If you have standard bushings/screws, you'll need to swap them for slim bushings and screws to go to slim grips. It's not difficult, but requires some care in removing the stock bushings. A $29 challis tool makes this a very easy "to-do." Then just buy a set of Challis slim bushings and screws to install the new grips with.

Full Size Bushing Extractor

Full Size Bushing Extractor

www.challisgrips.com

 

If you have standard bushings/screws, you'll need to swap them for slim bushings and screws to go to slim grips. It's not difficult, but requires some care in removing the stock bushings. A $29 challis tool makes this a very easy "to-do." Then just buy a set of Challis slim bushings and screws to install the new grips with.

Full Size Bushing Extractor

Full Size Bushing Extractor

www.challisgrips.com

I apologize for not making myself clear. What I'm askings is, are there slim grips available that include the bushings and appropriate length screws. So far I have found the seperate selection a bit confusing. Thank you all for your help!

 

If you want to run slim grip panels you will need slim bushings.

Challis bushings are amazing and they also sell a removal tool that greatly reduces the chance of destroying your factory bushings.

Use a soldering pen to apply heat and loosen any thread locking compound that may be present on your factory bushings. Assemble the removal tool on the bushing and it should come free with little to no trouble.

 

I've used various slim grips on 1911s for many years. Yes, you'd need the slim bushings and screws. Attached a photo of one of my Kimbers with thin/slim grips. Easily done..

 

Vz and Lok are my go to grips.

There are no plug and play wood grips. Even the finest grips may bump the thumb safety, or something. Stuff happens with wood.

Although VZ sells wood. I wonder if they're as precise as their normal grips.

I prefer o rings to thread lock.

 

There's is no 'plug & play' with respect to slim grips. The bushings and screws were designed for a standard thickness. If you reduce the thickness of the grips without changing out the bushings and screws, at best you're going to have screws standing proud of the grips, and that's going to feel like garbage when the screws dig into your hand under recoil. At worst, since the screws now have thinner grip material, the tip of the screw will push into the magazine well so far that you can't get a magazine inserted.

Get the slim grip bushings and screws. They're cheap and easy to install. And it saves a lot of headache trying to make something work that literally physically cannot work.

 

ErgoGrips are slimmer than standard thickness grips, but can be used with standard bushings. They are fairly inexpensive and you may want to try them to see if you prefer a thinner grip before changing your bushings.

Ergo Grips 1911 - ERGO Grips

a review from the late Stephan A. Camp Falcon Industries 1911 Ergo Grips – Hi-Powers and Handguns by Stephen A Camp

I suspect VCD grips will fit similarly http://www.vcdgrips.com/

 

A ton of 1911's with micarta grips, will come with thin bushings. Thick or thin grips.

Wood, not so much.

 

Back in the day, before Challis, we simply cut down the bushing and shortened the screws. The Challis deal is a lot simpler solution.

 

I've used all kinds, but VZs are a particular favorite because they are so precisely made. VZ can supply you with the thin bushings and grip screws you'd need in installing VZ or other thin grips.

I've only come across one other type of grip, "SlimTech", that uses a grip screw with a larger diameter head. I think Altamont now makes a grip that looks the same as the SlimTechs. Attached a photo of a pistol with the SlimTech grips, with larger diameter grip screws..

 

VZ sells what they call, “Universal Bushings “, they work for Slim Grip panels or Regular Grip panels.

 

A shrewd businessman had a bike shop. He gave away spoke wrenches and did a good business in truing wheels that owners had screwed up with the spoke wrench.
The gun equivalent would be a gun shop that gave away bushing tools - his new gun business picked up soon after!

 

Man, I loved that and had to laugh out loud.

 

Lok will have a link posted with slim grip bushings and screws. Just pick choose model: 1911, and they list everything for it.

Thin screws, thin bushings.

 

Seek out Challis Bushings. Best design, excellent service. Good luck.

 

Not to hinder your efforts, but be aware, not all slim grips are created equal.

If you decide to go the Challis bushing route, they make extra slim (Min. grip thickness 0.156") and slim (Min. grip thickness 0.180") to accommodate possible variation in thickness.

 

Not to hinder your efforts, but be aware, not all slim grips are created equal.

If you decide to go the Challis bushing route, they make extra slim (Min. grip thickness 0.156") and slim (Min. grip thickness 0.180") to accommodate possible variation in thickness.

View attachment 760074

Oh great! One more thing to figure out! LOL

 

Never had a problem removing bushings. Never had to buy a tool to do it either. Just have the right screw driver even if you have to build it. There’s many way to remove stuck or boogered screws and bushings.

 

I only had a problem with it once. I bought a Springfield Lightweight Champion with the alloy frame. I went to swap the bushings for slim ones and three of the four holes stripped. I wound up having to tap the holes for over-size. I learned after the fact that Springfield stakes them in.

That also turned me off to alloy frames.

 

Thank you all for your help. I ordered VZ grips with Challis screws and bushings.

 

P.S.
Out of curiosity I ordered a set of Guuun slim grips on Amazon (what the heck only $17). Surprisingly they fit as well as my VZ'S. Don't know about longevity. Think I'll give the to a friend.

 

I’d love to find some slim grips that are as wide as standard grips to cover up all tha excess frame metal. Who has ‘em?