As most of you know, probably ad naseum, I'm a big proponent of the 4513TSW. I particularly like the early, or original, variant with the cut out grip frame and six round magazine. This 4513 variant has replaced my 3913 as my off duty gun.
I like everything about this 4513 variant. But like most of those who have large hands, I have some trouble with the small grip. The factory OEM Xenoy grips are great for concealment but leave much to be desired, for me, while shooting. Since this version of the 4513 was only produced for a short time, only two years IIRC, grip makers have ignored it.
Member Fastbolt did an excellent tutorial on how to cut down and modify the excellent Hogue rubber grips for the model 4516, so they will work on the early 4513TSW. Not being as talented as Fastbolt, I contacted member Big Dog and he kindly modified the set of 4516 grips for me.
Big Dog is a talented fellow and the grips he made for me are great. They make shooting the early 4513 as easy as shooting my 4566. The only downside is that the Hogue grips are still a little thick. I don't see where anything can be done about that. These modified Hogues that make the 4513 a joy to shoot, take away from its other major advantage, its ease of concealment.
So, the other day I went by the local gun shop to smoke and joke. The fellow that runs the shop was showing a customer some new pistols. After awhile he came down to me and asked if I had my 4513 on. I said I did and he asked if I would mind unloading it so he could show it to his customer. I told him sure, but that they didn't make it anymore and it was hard to come by. He had a whole case of brand new Glocks, M&P's and XD's. Why not sell his customer one of those? "Because he is a good customer." he replied with a smile.
After examining the 4513 the customer said it was exactly what he was looking for, but for the grip. I had the factory OEM's on it. He said they were a little slippery for him. The shopkeep said "No problem, I can fix that." He goes in back and comes out with a little plastic bag. He pulls out a grip sleeve. Not like the Hogue "Glock sock". This it a tiny little tube made of very thin, very strong rubber with a textured pattern imprinted on it. The shopkeep claims it is made of the same material that Indy race car tires are made of.
The bag has a red and black logo on it. "Grip Hugger". He asks me it I mind if he places it on the grip. Knock yourself out. He drops the empty mag and starts maneuvering the tube around and up the grip. I figure it is going to rip any minute going by the way he is stretching it. Nope, he has it on in about 90 seconds. "Try it now." he says to the customer. Big smile from the customer. They hand the 4513 back to me. WOW! it feels like it is stuck to my hand. The texture reminds me of a chalked Q-stick. Not sticky at all. What a great grip. The little 4513 feels anchored in my hand.
The customer tells the shopkeep to find him one of those 4513's, after trying to buy mine for 10 minutes. No. Its not for sale. At any price. Thanks anyway!
For being a good sport, the shopkeep lets me keep the Grip Hugger. I found out it comes in three sizes. Small - for subcompact pistols and small revolvers. Medium - for compact semi auto's and med frame revolvers. Large - for full size pistols and large frame revolvers.
$9 for the medium size. The advert on the plastic bag it comes in refers you to Griphugger.com. I tried, but it looks like the site is not set up yet.
Anyways, great product for those small, hard to hold but easy to carry guns. Makes my "perfect" 4513 just a little more perfect.
Regards 18DAI
I like everything about this 4513 variant. But like most of those who have large hands, I have some trouble with the small grip. The factory OEM Xenoy grips are great for concealment but leave much to be desired, for me, while shooting. Since this version of the 4513 was only produced for a short time, only two years IIRC, grip makers have ignored it.
Member Fastbolt did an excellent tutorial on how to cut down and modify the excellent Hogue rubber grips for the model 4516, so they will work on the early 4513TSW. Not being as talented as Fastbolt, I contacted member Big Dog and he kindly modified the set of 4516 grips for me.
Big Dog is a talented fellow and the grips he made for me are great. They make shooting the early 4513 as easy as shooting my 4566. The only downside is that the Hogue grips are still a little thick. I don't see where anything can be done about that. These modified Hogues that make the 4513 a joy to shoot, take away from its other major advantage, its ease of concealment.
So, the other day I went by the local gun shop to smoke and joke. The fellow that runs the shop was showing a customer some new pistols. After awhile he came down to me and asked if I had my 4513 on. I said I did and he asked if I would mind unloading it so he could show it to his customer. I told him sure, but that they didn't make it anymore and it was hard to come by. He had a whole case of brand new Glocks, M&P's and XD's. Why not sell his customer one of those? "Because he is a good customer." he replied with a smile.
After examining the 4513 the customer said it was exactly what he was looking for, but for the grip. I had the factory OEM's on it. He said they were a little slippery for him. The shopkeep said "No problem, I can fix that." He goes in back and comes out with a little plastic bag. He pulls out a grip sleeve. Not like the Hogue "Glock sock". This it a tiny little tube made of very thin, very strong rubber with a textured pattern imprinted on it. The shopkeep claims it is made of the same material that Indy race car tires are made of.
The bag has a red and black logo on it. "Grip Hugger". He asks me it I mind if he places it on the grip. Knock yourself out. He drops the empty mag and starts maneuvering the tube around and up the grip. I figure it is going to rip any minute going by the way he is stretching it. Nope, he has it on in about 90 seconds. "Try it now." he says to the customer. Big smile from the customer. They hand the 4513 back to me. WOW! it feels like it is stuck to my hand. The texture reminds me of a chalked Q-stick. Not sticky at all. What a great grip. The little 4513 feels anchored in my hand.
The customer tells the shopkeep to find him one of those 4513's, after trying to buy mine for 10 minutes. No. Its not for sale. At any price. Thanks anyway!
For being a good sport, the shopkeep lets me keep the Grip Hugger. I found out it comes in three sizes. Small - for subcompact pistols and small revolvers. Medium - for compact semi auto's and med frame revolvers. Large - for full size pistols and large frame revolvers.
$9 for the medium size. The advert on the plastic bag it comes in refers you to Griphugger.com. I tried, but it looks like the site is not set up yet.
Anyways, great product for those small, hard to hold but easy to carry guns. Makes my "perfect" 4513 just a little more perfect.
Regards 18DAI
