When it comes to choosing handgun grips, personal preference and pride of ownership play a large part in the decision. If you are choosing a handgun for serious use, efficiency is also an important consideration. The grips must fit properly, the angle of deflection must be maintained, and the grips should enhance your ability to control the handgun. It is possible to adversely affect the handling qualities of a handgun by using poorly made handgun grips.
In this report we look at semi-automatic handguns and the most popular grip choices. The majority tested were for the 1911 handgun types, followed by some for the Browning High Power, Ruger Standard Model, and others including the Heckler & Koch P7. There were handguns with removable grip panels, including the Beretta 92 and the CZ75 that are worth discussing, but the 1911 and the High Power are the handguns most commonly fitted with custom grips. There were few choices for other handguns, but we will touch lightly on some of these in this report because we know everyone does not own a 1911. As an example, what Pachmayr does for a 1911 it also will do for a High Power or a Beretta.
We attempted to test more than one grip from the major makers. In some cases, the custom grips had a long waiting list, and some were difficult to obtain. This is a consideration if you were wanting to upgrade the pistol right now. Supply was a greater concern than expense with some of our raters. While every grip or stock on the market may not be covered, we believe we have put together a comprehensive report that covers every major type of grip panel. In several cases, the grips have been subject to a long-term test, including a decade of constant use.
Reasons to Change
There are several reasons for changing grip panels. Broken or worn out grip panels were low on the list but do happen. Poorly designed grip panels are common on inexpensive pistols. But the 1911 is the Mr. Potato Head of handguns, and shooters simply like to have at it and change the grips and other easily changed parts. Personalizing the pistol is one notion. Finding a grip that truly fits the hand best is another reason to move away from the factory stocks. A grip that offers a good purchase when firing may suit one shooter best, while another prefers a smooth grip that limits abrasion from recoil.
Making the grip larger or smaller is an exercise in hand fit. A grip with good adhesion to the hand offers a repeatable grip during target or combat competition. Others may wish the grip to be completely snag free for concealed carry. Some grip panels are a compromise for different chores; others are purpose-designed for a single job. As an example, a super-tacky grip may work great for competition, but not be so great for concealed carry.
It isnt that difficult to rate grips on workmanship, fit, and utility. We obtained several sets of good quality grips from respected makers and a few new faces on the map. We tested types from the best custom wood to synthetic. We found no truly bad grip panels, just different ideas. But we have seen bad ideas in the past, including many poor grips on factory handguns. Bad factory grips are a major motivation for changing to an aftermarket set. We have seen factory grips on the 1911 that did not support the plunger tube, an essential ingredient for a 1911 grip. We have seen others that were prone to cracking after a few shots. We once owned a particularly nice nickel Colt that was fitted with white plastic grips with a gold Colt roundel. The roundel fell out when firing the first box of ammunition. Perhaps the grips were made for non-shooting museum pieces? In other cases, factory rubber grips have lost the roundel. We have never seen this with a quality-brand grip. We have also tested a 1911 in which the grips were too small for the frame. The grips fit the screw bushings OK, but they looked as if they had shrunk in the wash.
Along the way we learned the integral friction of some of the checkered grips, while helpful in combat-style shooting, is not well suited to concealed carry. A perfect 20-lpi checkering will sometimes draw blood when the shooter is firing +P ammunition. Also, most of us carry our handguns concealed, and the tacky profile that gives good grip adhesion may catch on clothing during the draw. So, smooth grips that were rated down for a lack of adhesion would sometimes gain the points back because they were easier to carry concealed.
We also found that the taper of grips cannot be overrated in handfit, but only careful examination of each hand-cut grip is a good gauge. As an example, a grip that tapers from 1.32 to 1.28 inch feels good in the hand. A thin-line grip will taper from .98 to .93 and will prove less comfortable to shoot, although more concealable.
Rigid grips are important in that they give the same index time after time for accurate fire. One of our raters used Pachmayr grips when building up handloads for his expensive custom handgun. With those grips, it was capable of 1-inch groups. After the pistol was built and the barrel checked and the loading program completed, he switched to a set of wooden grips that were showpieces. Afterward, firing the pistol for groups again, he found he could not equal the previous standard. The new showpiece grips shifted a little in his hands during the firing exercise. For slow-fire accuracy and control, you need adhesion.
There is more to choosing a handgun grip than vanity. Some do look great, but you can have good adhesion and good looks in one package. There are certain attributes that must be in place, as we describe below.
Also, when ordering aftermarket grips, be certain to specify whether or not your pistol features an ambidextrous safety and or a magazine chute.
