Last year I purchased one of the S&W 1911's. I really liked the looks of it (pictured below) and am very satisfied with how it shoots. What really surprised me though were the grips. As the picture shows, they are pretty radically cut, and in my hand I thought to myself: "These are pretty sharp", and wondered if they would physically hurt to shoot. So here's where the weirdness comes in: despite the very aggressive cuts on the grips, they are some of the most comfortable 1911 grips I've ever encountered. The only explanation I can come up with is the aggressive surface makes holding the grips firm very easy and results in absolutely no movement. Like any grip, I know these aren't for everyone, both because of their looks and their type of surface, but for me, I really like them. BTW, the pictures don't really covey how sharply cut these grips are.

Does anyone else have this same model, and if so, what are your feelings on the grips?

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!

Same principle:



Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

I like 'em.

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Keep on Chooglin'

I'm interested more in the slide cuts. Can you tell a difference in recoil from the reduction of mass from the slide cuts?
I am going to try some cutting on a slide to see if less reciprocating mass means a feelable reduction in recoil.
Thanks for posting the pictures. I'm going to go a more radical route, BUT a little at a time.
Those grips look cool too!

Is the barrel ported to match the cuts in the slide?

I have them and I like them way better than the checkering that is sometimes sharp like what comes on Kimber's. Nice gun.

I have never held those grips but from the moment they debuted, I have been totally in love with the looks of them and I would really like to get a set of them for one of my 1911's (I don't have many.)

I can tell you that my best shooting buddy has aggressive VZ grips on a number of his 1911's and though I also enjoy the look of those, I do not care for the way they feel in my hands while shooting.

Grips and stocks are extremely personal and vary from shooter to shooter. Though they rarely ever look attractive... when it comes to fit & feel, I have typically been most happy with Pachmayr rubber, but cannot stand finger grooves or a palm-swell.

It's fun to try many and see what ya like. I think those blue & black ones are gorgeous in the looks.

I've liked those grips on eh 1911pc model since I've first seen them. I think they look sweet on the stainless frame. I since tried to find a set for my (otherwise dull looking) 1911 9mm pro series with no luck.

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Dave

I prefer real wood:

Attached Images

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While I didn't find those grips uncomfortable at all, I also lean toward slightly less "radical" grips for my 1911s.



There's just something about nicely figured wood that makes a gun attractive.

Those slots, by the way, are not a recoil-reduction device so no, the barrel isn't ported to match. According to S&W, they are intended to lighten the slide so as to allow it to cycle faster.

Ed

If I were to shoot one without the cuts to compare it with, I might be able to tell the difference, but otherwise, I really can't say that I noticed any difference. Overall though, the gun is the best 1911 I've shot, and that's compared to the Colts, Kimbers and Auto Ordnance guns I own or have owned.

No, the barrel has no porting. The cuts are made to reduce the mass of the slide. And to look cool. Porting using these cuts wouldn't be practical as the the cuts (along with the whole slide) are moving backwards, away from any holes in the barrel. That is why ported 1911's are generally done by adding a device on the end of the barrel which remains stationary with the barrel during firing and recoil. I've had one on the end of 1911 and it did help muzzle rise somewhat. It was more effective with hotter loads, but since I don't shoot competition, I wasn't overwhelmed with it's practicality and cleaning it was a bit of a chore.

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!

I've always liked 'em.