Pef
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- Joined
- Apr 4, 2011
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I love Ahrends Grips. For me, they are simply the best. However, I discovered a way to make them even better - for me at least.
I usually carry my airweights in Ahrends finger groove boot grips, like this:
My heavier .357 J frames get the longer tactical J frame grips, like this:
I had an extra pair of the longer tactical grips lying around. While the boot grips are very good, I've always like the purchase I feel along my middle finger with the longer tactical grips.
So I decided to saw the bottoms off my longer tactical grips and turn them into boot grips. The result was better than I expected. After sawing, I sanded to fit with 400 grit and then did a finishing sand of 1000 grit. Then I applied a few coats of pure tung oil.
You'll notice these are smidge longer than the round butt, and extend beyond the bottom:
When comparing to the boot grips, you'll see a noticeable difference. Here I have placed a boot grip on one side for a side-by-side comparison. You can see how the booth grip is thicker than the tactical grip along the middle finger groove:
And here you can see how the tactical grip is thicker along the second finger groove, and also terminates with the remnants of the third finger groove:
Notice also how the cut tactical grip is slightly longer than the boot grip.
The result is a slightly more "positive" purchase around the revolver grip.
Had I added about 1mm in length I could have kept the serial number covered by the wood. Unfortunately I cut the wood too thin and I snapped off a piece of the bottom to expose the SN. So I just decided for this pair to go with the bottom exposed.
All one needs is a miter box, a fine saw, sandpaper and some oil.
I usually carry my airweights in Ahrends finger groove boot grips, like this:
My heavier .357 J frames get the longer tactical J frame grips, like this:
I had an extra pair of the longer tactical grips lying around. While the boot grips are very good, I've always like the purchase I feel along my middle finger with the longer tactical grips.
So I decided to saw the bottoms off my longer tactical grips and turn them into boot grips. The result was better than I expected. After sawing, I sanded to fit with 400 grit and then did a finishing sand of 1000 grit. Then I applied a few coats of pure tung oil.
You'll notice these are smidge longer than the round butt, and extend beyond the bottom:
When comparing to the boot grips, you'll see a noticeable difference. Here I have placed a boot grip on one side for a side-by-side comparison. You can see how the booth grip is thicker than the tactical grip along the middle finger groove:
And here you can see how the tactical grip is thicker along the second finger groove, and also terminates with the remnants of the third finger groove:
Notice also how the cut tactical grip is slightly longer than the boot grip.
The result is a slightly more "positive" purchase around the revolver grip.
Had I added about 1mm in length I could have kept the serial number covered by the wood. Unfortunately I cut the wood too thin and I snapped off a piece of the bottom to expose the SN. So I just decided for this pair to go with the bottom exposed.
All one needs is a miter box, a fine saw, sandpaper and some oil.
