VZ Grips

[CopperFouling]

I'm looking at some VZ Grips to add to my S&W 686. I'm wondering if anyone has had a chance to compare the VZ 320 pattern (https://vzgrips.com/products/vz-320-s-w-k-frame-grip-l-frame-grip-round-bottom.html) with the VZ Tactical Diamond pattern (https://vzgrips.com/products/tactical-diamond-s-w-k-frame-grip-l-frame-grip-round-bottom.html). I'm wondering how "aggressive" (VZ's word) the Tactical Diamonds are.

 

[Pat Riot]

I was looking at these yesterday wondering the same thing.

 

[toivo]

The 320 grips are fairly smooth. The material itself has a bit of texture, but it's not very grippy. The Tactical Diamonds are grippier but not at all harsh -- nothing like a Beretta APX or a S&W Shield 2, if you have experience with either one of those cheese graters.

 

[scott1970]

Here's my 686 with VZ grips. The tactical diamonds have a noticeable pattern when gripping the gun, but it's not at all uncomfortable to me. They are made really well, too.

 

[trackskippy]

I bought a set of their standard grips for my 686+, and wasnt very happy with them.

The fit wasnt all that great and if Id kept them, I would have had to do some fitting to get them to match up with the frame. The edges of the grips came out past the frame leaving an "edge" that was felt. They also didnt mate up with the trigger guard to well. I also tried them on my one 19, with similar results.

While they were nicely done, they were also a bit narrow through the palm and needed more swell for me. I probably could have lived with that, but the fitting wasnt making it, so I returned them. They were good about it, and asked what the problem was, but never got back to me after I responded to that.

 

[CopperFouling]

The 320 grips are fairly smooth. The material itself has a bit of texture, but it's not very grippy. The Tactical Diamonds are grippier but not at all harsh -- nothing like a Beretta APX or a S&W Shield 2, if you have experience with either one of those cheese graters.

I haven't, but the cheese-grater effect is exactly what I am wondering about. I'm leaning toward the Tactical Diamonds if they're not going to rip my hands up.

Here's my 686 with VZ grips. The tactical diamonds have a noticeable pattern when gripping the gun, but it's not at all uncomfortable to me. They are made really well, too.

Those look great. Two questions:

1.) What color are those?

2.) How do they fit your hands? I usually wear a M glove but sometimes have to go with the S depending on the manufacturer.

 

[scott1970]

Tacticool green? I've had this set of grips for some years now and can't begin to recall the color. They fit the gun perfectly. They also fit my hand very comfortably. I have never shot handguns with gloves, though.

 

[toivo]

Tacticool green? I've had this set of grips for some years now and can't begin to recall the color.

I think those are called "Predator Green."

 

[Captains1911]

I have no experience with these particular VZ grips, but I put some VZ Operator III grips on a 1911, which they advertise as 4.5 out 5 in terms of aggressiveness, and they were too aggressive for me even for competition use. I ended up filing down some of the points because they were so sharp.

ETA: you sparked my interest so I just ordered a set of the Tactical Diamonds for my 686+, I will report back once I receive them.

 

[CopperFouling]

I have no experience with these particular VZ grips, but I put some VZ Operator III grips on a 1911, which they advertise as 4.5 out 5 in terms of aggressiveness, and they were too aggressive for me even for competition use. I ended up filing down some of the points because they were so sharp.

That does not sound fun. The .357 definitely has enough recoil that I don't want my hands to be hamburger after shooting...

ETA: you sparked my interest so I just ordered a set of the Tactical Diamonds for my 686+, I will report back once I receive them.

@Captains1911, any chance you could take some side-by-side pictures from the rear of the 686 to compare grip thickness?

 

[CopperFouling]

I have never shot handguns with gloves, though.

Oh, that was more for reference. I don't shoot with gloves normally, unless it is freezing or below outside.

 

[Captains1911]

I received the Tactical Diamond grips for my 686 plus, and they are very nice. The texturing on the sides does have some aggressiveness, but I wouldn’t say it’s too aggressive, and is an improvement over my factory wood grips. It should certainly help control the gun better with full house loads, but I haven’t had a chance to shoot it yet. If you’re on the fence I think you will be happy with these.

 

[Captains1911]

That does not sound fun. The .357 definitely has enough recoil that I don't want my hands to be hamburger after shooting...



@Captains1911, any chance you could take some side-by-side pictures from the rear of the 686 to compare grip thickness?

Is this the comparison you were looking for? VZ Grips on left, factory on right.



My factory grips measure about 1.16” thick at the thickest part, and the VZ grips measure about 1.25”.

 

[CopperFouling]

@Captains1911, thanks! Those look great. I love the color.

 

[v8stang289]

Those look really nice. I've been contemplating a set myself. Harder recoiling guns tend to smack my thumb really hard between the base and knuckle. I'm curious if the shape and texture of those may help with it.
It's not an issue with K & L frame 357 mags, but it is in my L frame M69 with 44magnum loads.