For the 1911, there are basically four types of grips: full size with bobtail, full size with magazine well, standard full size, and compact. Ambidextrous safety levers are a special order with most companies. In any case, convey these specialties to your supplier.
How We Rated the Grips
After talking to a variety of concealed carriers, competition shooters, law enforcement, and custom gunsmiths, we settled on three main areas of assessment, and one secondary consideration.
Fit: The grips must fit the frame properly, with clearance for any controls. Sharp edges and overlap were not allowed. The grips must support the pistols controls properly.
Finish: The majority of grips tested were made of wood. Wood is such a good material that most makers favor it. Handgun grips are made of some type of stabilized wood. The grip should be free of sharp edges and overruns. Synthetic material must fit properly and offer good adhesion for the hand. Checkering, pebble grain, and other designs must work as part of the finish, not at odds with it.
Function: The grips must support the plunger tube (1911 types) and have enough clearance for the magazine release. They must fit properly without overly stretching the average-size hand. The grips must give sufficient purchase in firing either by checkering or stippling or by the design of the grip.
Material: What the grips are made of is partially subjective if fit, finish, and function are satisfied. But we can say that cheap plastic grips that are partially hollow inside should be avoided. Otherwise, some of us are blue-steel-and-walnut types, while others are high-speed low-drag G10 types. Aftermarket rubber grips seem less popular than they once were, perhaps because most factory pistols now are supplied with rubber grips, but they were an excellent option in some instances.
Heres what our test team liked and didnt like when they reviewed aftermarket grips from 17 manufacturers in this country and abroad.
Ahrends
www.AhrendsGripsUSA.com
We were able to test three types of Ahrends grips. There are other versions, but these three 1911 grips represent a good cross section of the Ahrends stock in trade. All were delivered with an ambidextrous safety cut. This is a good touch. Even if the present pistol does not need this cut you may upgrade at a later date.
The first samples were fully checkered grips for the Colt Defender. When you fire and attempt to control a light 45 ACP, you need good adhesion in your hand, but at the same time grips that are too sharp will snag on clothing or abrade the holster during firing exercises. The checkered Ahrends grips for the Defender were ideal.
The second set was a fully checkered grip on an Action Works custom 1911. These grips were checkered more sharply, and they were also more than 10 years old. They feature a special cut out that allows rapid manipulation of the magazine release. These grips required some acclimation, as they were quite raspy. For tactical work, they are an excellent choice.
The third choice is the Tactical grip. Ahrends Tactical grips offer a compromise some will find ideal. These grips were half checkered. The theory is that the smooth component offers rapid adjustment of the hand when the pistol is grasped but the checkered portion offers good purchase. The premise is good.
Our Team Said: As may be expected our raters had different favorites, but the overall rating cards were in agreement. Our shooters gave all of the Ahrends grips Gun Tests Grade A ratings for fit, finish, function, and material quality. Based on certain choices youll make when you order, prices will range from $36 to $50.
Alumagrip
www.Alumagrips.com
Personal preference and experience should not impede fairness, but one of our raters had an experience with Alumagrips that colored his choices, and one that we could not repeat with the other grips. He was firing a 45-caliber pistol when the cartridge case burst. The cause was probably an overload. His hand was blackened around the area of the grip safety and slide lock, but he was not injured, although the magazine was blown clear of the pistol. He is certain the robust construction of the Alumagrips saved him from serious injury. He states that in the future he probably will not use anything else. Alumagrips are well machined. Attention to detail shows in brass bushings in the grip screw holes. The machine checkering is well done and consistent from one grip to the other. There are various custom options, such as the NRA grips illustrated. We tested a slim line set of grips from Alumagrips. They were so thin that a special bushing and screw set is needed to convert the 1911 to a slim-line version.
Our Team Said: Alumagrips were well made of good material, gave good purchase, and are of made space age material. The only ding was that some testers preferred the feel of wood, so the overall rank was Gun Tests Grade A-. Prices range from $49.95 for standard grips to $65 for NRA Logo grips.
Death Grips
http://www.deathgrips.net/
Based in Phelan, California, this is a new company we hadnt purchased from before. One of our raters ordered the grips as a lark, and they turned out well. The grips were well polished with a carved flame motif in the center of the grip for purchase. They also offer various designs to suit other tastes, and some may offer better purchase than the ones we tested. In the past a carved steer might be the component of a handgun grip that gave the user purchase. Other versions of the Death Grips line also offer good gripping surface with an inletted form. We have to warn you that some of the motifs were adult only, but then a handgun is a personal instrument. The grips tested were the classic smooth wooden grips that were well suited for snag-free concealed carry. The carved flames were properly centered in the grip.
