Changed the grip angle on my "covert" P9

[brackishgunner]

This has been my favorite carry gun since I bought it used in 2008. I have pretty well mutilated it by conventional standards, filing away sharp corners on the frame, slide lock (both sides), mag release, etc, and I cut off the grip to make it a "covert" 6rd model.

I use a Hogue jr, and I've been stuffing sheets of rubber under it at the top of the rear grip and the bottom of the front grip to try and change the grip angle, because it naturally points a bit high for me. It still wasn't enough.

Today I used a two-part epoxy and some masking tape, and added significant girth to the upper rear grip.

I first prepped the area with a bit of sand paper and cleaned with alcohol. A bit of filing to round everything off, and it now points straight for me. Can't wait to shoot it!

Before filing

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j247/alauve/20150809_155521_zpsctvfj9on.jpg


http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j247/alauve/20150809_155508_zpsjredcls5.jpg



After filing



http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j247/alauve/20150809_162300_zpswnukhydx.jpg



http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j247/alauve/20150809_162311_zpsxpm2vvj9.jpg

[brackishgunner]

also ordered truglo TFX nightsite/fiberoptic sights today. I never really liked the stock sights.

Why do all of this to change a gun instead of just buying one that suites me from the get go?

I have auditioned many replacements, including the LC9s yesterday (it pointed well but just didn't sit well in the hand, and was too snappy) but none of them felt as nice to me as my P9cov. 1000s of rounds through it and still making me happy.

[brackishgunner]

a better pic. More 1911-like

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j247/alauve/20150809_183434_zps9lnjn9jt.jpg

[yqtszhj]

I wouldn't have had the guts to do it but i enjoy seeing others take the plunge and make there gun fit them better. Do you plan to put a grip sleeve back on it?

[brackishgunner]

I know what you mean about taking the plunge. Each time I've auditioned a new gun, I wondered if I could find a buyer for this one if I find a new keeper. Then I look at it and say, "I wouldn't buy it". It surely ain't pretty, but it's just right for me. Or at least it's getting there. . .

I definitely plan on putting the grip back on it. I like the inter-finger nub it adds. Really helps in gaining purchase.

The old hogue grip fell apart when I took it off. It was the third one on this gun. I can't complain, they last a few years each, with significant abuse.

I do wonder if I could repeat the epoxy process on the front of the grip, further lengthening the grip size (front to back, I have big hands), and round file a nub into it. It'd be easy to get the geometry wrong though, and I'd miss the slight increase in the width of the grip given by the sleeve, as well as the rubbery texture. Although, with a soldering iron stippling job, maybe. . .

I'll probably just hold what I got for now. I'll report next range trip.

[CJB]

ya squint a bit, and it looks similar to the grip on a Colt .45 Auto. Thats a bit of interesting and ballsy derring do.

[JohnR]

"We shape our tools, and thereafter our tools shape us."

- Marshall McLuhan

[RRP]

It makes little sense to carry a gun you don't shoot well. If that's how you have to modify the gun to shoot it accurately, then that's what you should do. Good on you for having the wisdom to recognize this and the sac to do it.

Safe shootin'.

[brackishgunner]

I find it hard to disagree with a guy who compliments my sac. No, wait. . .



I didn't say I didn't shoot it well!

It's just that, with an eyes-closed draw and point, I was always aiming a bit high. I figure the extra split second needed to pull the front site down a bit could be the difference one day.

But mainly I'm just a putterer and tinkerer.

[Bawanna]

We have a detective who is obsessed with that eye's closed draw and point technique.
I don't know anything about his sac.

[yqtszhj]

I like that idea of the eyes closed draw and point. My cw45 and cm45 fit my hand perfect like that. The cm9 and ct9 are a bit thin in the grip and point left but a hogue grip with palm swell fixes it. The grip angle works for me for up and down.

[brackishgunner]

Another pic with a new grip sleeve. LOVE it.

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j247/alauve/20150813_204134_zpsrw6oxndn.jpg

[yqtszhj]

That looks good. What i did with mine was turn the grip sleeve upside down from how you have yours and trim to increase the sleeve angle from under the trigger guard to the back so it goes farther up the back strap. It also gave more clearance when instslling a mag on the cm9.

[tom.p]

I have pretty well mutilated it by conventional standards...

I'm sure plenty would say you mutilated it and would be disgusted. So what? It's your gun and you should make it suit your needs. Of course, you'd have a hard time selling it now, but it sounds like it's exactly what you wanted, so I'm guessing it won't ever leave your side until you've worn it (or yourself) out. I'm sure you'll get some funny looks from others at the range once in a while, though.

[berettabone]

I like the grip sleeves but prefer Pachmayr's.........................

[brackishgunner]

That sleeve looks nicer, but I really like the finger nub on the Hogue.

I installed the new combined tritium/fiberoptic sights yesterday. I wish the rears were a bit more pronounced, but the white-ringed front is outstanding.

I just got back from shooting, and I've fallen in love all over again. Both the new sights and the new grip are an incredible upgrade.

Regarding the grip, if I hadn't liked it, I think that I could have removed it by crushing it with some channel locks, then chipping the remainder away. It wouldn't have been pretty, but it's under the sleeve anyway. Moot point, fortunately.


http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j247/alauve/20150815_185422_zpsni1vuz6j.jpg


http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j247/alauve/20150815_185332_zpskvsambnk.jpg



http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j247/alauve/20150815_185305_zpshqvpj51m.jpg

[jpshaw]

I've actually thought of cutting mine to "covert" since I would like to keep the 3.5" barrel but never had. I will start with putting a plain steel mag base on one mag in place of the pinky extension.