CV Grips and Lost River Holsters - Recommended?

palerider · February-14-15 20:02

Hi,

I have owned my Mini Master of several years and have tried most every grip that NAA offers. The folding grip was on the Mini Master the for longest but I am currently back to the stock grips now. I was considering ordering the Oversized Rosewood Magnums but 1: I don't know how much different they or how much an improvement, other than looks, they are from the stock grips and 2: for the same money I can order the CV (CVang) Glass Filled Plastic ones

So from you guys and gals that own them or have owned them, are the CV grips worth it?

Same goes for hostlers, I tried every thing NAA makes ... I thinking of get a Lost River Holsters' Total Tactical Carry NAA Holster. Anyone had any experience with them?

Thanks

Uncle_Lee · February-15-15 05:02

"So from you guys and gals that own them or have owned them, are the CV grips worth it?"

Yes, I know I am sold on them.
All the minis I carry and a lot of those I don't carry, wear Cvangs.
They make a mini handle like a different gun.
Rock solid and quick return to target.

swolf · February-15-15 10:02

Vang grips and Lost River holster is a top choice for my BW. I have 2 Lost River holsters and I love the multiple carry options they provide. The folding grips is my usual concealed carry package, but my Lost River is the go-to for range and varmint hunting, and is best for summer use as neck carry under a t shirt when wearing elastic waistband shorts.

RogueTS1 · February-15-15 11:02

The stock grips must be replaced if one wants to see a great improvement in handling. Either the Secret Service grips or the Cvangs will accomplish this just fine. I personally prefer the Secret Service grips over the Cvangs.

I cannot comment on a Lost River holster but I can recommend a custom fabricated by RKBA Holsters. A custom can be fabricated to your specs if you prefer and at a quite reasonable price.

Pugmeister · February-15-15 12:02

I bought a set of the "glass filled" ones. Not impressed whatsoever.

Grips rock back and forth and won't tighten up. Plus, a lot of money for cheap injection molded ****.
($5 would be a fairer price)

I guess the worst thing is after polite emails to maker asking for his input, guess what, no response.

Last time out shooting I took some rubbing alcohol to get stock Pug grip off and shot with both grips and saw no
improvement in accuracy with the CV's over the Pug's slightly over sized stock grip.

Apparently the wood ones must be fine. Keep in mind my comments only pertain to my experience with the plastic grips.

As a new member of this great forum I'll probably get flogged like a rented mule over these comments, but if I had read
comments like this I wouldn't have bought the plastic ones in the first place. JMHO

In case you still decide to get them you can save about $5.00 over the ebay listings, by going direct to his site.

As mentioned above RKBA makes an excellent pocket holster for these little beasts.

auburn1975 · February-15-15 15:02

My POV: Cvang grip

The current Cvang grip is brilliantly contoured and hold extremely well in either a large or medium hand. However, I agree with other that because they are no longer being manufacturing with solid woods they are not as nice as the older version ...MOST unfortunate. I do not understand why they changed their process and fine it very, VERY disappointing. If they ever returned to quality, solid woods, I would buy only Cvang grips over all others....now I will not buy them at all.

Some like myself have also found that their plastic grip didn't fit tight to the frame on one side. If you like the grip or want to try them, this is a good way to go. There is this one small issue of fitting your frame because of interference with the gun's main spring with the backside of the grip's injection molding. So if you do find you have this gap issue where the front of the grip is not fitting closely (rocking effect), get a dremel tool and remove some of the backside of the grip's molding struts along the path of the frames main spring and it will fix this up easily. It's a very comfortable grip but still just a plastic black grip.

Pugmeister · February-15-15 16:02

Mine fit tight to the frame on both sides but there was considerable movement rocking back and forth. I'm sure the roundness of the frame and no sharp corners to lock into doesn't help.

