Grip dilemma

[Terry treefish]

When I took delivery on my sidewinder from uncle Lee, it came with the Itsy-bitsy grip, which is stock, I?m figuring.  Nothing would do me, but I had to get the black grips like my black widow.  Then, nothing would do me, but I had to have some prettier wood grips.  And indeed they are pretty.

Now, as the weather warms, wearing short sleeves, tail out, harder to not print with my beautiful R.J. cross draw holster, i?m back to the itsy-bitsy Grips.   What a dilemma I solved.

[Uncle_Lee]

It is like having extra pairs of shoes in the closet.
Some for the summer and some for the winter.

[Terry treefish]

Yep, it?s about like that, Uncle Lee.   Funny thing is, my accuracy with all three grips are close to the same from 5 yards out.

[Gunznknives]

For me, it truly is a dilemma. I absolutely love the look and feel of the wood grips and those look great by the way. They are definitely elegant, nostalgic and easy to conceal. However, I need the practicality of the rubber grips on my magnums purely for functionality and fit to my hand.

Even so, I can definitely see myself getting a nice set of rosewood grips for my Pug just because..

[OV-1D]

  They call that "A Good Grip" with a good fit , hand wise Terry . 

[Rick_Jorgenson]

I found this video about "How to Dress" while carrying.

The title is pretty funny "Don't Be A Tactical Hobo" 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29h9NEV5dXY

Bottom line for me...

#1. Be comfortable
#2. Wear appropriate attire for occasion
#3. Carry Gun and Holster appropriate for location/setting

This is hard for "first time" gun owners. They try to buy a gun and Holster that will do "everything"  (not possible) JMHO

In Arizona I see the "Tactical Hobo's" especially in the warm months (March through December)  wearing the cargo pants with pockets full of "preparedness" things and do-dad's and always with the oversized "Fishing Vest"  (normally it's the 70 year olds and up)

They believe that this keeps them from "printing" and not looking like they are carrying a gun, I swear, I ask them, "why a fishing vest in Arizona?"  The Answer...

"Because it hides my .49 magnum Super Duty Wilson Combat Ed Brown Kimber Colt 2011 with 12 inch barrel, night sights, Red Dot, Laser Dot Self Aiming Locating System, 10 million lumen 6 inch flashlight and, 12 inch Bayonet. The 68 Round Magazine still creates a little "bump" in the back of the vest but most won't notice it." (caliber has to start with a 4 for them) 

It might be a little exaggerated but here in AZ these guys are all over!

They are the ones sitting in the corner sweating to death when its 115'f wearing the cargo pants and fishing vest! 
All AZ crooks know who to take out first 

Carrying a NAA Mini helps keep us from being a "Tactical Hobo" no matter what grips you use! 

[bearcatter]

LOLOL! You forgot the grenade launcher in their hip pocket, because the custom rails were full.

Reminds me of the "tacticool" billy bobs at the range. ARs, swat team outfits, rattle can camo on their rusty pickup. Hoot and holler every time they get on the paper at ten yards, "Hey, look at that, look what I did!"  Rambo would laugh.

[KEN AR]

As a former Arizona Retiree I must admit that on a few days I did represent that group.  Only 65 but hey I've always been an early trend setter.  Now when it got up to 100+ is when I started looking for smaller is better.
Of course Rick to every opportunity to get me hooked on his NAA addiction.  Yep, he even let me take his Mini Master to the range to shoot it. Of course I now have one of my own.

I will say that I have settled on the Revision grips by CVANG. They are one finger longer on the grip length but not as bulky as the Black Widows.  I find that these do not print when I have my shirt untucked.  Yes some days I do leave the fishing vest at home even though my house here in Arkansas has a lake in the back yard that is full of fish.

Rick got me hooked on NAA's and I got him hooked on revision grips.
http://www.revisioncv.com/catalog/4

[Wumbey Goomba]

I AM BatMan!

[Wumbey Goomba]

Sorry had to do two posts Picture too big.

[Rick_Jorgenson]

LOLOL! You forgot the grenade launcher in their hip pocket, because the custom rails were full.

Reminds me of the "tacticool" billy bobs at the range. ARs, swat team outfits, rattle can camo on their rusty pickup. Hoot and holler every time they get on the paper at ten yards, "Hey, look at that, look what I did!"  Rambo would laugh.

