Grip & slide work...what's your experience?

[AC67]

Hey folks,

Still consider myself a newbie so I'm throwing this out there asking for your advice and experience. 

Have a Glock19 and M&P Shield and love 'em BOTH. But I'm a small guy with small hands and I started considering a grip reduction on my Glock and in the process of researching found a whole bunch of cool things. Not only a reduction on my 19 but stippling on both my 19 & Shield. And slide work for both too. So I found both Robar and Boresight Solutions. I like Robar's NP3 but don't like their grip work. I like Boresight's grip work but not sure if their black nitride is as good as NP3?  And Robar NP3's the slide AND internals, making cleaning a breeze, but Boresight only nitrides the slide and not the internals (am I sounding lazy?). 

I'd love to hear your thoughts and experience. 

Thanks much!

 

[326MOD10]

I have had a Shield 9mm and Glock 43 worked over by David Bowie of Bowie Tactical Concepts. Stipple, night sights, action work.

I have also had an Apex trigger dropped in, night sights added and a stipple job done by Williams Gun Works in KS.

All the work is top notch and makes a difference in the handling of the handgun.

Down side is the money you spend on the work you won't get back out of it so do it because it is a practical modification for your intended purpose.

Have fun.

 

[zephyr]

I also have small hands and could just get comfortable with a stock Glock 17 or 19. I sent mine to Cold Bore Customs for a full grip reduction package and now they are awesome. Literally changed them from uncomfortable to just right for me.

When I sent my first few GLocks to him his turn around time was like a week, now it's much longer . But he still does great work.

The only slide work I think is worth it is milling for an RMR. All the other slots and grooves and speed holes are IMHO unnecessary and perhaps even risky.

 

[CB3]

Having such work done on guns pleases me.

The Glock is a fat grip, and a reduction is favored by many. Stippling, especially large holes, can trap dirt and be hard to clean.

I assume your Shield is a Generation 1.0 as the 2.0 has a textured/stippled grip that most people like.

As a viable, less expensive alternative to improve both grips, I like Talon Grips rubberized custom cut grip enhancements. They work well, can be removed, and cost about 1/3 of stippling.

Most slide refinishes are comparable—NP3, any form of nitriting known by lots of different names but basically the same process. I would avoid Cerakote as it is simply a paint. Any “dip” process will get to the inside of the stripped slide, but to actually have the slide internal parts refinished costs extra and IMO is not worth it.

Before refinishing the slide you may want to have it “melted”, i. e., all sharp edges removed and all sliding surfaces polished. I am not a fan of porting, windows, or extra fancy cut work on a slide meant for concealed carry.