Agrips on PM40 and mag - Photos

[garyb]

I recently installed agrips on my PM40 and love it. I purchased a sheet of 5X8" agrip material from www.cpwsa.com for the base of all my mags, in order to improve the grip and eliminate the stainless look. It worked great on the 5 and 6 round mags. I simply took some measurements and cut a trial paper trace, removed the base of the clip, then cut and trimmed the agrip material to fit smoothly. It does not interfere in any manner and makes the mags look and feel like they were made to fit without the shinny metal showing. The agrip material really improved the grip on the 6 round extended mags. The 5 round mag no longer appears as if there is a piece of stainless is sticking out of the grip. It matches the agrip material on the pistol grip. I read a review complaint when I researched the PM models prior to my purchase. I must admit that I agree with that review. The agrip material eliminates this stainless and mag fit appearance completely and makes the mags look like they are custom made to fit. Much better concealment. I tested them at the range several times, and the material holds up well when you drop your empty mag to the ground to quickly reload a new mag. It is a very durable and excellent grip material, but a little pricey. One 5X8" sheet did FOUR of the 6 round mags and ONE of the 5 round, with some to spare. Pay attention to how you plan your cuts. I will try to figure out how to attach some photos. PHOTOS WERE ATTACHED BELOW IN THIS THREAD.

[03dime03]

agrips

I would like to see some pictures. It sounded so good I ordered a grip and 5 by 8 piece. Not sure how you did the mags. Please explain what you did in more detail if you can.

Thanks alot,

[jimbar]

I was also wondering how well this material works. I was considering ordering the pre-cut Agrip for my CW9, for a little extra cushion and grip. Pictures would be great.

Thanks

[garyb]

I will try to get some photos linked in the next couple of weeks. It is deer season in my neck of the woods right now. I am very busy hunting, but will try to get you some photos and description of how I did this.

[garyb]

Attached are some images of the agrips on the mags. For the 5 round mag on the PM40, simply remove the end of the mag, cut the agrip material to fit, trim with razor blade, cut hole for mag removal button, reinstall end of mag...done. For the 6 round mag, you will need to cut a pattern from paper (I will enclose in another message...I could not include all photos in this message). Again, finish the end of the mag as described above with one minor change. Allow the agrip material to wrap over the end and onto the sides of the extension... then wrap the next piece of agrip around the plastic part of the mag over the first piece. Use the pattern to cover the back of the stainless part of the mag. The pattern is 2" X 3/4". Total of 3 pieces to wrap a mag with extension. You'll get the idea once you get going. Carefully measure all parts before cutting your agrip material.

[garyb]

Here are a couple more photos. One of the PM40 with the extended grip wrapped in agrip. One of the paper pattern used to trace the agrip material for the piece that covers the back of the stainless portion of the extended 6 round mag.

[garyb]

Attached are the photos of the PM40 all tricked out without the holsters. CTL, night sights and Agrips installed on the grip and mag ends (extended 6 round mag and 5 round mag). That should do it for you.

This agrip material works great. It has an ultra sticky adhesive material which can be repositioned, but once it sets up, it sticks on nicely. It has a nice soft but excellent grip. I would not say it is cushy, like others have described it. It is very thin and you can see ALL of the contours of the grip through the material, even the "K" Kahr logo on the grip. The material actually has a nice warm feel and smell of leather. It is matted when new and tends to "gloss up" or compress a bit with extended use, especially with daily pocket carry. I would describe it as a very durable and stable grip material. Take your time and install it correctly. Trim excess with a razor. Good luck.

[03dime03]

agrip

Thanks alot for the info and pictures. Your gun looks great.

[Alfonse]

Cleaning the magazine

That looks great. But, to disassemble the magazine it has to be removed, right? So, to clean it, or change the spring you have to start over? Is there a way around that?

[earle8888]

Whats the experience with this after cleaning and solvent exposure! Nice looking holster, Manufacturer?
The purpose of covering the grip is?

