Wilson Combat add-on checkered frontstraps

[Magoo]

I'll call Wilson in the morning, but they ain't open right now so I thought I'd ask you...

Does anyone have any first hand experience with these?
http://shopwilsoncombat.com/Frontstraps/products/47/

-What are they made of? They are offered in "blue" and "stainless" but I've got to think they are made of something rubber-esque and not metal.

-Assuming they're a nonmetallic, does it feel as firm and solid as metal? (A durometer number would help me guage how it would feel, if you know or can estimate)

-I'm considering getting one with the "blue" finish; how does it look? The picture of the SS finish on their website looks pretty nice. The blued one does too, but it's easy to make plastic shine.

- How solid is the attachment? Are they held in place simply by being pinched between the frame and the grip panels? Do grip panels need to be inletted to allow for the apparent flare on the upper 1/5th of the piece? That looks to me the only potential mechanism holding the piece tight against the frontstrap.

The pistol wondering if it wants real checkering ("real" checkering = way more $) is a SA 1911, Govt size, model PD9111. At only $10 I'm willing to take a chance for a checkering try-out and maybe getting something that I like and will save me $. If the fit and feel are there, I'd probably be able to let go of some of the finish aspects.

 

[Full Metal Jacket]

never tried one myself, but every review i've read says they're cheap garbage, and they never stay in place.

 

[CDW4ME]

Interesting.

Another option: Pachymar makes a "signature" grip that covers (wraps around) the front strap, it's rubber and part of the grips.

 

[Magoo]

Now that's a fast response! Thanks FMJ.

I always assume TANSTAAFL (pronounced "tan-staffle", and you can figure out the acronym).

Hopefully someone will chime in with a glimmer of hope for these or will offer to pay me to take one of the vile things out of their posession .

 

[dogdollar]

I would hold out until you hear from at least fifty people, and get their input.
Wouldn't want to just throw ten bucks down the toilet......
DD

 

[9mmepiphany]

I've actually seen one applied to a gun.

They are made of very thin metal that flexes to follow the contour of the front strap
They are retained by the pressure of the grip panels

For their intended/marketed use, they are pretty much useless, but...there is yet hope.

If you have a 1911 which has checkering that looks like it has been cut by a chimp and a milling machine, this product could save your frame. the checkering needs to be ground down and the checkered panel fitted to the area, but...

You can't just weld or solder it on, because the surface irregularities would trap moisture and eventually rust through the frame. you need to cut slots in the front strap to vent the area between the two and carefully fit and weld just the edges to the front strap...and then blend the line between the panel and the frame

If you've ever seen it, the workmanship is very impressive...and is the reason that there will always be a place for true custom work.

But the lesson to be learned is not to let chimps near your 1911 with any cutting or filing tools

 

[Rail Driver]

I think I might order a blued pair and fit them to the 1911 AR grip adapter I'll be putting on my rifle... Couldn't I tin it on using silver solder or similar like how the vent rib on a shotgun is attached?

The slots won't be a problem, I know my way around a dremel (no bubba either).

 

[akadave]

I tried them. They are junk. Get some of the grip tape and put that on the front strap. Works but is not pretty.

 

[huntershooter]

I tried one as well, 20 yrs. ago.
They ARE junk and problematic as they are held in place by grip (stock) pressure. They are thin, sharp sheet metal.
Use grip tape or have the frame checkered.

 

[MICHAEL T]

how about in stalling with 2 sided tape and grip pressure would that help it.

Like others I have seen them but never bought.

 

[SSN Vet]

go to Home Depot and get some "skate board tape" form the ladder section (it's actually non-slip tread tape.

Try that, and if you don't like it, strip it off with goo-gone.