Get a grip! From snakeskin to conamyds, it's what's "up-front" that counts

American Handgunner, Nov-Dec, 2003 by Larry Pomykalski

One of the primary considerations on a fighting handgun is ensuring it handles well under the stress of a gunfight. This means the gun must be comfortable, fit the shooter and present a non-slip gripping surface for the sweaty, rain-soaked or bloody hand that might have to hold it.

Custom gunsmiths have devised a variety of ways to improve the handling qualities of a gun that must display "marksmanship at speed," as it were. And while they add a practical and important asset to the fighting handgun, they're also one place a 'smith can stretch out and add a personal touch, something that simply isn't possible with many other modifications.

The classic 1911 has received the most attention from custom gunsmiths, and for good reason--it presents a near perfect combination of power, size and ergonomics. It's also large, heavy and recoils somewhat more than most other fighting handguns on the scene. This has made it a perfect candidate for modifications that improve the shooter's grip.

There are a number of ways to improve the handling of the 1911 and sharply checkered grips are the first place to add some traction. After that, the smooth and wide front-strap can use a bit of grip, especially under challenging conditions. And adding that grip has become an art all its own among those that specialize in 1911 work. So, in no particular order of important or glitz-appeal, here's some ideas so you can sound like you know what you're talking about when you order that $4,000 custom 1911. You are ordering one, aren't you ...?

Brownell's Insta-Grip

One way to add some temporary traction to your favorite pistol without raiding your kid's skateboarding supplies is to pick up some "Insta-Grip" from Brownell's. (If you're not already familiar with Brownell's, they're the world's largest gunsmithing supply house, mad they carry just about everything firearms related. Their massive catalog is a must-read for any shooter.) Insta-Grip is a sheet of adhesive traction tape that's been pre-cut into shapes mad sizes suitable for most every handgunning need. It's a great way to experiment with different textures before you decide to have a permanent alteration done to your favorite pistol.

Stippling

Created by repeatedly displacing metal with a sharp punch, fine stippling creates a surface that resembles medium-weight sandpaper in both appearance and feel. Done well, it's attractive and very 'hand-friendly', for want of a better description. Done poorly it looks like you dropped your favorite pistol from a speeding Pinto and allowed it to skate along the asphalt. Oops.

A variant of ordinary stippling is the "Sharkskin Stippling" as performed by pistolsmith Ted Yost of Chino Valley, Arizona.

Ted's technique varies from standard stippling in that the metal displaced is directed into a more aggressive pattern, substantially increasing the grip offered.

Checkering

The classic way of adding grip, and class, to a custom firearm is to checker the areas contacted by the shooter's hand. Depending on the number of lines cut per inch, the resulting area can range from comfortably non-slip to extremely aggressive.

While checkering was done completely by hand in the past. the creative use of milling machines has enabled pistolsmiths to create picture-perfect checkering at a reasonable price. But don't let the use of a machine fool you--there's a great deal of work and skill involved in machine checkering, as anyone who's seen it done can attest, Looking at the rows of tiny, perfect diamonds covering the front-strap of a 1911 is impressive, to say the least.

Well-known pistolsmith C.T. Brian, of Grand Junction, Colorado, acids a twist to his artistic checkering, creating the pattern with a milling machine before finishing each diamond by hand with a file. Effectively doubling the work needed to complete the front-strap, Brian aims to combine the accuracy of machine work with the pride of ownership that comes from knowing your pistolsmith labored over every detail of your defensive gun. One look will tell you that his results justify his means.

The Wave

Custom pistolsmith Dane Burns of Issaquah, Washington, has developed a new slant on improving the handling qualities of the 1911. Created by milling curving parallel lines in both the front-strap and the mainspring housing, the Wave creates a texture that increases traction on the shooter's hand without abrading clothing or holsters. It's smooth to the touch, but allows a shooter's hand to "sink" into the grooves to resist movement both up-and-down and side-to-side. Unlike most other front-strap treatments, the Wave is dependent on the shooter's gripping force for its degree of friction. The tighter you grip it, the tighter you lock into the grooves. Classy, comfortable and effective--who could ask for more?

Conamyds

Conamyds (from "conical pyramids") are the creation of gunsmith Ned Christiansen of Three Rivers, Michigan. Unlike anything that's been done before, Conamyds are a complex work of intersections and lines milled into the front-strap and mainspring housing, with the resulting surface resembling nothing so much as a ping-pong paddle.