Aimtech grip mount on Colt Midrange 38 special

Would like to tap the collective wisdom on the forum.

I recently purchased a Colt Midrange from a member. It's a nice gun so there is no problem in that dept. 

What I was hoping to do from the get-go was to install a red dot. I can shoot iron sights fine but my eyes aren't getting any better as I get older. (I'm sure I don't have to explain this concept to most of the members here).

Normally I would mount an optic on the slide but I don't particularly want to adulterate the slide on this gun. Is the Aimtech grip mount the only option? I've read mixed reviews on it. Anybody have experience with it and this particular gun? It's rather ugly but if it does the job I'm ok with it.

Any advice appreciated...

Rob in Hawaii

Get a left side grip mount if you shoot right handed. I've shot 889 .38 spl with grip mount so even though less than ideal you can still shoot well with it.
Jon

Aloha Jon, thanks for the quick response. Is that an Aimtech product?  Who makes it and where do I find it?

You'll probably have to find a used one.....Cal grip or something like that. Don't remember.
Jon

Thanks...I'll post something on this site once I figure this out...maybe someone else has the info.  mahalo

Cal had one and there also is NPC that was a left grip mount

Yes....NPC....that's the one! Thanks Jimmy

Jon I think Clark also made one a few years back...Ebay is a good place to look

I never liked the Clark; too bulky.

Jon Eulette wrote:I never liked the Clark; too bulky.

This dude has voodoo shooter skills. He would of shot a 899 with slide or low frame mount.

The NPC is the best. They show up on Ebay occasionally.

Whatever you choose, don't trust the grip screw bushings to hold zero indefinitely.  I put two extra screws through my NPC in locations that are covered by the grip panels when you decide to move on to something else.  The Clark mount, which I tried years ago (and would sell if you want it) is indeed heavy/bulky, but it comes from Clark with the two extra screws for you to use.

Guys, appreciate all the feedback and info re the NPC. That's now on the list.

I just took the gun out today for the first time. Not a great outing. Inconsistent groupings with proven loads. Brass flung in all directions and FTF problems. (I tried a couple of magazines). The gun feels very "snappy". I don't know when the recoil spring was last changed. 

I think that I will start trying to tune this by swapping out the recoil spring for whatever the stock specs call for. 

Does anyone know the specs for the stock recoil on the Midrange?

mahalo and happy new year

"Does anyone know the specs for the stock recoil on the Midrange?"

This is a great mystery. I wrote to Colt asking for specs. They replied that all the drawings had been destroyed long ago.

Wolff state that a "normal" spring is 14#.

With my 38NM, I load a 148 HBWC with 2.6 grains of 700-X and it, thus far, has performed flawless. This is with the 14# spring. Commercial wadcutter is stouter and I get occasional feed issues and mangled brass on ejection.

Oh yes, ejection... The pistol will throw brass quite a distance. A brass catcher is your friend.

I do applaud you for not drilling holes in this fine classic piece of workmanship.

On a side note, when you install and zero your new grip mount try this. Sand the inside face of the grip mount and put epoxy release compound on the pistol frame. Attach the mount to the frame. Then, pour some epoxy, or bedding compound, into the hole in the pistol frame from the opposite side. Let it set and due to the large area of contact, the grip mount does stay put.

Cheers,

Dave

Amazing! My company still has 'legacy prints from the'50's.

Go figure' destroyed'

Dave,
Appreciate your comments. I'm hoping that a new 14# spring will make this thing function properly. I had the gun looked over by a gunsmith when I purchased it and he pronounced in perfect shape. Great lockup, no rust and except for a blemish or two (which I knew about) in perfect condition. I'll see what happens when the spring is replaced and will test it with the same loads that work well on my 52-2 of BE and 231. 

I'll try your tips on the grip mount once I find one. Maybe I'll post something on this site to see if someone has one for sale or pick one up on eBay if I can find one.

mahalo and happy new year