SEEKING OPINIONS ON "VZ GRIPS"

dpast32 · Oct 31, 2014

Hello Folks, I was looking at a set of Hogue G10's for my S&W J/Rd, & other tha trying to decide which color, they look like they will meet all my needs just fine. As I continued to look, I happened across a link for "VZ GRIPS", so I checked them out. ( LINK: https://vzgrips.com/gun-grips/smith-wesson/s-w-j-frame ) From what I can discern from their web-site, they appear to be a really nice pair of grips. I'm leaning towards their "Tactical Diamonds" type, which appear to be a well checkered Boot Grip, made of G10 material. VX also offers their "320S" variant, which looks the same, except that it has no checkering. They both run for $75, which tens to be about $20 more than a comparable Hogue set. NOW, my real questions are; >>> 1) Does anyone have any experience with VZ brand grips ? 2) How "sharp" is the diamond checkering on their "Tactical Diamonds" ? 3) How heavy are they ? What I'd truly like to find are a set of J/Rd grips that are cut the same as the "Pachmayr Compac Professionals", cut similar to a Boot Grip, but with a slight over-hang on the bottom which provides an ever so slight bit of finger purchase. Kind of like a slightly longer Boot Grip. Soooooo, if anyone's had any experience with VZ GRIPS on their S&W, and or has knowledge of where I might locate a pair of "longer" Boot Grips, preferably in a G10 type material, I will be most interested in hearing from them. THANK YOU

Best, dpast32

HarrishMasher · Oct 31, 2014

The VZ Grips are exactly the same material as the Hogue G10 grips. They feel ceramic to the touch. Which actually feels kinda of weird to me for gun grips. I really don't like the material at all.

The major problem is they are very heavy. 2.5ozs for the J Frame sized grips. By comparison a pair of S&W Magna J Frame grips weigh 0.9ozs and Eagle Secret Service Grips weigh 1.0ozs. Bantams 1.3ozs. Ahrends Walnut or Maple J Frame grips are the lightest 0.6 to 0.7 ozs. So the VZs at 2.5 ozs are quite heavy and add some weight to what is supposed to be a very light carry gun.

They look great though. So if that is all that matters to you, go for it.

I have sold the Houge G10 and VZ grips I bought because they were too heavy. Weight is an important factor to me on my light weight carry guns (PDs and Night Guards). I want them to be light as possible. So I use grips that are as light as possible. I have Ahrends and Eagle Secret Service Grips on several of my J Frames. The other have light Altamont panels or Altamont wood grips that weigh 1.1oz to 1.6 ozs.

And Yes I have a "MILD" obsession with grip weights. Especially for my light carry guns that I want to keep as light as possible...My PD series J and L frames and L Frame Night Guards. I have bought and sold many grips trying to find just the right ones. I pretty much have it the way I want it now

Cocobolo Ahrends on my M&P 340 1.0oz: For another J Frame I am waiting on a pair of Walnut Ahrends which are the lightest they make, about 0.6ozs. Maple are almost as light about 0.7ozs.

Smooth Eagle Secret Service Grips on my 342PD 1.0oz:

Checkered Eagle Secret Service Grips on my 360PD 1.0oz:

Altamont Super Rosewood on my 642 Pro Series Comp 1.4oz:

PR24 · Oct 31, 2014

I have the VZ grips on my Beretta 96A1 in Predator Green with tactical slants texture. Very grippy, but not like a rasp. The Golfball texture was too much. The diamonds texture on the S&W's looks good too. I want some of the VZ's for my Mod 67 in sq butt.

I like the VZ's. Very well made.....IN THE USA!!

dpast32 · Oct 31, 2014

THANK YOU HarrishMasher & PR-24 for your kind & informative replies. The 2.5 oz weight of the G10's is somewhat heavy, but, it's still less than the weight of my current favorite, Pachmayr Compac Prof., which weighs in at 3.0. Honestly, I could probably stick with the Pach Prof's & never look back, as they provide that "little bit longer" length as opposed to the standard type Boot Grip. However, even though the Pach's are longer, they are very thin, without any palm swell characteristic, as found on many brands of Boot Grips. As far as texture is concerned, I kind of like the sharply checkered surface of the VZ Diamond's. I guess as with anything else in life, there's always a trade-off, good points versus bad points, etc. And HarrisMasher, please don't feel the least bit "funny" about making & keeping various lists & such. I've been doing it for many years now, & have so many assorted lists on & inside my desk, that I need a list, just to keep track of my other lists !! I'm sure there's some grips I haven't checked out yet, but there can't be all that many left for me to look at. Now, if only I could find a set of say, Eagle, chk'd Boot Grips with an extra 1/2" over-hang at the bottom, I'd be GTG ! As a quick P.S.; Has anyone weighted a set of Altamont S&W J Round Boot Grips in Charcoal Ruby ? THANKS again Guys,

