Upgrades and improvements
Some of the guns we see that people often swap out the grips for are Sig Sauer factory grips. While some people may like this, many find them to be a little slippery and could use something that helps keep the hands tight during firing. Hogue Grips come in fingerless and fingered grips. These grips will help fill in the space between your fingers and make you feel like you’re holding a pair of brass knuckles. I’ve done many tests where I took 2 of the same handguns to the range and let novice shooters try both, I asked them which gun they preferred and they almost always preferred one over the other. After they decide, I tell them it’s the same gun, just different grips and the cost of the upgrade is under $25. Sometimes using the gun you have and making a small tweak is all you need to improve your shooting skills and confidence.
Sometimes we find our preferences as far as the look and reliability of a firearm for duty carry or self defense. The reality of finding a firearm for an operator that works for them is customization and pistol grips can be the key. No handgun or rifle will fit everyone. There are plenty of firearm manufacturers that are putting out combat reliable firearms, but with handguns, gun grip is extremely important. There is a lot of BS that comes from from training instructors and the gun boards about which firearm is the BEST, but the one that works the best for you is the one that fits you. Rifle stocks can be meastured by measuring from the inside of your elbow to your trigger finger, but pistol grips are a little bit different.
I must admit that I have my preferences when it comes to handguns and rifles, but I realize because I like something more than another, it doesn’t mean that they are functionally better. I’m aware of dust tests on firearm where one beats out another, but for non-military endurance levels, most of what I normally handle is in the top tier. Firearm maintenance is another area that people don’t like to venture into, because some people seem to think that just because it’s got a good reputation for being reliable means it’s always going to work for them. Tools break, operators can abuse, and climate and enviroment can have an impact on your weapons, but when it comes to proficiency with the firearm, customization is something I strongly encourage.