What to Consider When Buying a 1911 Pistol Grip

After years of heavy use, it’s inevitable that the default factory grip on your 1911 pistol will degrade and lose its texture. Seasoned handgun owners understand the importance of a reliable, steadfast grip in a sticky situation. There’s little room for error or hesitation when your life is in jeopardy and you need to practice self-defense.

When picking one of the many custom 1911 grips available today, comfort and ergonomics can be deceptive. Instead of relying solely upon how a pistol grip “feels” in your hand, focus on measurable performance metrics like range, accuracy and maneuverability. It’s important to consider these metrics first and foremost when making your selection before looking at the style of a grip. We also recommend disregarding style when making your selection. An elaborate wooden grip may look sharp and help you exude machismo at the shooting range, but you don’t want to compromise performance for aesthetic in any capacity.

In order to help you make an informed purchase decision, we’ve outlined some expert advice that will ensure optimum 1911 grip safety and satisfaction. Read on to get a better grasp of the various factors you need to consider when outfitting your 1911 pistol with a new grip.

Grip Length and Thickness

Before shopping for grips, look down at the size of your hands. The length of your fingers is one of the most important considerations when selecting a grip. Ideally, you shouldn’t have to overextend in order to adjust the safety or pull the trigger. A grip that is too large for your palm can make it more difficult to discharge your handgun quickly. Thankfully, we’ve compiled a few easy techniques you can utilize to test handgun grip fit.

The first technique is incredibly intuitive – simply wrap your hand around your gun’s grip, place your index finger on the trigger, and ensure there’s a small sliver of space between your skin and metal. If your finger is hugging the side of your gun, it’s an indication that you’re overextending to reach the trigger.

Next, it’s important to confirm that your grip provides adequate support for recoil reduction. When your pistol grip fits correctly, it’ll rest comfortably against the crook between your thumb and index finger. If you really have to reach to wrap around your grip, it’s likely the back of your pistol will rest on your thumb. The thumb alone doesn’t offer enough support to brace your body against recoil and dampen the gun’s kick – compromising the control you have over your firearm.

Contoured Grip and Finger Grooves

There are pros and cons that accompany a contoured grip. If you often have sweaty palms, the molded material can keep your fingers from slipping and give you a better hold. Unfortunately, grips with finger grooves tend to fall on the larger end of the size spectrum. For handgun owners with small hands, the bulkier grip can burden the arms and hinder the firing process.

At the end of the day, every gun and every shooter is different. Selecting a grip with finger grooves is a personal decision. If you think that a molded grip will keep your dominant hand locked firmly in place, it’s a smart investment. To see a popular example of a grip with finger grooves, check out this Hogue Camo Laminate 1911 grip with finger grooves.

Coating

An oft-overlooked aspect of wooden pistol grip selection is the finish or coating of the handle. In our opinion, tung oil is the best possible finish for gun owners looking for a long-lasting solution. Lacquer coatings tend to accumulate unattractive scuffs, chips and scratches over time. A tung oil coating is a reliable alternative that reduces blemishes and ensures your grip remains in pristine condition.

For rubber grips or polymer-framed guns, we’d suggest applying a Brooks Tactical A-grip. By adding a little extra texture to your grip, you can improve the strength of your hold.

After reading this post, you should be able to eliminate showy, unreliable grips from your list. By considering these few factors, you can focus your pistol grip purchasing process on performance rather than surface-level aesthetics. At Pistol Grips Plus, we offer the most reliable pistol grips for sale online!

If you have questions regarding grip compatibility or specifications, contact our knowledgeable support staff by emailing [email protected] or by calling 334-641-0749.