I did forget about their grenade launcher attachment! That goes on the rail that is attached to the rail that is attached to the main accessory rail... next to the espresso maker and soft serve ice cream machine

As a former Arizona Retiree I must admit that on a few days I did represent that group.  Only 65 but hey I've always been an early trend setter.  Now when it got up to 100+ is when I started looking for smaller is better.
Of course Rick to every opportunity to get me hooked on his NAA addiction.  Yep, he even let me take his Mini Master to the range to shoot it. Of course I now have one of my own.

I will say that I have settled on the Revision grips by CVANG. They are one finger longer on the grip length but not as bulky as the Black Widows.  I find that these do not print when I have my shirt untucked.  Yes some days I do leave the fishing vest at home even though my house here in Arkansas has a lake in the back yard that is full of fish.

Rick got me hooked on NAA's and I got him hooked on revision grips.
http://www.revisioncv.com/catalog/4

Ken, you always looked cool when you came in the shop... no "Tactical Hobo" vibe radiating off of you 

At least you saw the way to do it correctly before becoming a permanent "Tactical Hobo"!!  Most of those guys will be buried in their Cargo pants and Fishing vests! (because they are permanently attached!) 

I know! I hooked you on the NAA's and you hooked me on the CVang Grips!

Every time I got to his website it costs me a couple hundred! 

Well I don't know if I'm a "Tactical Hobo". I'll just throw it
all out there and Ya'll can decide. I never really have worried
about "printing", it's been my experience most if not all people
have so much on their mind that they are oblivious to their surroundings,
let alone me.

No vest here, more like a utility belt (think Batman). I think the secret to it all
is, your upper must be bigger than your middle. I work outside where it's most always hot.
Denim shorts and a cotton tee shirt are my daily dress. I do seek out long tee shirts so if
I bend or stretch, the Bat Belt stays covered.

To my knowledge no one has noticed what I got going on. Or at least never verbalized it.
I know that doesn't prove they haven't noticed, but it hasn't been a problem.
In the bank, or even standing in front of law enforcement. So for me printing has been a non issue.

The argument that a bad guy will make you a target cuts both ways, he also may leave you alone
cause there are more easy targets. Kind of like having a mean dog in your yard.
A firearm is your second line of defense. being alert and seeing trouble coming should
all ways be first. That said walk soft and carry something (or two) that goes boom.

So if I'm a "Tactical Hobo", so be it, no shame here. The Cypress Hill song says it best,
" When the sh**t goes down, you better be ready."
This is, on most days my daily carry, I don't always carry the baton, and I have a mini bic,
(I'm not a smoker)a Victorinox Signature Lite, a small Gerber folder and a Covid key, in
my front pocket. The Pug has been riding in a Desantis paddle holster, just got the DSL
holster today. The little 1911 is a Sig P238 (love it) if your curios. Have been know to carry
one more(3) mag. for it sometimes. ( Cypress Hill).
I carry a tri fold wallet also.

I AM BatMan!

Yes you are Batman! 

You might be "Tactical Hobo" adjacent    Which is ok, no one can see your "Bat Utility Belt"  Like Dr. Dre says "Who's The Man With The Master Plan"

Your ready for whatever comes your way during your work day. Most of these retired guys only go to coffee in the morning and nothing else during the day.

[bearcatter]

My EDC is a ring of 9 keys in my right front pocket. Old style zipper change purse, comb, and Victorinox Cadet chained to nail clippers in left front. Wallet right rear. If I carry, Guardian right front pocket and keys moved to left. Maybe a magazine in its Leatherman pouch on belt. Maybe two?

[Canoeal]

I too was bitten by the grip dilemma. I bought the BW first so I hade the rubber grips fist. They worked fine But there was a couple of things I didn't like; mostly the hump at the back of the grip, and being me I like wood. I also didn't have a lot of cash to keep buying and trying grips. to have them end up in a drawer (did that at first with My Charter Arms). So because I have some skill at wood working I started making my own, finding what worked and what didn't (for me). With some help from a very talented member of the forum and a little patience I have made what are the perfect grips for me. Thanks for the help OV-Wan the Jedi master of grips.

