anything else. I mean, that Sig SAS looks very nice with the soap bar effect. I'm sure it helps out with snags a bit, but maybe not so much as one would think.

 

[Standing Wolf]

This thread has exceeded the alloted polyester allotment and should be immediately remanded into the custody of 1970....

What was that about gun snobbery?

 

[SpookyPistolero]

RodneyKSig said...

Maybe I am just a novice in the world of shooting, but it seems to me that all the new ultra carry's are just a poor excuse for sub-par weapon proficiency. I just don't by all the revolutionary guns being sold on the market today. Don't mistake me I love gun improvements like polymers and various caliber changes but I have been taught "if it ain't broke why fix it?" Jeff Cooper is my source for handgunning and shooting, I follow his advice. We don't need all this new stuff, just another waste of money.

If you're a disciple of The Guru, you might be interested to know that he has said three requirements for a fighting pistol are sights you can see, a serviceable trigger and a good dehorning. I'm not big on taking every word someone says as gospel to live by, but that was his two cents.

Go through a few courses where thousands of rounds are expended and see what your opinion is before calling something market hype.

 

[Kamicosmos]

I don't have a snag free gun, but I am considering doing some home-gunsmithing on my SP101 to smooth a couple sharpspots, as well as get a new IWB holster. My current one lets the gun really dig into me, and gets uncomfortable after a few hours.

and I just have to second the whole Snakeskin and Polyester vs the 'girly-man' nature of dehorning a firearm. Uh...I'll take the dehorning, please.

 

[roscoe]

I just practice pulling my shirt away with my off hand while drawing from IWB. It's a 3" SP101 with a hammer, so I don't see how I could make it snagproof.

I am, however, digging the snakeskin. That picture is like something from Mannix.

 

[ugaarguy]

Interesting thread and thoughts. Anyone here ever dehorn their Glock? No? Ohhh... That's right they don't need it since there are no horns to de.

 

[Mad Magyar]

The last time I bought anything that was advertised as “snag-free” was some Legg’s panty-hose for a girl friend. When you think about it, if you carry this idea to its logical conclusion; a snag-free pistol will be a smooth, rounded “neutered” piece of plastic….At least from your replies, I found out that the snagness deals with IWB or “Mexican carry”. For me, contending with the weight of the piece is bad enough w/o it poking in my side or back. Not for me, and yes, the polyester coat or vest covers nicely.
Hey Roscoe, since I don’t see Mannix on re-runs anymore you must be an old, TV junkie. I’m sure most of these viewers don’t recognize Mike Connors.
I apologize for being ostentatious with the snake attire but you ought to see when I put on the matching boots & hat: look like a reincarnation of “Super-Fly”.
Roscoe: I dig that pic of Mike "Mannix' Connors, the Armenian Assassin...
Tarrigoni: Daewoo in a .40SW....

 

[Dr.Rob]

If you like de-horned and 'melted' it's good to get it that way from the factory than pay some 'smith a chunk of change to make it that way.

I don't like the melted look, esp on a 1911. I don't doubt it might be faster coming out of the leather, I just don't like the look.

PS snakeskin catches on everything. Lizard, eel and ostrich do not.

 

[tarrigoni]

magyar -

what kind of pistol is that?

 

[Manedwolf]

Maybe I am just a novice in the world of shooting, but it seems to me that all the new ultra carry's are just a poor excuse for sub-par weapon proficiency. I just don't by all the revolutionary guns being sold on the market today. Don't mistake me I love gun improvements like polymers and various caliber changes but I have been taught "if it ain't broke why fix it?"

Eh. By that logic, we'd also have just iron GI sights, still, no combat dots, no night sights, and semiautos would still hold 8 rounds.

 

[Charles S]

On the whole I find that people who carry and shoot a lot don’t like sharp edges. People who look at their guns, keep them in the safe, and/or take them to range from time to time are less worried about the issue and are more worried about looks.

If you are going to carry and shoot a lot I think you will find that the fewer the edges and sharp points the better the pistol will carry.

It all boils down to if you are going to carry a lot or not. I carry every day and you can bet I have taken the sharp edges off of all my pistols. I do not have a melted Clark 1911, but I don’t think it is a bad idea. Every carry pistol I own has be de-horned.

De-horning is not always pretty, but it is always functional.

Charles

 

[roscoe]

Mannix's pistol looks dehorned.