Best 1911 Grips

**m4fun** · 10-08-07, 21:42

Looking for a recommendation on the best 1911 grips for a Colt 80 Series Gold Cup - Pretty much a stock Gold Cup(Can I say that?)

Ideally not oversized(dont have biggest hands) and provide good feel with and without gloves.

TIA,

Brian

**Don Robison** · 10-08-07, 22:07

I like the VZ 320 grips. I put a set on a Combat Commander I had built last winter. The Gators IMO are just too aggressive and not too comfortable.

http://www.vzgrips.com/grips.html

**Lumpy196** · 10-09-07, 00:05

Need a little more info.

Define best for me. Open carry duty weapon? A concealed carry piece? Something to maintain the looks of an unmodified gun like walnut with Colt medallions?

My answer might be different for each.

**m4fun** · 10-09-07, 01:39

Definate "Open Carry" - I really dont care if the grips have a dancing poney or not - functionality over looks - unless there is a perfect match...

**2-BPM** · 10-09-07, 01:52

my favorite grips are gunner grips. strider is making them now, and they stick to your hand like glue! they are a bit abrasive for concealed carry unless you sand them down just a tad. there is nothing wrong with classic pachmayr grips, hard rubber seems to be the standard. I've been told that if you use smooth grips, you should have a checkered frontstrap, and if you use checkered/textured grips, you should use a smooth frontstrap. i personally dont follow this rule, i like a checkered front strap and the gunner grips.

**Lumpy196** · 10-09-07, 04:10

Originally Posted by m4fun

Definate "Open Carry" - I really dont care if the grips have a dancing poney or not - functionality over looks - unless there is a perfect match...

In that case my vote is for Gunner grips also.

**rob_s** · 10-09-07, 04:50

Grips are a very personal thing. You really need to try out a few before you buy, or get comfortable with the fact that you'll have a drawer full of grips that didn't work out.

I really like the grips that Yost-Bonitz are using now, and I have a set on my 1* Enhanced. I keep meaning to call and order more for my other 1911s but I keep forgetting. Classic looks, functional grip, don't tear up my cover garments...

Wilson Combat also has a newer line of grips which, while I haven't gotten to shoot with them yet, I got to handle at SHOT and was impressed.

Of course, both offerings (the YB and WC) are really just VZ grips and you could just buy direct from them.

**Lumpy196** · 10-09-07, 07:38

Those look like the Navidrex micarta grips. If they are, they are very nice. I got a set from Brownells.

**carshooter** · 10-09-07, 12:05

I think I own or have tried every 1911 grip ever made.

Extremely aggressive grips like the Gunners or Grit Grips are nice for an extreme duty gun.

However, for day in day out usage, it's really hard to beat classic double diamond grips like are pictured on Rob's gun.

The best way I can think of to describe it is that they're checkered where you need it for gripping surface, and smooth where you don't. More aggressively checkered grips are harder on clothing, and on the inside of the joint of my thumbs. Double Diamond grips do not abrade the inside of my thumb on longer shooting sessions.