G10 grips detailing question...

[One Ping Only]

Been contemplating doing a little touch-up to my Wilson (VZ) grips on the Officer's clone. Bongo Lewi (I think it was) was saying that he lightly sands them down just a tad- my guess is to break all the hard edges on the cuts. BL, what grit sandpaper did you use and did you wet sand them? Do you find the G10 material hazardous to work with (respiratory) as some allege?

Though I think this G10 material really doesn't need anything for "treatment", is it mineral oil that is used to freshen them up a bit? I've a little side project and am thinking of gently breaking those hard edges when I have the grips off. They don't bother me as-is, but could be a smidge better. Maybe just more shooting handle will do that.

Thanks!

 

[Bongo Lewi]

220 grit or slightly finer, wet sand. No dust that way and you wont take off too much material if you use a light touch. Just enough to knock down the cheese grater effect. I attach them to a piece of scrap wood to keep them in place thru the screw holes. That also keeps them flat so I can concentrate on sanding them evenly. Again, very light touch.

I have found those foam blocks with the abrasive coating vs sandpaper useful.

I don't think shooting more is going to wear down the edges in G10 grips. Not in our lifetime. That stuff is super hard.

I have given some serious thought to sanding them smooth and polishing but haven't tried it. It's easier to simply replace them with premium or sometime exotic wood grips as I often do with 1911s and other guns that have removable grip panels.

Check out Exotic Grips by Esmeralda I have been buying her grips for several years.

 

[One Ping Only]

I really like the texture and pattern of the Wilson/VZ grips, fwiw, so I’m not looking to “go smooth” with them. Like you said, just swapping out for smooth grips is the right move if that’s the desired grip surface.

I know this stuff is tough, what I was referring to is handling just wearing off the sharp edges ever so slightly. Just dulling that a wee bit. As it is, I do t find them abrasive, but I haven’t carried this sidearm yet, and when I do it will be OWB, not otherwise. So I’m not worried to much of the cheese grater discomforts you’re avoiding. I may just leave them alone. Lol

 

[Bongo Lewi]

I really like the texture and pattern of the Wilson/VZ grips, fwiw, so I’m not looking to “go smooth” with them. Like you said, just swapping out for smooth grips is the right move if that’s the desired grip surface.

I know this stuff is tough, what I was referring to is handling just wearing off the sharp edges ever so slightly. Just dulling that a wee bit. As it is, I do t find them abrasive, but I haven’t carried this sidearm yet, and when I do it will be OWB, not otherwise. So I’m not worried to much of the cheese grater discomforts you’re avoiding. I may just leave them alone. Lol

Some like the really aggressive grips. Others like the sticky sandpaper approach. It's a preference sort of thing. The condition of your hands is a factor. As is lifetime of working with your hands - or not. Also grip strength, hand size, etc. Everyone is different.

In many circumstances I prefer a smooth grip. I have done an abnormal amount of pistol shooting over the past 25 years and my purchase on the gun is amply rehearsed. I dont have any strength or joint issues (yet). I like a thin, smooth grip on 1911's and all their metal framed derivatives. On plastic striker guns I prefer a shape and texture treatment something like HK and Walther have done. Springfield also did a good job with the Hellcat in the grip and texture department. That's probably the reason I have stuck with the Hellcat as my EDC for so long. The texture is wonderfully grippy without being aggressive or uncomfortable to carry IWB.

 

[One Ping Only]

I have the 'slant pattern' grips & love 'em... maybe extended firing sessions will induce a different tune sung. For ME, I have strong hands that did a lot of work, and yet protected them well for my instrument playing, so they are not 'dainty' and are XL+; but grip strength is not an issue. I've only shot this pistol one once thus far, but the grips did not in any way bother me. Carrying, esp IWB, I can see a need to break all those edges a tad.

Having said that, I really like the look of smooth wood grips, either on a revolver or SA...and have never fired an un-checkered handgun of any sort that I can recall to experience the difference. I may have to remedy that. I'm also about to acquire & install a new Mainspring Housing/Magwell one piece unit to give just a tad more grip length, and that magwell opening (hence the un-beveled grip bottoms that I purchased). Aside from that, and maybe a bullet-proof slide stop and I'm done. TWT....

Thank you, Bongo Lewi!