[garyb]

It is NOT required to remove the agrips from the base of the mag each time you disassemble the mag to clean, providing you cut a small hole for the disassembly. There is no need to saturate the mag when cleaning. It is simple guys...think it through. You remove the base which removes the agrip with the base plate. You clean the mag and spring. You reassemble. The agrip stays intact. It is not complicated.

And the purpose of the agrip???? Well...3 fold:
- to improve the grip for one;
-To blend the mag with the grip (appearance) so that the agrip on the pistol grip and the mag look as if they are matched (instead of the 5 round mag appearing as if the stainless sticks out);
- and to cover the stainless so it is more concealed.

Additionally, if you don't want to spend the money, or install the agrips because you do not feel it is worth it...don't do it. I love the additional grip and the asthetic value. It is an individual decision.

[garyb]

Earle888,
Why would it be necessary to saturate the mag with solvent? They simply do not get THAT dirty. Simply wipe them down while avoiding the agrip area. The agrip is fairly tolerant anyway, but if you saturate them with solvent, why bother???? There are two holsters in the photos. The first is a pocket holster called Guru by www.pocketholsters.com and it is a beauty. The second is a paddle OR belt holster by Gould and Goodrich purchased through Karh. Both are available for with and without CTL. Quality products. I just happen to like the CTL AND Agrips on my PM40 grip AND mags. As I stated, if you install the AGRIP correctly on the mags, by installing a hole, you can slide the base of the mag off and leave the agrips installed. If you do not install the agrip correctly.... you wasted your money. It is a GREAT system if done properly. Your handgun will feel great in hand, even with sweaty hands. Very warm and fuzzy with great grip. The photos don't say enough for how well they work. They only show how great they look.

[garyb]

Here you go guys. A picture is worth a thousand words. See the tiny hole which is made in the base of the mag, in order to remove it? This allows you to leave the agrip installed and simply slide it off the base of the mag to remove the spring and clean the mag and spring. [NOTE: On the stainless mag base, it is NOT necessary to cut a hole for the base removal. The stainless on the base plate lock simply slides past the agrip with no problem. However, on the plastic base plate locks, I recommend you cut the hole in the agrip.]The extension and base are not the components that get dirty when shooting...therefore it is not necessary to saturate this part. The part you clean is the inside of the mag, spring and feed portion of the mag. To cut this tiny hole, I inserted a pen from the inside toward the outside and then cut the agrip portion away with a razor or scapel. It was easy to do. Just think it through and you'll be fine. The mag base will slide on and off the same, with or without the agrip installed. Trim it carefully and it will look nice and be very functional and durable.

[garyb]

Last Explanatory Photos

I promise , these are the last photos I will attach to help demonstrate how I installed Agrip material on the magazine base plates. The first photo is of the mag disassembled, showing the mag tube, base plate (covered on the outside only with agrip), mag base lock, and mag follower. The next two photos are of the mag base plate and mag tube, areas covered in agrip material. The mag base plate easily slides on and off the tube, providing you only cover the outside portion. Simply and carefully trim off the inside of the base with a razor or scapel (I used a scapel). Carefully cut a hole in the bottom of the base plate by gently pushing a pen or nail through the hole in the base plate to slightly raise the agrip material that covers the hole, while trimming the agrip material off with a razor or scapel, in order to free up the hole. It is simple, but requires patience. (I do taxidermy as a hobby, so I am used to working with small sewing projects and use magnifiers to see the detail when I am working.) The rear stainless portion of the mag tube is covered with agrip by using a paper trace and carefully fitting the agrip material to blend in with the base plate. Surprisingly, this stainess covered agrip area does not move once in place. The raised curve of the plastic extension slightly overlap and cover this portion of the mag tube that has agrip on it and thereby protects the edges of the agrip on the tube. It is very durable and comfortable. I hope this clears up the process a bit better for you . You may or may not wish to take the time or spend the money on this project. It is a nice enhancement to the PM4044N. Sorry for the disjointed explanation. It was so obvious to me that I didn't feel it was that complicated, but I guess it is somewhat. Good luck and Done!

[earle8888]

Tks, garyb; I was talking about the frame not the mags. Pocket hol looks good