Thin grips on a 1911 .45, are they worth it?

[Deaf Smith]

Thinking of buying some thin grips (and bushings to match) for my Colt Combat Commander .45, series 90. Had that gun for a while and took it for a spin again. Yes I'm a Glock man but....

So, are the thin grips worth it? Do they conceal better? Shoot better?

Thanks,

Deaf

 

[Derek Zeanah]

I prefer a thin grip for ergonomic reasons, so for me they are absolutely worth it.

 

[Dragonfly]

I've got small hands but to me thin grips on a 1911 make the grip feel too narrow side to side. Regular width grips feel just right to me.

 

[Olympus]

Slim grips won't be much difference in terms of concealability. It's really a matter of personal preference. I would try to get your hands on one first to get a feel for them before committing to adding them to your gun.

 

[bannockburn]

I'm with Dragonfly: with my small hands I prefer the regular width grips. Thinner grips on a 1911 feel too flat, without enough roundness to them.

 

[Demi-human]

I do not have very large hands, but I prefer the larger than normal grips. It is that much more surface area for me to apply pressure to. I don't feel like I must squeeze so hard. This may be all personal preference.

 

[JTQ]

I prefer standard grips, and I also have smaller hands. If you haven't looked into it, changing bushings may be a little more involved than you think.

 

[JR24]

The thin grips on my VBob are the only thing about it I do not like. I don't dislike them enough to replace them, yet, but standard is my preference.

I notice no difference for concealment.

I wear a size L glove, if that makes a difference.

 

[gotboostvr]

I have fairly large hands. I can palm a basketball if that gives you an idea. I typically like the normal thickness smooth grips.

BUT the grips that came with my Wiley Clapp Colt are actually very comfortable for me. They're "thin" and require the thin bushings, but are thicker in the rear towards your palm and taper to thin at the front.

I didn't think I'd like them, but I do. I would prefer if they were smooth, but they'll do until I find another set with a similar contour.

 

[herrwalther]

I looked at thin grips for my 1911 (rarely carried). One of the strong appeals of a 1911 is the slim grip and slim slide compared to double stack polymer semi-autos. Standard grips fit my hand just fine and I forget to look for thin grips when I pull it from my safe again.

Frankly I do not see much benefit of thin grips. There isn't as much selection in design compared to standard if you plan on prettying up your 1911.

 

[Mike .45]

My RO compact came with them. I like them. I don't think I would change the grips on my other 1911's to the thin grips but I wouldn't change the thin ones either. I don't think they conceal any better but they rub my side a little less.

It's all subjective. What feels good to us may not to you. I changed the grips on my Wiley Clapp Government before I even shot it but others like them and my father took them because he loved them and put them on an old commander.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

I have 1911s with thin grips, standard grips, and one with a set that feels a little thicker than others. I've never noticed any practical difference on the range or in the holster.

 

[nettlle]

I tried thin and went back to standard. It's something someone has to try for themselves. Everyone's hands and grip is different. I saw no advantage to the thin grips as far as concealment.

 

[Rock185]

Probably no advantage, but the thin grips just feel better to me. I have several sets. I've used the old, out of production now I think, Slim Tec and more recently the thin VZs. Thin VZs on the pistol in the photo.

 

[JTQ]

If you do decide to go with thin grips, another consideration is do they provide support for the plunger tube. Not all thin grips do, and I consider support for the plunger tube an important function of grips.

You may want to try some inexpensive, relatively thin, polymer grips to see if you like thinner grips. I believe both Ergo Grips and Magpul's 1911 grips are thinner, fairly inexpensive, and don't require changing bushings.

Ergo http://ergogrips.net/product-category/gun-parts/handgun/1911/

A review of the Ergo grips from the late Stephen A. Camp http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/falcon_industries_1911_ergo_grip.htm

Magpul https://www.magpul.com/products/firearms-accessories/grips/moe-1911-grip-panels

Both are probably available at several retailers, including Brownell's.

 

[muzzleblast...]

Seems there are lots of both "yays" and "nays". I am comfortable with either. But, I do like the feel of the thin 1911 grips.

 

[CDW4ME]

I've had both, prefer regular grips on my 1911's

 

[Zaydok Allen]

If you have small hands, thin grips may certainly be a benefit. If not, and you already get a proper trigger reach from standard grips, I see no reason to change.

I don't think there is any advantage in a concealment situation either.

 

[Winkman822]

I've got smallish hands and prefer standard thickness grips. The thin grips feel a little too flat and there's not really any concealment advantage to the thin grips.

 

[czhen]

I have alumagrip ultra slim on my spring 1911 9mm very happy with, planning to change my 45 too. Having mid size hands also added thin grips on the BHP, CZ. I am able to grab better with the weak hand to manage the recoil, sight on target faster.
Note: 1911 bushing are super soft like almost lead, I tried everything, heat, tool (Brownells), successfully done with a screw extractor from home depot. If you change the grips buy also the correct bushing size like I did from aluma.

 

[FL-NC]

What is the difference in thickness to the ones that are on it? My guess is very small fractions of an inch. So not much help in concealing. If you THINK they feel better, then they do. It seems to me the biggest difference when changing grips on any handgun is the texture of one set versus another.

 

[Deaf Smith]

Ok, standard it will be... but... how about smooth .vs. checkered grips?

BTW, shot the gun today with over 100 rounds. Perfect. No jams, no malfuctions, slide locked right with Wilson mags, shot dead on... Steel plates, one right after the other at 10 yards, just flipped and flipped as I shot.

I'm so used to Glocks it sometimes shocks me how accurate a 1911 is.

Deaf

 

[Jim Watson]

I like checkered but not this razor sharp G10 and aluminum stuff.
I once rubbed some checkered walnut grips with a piece of leather to soften the edges a little.
My "range guns" shot in IDPA and USPSA have neoprene Pachmayrs.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Checkered wood. Unless you buy from Adam Brown (forum member Olympus). His stuff is smooth, and beautiful.

 

[Gen_Y_Ballistics]

Years ago for about 6 months, I carried a 1911 with no grips or studs in a laptop bag. I needed it very thin, and there were no thin grips at that time. I even fired it that way with 230 gr Hydro-Shoks, and recoil was not painful or anything. The only downside was lint and so on getting into the frame cutouts, and that's why I eventually quit carrying it that way.

Some factory wood grips are rounder than others. I am also a basketball palmer, but I don't like round grips on a 1911 because they don't "point" so good side-to-side.