1911 Grips

Japhy

Been considering fuller grips for a 1911 than the stock version. 
there are lots of choices. Considering the Hogue wood checkered with finger contour.

Any pros or cons? 

Elk creek

They are big, I’m not a fan of finger grooves. 

Zee

Agree. Not a “finger groove” fan. I like G10 grips of various design. 

Bigslug

If you want a larger circumference, the G10 Simonich Gunner Grips will do the trick for you.

Finger grooves are, IMO, pure evil.  They only fit the fingers they were designed for, and complicated getting the right grip quickly out of the holster.

Tech tip:  if running G-10 grips, put a rubber #60 O-ring on each grip screw to act as a lock washer.  The grips themselves have zero compressibility, so the scews tend to come loose unless you find other methods to hold them.

Diver43

I actually like the inexpensive magpul 1911 grips.  They feel slimmer in my short fingered hands 

Jayhawker

Diver43 said:

I actually like the inexpensive magpul 1911 grips.  They feel slimmer in my short fingered hands 

I like them too..
They're very grippy...
Wish they made them for the Officers model...

Gila

I put cocobolo grips from Brownell's on my 1911.  They have a great texture.

Gene L

I put plastic WW2 grips on my full size 1911 RIA.  On my Colt Combat Commander I splurged on stag...wish I hadn't done it, but it's been a few years ago. I don't like finger grooved grips, either, when there is a choice.  I don't like the way they feel and definitely don't look the way they look.

Uncle Fester

Am I awful to want some antique ivory grips? 

Gene L

I think ivory on a 1911 is a bit too much unless the slab-sided is engraved,  In addition to being VERY pricey.  Ivory alone on a smaller frame gun looks better, IMO.

Wambli Ska

Uncle Fester said:

Am I awful to want some antique ivory grips? 

Nope…. My wife gave me a Kimber UltraRaptor for my 60th B-day and real elephant ivory grips to go with it.  It’s a fine looking gun ❤️❤️❤️

BTW there is still legal elephant Ivory out there but you have to find it within your state because interstate sales are illegal now.

Japhy

I now have G10 stock grips but need a fuller circumference. Must have been some real knuckle staggers somewhere up the family tree
I have not tried finger groove grips. The feedback here from more experience than I have is decidedly negative.
next negative is my 1911 has an ambi safety. I’m already not a fan. most grips  I’ve seen will require some fitting to clear the opposite side safety. I’m comfortable fitting wood but am uncertain about G10.  I could swap the safety for a single side but that also requires some fitting and I would not be able to match the Springfield finish it’s a black cerokote?
Overall I would give this 1911 four stars  it just needs a couple tweaks and thicker grips is near the top of the list. Off a rest all shots touch at 50ft (indoor range)

Wambli Ska

Japhy said:

I now have G10 stock grips but need a fuller circumference. Must have been some real knuckle staggers somewhere up the family tree
I have not tried finger groove grips. The feedback here from more experience than I have is decidedly negative.
next negative is my 1911 has an ambi safety. I’m already not a fan. most grips  I’ve seen will require some fitting to clear the opposite side safety. I’m comfortable fitting wood but am uncertain about G10.  I could swap the safety for a single side but that also requires some fitting and I would not be able to match the Springfield finish it’s a black cerokote?
Overall I would give this 1911 four stars  it just needs a couple tweaks and thicker grips is near the top of the list. Off a rest all shots touch at 50ft (indoor range)

Did you know it’s super easy to make spacers out of thin plastic, Kydex or even aluminum?  Use your grips as a pattern, trace, cut, drill, smooth the edges and enjoy your fatter grip…

You can get raw material sheets on Amazon.  A contrasting color can be cool, like a dark red under Grey G10, but you can just go for basic black.

Japhy

@Wambli Ska
I like that idea. Cheap, reversible,no safety mechanism fitting, and keep the G10s.

Wambli Ska

Japhy said:

@Wambli Ska
I like that idea. Cheap, reversible,no safety mechanism fitting, and keep the G10s.

👍👍

Gene L

Got to be sure your screws are long enough.

Wambli Ska

Gene L said:

Got to be sure your screws are long enough.

I guess it’s possible if you add enough material.  I THINK Browning HP screws will also fit a 1911 bushing thread but are long so maybe those could be used and trimmed to length?  But again, working from memory here so please no one quote me on this.  

Gene L

It's more than possible if you increase the thickness of the grips.  I had this happen with "Slimline" grips, although in reverse.  You have to have new screws to tighten down the slim grips.

Wambli Ska

Gene L said:

It's more than possible if you increase the thickness of the grips.  I had this happen with "Slimline" grips, although in reverse.  You have to have new screws to tighten down the slim grips.

For “slim” grips you should replace the bushings and screws with units designed for the thinner grips.  I’ve done that on all my 1911s.  But there should be enough thread in the standard screws to add a thin spacer under the grip as long as you don’t get carried away with the thickness of the material.  You can also judiciously drill the screw hole just a tad deeper.  I’ve done that on a few grips with no issues.

Japhy

just measured the 1911,  total grip width at the widest point is 1.16in for comparison a stock G17 is 1.27in.  First attempt will add 1/8 in to each side bringing the total grip width to 1.41in.  If that works well next up is the Ruger mkII. Both will require new screws. Time to browse McMaster-Carr for hardware.