[nathanotis]

I can understand having a pistol or two that only go out to fancy dress occasions, but it seems to me there are a lot of admittedly very handsome, but VERY high gloss grips installed on various guns pictured on this forum.

Are they as slick as I imagine? Isn't that a detriment to the tool's usability?

If I could make grips out of sandstone, I would. I need actual GRIP from my grips.

Educate me... or opine. Either is appreciated.

 

[Steve in Allentown]

Are they as slick as I imagine? Isn't that a detriment to the tool's usability?

They are very pretty but are also slick as snot on a door knob. Having competed in a great many IDPA matches I discovered that Pachmayr rubber grips are very slippery when your hands get sweaty and discarded them after my first match experience. Like you I prefer grippy grips and use Alumagrips and double diamond VZ grips. There are other even more aggressive grips out there and skateboard tape is often used for the front strap.

 

[2ToeRacing]

Yes, they are. My American flag grips on my trump gun are just for photoshoots

 

[pistolpete]

Actually, I shoot IDPA with a 625JM with the smooth JM grips, like them. Also have a couple sets of wood Hogues that work well. All 3 on revolvers, semis are a different story, I like the VZs, checkering or stippling on the front and back straps. This seems backwards to me.. I would think I'd need grippier handles on the D/A revolver.

 

[OldCuz]

As long as the front and back strap are textured it doesn't matter for me really.
I've had a 1911 that only the MSH was textured and it was just lines running up and down. It had a smooth front strap and grips. Even that wasn't an issue really.

 

[Mark Anderson]

My personal preference is front and back strap checkering with smooth grips. It gives me the comfort hold and control I look for. You are correct. My first 1911 was an early DW PM7 with no checkering. I put smooth grips on it, and that didn't work well for me.

 

[El Perdido]

My personal preference is front strap and mainspring housing checkering with full checkered wood grippage...

 

[OldCuz]

The grips that came with my ACW PE 45 are like a course file. They were on at my first range session.
Sometimes I wear gloves shooting, sometimes not. This time I wasn't and when I was done I decided to clean up with some hand sanitizer. Man did that burn 🔥!

 

[Mark Anderson]

My personal preference is front strap and mainspring housing checkering with full checkered wood grippage...

The only problem here is you really need to know how to aim. There is just no other excuse for missing the target.

 

[DRD]

Maybe there are some really slick ones out there, but I shoot pistols all the time with smooth wood, mammoth, etc., as well as checkered grips, and I don't notice a lot of difference. Don't like super aggressive grips though; tried one of the roughest VZs out there and thought I was holding a wood rasp. For me, the front and back straps are what help me control the pistol the most. Probably depends on grip, size of hand, and other assorted variables. Don't think there is a suitable answer other than try them yourself.

Don't listen to me, I've been shootin' at my barn for 10 years and haven't hit it yet.

 

[El Perdido]

The only problem here is you really need to know how to aim. There is just no other excuse for missing the target.

Not a problem for me...

 

[sawman556]

Smooth grips are up there with thin grips and short triggers!

While they look pretty, they don't provide any grip. Fully checkered grips for me. I have a beautiful pair of ebony grips from woodcaliber and have some desert ironwoods inbound combat checkered. Then VZ fully checkered are awesome, but VZ decided to stop making them which blows my mind. Double diamonds would be my second choice.

 

[WC145]

I've got smooth ones and checkered one and run them all, the smooth ones are not slippery, they have a bit of tackiness, especially ivory and bone. I find that having a textured font strap and mainspring housing make a bigger difference in purchase than grips do. I ran this old Brown-Baer with these smooth Raasco grips in an 8 stage match last July, it was plenty hot and humid and sweaty but I didn't have any issues with maintaining my grip.

 

[1911_Bandit]

If there is anybody who needs help in gripping an object, it is me. That being said, the front strap and MSH housing checkering on my ACW's and my Fusion is so grippy that I get to display my fancy smooth grips while still getting a good purchase on my pistols.

 

[farmer]

I run VZ's on everything. Good look, perfect fit and 100% function.

 

[pistolwretch]

Some grips, G10's, are too aggressive for my working hands.
But......I can not readily use smooth and glossy for ANYTHING but show.

 

[Chipss36]

Vz. If to aggressive, sand em down to perfect, easy peazy ...

but them mammoth grips do look nice.
Wonder if vz would cut mammoth with a operator 2 cut.

that would be the beez knees.

 

[DRD]

I'll stick with my fancy grips. Remember my motto, "If you can't shoot good ya can at least look good*."

*not me, the pistol.!

 

[Transamconvert]

Just put on these $20 etsy specials to try. I generally like half checkered but they were rubbing my side raw after all day iwb. These feel better already. They're not that slick like high gloss but I would have preferred tung oil to the urethane or whatever is on them.

 

[puddi_nugget]

SGM has the most aggressive G10 grips I've had - love 'em! If you decide to go this route - ask for the .072 checkering. The recoil from the .45 will rub my palm raw, but it doesn't ever slip or leave my hand.

I ask for them to be much thicker, and also with some palm swells.