Our Team Said: These grips are primarily for show, but they have utility on a concealed-carry handgun. Our testers gave them a Gun Tests Grade A- for meeting the evaluation criteria, with a special neat job comment for the unique panelwork. They are priced at $60.
Ergo
http://www.ergogrips.net/
Ergo has offered a synthetic grip for the 1911 and Beretta for some time. The company now offers wood grips in several different materials and textures for the 1911. The hard plastic line is similar to skateboard tape in adhesion, but not as sharp or abrasive. Good purchase is evident. They were on the hard side, but worked fine for our shooters. People like wood, and Ergos new Copperhead line was the most striking, our team said. The Copperhead is not checkered, but rather features a raised component similar to a pebble-grain stud. The verdict on the new wood line from Ergo is that they were pretty, and they work well. They have done a particularly good job of producing a specialty grip that looks good on both blue steel and stainless handguns. Among all of the grips tested, the Copperhead rated high for good adhesion on the hand, but caused a little snag on covering garments. Tactical types will prefer the Ergo synthetic, but it is a hard plastic. The synthetic grips have about the same adhesion as skateboard type, which is to say, excellent.
Our Team Said: During the firing tests, the Ergo synthetic grips gave excellent results and were a Best Buy at their modest price. The wood grips were not as good a bargain comparatively, but they were worth the price and had better adhesion than some priced higher. They earned a Gun Tests Grade A- from our team. They run $24.20 for the Synthetic and $44 for the Copperheads.
GunGrips.net
http://www.gungrips.net/ has gotten quite a bit of attention recently. We have seen these grips in print in two reports in the popular press over the past few years and also among handgunners at the range. The grips tested were just one product of GunGrips.net. The Dragon 1 is a blue-tone grip with a gold dragon inlay. They were not plastic, instead they were polymer, and seem rugged enough. The gold inlay actually lends a bit of purchase when firing the pistol. One of our raters purchased a nickel-plated 38 Super with factory grips that were much too large for his hand. They were poorly designed. The Dragon 1 looked right and fit right and retained the barbecue-gun look.
Our Team Said: You either love this type of grip, or you do not. Some felt the gun had a pimped look; others appreciated the grip performance, saying the grips met our test criteria. Our testers gave the GunGrip.net product a Gun Tests Grade A- mark. They sell for $44.
Herretts Stocks, Inc.
www.Herrett-stocks.com
Heretts is an old-line company that has been in business longer than our raters have been alive. They were best known for one-at-a-time revolver grips. They take the hand measurements you trace on a special form and turn out a revolver grip that fits the hand perfectly. But what we are talking about here is auto-pistol grips. We tested two sets of grips for the 1911 and one for the Browning Hi-Power. The classic D45 pattern for the 1911 is in a class by itself for purchase and appearance. But the 1911 Oval grip is very interesting. Many shooters like smooth grips. The Oval grip is smooth, but there is a raised center of gravity that offers a good balance. These grips were geometrically designed to offer a good grip. Yes, the D45s were superior for adhesion, but the Oval grips were a special case. For concealed carry, double-diamond-pattern grips against the kidney region might be a bit rough. The Oval cures this.
The High Power grips were a good design, well cut and beautifully checkered, and they offered a hand swell. The checkering and execution were excellent. These grips are offered by Dillon Precision, among others, and the price is a very competitive.
Our Team Said: The Herretts grips were unanimously voted Gun Tests Grade A for all three renditions, and our testers said they were all Best Buys. The Smooth 1911 stocks are $30. The D45 runs $35. The Hi-Power grips as tested were $37.50.
Hogue, Inc.
www.Getgrip.com
Hogue is another old-line company with much to recommend. It has featured primarily rubber stocks in recent times, although the company also offers wood products. Hogue grips are available on a bewildering number of factory handguns. The Hogue rubber grip is slightly softer than some rubber grips. The pebble-grain surface gives adequate adhesion and is relatively inexpensive to produce. Hogue also produces these grips with a finger groove that many shooters find gives good purchase. Others feel that the finger groove limits their speed and interferes with grip adjustment.
Hogue offers well-finished wooden grips in both checkered and smooth style. We were able to test two examples, one for the Browning High Power and the other for the Beretta 96. Either is well finished, with no sharp edges. The Browning 9mm is a 20,000-round+ pistol, and the Hogue grips have been the choice of its owner, a professional shooter. Predictably, they have turned darker over the years with use and exposure to perspiration, but have not chipped or given any other signs of wear.
