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While he has an abundance of handgun knowledge, Wiley Clapp admits that he hasn’t heard it all. In fact, he’s asking for some help discovering the story behind some red grips.
November 06, 2013
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When the revolver was king, many folks replaced factory grips with Pachmayr grips, or “Packies” as they were referred to by some.
October 16, 2013
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It stands to reason that if the physical interface between you and your handgun is custom fit to your hand, you will be a better shooter.
June 26, 2013
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Before automatic pistols had one piece receivers of best-quality, industrial grade polymer, they came with two pieces of (usually) wood fastened to the sides of the butt. Revolvers go even farther back in the chronology and did the same thing. Wood shapes easily and can even be user-customized. However, what is the correct name for these wood, bone, horn, ivory or whatever plates. For most of my shooting life, I have called them “grips” and I believe the majority of the firearms world does the same.
May 06, 2013
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To my admittedly prejudiced hand and eye, the classic handguns are great examples of the saying that “form follows function.” Shaped for completely practical reasons, they are as efficient as they are beautiful. Like many tools, they exist for immediate but specific needs and are more often carried than actually used. As such, it is not surprising that some shooters decorate their tools. Some employ the services of artists who engrave the handgun’s surface, others like to use various forms of etching. I personally like to take advantage of a classic handgun characteristic that is fast disappearing. For me, fancy handles, scales, stocks or grips are the thing. In a world of very nicely shaped butt sections of moulded polymer, my eye—and hand—turns to the pistol or revolver with custom grips.
March 28, 2013
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In the era of bullseye shooting that started before World War II, the revolver was king. In those days, most folks shot either Colt or Smith & Wesson. Eventually, gunsmiths came up with ways to accurize the 1911, and then other autos surfaced and the revolver began to fade. Before it completely vanished from the competition arenas, some pretty accomplished craftsmen went to work on properly stocking the wheelgun.
August 21, 2012
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One of the easiest ways to customize a handgun is with a good set of grips.
July 18, 2012
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Remember back in the 1970s when Smith & Wesson offered a series of beautiful die-struck belt buckles? A full collection of these handsome artifacts from a never-to-return era would be worth a lot more than what a 70s-era collector paid for them. Sadly, mine does not include every buckle in the series. It does, however, include the famed “gun box” buckle. This variation was a metal rendering of the top of the boxes found in the first few years of the Smith & Wesson partnership. The top of those boxes portrayed the tip-up revolver contained in the box. The original boxes are of course quite valuable, but the belt buckle is also collectible. Original boxes were made from a material known as gutta percha, a form of sap from a particular tree.
March 13, 2012
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Eagle Grips new 1911 grips are hand-checkered and slim down an already nice profile.
September 10, 2010
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The grips are as important as the gun.
December 02, 2009
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Built for faster recovery.
October 20, 2009
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Built to protect the shooter's hand.
September 18, 2009
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