It was either this forum or another that I learned of using a hot glue gun to put little dabs in spots around the frame to act as a filler to help lock the grip up better.
I did that and had it acceptable until the first time I fired it.

auburn1975 · February-15-15 17:02

My POV - Lost River Holsters for IWB and The Absaroka Kids for ALL others.
My everywhere, everyday carry is my Pug and my preferred method to carry is appendix IWB & without a belt. I have to many things in my pockets so IWB for me. In order to do so with any type of pants (running pants, jeans, dress pants, etc), my solution is Lost River Holsters with their extreme cant position slot. This allows the grip to be completely covered by the waistband. I removed the lower straight cant hole and 2nd cant hole position from bottom of black IWB black piece, and modified it to nylon screws/nut & rubber washer rather than metal screws. For me as IWB...it's perfect. For all other carry methods & guns...it's The Absaroka Kids holsters all the way...just the way Ed makes it period.

PaducahMichael · February-15-15 21:02

There is a set of used WOOD CV griopps on ebay right now. Buy it now of $50 with free shipping. No - they aren't mine!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Revision-CV-Grips-for-NAA-22-Magnum-and-Black-Widow-/181668351369?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a4c470d89

RogueTS1 · February-15-15 22:02

You will find that with most grips of just about any kind that completely cover the grip frame it is not unusual to have some wiggle. That is why they are supposed to be shimmed. Takes all the wiggle out and makes them super tight.

Uncle_Lee · February-16-15 07:02

Hey Pugmeister,
What is the color of your Cvang grips?

Pugmeister · February-16-15 08:02

The grips are black plastic. I don't believe he makes the white ones anymore.

palerider · February-16-15 14:02

Thanks for all the info about the good, bad and ugly of these product. CVang grips should be shipping soon and I about to order form Lost River Holsters. If I can remember I will give you feedback when I get them.

Thanks again and remember there's "nothing like a good piece of hickory" but can put my MiniMaster in my pocket and it hits farther ..."

RogueTS1 · February-17-15 07:02

Quote from: palerider on February-16-15 14:02
Thanks for all the info about the good, bad and ugly of these product. CVang grips should be shipping soon and I about to order form Lost River Holsters. If I can remember I will give you feedback when I get them.

Thanks again and remember there's "nothing like a good piece of hickory" but can put my MiniMaster in my pocket and it hits farther ..."

Especially if that piece of Hickory is only about 7 inches long with a 25 inch piece of razor sharp steel attached to it!

palerider · February-23-15 21:02

Quote from: palerider on February-16-15 14:02
Thanks for all the info about the good, bad and ugly of these product. CVang grips should be shipping soon and I about to order form Lost River Holsters. If I can remember I will give you feedback when I get them.

Thanks again and remember there's "nothing like a good piece of hickory" but can put my MiniMaster in my pocket and it hits farther ..."

OK as promised I have both the LRH and the CVang grips and here the my impression. The LRH was larger than expected but I guess it has to be that way to accommodate the 4" barrel. It was tight to holster the gun when I first got it but after finding the right adjustment to the tension screw a short break in the re- holstering is working great. With the stock Mini Master grips the draw was a little difficult as there was not enough space to grasp the grip completely. Not insurmountable but annoying. No matter because those grip where coming off anyway.

Now the CVang Glass Filled Grips. As some have mention there where a few issue with these. The left hand side of the grip stood proud in the cylinder area and there was some sharp edges where the panel halves came together. So I sent them back ... No I took my wife hair dryer and heated the left panel at the top and made a slight "adjustment" that fixed the standing proud issue, I also put the left panel of first. For the sharp edges I took my pocket knife, and scraped off the excess 'flashing" by holding the blade a a 90 deg angle to the panel. Problems solved. As for the ergonomics ... Wow they feel great. I can almost get full 3 finger grip (I have small hands). The spacing also allows me to use the finger tip pad of index finger for the trigger naturally instead having contort my finger to use it or use the pad between the first and second knuckle. The gun points more naturally also with the sight lining up without a lot of "searching" for them. I haven't been to the range yet but I am looking forward to a more comfortable shooting and better accuracy. BTW the CVang grips also "fixed" the draw issue I was having with the LRH. More than enough space to get a secure grip on the grip for a fast and easy draw.

Again thank for all the info. I am happy with my purchase.