Our Team Said: The smooth grips give a good fit and were well suited for concealed carry. In the case of the Beretta, the smooth grips seemed to improve the fit and feel of a large service pistol. The rubber pebble-grain grips were declared comfortable in long firing sessions. Our shooters rated them as Gun Test Grade A- products across the board. Costs for the pebble-grain rubber grips are $24.95. Costs for smooth wooden grips are $29.95. Costs for checkered wood grips are $47.95.
KimSon Handicraft Co.
www.Handicraft-VN.com
These grips were among the most unusual we tested. They were buffalo horn from the Republic of Vietnam. They were very interesting, and while part of the grips are polished smooth, there is a certain roughed up area that affords good purchase. The roughed up area apparently is from injury the horn received while still alive on a water buffalo. A break in the horn gives some finger purchase, and it almost seems as if it would continue to wear. But it has not during our test of several weeks. The KimSon look is distinctive.
Our Team Said: The grips give a good grasping surface, and they were smooth and snag free for concealed carry. Were just not sure how the horn will wear, so our testers were cautious in awarding a Gun Tests Grade B+. The current catalog lists only smooth designs. $50 as tested.
Karl Nill Grips
www.Mactec-MilitaryArms.com
Karl Nill grips are produced in Germany. As such, the burled wood may not be familiar to American shooters, but it often comes out very well. The Nill grips illustrated for the Heckler & Koch P7 may be the only choice for this handgun. We know of no other grips available aftermarket. The 1911 Nill grips were well checkered and well made and polished of good material. The 1911 grips featured a special hand swell for a better purchase than the standard flat slab, but this design feature is imperceptible until the grips are in the hand.
Browning Hi-Power grips are similar in construction, but we have only personally tested the 1911 grips.
Our Team Said: The Nill 1911 grips were nicely made, but they offer no advantage over Herretts Oval grips, and the Nill grips cost a lot more. The Heckler & Koch P7 grips are painstakingly produced for a pistol that is very difficult to fit correctly. They offer a great advantage over the issue plastic grips. Our testers offered two grades for the Nills. The 1911 Nill grips get a Gun Tests Grade B+ for their higher cost and no additional utility. The Nill P7 grips earned a Gun Tests Grade A because they are the only game in town for that gun, as far as we know. The 1911 Nill grips are $109.19. The P7 grips are $110.99 and worth every penny if you own that gun.
Novaks Gunshop
www.NovakSights.com
Wayne Novak is best known for his innovative and now universally acclaimed combat handgun sights. It is only natural that his shop offer high-end grips for those wishing to appropriately adorn Novak custom pistols. The examples tested belong to one of the raters. A military intelligence officer, his alarm and excursions piece is a Novak custom 45 with just a few upgrades, such as smooth, highly polished Novak grips. The grips were well turned out of good material. The color scheme was well-figured wood. This pair of grips showed careful selection of the cocobolo.
Our Team Said: Our raters gave the Novak grips a Gun Tests Grade A- status. Standard grades begin at $49.95 and range up to $135 for better wood.
Pachmayr Grips
www.Pachmayr.com/home/
There are a number of types of Pachmayr grips. There is an economy version that we do not feel is a smart buy, although it has the famous steel insert for safety. The Signature features a wraparound grip style, while there is also a version without the full wraparound component. Most shooters of average hand size find the standard type best, while the full wraparound is a godsend for large-handed shooters. Some shooters will cut the section away that covers the front strap. The 1911 grip weighs 5 ounces. The front section adds to the shooters adhesion, but if the section impedes your control of the pistol, then it should be trimmed. There is a difference between target shooting and combat shooting, and hand fit is essential for control. The Pachmayr excels on all counts. Lookalike grips are cheaper and not as safe. As an example, our most current Gold Cup Colt 45 was found with a type of imitation Pachmayr without the steel insert. We found the feel just not the same as the Pachmayr and upon removing the grip, we found the reason why. It is a cheapened product.
Our Team Said: We found that the Pachmayr gives excellent purchase in all firing grips and also aids in controlling recoil. This is the top-rated rubber grip and also the most expensive. Much depends upon how serious you are. Our testers gave both Gun Tests Grade A scores. The Standard is $28.98, and the Signature with wraparound grip strap runs $36.98.
Paladin Grips
www.PaladinGrips.com
The Paladin grip typically features some type of inlay, often the individual users initials along with the traditional Paladin Knight chess piece insert. The inlay actually gives some purchase, and the grips allow good handfit. The grips illustrated were fitted to a Rock River Arms 45 ACP. The RRA pistol features a checkered front strap, so the mix of smooth grips and checkered grip and backstrap is more than adequate for good purchase in most situations. In other words, you may quickly adjust your grip while the checkered front strap allows good purchase and good adhesion.