[Uncle_Lee]

Thank all of you good people.
I had Lucinda get me a refill on this special coffee when I saw how many pictures are in this thread.
Good pictures and Good coffee.

[Terry treefish]

I carry my Sidewinder or my Beretta 25acp, or both, most every day.  Yes, I do wear my holsters.  But most of the time one will rest in a pocket holster in my oversized watch pocket.  I now have 8 of these Very lightweight Wranglers from Walmart, for $21.00.  In SW Georgia these pants work 9 months a year.  There is a thread here that goes into detail.

With the watch pocket method, I can wear my shirttail in, which  I like to do.  Considering  one purpose of the little gun is for deep concealment, the Itsy-bitsy Beautiful  Grips  work really well.

By the way, Canoeal, you are Certainly a master craftsman,  imho.   Beautiful work.

[OV-1D]

  Your more than welcomed Al , thats a pretty good description of myself , thank you for that statement . I really got to get back to manufacturing again , its so rewarding to ones self . But those beautiful oversized furniture grips you have there are the top of the line great looking only to be copied , hope you don't mind .  

[heyjoe]

I carry my Sidewinder or my Beretta 25acp, or both, most every day.  Yes, I do wear my holsters.  But most of the time one will rest in a pocket holster in my oversized watch pocket.  I now have 8 of these Very lightweight Wranglers from Walmart, for $21.00.  In SW Georgia these pants work 9 months a year.  There is a thread here that goes into detail.

With the watch pocket method, I can wear my shirttail in, which  I like to do.  Considering  one purpose of the little gun is for deep concealment, the Itsy-bitsy Beautiful  Grips  work really well.

By the way, Canoeal, you are Certainly a master craftsman,  imho.   Beautiful work.

too cold to wear the lighweight wranglers three months in sw georgia?? I wear them all winter 800 miles north. you have to thicken up that blood a little. it's shorts from april through october.

[Terry treefish]

I carry my Sidewinder or my Beretta 25acp, or both, most every day.  Yes, I do wear my holsters.  But most of the time one will rest in a pocket holster in my oversized watch pocket.  I now have 8 of these Very lightweight Wranglers from Walmart, for $21.00.  In SW Georgia these pants work 9 months a year.  There is a thread here that goes into detail.

With the watch pocket method, I can wear my shirttail in, which  I like to do.  Considering  one purpose of the little gun is for deep concealment, the Itsy-bitsy Beautiful  Grips  work really well.

By the way, Canoeal, you are Certainly a master craftsman,  imho.   Beautiful work.

too cold to wear the lighweight wranglers three months in sw georgia?? I wear them all winter 800 miles north. you have to thicken up that blood a little. it's shorts from april through october.

Yes, there are many days during Dec-Jan-Feb, that I can wear the light weight wranglers.  But I prefer another Walmart pant, same money, that is heavier weight.  While the watch pocket is shallow but deep enough for a knife, there is a zippered pocket by the watch pocket, that hides my Mini very well.  I love these pants.  Have been known to wear these to church.

[Canoeal]

  Your more than welcomed Al , thats a pretty good description of myself , thank you for that statement . I really got to get back to manufacturing again , its so rewarding to ones self . But those beautiful oversized furniture grips you have there are the top of the line great looking only to be copied , hope you don't mind .

I would be honored if you thought them worthy to copy. Go for it.

[OV-1D]

 Thanks Al . 

[LHB]

Went to 60th. class reunion last September, it was warm, wearing an untucked polo shirt, first question I was asked by a classmate, as soon as I got through the door was if I was carrying.   I replied no, since carrying in an establishment where alcohol is served is a no-no in Illinois, and he replied well, you do know that the untucked shirt is a sign that you are carrying.

[Rick_Jorgenson]

Went to 60th. class reunion last September, it was warm, wearing an untucked polo shirt, first question I was asked by a classmate, as soon as I got through the door was if I was carrying.   I replied no, since carrying in an establishment where alcohol is served is a no-no in Illinois, and he replied well, you do know that the untucked shirt is a sign that you are carrying.

"the untucked shirt is a sign that you are carrying"

lol!! What a tool!  Like you would have said yes? lol!!   

I'm guessing he was a "self appointed Hall Monitor" in school too 

[RogueTS1]

Just to keep them guessing.