Tactical checkering experiences?

[maxxwilde]

Hi everyone.
I've been reading here for awhile but finally decided to join so I could post this question, and reply to a few others.
I'm looking at getting new grips from Aluma grips for my 1911. I'm wondering if anyone has any "hands on" experience with their Tactical checkering grip? I like the look of them, but never handled one in person, and looks arent everything with grips. Especially not on this gun LOL It also makes me wonder, as I've only ever seen one pic of someone with these grips ontheir 1911. Is there something about them I dont know? They would seem to suit someone best who has a problem getting their grip higher up on the gun, a problem i do not have.
I'm half tempted to take some masking tape to my current grips just to see if I can simulate the half checkered, half smooth feel of the gripLOL
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading!


Mike

 

[robmkivseries70]

Mike,
I will take you up on your "any thought" proposition. I like decent factory grips on my 1911s. What helped me a lot, was to use "skate tape", sometimes sold in hardware stores as a "safety tread tape" for stairs. I put the tape on the front strap. Cut to size with scissors and fit under the grips a bit. Check it before peeling and sticking the tape. WD-40 will loosen the sticky stuff if you want to remove it later.
Best,
Rob

 

[Car Knocker]

I've found that, on the 1911, that my hand has very little contact with the grips; most of the contact is the front- and back-strap. I've gone to smooth grips to ease abrasion on clothing and skin and haven't noticed any increased difficulty in controlling the pistol. My wife shoots smooth-grip 1911s well and she doesn't have a whole lot of grip strength. I don't think you would be giving up much with a reduced amount of checkering.

 

[rcmodel]

Aluminum grips in Arizona?

You must like smoke'n hot guns too hot to touch in the summer time!

rcmodel

 

[CWL]

Welcome to THR maxxwilde!

I think that the reality of grips selection is that it is an entirely personal choice.

The Tactical checkering you are talking about has checkering at the right place for palm and fingers so it will probably work fine in terms of 'grippiness".

You should really get whatever you like best.

 

[1911 guy]

I'm with Car Knocker.

I have smooth grips on my carry guns (1911 pattern) to limit how much I wear out shirts. The frontstrap on one gun has skateboard tape, the other checkered. Both have checkered MSH. I find control to be excellent.

 

[maxxwilde]

<<What helped me a lot, was to use "skate tape", sometimes sold in hardware stores as a "safety tread tape" for stairs. I put the tape on the front strap.>>

Rob, thanks thats good advice! As Car Knocker said, and I'm starting to agree with as I experiment, I dont have a lot of contact with the grips themselves. It's more the front and backstrap, so I'm going to try the tape as well. I even have some lying around that never DID get installed on the front steps. It's something I never thought of, kool something newto fiddle with LOL


Mike

 

[maxxwilde]

I've gone to smooth grips to ease abrasion on clothing and skin and haven't noticed any increased difficulty in controlling the pistol.

This is eventually going to be my carry gun, most likely. Hadn;t even THOUGHT about the effect of the checkering on clothes/skin. I think the tactical grips are going to get orderedLOL


Mike

 

[maxxwilde]

Aluminum grips in Arizona?

You must like smoke'n hot guns too hot to touch in the summer time!

Rc, I know, I'm just asking for painLOL But, I don't really like wood, or plastic so not a lot of optionsLOL I can be pretty picky if you haven;t noticedLOL


Mike

 

[maxxwilde]

Welcome to THR maxxwilde!

I think that the reality of grips selection is that it is an entirely personal choice.

The Tactical checkering you are talking about has checkering at the right place for palm and fingers so it will probably work fine in terms of 'grippiness".

You should really get whatever you like best.

CWL, thank you for the welcome!
I agree, It's all personal choice, but the great thing about forums like these is hearing other people's experiences when you can't go out and fondle the grips in personLOL Not to mention picking up new ideas.

Mike

 

[maxxwilde]

I have smooth grips on my carry guns (1911 pattern) to limit how much I wear out shirts. The frontstrap on one gun has skateboard tape, the other checkered. Both have checkered MSH. I find control to be excellent.

Wow, kool another endorsement of skateboard tape. I'm gonna have to give this a try.
Now I just need to mount an expedition into my storage room. Guys, if I'm not heard from in 2 weeks, call in the MarinesLOL This could get hairy...
Thank you for all the good advice guys, I appreciate it!


Mike

 

[maxxwilde]

Ok, I officially like the tape LOL I'm about to run out to the range really quick and give it a quick test, I cant wait till next weekendLOL Here's a few pics on how it turned out...


Mike

 

[JohnnyOrygun]

Welcome to THR, I might have to try the skate board tape myself. You certainly did a good job on your gun and nice pics btw. Seligman is a cool town, been through there several times... love the hamburger joint on the east end of town... whole family jumped at the hatched "rattlesnake eggs"

Let us know how the shooting is with the tape.

LJ

 

[maxxwilde]

Welcome to THR, I might have to try the skate board tape myself. You certainly did a good job on your gun and nice pics btw. Seligman is a cool town, been through there several times... love the hamburger joint on the east end of town... whole family jumped at the hatched "rattlesnake eggs"

Let us know how the shooting is with the tape.

Thanks for the compliment, only took me about an hour, and that was sitting in front of the tvLOL Seligman is a good place to live, lots of wide open spaces out here to explore and a good little range set up out here...
The shooting went well, I only shot up 2 clips of junk ammo I had laying around. Shot as well as I normally do. Where the tape REALLY makes itself usefull is in general handling. Pulling it from the holster, ejecting the clip and releasing the slide were all improved with the tape. Seemed to give me a nice solid purchase on that part of the frame. I'm definately keeping it.
Once again, thanks to everyone who suggested it. I would have NEVER thought to add something like this. It makes a big difference.


Mike

 

[jocko]

tactical???

I recently had my kahr PM( stippled 360 degrees by cylinder and slide along with some other mods. super look and a much better feel than the standard looks of the stock kahr grips. Stippled the front of the trigger guard and also put some sipple dthumb pads on each side of the grip. really looks like a fightin gun, and goes bang every time to...