Our Team Said: For those who appreciate complete attention to detail, these grips were very well made and finished. Our testers put them at a Gun Tests Grade A- level. They are $90 as tested.
Smith and Alexander
www.SmithandAlexander.com
Smith and Alexander is known as the Mag Guide people, even to the FBI, as their Magazine Guide is specified for use on the SWAT and HRT FBI pistols. Smith and Alexander offers a spectrum of grips for the 1911. The main differences were in checkering and grip material. We chose the diamond-pattern checkered grips of cocobolo wood – about 10 years ago. The grips illustrated are the longest serving grips tested. They were fitted to one of the first Smith & Wesson 1911 pistols, and the issue rubber grips were trashed. The checkering is still just great. In fact, there is no discernible wear at all. The only difference between these grips and their appearance when new is that the wood has become darker over the years due to exposure to perspiration and oil and solvent. The grips have been carried on more than one hard-use 1911. Interestingly, a Springfield 1911 fitted with factory checkered grip panels suffered the grips losing all of their stain and color in less than five years of similar use, but only on the side nearest the body.
Our Team Said: The Smith and Alexander grips were well worth their price. Testers gave them a Gun Tests Grade A mark. They cost $44.95.
VZ Grips
www.VZGrips.com
Gator grips are a modern micarta grip very popular with the tactical community. We used these grips on a 1911 handgun turned out by Rocky Mountain Arms. The green tactical Gator grips matched the green BearCoat finish. The grips offer excellent purchase with a special scaling that actually does resemble an alligators scales. The ribs were good for gripping in all conditions, but some of the raters did not care for the feel. Perhaps it is generational, as younger raters were more impressed. Just the same, on an objective basis they would live with and use the grips in a hard-use environment. VZ grips offers a half dozen alternate styles as well.
Our Team Said: If you prefer micarta grips, these are a strong choice. Our raters gave them a Gun Tests Grade A- tally. They run $55.
Universal Outfitters
www.UniversalOutfitters.com
We tested the Universal Outfitters grips with the Grench offering. This is simply a grip wrench. These were the archetypical G10 grips for hard use and for use on tactical handguns. These grips offer excellent adhesion. When firing the handgun, even with +P loads, the grips were comfortable despite the excellent purchase. However, these grips offer another component that offers outstanding utility. An Allen wrench is supplied with the grips for ease of removal, and the Allen wrench is contained in a slot in the grip when not in use. When the grips were removed, they act as a bushing wrench. The Universal Outfitters grips were robust enough for use as a bushing wrench. Removing the grips and using the wrench, then returning the grips to the handgun does not affect the zero as we have confirmed.
Our Team Said: These grips are a first-class tactical option even without the bushing wrench. They rated them as Gun Tests Grade A units. They cost $60 without Grench and $70 with Grench.
Wilson Combat
www.WilsonCombat.com
We have tested several Wilson Combat grips with good results. They are often more raspy and sharply checkered than other grips, but they give good adhesion in firing. Today more men work with keyboards than hammers, and the sharpness of grips may be an issue. Still, these were well made grips of good material. Another set from Wilson Combat was particularly impressive. These were Wilson Combat slim line grips, designed for deep concealment. These grips offer a thin profile but due to the longitudinal (snag free) slots in the grip, they offer good adhesion despite their smooth profile. They were supplied with the proper short grip screws and bushing.
Our Team Said: If you have small hands, the Wilson Combat Slim Line grips are good choices, in our view. Theyre also well suited for concealed carry. Our testers said both Wilson grips were top of the class, and gave the Gun Tests Grade A marks. They range from $49.95 to $59.95
X-Caliber Grips
www.X-CaliberGrips.com
The X-Caliber grip is a smooth wood grip that is slightly larger than others. This is a purpose designed advantage for shooters with medium to larger hands, and the shooters with small hands did not seem disadvantaged. This is largely due to the good hand fit of the 1911 handgun. A thicker grip is less flat and more round. When indexing, you are more able to tell where the muzzle points. Thinner grips increase recoil, although this is a trade-off in concealed carry. While few grips are actually aesthetically objectionable, the X-Caliber grips were among the best turned out of the group. On the inside track, we hear X-Caliber is currently working on grips for the 1911 that do not require screws. They snap in place. That is precision machining.
Our Team Said: These are good grips for bigger-handed shooters. Our testers gave them a Gun Tests Grade A- mark. They run $70.
