Originally Posted by RJ
Talk to your gunsmith before you buy a part. He may have a suggestion on what to get if you explain what you are looking for.
Talk to your gunsmith before you buy a part. He may have a suggestion on what to get if you explain what you are looking for.
#60 O-rings from a home improvement store stop grip screws from backing out under recoil and are much less expensive than the "gun version". I use them with any grip material other than wood. Could use them with wood grips but never had the need. Any hard grip material, such as G10 or elephant ivory, that does not allow much fastener stretch needs the O-rings.
I did in fact; hes happy with me ordering the Wilson BP Ambi.
Thanks, good to know.
This might be OCD, but is there a torque spec on 1911 grip screws? Id guess based on torquing a few T15 torx optic screws, mine are around 10 in lb.
More on thick vs. thin, Im pondering trying a set of rubber GI grips and set of bushings / screws. I mean, the wood thin grips are fine but I grip pretty hard and Id like to try something I can really bear down on. Are GI grips always the thick ones, so if I order a set, theyll be thick, right?
No real torque spec that I follow on 1911 grip screws. My practice is to hold the screwdriver between one finger and thumb and to not try to "gorilla" tighten the screws. The goal is just for the screws to not become loose and fall from the pistol.
If you like harder grips, G10 grips are a great way to go. I would avoid soft polymers like those from Pachmayr and Hogue. True "GI grips" use standard, not thin, grip bushings.
Looks like a shooter and a reliable one at that. Congrats.
-Seconds Count. Misses Don't-
.....or for people who want to kill things with a 1911. My 10mm's have performed wonderfully on deer and hogs since the about 1990. YMMV.
Gi grips are thicker or the standard size, thin grips became a thing about 15 years ago IIRC. You may need to change the grip bushings to the standard size to accommodate the standard thickness GI grips.
-Seconds Count. Misses Don't-
Rich,
If you haven't placed an order with Wilson Combat yet, this is a pretty slick kit that they've put together:
https://shopwilsoncombat.com/CLEANIN...oductinfo/730/
As to fooling around with grips, I've got a few different sets that you can try out.
"It's surprising how often you start wondering just how featureless a desert some people's inner landscapes must be."
-Maple Syrup Actual
Conducted a little experiment today. I ordered as cheap a G10 grip I could find, to see if I liked the width, and to be able to touch and feel the G10 material that's mentioned so much.
This one is $20 shipped, and arrived today:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A6FEOLY...roduct_details
The one I ordered was listed as "red / black", which it wasn't but I wasn't too worried about color. They came with four Torx screws, four O rings, and a L-wrench. Fit and finish were excellent. The holes aligned with my grip screws at what I understand is the standard full size, 3 1/16".
I fit them with the existing thin bushings on the gun, just so I could get a feel for them.
Original wood SA grips (thin)
New "Cool Hand" grips (thick)
Pros: The G10 material is super nice, I really like the feel. Texture is aggressive, but not too aggressive. Fit was very nice, as mentioned.
Cons: I noticed the thicker grips immediately. My trigger reach (I have M hands) was off, for sure. I focus very hard on a tight grip, and was barely able to get my trigger finger on the center of the shoe. Properly aligned with my forearm, the thick grips placed the pistol at a very awkward angle, with respect to a good dry press.
I removed them and put them back in the package. Fortunately, Amazon offers a free return on this item, so they are going back while I consider what to do. I mean, I like the appearance of the OEM wood grips, but not crazy about using an organic product on what will essentially be a range gun.
I think if there was a thin grip, in G10, in black, with the same texture pattern, I'd order it on the spot. I haven't investigated Lok or VZ because I wanted to check out the G10 material first. So this $20 was kind of a roll of the dice; it could have worked, but I don't think so. I really like the G10 though, I have to say.
One last thing: (and this betrays my lack of 'smithing abilities) the grip bushings on the gun were tight. I located as straight a flat blade as I could find, and I could not budge the bushings, not even a little. Being as how I didn't want to ruin them by ham-fisting them with an incorrect tool, I stopped. I think unless/until I put on a thick grip set (and I don't see that happening) I'll just leave the bushings be. If I do need to take them out, I'll look into investing into that Challis tool @CSW mentioned up thread. But for now, I don't think I'll need to get one of those, cool though they are.
On the gun front, I ordered a pair of Wilson Combat ETM (#500) 8 rounders, which arrived yesterday. I'll work them into the next range session. My goal for next time is to validate whether the gun really does shoot to the dot with AE 230. I'll probably also source a box of JHP to see where they pattern, expensive though that will be (this would only be for Pin Shooting purposes; this isn't a carry gun for me.)
Also en route from WC is one of their Ambi Safeties, (#192BBP, THUMB SAFETY, AMBIDEXTROUS, TACTICAL LEVER, 1911, BULLET PROOFฎ), which should be here next week. I've initiated contact with my 'smith and will schedule the install with him when convenient.
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