Shooting 1911-styled pistols with grips removed?

[Circle Star]

I have a Star PD, and I'd like to be able to shoot it without its grips. I don't have more than basic mechanical knowledge of firearms, but I'm fairly certain that grips have nothing to do with their reliable operation. However, I don't know if shooting one without grips would expose my hands to gas or small particles from above. Does anyone know if it's safe to shoot a 1911-styled pistol after its grips have been removed?

In case anyone's curious as to why I would want to do this, it's primarily because it's more comfortable for me to hold it that way. It also allows the magazines to completely drop free, which they normally don't do. From a CCW perspective, its base is almost 0.4 inches thinner and the pistol is almost 0.75 oz lighter. Other than that, it's more aesthetically pleasing to me. The only issue I can see is that the safety needs to be disengaged gently. I suppose that debris could potentially get inside more easily, but I don't think that would be problematic because the magazine itself should prevent the small amount to which the pistol would normally be exposed from getting close to the chamber.

 

[Greg528iT]

I assume you also mean to remove the grip screw bushings.

If your Mags catch with the grips installed, I expect the grip screws are a bit too long.

Other than possible dirt infiltration (shouldn't be anymore significant) I do not see any reason it would affect operation.

The biggest disadvantage I see, is the LACK of really cool grips you could have on there.

 

[Creature]

Slim grips: http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/review/pix/McCormick_Slim_Grip.jpg

 

[Circle Star]

I didn't consider the possibility that the screws weren't meant to interfere. The magazines used to stop in a spot which made it seem like it was deliberately designed to do that.

 

[Greg528iT]

Circle..
Take the screws out and file some off the bottom. They should not be contacting the magazine.

That said, and being it might have been part of your issue with the grips.. order or MAKE, some thin grip panels. Something AWESOME. order a set of thin grip bushings. and new grip screws.. Then post some pictures here of your gun.

Unless your hands are just super super small.. actually having some grips on it will help your hand actually grip your gun / fill up the radius's left over. Hands tend to grasp rounder things better than skinny flat things. It's a balance though.

 

[Dr.Rob]

As a CCW piece I'd be concerned about lint/debris working itself into the magazine well. The grips serve the purpose of covering the cut aways that would allow just such junk into the action. It's not like you'll turn your piece into a Chauchat (notorious WW1 MG with window in the magazine) but they do serve a purpose.

I have seen flat sheet metal grips on a Ruger Mk1 that started out as grip spacers. They were ugly but they worked.

You might also do a search on 'slim line grips'. For 1911's these are available with new bushings and screws from Brownell's.

Also found an outfit with a bunch of Star parts that you might be interested in:

http://www.gun-parts.com/star/

I also found a supplier of Star grips for a variety of models on another forum, PM sent.

 

[eddism]

Custom Killer Grips on a Magnum Research DE1911G

Sorry folks forgot how to upload the image.

 

[Stringfellow]

I agree with Dr.Rob on this one--no sense risking debris when there are so many options available.

One of the advantages of the 1911 is that the grips are flat and are parallelograms, as opposed to other designs that require curved surfaces to fit flush with the frame (e.g., CZ82) or protrusions to cover moving parts (e.g., Beretta). So you can make grips as flat as physically possible, with minimal cutting involved.

Home Depot sells strips of aluminum for like $6 for 3 feet x 2". You can easily cut it with woodworking tools, drill holes, etc., and can afford to experiment, make mistakes, make multiple designs, etc.

I saw a picture of a CZ40B (CZ with a 1911-style grip) with such a grip, and it turned out pretty good. The guy then stuck on some skateboarding tape and the result looked pretty professional.

Be sure to post pics of what you do! Good luck!

 

[Old Shooter]

Look on the sides of your magazines, you may see scratches or thin lines where the grip screws may be contacting them. I've had one or two where I had to shorten the grip screws with some emery paper to get the mags to drop free.