Correct Vietnam Era 1911 Grips?

[USMC Tanker]

The VA is going to be sending me some money in the next month or so. I've decided to use a portion of the money to purchase a Springfield Armory GI 5 inch parkerized model (as close to USGI as I can afford).

I've already got my Beretta M9 (the sidearm I carried in Iraq), and I really want a 1911 similar to the one my father carried on his hip in Vietnam.

I'm asking what grips I should put on the pistol? Brown plastic with metal rings under the screws? Full wood checkered? Double diamond?

I refuse to show the pistol to my father with those "U.S." grips on her!

My thanks and appreciation in advance!

 

[Old Fuff]

During the Viet Nam era USGI .45 pistols had plain, brown checkered grips made out of brown plastic. A few were equipped with similar stocks made out of black plastic. For the most part, remaining stocks of these grips ended up on the surplus market after 1982 and the M-9 Beretta.

Check out www.e-gunparts.com and see if they don't still have some. As a rule they are not expensive.

 

[Devonai]

I was curious about this too. Thanks for the info.

I'm only at 10% service-connected disability, so I had to pay for my 1911 myself. However, I do appreciate the same sort of heritage that you feel, as well as the historical irony of the make of my pistol: Norinco.

 

[USMC Tanker]

I'm not under any disability, I'm getting paid to participate in a VA PTSD study.

Not only do I get to make a little extra cash, but also help the docs learn a little more about PTSD.

Shame about that Norinco

 

[Ala Dan]

I have 2x, Springfield Armory WW-II USGI replica's; one is a 5" parkerized
model with the brown plastic Viet-Nam era grips that I refuse to change;
given to me by a very dear friend, U.S, Marine Corp veteran from the Viet-
Nam War, and fellow THR member. The other one, is a 5" stainless steel
model [wearing the U.S. grips], that I purchased myself. Both of 'em are
good shooter's; that see occassional range use from time to time~!