dpast32

HarrishMasher · Oct 31, 2014

dpast32 said:
THANK YOU HarrishMasher & PR-24 for your kind & informative replies. The 2.5 oz weight of the G10's is somewhat heavy, but, it's still less than the weight of my current favorite, Pachmayr Compac Prof., which weighs in at 3.0. Honestly, I could probably stick with the Pach Prof's & never look back, as they provide that "little bit longer" length as opposed to the standard type Boot Grip. However, even though the Pach's are longer, they are very thin, without any palm swell characteristic, as found on many brands of Boot Grips. As far as texture is concerned, I kind of like the sharply checkered surface of the VZ Diamond's. I guess as with anything else in life, there's always a trade-off, good points versus bad points, etc. And HarrisMasher, please don't feel the least bit "funny" about making & keeping various lists & such. I've been doing it for many years now, & have so many assorted lists on & inside my desk, that I need a list, just to keep track of my other lists !! I'm sure there's some grips I haven't checked out yet, but there can't be all that many left for me to look at. Now, if only I could find a set of say, Eagle, chk'd Boot Grips with an extra 1/2" over-hang at the bottom, I'd be GTG ! As a quick P.S.; Has anyone weighted a set of Altamont S&W J Round Boot Grips in Charcoal Ruby ? THANKS again Guys,

dpast32

Of course I have. I have a set on my 442. If I recall they are 2ozs even.

dr. K · Oct 31, 2014

I've got 2 pairs of VZ grips for my J's... one in the tactical diamonds (black) and one smooth (tiger stripe, although it's much more subdued than the color currently shown on the VZ site). I like them both very much. comfortable, a perfect fit, and durable. The diamond ones are pretty rough, and for IWB carry I find they scrape my sides a bit, even with a t-shirt between the stocks and my skin. Great grips though. One thing I wish they'd do is cut the grips down a bit on the right side like the old Uncle Mike's boot grips. The extra plastic means a little bit of a different feel when gripping the gun. They're expensive, but with those materials they're made from, they're pretty well guaranteed to last.

DR505 · Oct 31, 2014

Here are the 320's on my 3" 657 .41 Magnum. They fit very well, and controlling this little beast with full power loads is easy.

I am currently testing out these Ahrends Boot Grips in Cordia though.

Tanners Owner · Oct 31, 2014

I also have a set of 320s on my 24-3. I recently shot it at an IDPA match & enjoyed shooting it w/ those grips. I also have VZs on my 1911, and CZ 75s.

I do like them & am considering a set for my 15-4....

Trojansteel · Oct 27, 2016

DR505 said:
Here are the 320's on my 3" 657 .41 Magnum. They fit very well, and controlling this little beast with full power loads is easy.

I am currently testing out these Ahrends Boot Grips in Cordia though.

Who makes this holster?

gman51 · Oct 27, 2016

I don't have VZ on a J frame but I have them on my 627-5 and I really am impressed with the fit, feel and looks of them over the stock black rubber grips.

Blackgun1 · Oct 27, 2016

I have VZs on my matching 629 PC and 627 PC and love them! The shape tends to promote a high hold, which really like.

sodacan · Oct 28, 2016

I recently bought a set of 320S grips for my 625-2. The fit was good, and they are nicely made. The round butt, however, on a heavy target revolver does not fill my palm enough and recoil control is a bit of a problem. I have average size hands and they feel small to me. On a carry gun, these would be a great choice. On a lightweight "J" frame, they would probably be perfect. I found a set of Ace conversion stocks, and they were perfect for me. I've written to VZ asking why they don't make a round to square conversion model, and they said they were thinking about doing it. I guess they're too busy trying to keep up with the demand for the ten's of thousands of Rohrbaugh pistols out there. LOL.

SEEKING OPINIONS ON "VZ GRIPS"

dpast32

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HarrishMasher

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PR24

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dpast32

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HarrishMasher

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dr. K

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DR505

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Tanners Owner

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Trojansteel

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gman51

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Blackgun1

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