Older woman who I visit the range with occasionally decided she'd get a Kimber Eclipse Pro II gun recently.  Unfortunately for her the damn thing is a monster in her small hands.  What are her options for the smallest/thinnest grip panels possible to make it not so much of a monster in her hands.  She insists on trying to make it work for now (although she's pretty close to selling it.  I might get it for a cheap ass price. )  I know absolutely ZERO about the choices out there for 1911 patterned pistols, so pointers to sources of GOOD and skinny grips would be helpful.

 

Thanks!  (I'll be google-fu'ing for a while also.)

small 1911 style Sig P938

1911's have three grip sizes

 

Thin (Slim)

 

med (Which is standard)

 

Thick (Which are not that popular, but are avail. if you look for them)

 

If she gets the thin grips, she may g=have to change the grip screws as well - I'm

not positive on that.

 

Good Luck!

The list of what you can do is this:

 

-install slim grip bushings if it doesn't have them. 

-install really thin micarta grips (navidrex was the thinnest I can currently find, i have an older set sitting around that's a wee bit thinner) or the new ultra slim titanium grips by halpurn titanium ( .165"  and  .101" thick respectively)

-install slim grip screws or cut down the existing grip screws)

-install a shorter trigger like the STI short nylon trigger or the infinity trigger system with the short curved shoe. 

 

-have a gunsmith undercut and relieve the trigger guard. 

 

If that makes sense or not is another matter. 

 

I've done the fiorst 4, and it is pretty easy. the last one is gunsmith only. 

Make her realize it wont fit her. Get it for cheap from her. Help her buy something that fits her better.

Make her realize it wont fit her. Get it for cheap from her. Help her buy something that fits her better.

Trust me, I'm trying. She's considering selling it, but she's a bit... stubborn.

I won't even get into the fact the other gun she "loves" and "keeps as a nightstand and dog walking gun" is a Bodyguard 380... and that thing is a jamb-o-matic with the ammo she has. Honestly she'd be better off shooting at a bad guy with her .22 pistol... at least it'll consistently feed/fire and she can hit the broad side of said bad guy at bad breath distance with it.

 

Not sure I'd want the Kimber though... never been a 1911 style fan and it's not set up with an ambi safety lever either.

I helped Irish Pete's Wife "sort" a 1911, since she is just a wee lass also. Went with slim grips and short trigger.

Maybe PM her and see if you can put your friend together with her and she can try one that is already modified before she decides if it will work on her gun. Sandy (IPW) also heads up a club for women shooters.

Good luck.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

Have her go to a range and try a bunch of rentals to see what feels comfortable and she can shoot accurately with.  If the Kimber doesn't match the best of the bunch then it isn't right for her.  Same goes for the .380.

Hi! Both of my 1911s are nicely modified for short fingers/small hands , thanks to Bob's help I put VZ slim grips on them ( get the bushings and screws for slim grips as well ) ..then I had the trigger shortened on both of them. They both feel great ( A Colt Combat Elite and a Smith E series , both 45 ACP) . Can be done for in and around 200 bucks.  PM me if you think she would like to meet me at the range to try them out . Like Bob said , Shari and I also run a women's club and we have a lot of great events coming up. I can guest her into Woodland Park. Let me know!