bharen
5th March 2006, 21:03
Over the past few months I've been on a grip buying spree. Not sure what got into me, but it seemed I was on quest for the holy grail of grips. I bought 'em checkered and smooth, made of wood, plastic, aluminum and other substances not known to mere mortals. Green ones, brown ones, black ones, grained ones. I think I even bought a set that promised to improve my love life. All worked more or less as advertised - they fit my 1911 and gave me something to hold onto. None, however, offered that special "Aaaahhh" I was looking for when I took my 1911 in hand.
Then yesterday I was rooting around in my spares box and uncovered an old set of Pachmayr Signature grips I had taken in trade a few years ago. This is the model with the raised thumb shelf and molded on front strap. I almost tossed them back into the box with nary another thought. After all, how can a 50 year old design compete with today's CNC machined unobtanium offerings?
But with nothing much else to do today I figured I'd give these grips a chance. I got out Mr. Dremel (I'm a southpaw so I needed to inlet them for my ambi safety) and after an hour or so of careful grinding and fitting, fitting and grinding, I finally had the proper clearance.
Screws in place, I picked up my Kimber. Aaaahhhh! There it was! The feel I had been searching for. Just enough swell, just enought gripability. They even 'looked right' on my pistol. I love em'!
So, just when you think the old timers have nothing left to offer I say "Phooey". Pachmayr got it 'right' half a century ago. Seems like the line from the old song is right, "Everything old is new again"!
Thank you Mr. Pachmayr, wherever you are.
Then yesterday I was rooting around in my spares box and uncovered an old set of Pachmayr Signature grips I had taken in trade a few years ago. This is the model with the raised thumb shelf and molded on front strap. I almost tossed them back into the box with nary another thought. After all, how can a 50 year old design compete with today's CNC machined unobtanium offerings?
But with nothing much else to do today I figured I'd give these grips a chance. I got out Mr. Dremel (I'm a southpaw so I needed to inlet them for my ambi safety) and after an hour or so of careful grinding and fitting, fitting and grinding, I finally had the proper clearance.
Screws in place, I picked up my Kimber. Aaaahhhh! There it was! The feel I had been searching for. Just enough swell, just enought gripability. They even 'looked right' on my pistol. I love em'!
So, just when you think the old timers have nothing left to offer I say "Phooey". Pachmayr got it 'right' half a century ago. Seems like the line from the old song is right, "Everything old is new again"!
Thank you Mr. Pachmayr, wherever you are.