 

[Bongo Lewi]

I have the 'slant pattern' grips & love 'em... maybe extended firing sessions will induce a different tune sung. For ME, I have strong hands that did a lot of work, and yet protected them well for my instrument playing, so they are not 'dainty' and are XL+; but grip strength is not an issue. I've only shot this pistol one once thus far, but the grips did not in any way bother me. Carrying, esp IWB, I can see a need to break all those edges a tad.

Having said that, I really like the look of smooth wood grips, either on a revolver or SA...and have never fired an un-checkered handgun of any sort that I can recall to experience the difference. I may have to remedy that. I'm also about to acquire & install a new Mainspring Housing/Magwell one piece unit to give just a tad more grip length, and that magwell opening (hence the un-beveled grip bottoms that I purchased). Aside from that, and maybe a bullet-proof slide stop and I'm done. TWT....

Thank you, Bongo Lewi!


View attachment 25920

I probably would not modify those grips. They seem OK. The G10s I find most uncomfortable are the more traditional styles and patterns. Your Wilson 'ray' pattern looks a bit softer. I'll bet they media blast those. The edges appear to be rounded. Wilson tends to leave no small detail unattended.

 

[One Ping Only]

They may well detail those grips when they come in from VZ. I'm pretty enamored so far with the 'TRAK STARBURST' pattern which combines the ray/sunburst with the TRAK pattern offered on their EDC X9 2.0 sidearm as an option . Quite a positive grip surface. Thanks again!

 

[Bongo Lewi]

They may well detail those grips when they come in from VZ. I'm pretty enamored so far with the 'TRAK STARBURST' pattern which combines the ray/sunburst with the TRAK pattern offered on their EDC X9 2.0 sidearm as an option . Quite a positive grip surface. Thanks again!

I put a Wilson grip module on a P365. Big improvement!

 

[BeerHunter]

I have the 'slant pattern' grips & love 'em... maybe extended firing sessions will induce a different tune sung. For ME, I have strong hands that did a lot of work, and yet protected them well for my instrument playing, so they are not 'dainty' and are XL+; but grip strength is not an issue. I've only shot this pistol one once thus far, but the grips did not in any way bother me. Carrying, esp IWB, I can see a need to break all those edges a tad.

Having said that, I really like the look of smooth wood grips, either on a revolver or SA...and have never fired an un-checkered handgun of any sort that I can recall to experience the difference. I may have to remedy that. I'm also about to acquire & install a new Mainspring Housing/Magwell one piece unit to give just a tad more grip length, and that magwell opening (hence the un-beveled grip bottoms that I purchased). Aside from that, and maybe a bullet-proof slide stop and I'm done. TWT....

Thank you, Bongo Lewi!


View attachment 25920

I swapped out the stock RIA grips for those same G10 grips on my M1911A1 CS in a slightly different color!

 

[One Ping Only]

I put a Wilson grip module on a P365. Big improvement!

I'm hoping they offer one for the Echelon. I'd be all over that.

 

[One Ping Only]

I swapped out the stock RIA grips for those same G10 grips on my M1911A1 CS in a slightly different color!

Slightly different color? May we have pics with that, sir? Yes, yes??

 

[BeerHunter]

Slightly different color? May we have pics with that, sir? Yes, yes??

I'll have to dig and see if I can find the pics, or just take new ones!

Slightly different color? May we have pics with that, sir? Yes, yes??

Here found a photo, but upon closer inspection, definitely not Wilson Combat grips and not the exact pattern as your G10 grips. I took that photo years ago right after receiving the custom leather OWB holster for that sidearm. The color I'd chosen best matched/contrasted [to me] with the finish of that RIA M1911A1 CS. Here you go:

 

[One Ping Only]

Noice!!!

I’m a bit conflicted on mine as they have the Wilson round embedded. I’m not at all trying to make it something it’s not. But once I saw that color available (dirty olive) combined with that trak starburst pattern it was all over but the purchase of said grips, which were significantly discounted as well. They went better than I imagined on that ECS’ finish, and I do like the grip texture for what it is. Yours look GREAT on your RIA!

Right now I’ve my eye on a holster that I hope is still available when my funds arrive- that’s something I’m lacking for my RIA at the moment and will remedy shortly. Thanks for putting up that pic of yours, BeerHunter!

 

[One Ping Only]

I probably would not modify those grips. They seem OK. The G10s I find most uncomfortable are the more traditional styles and patterns. Your Wilson 'ray' pattern looks a bit softer. I'll bet they media blast those. The edges appear to be rounded. Wilson tends to leave no small detail unattended.

Yes I think the pattern you're speaking of is "sharper" or more prickly as it's cut, than mine.