Relax, why? I'm not worked up. I'm simply amused at the amount of money wasted on useless stuff designed for form over function. At the end of the day its your money do as you please. My concern is when such people decide to weigh in on what is and isn't effective as far as make/model/calibre/technique/accessory. If playing dress up with your guns is your game, great. I must be in the minority of people who wish to shoot their guns and improve ones ability. Looking cool has zero benefit.
TDC
You don't like Para-Ordnance? The model 1911? I do agree that function is superior to looking cool, but I still like a gun that is visually appealing. Although it's not fair to compare it to wife selection, I would like one I find physically attractive, (and not to fuel the fires) foremost one that is sensible and above reproach. (this is exceedingly difficult combination to find mostly because of the last criteria) As the old saying goes, there is a Jack for every Jill and as unsightly as it would be, a 1911 decked with solid gold grips would be expensive, backward (and IMO ugly) but it only needs appeal to the owner and his deep pockets.
I enjoy this particular model, although mine has a couple quirks need ironing out: Feed reliability has been improved by some strokes with ultra fine sand paper on the feed ramp. From the factory my Para 1911 ftf more often than I gathered others experienced this. It's still had less than 500rounds through it, but one ftf is expected in every 50-100 rounds. I'm hoping more shooting will resolve that, but 45acp being so short and fat isn't the most ideal case for flawless function. Still need to change the front site, or get adjustable rear for raising the point of impact. I've only had handguns for a few years so first blamed my technique, but a few thousand rounds I confidently rule that out. A trigger refinement would help, but I don't want to tackle something I am unfamiliar with. A gunsmith could do that all in a day, but then I'd have to bother with temporary ATT, as the present one is only to any range in Ontario, any time of the day.
Anyway, I did fit wider grips to replace the stock ugly plastic grips: A modification mostly to improve it's appearance with something my own two hands made. The gun is a stock GI Expert.
The wood selected was from a chunk I've had laying around for several years: Rescued from the woodpile because of the lovely grain it posessed. It is from a large block of Sugar Maple.
To satisfy the practicallity conscious: My hand is not small, but until I give it a try at the range with the new grips, I am unable to report of any improvement as a result of the chunkier, rounded edge grips, departing from the half moon shape of a traditional 1911 grip. First impression is it feels funny, so I'm not sure I'll like the chunky feel.. slender grip is synonymous with 1911s.
