Saturday, August 17, 2013

The New Importance of Handgun Grips and the Aftermarket


Carol Stream, IL—In the Western suburb of The Windy City stands a business called Eagle Grips.  I have had a personal association with this firm since it began in 1971.  Back then I was a young cop just out of the Army.  I always liked guns so when I could get off on weekends I’d hit local gun shows. 
Back then there were fewer gun bans and the gun shows were larger however the selection of available guns and accessories were limited by today’s standards.   Aftermarket gun grips were the made by a few companies and the pickings were slim.  That changed for me when I saw a Sikh Indian man at a table exhibiting grips at the then popular Waukegan Gun Show.
At the time gun grip materials were usually either made from walnut wood or rubber.  The choices were limited.  There are problems with rubber grabbing your clothes and printing out through your clothing with telltale signs that you’re packing heat.   Walnut wood is too soft and for grips and the material must be sealed with some type of varnish.  Walnut is such a bland looking wood that it hurts my eyes. 
The Sikh fellow was exhibiting really gorgeous rosewood and ebony wood grips.  The colors were much richer than what Colt, Smith & Wesson or Ruger was putting on their stock products.   I was so impressed I bought two sets from him.   That was the beginning of a terrific love affair with a company’s products and a lasting friendship with that Sikh man, Harbans Singh.
Singh learned I was a cop and asked my lots of questions in relation to law enforcement needs and product design.   Ever since I’ve been heavily involved on a part time basis with product development and design.  Additionally I handle public relations for the firm and attend several of the largest gun shows in the world each year.  That firm is, Eagle Grips.
Harbans retired and his son Raj Singh is now the President and CEO.    The younger Singh had grown up with guns, gun enthusiasts, firearms trainers, cops, collectors and firearms journalists.  Raj Singh has followed in his father's footsteps. 
Why do you need after market grips for your handguns?
Essentially every handgun other than the polymer frame guns like Glock come with grips from the factory.  They are generally well designed and attractive but why settle for the routine if you don’t have to? Additionally factory grips almost fit nobody's hands!  This is Where Eagle Grips has take the lead. 
Your handgun is an important part of you if you are like me and carry one.  It’s the first thing you see when you wake up and the last thing you see before going to sleep.   Your gun is a highly prized personal item and should be personalized to your needs, taste and style.  We are all different and now we can demand that our guns reflect our persona.  Once you’ve seen Eagle’s products you will want to banish walnut and rubber from your life.  
Eagle offers real ivory, Mother of Pearl, Sambar Stagg, Rosewood and Ebony Wood.  In addition there are some polymer and synthetic offerings that mimic the natural materials. 
Suddenly the game was changed when Raj Singh sought to bring color into the otherwise drab world of gun grips.  A new process was discovered to make the most durable and terrific grip material ever!  It is called Kirinite.  The colors are incredibly vivid and the selection is limitless.  The material must be cut, shaped and polished like gems.  The more you polish the material the more it adheres to your hands!  The material is not in anyway slippery.  Additionally it is impervious to scratching, dulling or breakage.
Knife makers just love working with Kirinite have take it to new heights.  Now you can have your gun grips match your favorite knife!  This truly the age  for the personalization of your security hardware.  You can order all of Eagle Grip’s material from their website at www.eaglegrips.com.
Meet my dear friend Raj Singh:


Check out some Kirinite grips here:

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I second the idea of aftermarket grips. I own a SW 642. Even with straight .38 loads, the recoil was so painful I had to wear gloves to shoot a box of 50. Then I bought the Secret Service grips from Eagle Grips. I no longer needed gloves and my groups improved!

Anonymous said...

The Secret Service grips are great for those toting a J-frame.