I believe the concept behind slim grips is to reduce bulk for concealed carry. I also believe that form follows function... Finding the combination that works best for you is the key.

Like any other tool, the better a pistol comes to hand, the more effective the user can be. I have long palms and stubby fingers. Consequently, I have trouble reliably disengaging the grip safety on single stacks with slim grips. Standard or slightly oversized grips allow me a better hand hold and in turn better control of the pistol.

 

i am about to order some vz slim grips in about an hour.

my les baer has thick grips. my S&W 1911 has thin grips. i really didn't think much about it. i do shoot the S&W more accurately. at first, i put it down to the 3 dot sights on the S&W...then i really started paying attention.

i believe it's the grips. the S&W just feels better in my hand.

i'm zaxx - what feels and works best for you is the key. after ab'ing my guns, i truly feel the slim grips will make a big difference in my case.

 

I really like slims. I get 100% coverage with slims and I "feel" the weapon better. It's like zaxx said, whatever works for you is best.

 

I use thin grips on my game guns. This is very personally subjective cause everyone's hands are different but I feel like I have more control of the gun with slim grips vs regular width grips.

 

Definitely put me in the camp of more handfilling grips. Perhaps it's the hold that I use, however I find that I'm able to get a more steady, and stable sight picture when the grips actually fill my hand. Recently I ordered a set of grips that were much more slim than my normal grips. Alternating between the two, it quickly became evident the slim grips felt abnormal and they were promptly sold.

 

agreed. if you shoot well with thins and note a carry benefit then they would be choice. if not then not much point.

ive got big hands and it actually took awhile for me to ever try thin grips. i always assumed that i would not shoot as well with them and that this fact would outweigh any marginal benefit i may get for carry.

as it turns out i seem to shoot better with thins in my big mitts and i do indeed prefer them for carry.

who knew?

 

I have heard reports from some that slim grips have resulted in larger grip size. I haven't looked at it that closely.

 

I prefer slim. I haven't noticed any difference in group size, even when going right from slim to standard or vice versa in the same range trip.

 

I put some slim Alumagrips on my gun a while back. I liked the feel and the thinner profile carrying IWB. Now I don't prefer them anymore. I learned that I actually shoot better with a fatter grip, and the reduction in grip profile is negligible. All just personal preference.

 

Interesting enough...I might have to sand down some old cheap grips before make my order for some VZ thins...

 

And the slim bushings and screws, don't forget those.

 

It would seem that those with thick, meaty hands do much better with the slim grips, and those with leaner hands do well with the thick grips.

It's good to get a lot of surface contact between the firearm and your hands.

 

i have little girly hands. i shoot much better with my slimline alumagrips than my fat stock wood grips.

i can get more of my hand on the gun and a more straight pull on the trigger.

 

Same here.

 

Grips may affect how you shoot, and how you shoot may affect your choice in grips.

Ideally, the barrel will be in line with the long bones in your arm when you shoot. If the grips are too fat, you may have to turn your hand in order to reach the trigger properly. This is especially true when shooting double action, but not so much with a 1911, which is designed to fit small hands anyway. Turning the gun to reach the trigger affects both the direction and consistency of recoil.

You get the most consistent single-action results if you hold the gun with minimum side pressure, concentrating on your grip in the fore-aft direction. That way the recoil is straighter as the bullet travels down the tube, and subject to fewer variations with slight changes in grip. Shooting double action or simulated combat, you usually want a thicker grip for faster presentation, better control and reduced felt-recoil.

The difference between normal grips and thin grips on a 1911 is only about 1/8" in total. I doubt that has any effect on concealability. Shape of the butt (e.g., bob-tailed) and use of flush magazines is more important in that regard.

 

I switched form the thin grips that were on my gun when I got it to a set with the palm swell. And now it's wearing a set of VZ Operator II grips.

I wish that the palm swell was available on VZ grips..

 

Sorry to bump an old thread but does anyone have the actual size difference between the two?

I just called and they weren't in or the people that would know were not in until next week.

I have a Ed brown magwell on my 1911, and was wondering which ones would be best for the grips.. I would prefer a completely flush magwell to grip, rather than magwell, then eitehr have the grips stick out too much or be too thin..etc. If that makes sense.

-Nigel

 

I think that standard grips generally have a .250 inch (1/4") to 260 inch thickness.

I don't know about thin grips; but I'd guess between .125 inch )1/8") and .200 inch.

I'll have to check my TRS grips with my calipers.

Rick

 

Grip panels on a 1911 don't affect the way I shoot, or functionally grip the pistol (unless they are wrap-around grips). Because of the relative 'long but narrow' design of the 1911's frame, I do most of my 'gripping' on the frontstrap and backstrap (grip safety/MSH) of the pistol.
As long as they are not completely smooth, I don't feel the need for anything overly aggressive for the grip's texture, either.

I believe slim grips are a great idea for a carry gun. I usually put Slim Alumagrips on all of my 1911s that are potential carry guns.

 

Mine are just a bit less than 1/4" thinner. Here's their webpage:

http://www.woodgrips.com/1911_ultra_thin.htm

I really like them a lot. And I was very impressed all around with the company.

 

I am a ham fist kind of guy. I wear the biggest gloves I can find. Slim does not work for me. Really wish Les Baer made Thunder Ranch regular grips.