Happy EntrepreNewYear: Wicked Grips

Although Wicked Grips (@wicked_grips) builds, well, wicked grips, it was their custom 1911 spring plugs that first caught my attention, so I started poking around their website and social media. As it turns out, they've been around for about a dozen years. Honestly I can't believe I haven't seen them before, their work is superb.

The company is run by entrepreneurs Ed and Lisa Strange. They build grips and custom accessories for all sorts of pistols — and not just Wilson, Caspian, Nighthawk, Remington, Springfield, Rock Island, Kimbers and other 1911s. They also build for Beretta 92 series pistols, Sigs, Para Ordnance, Ruger revolvers, even Desert Eagles. Strange (who has twice won the “President's Award” from the American Pistolsmiths Guild) works with all manner of rare wood, metals and other materials to create what is effectively gun art; think anything from Damascus steel or mastodon tusk to gemstones, Macassar ebony to cocobolo wood and box elder burl wood. If you're not looking for anything that high brow, you might take a look at their aluminum grip inserts. Those are Type 2 anodized with Wicked Grips art, meaning they shouldn't fade or scratch even when exposed to chemicals typically used to clean your guns.

We’re starting 2016 out right — I'm showcasing worthy small American businesses all through the month of January. Capitalism is part of the foundation upon which our great republic stands, and small business is a vital part of that. Join us in recognizing and acknowledging that truth and supporting craftsmen and small businesses. Happy EntrepreNewYear!

Note: the engraved recoil spring plus come in both government and commander length. Strange advises the latter will fit in both the full size 5 in. government model and 4 in. commander length guns. Watch the video below for some more information. Meantime, check out some of Wicked Grips' actual grip work.