VZ Grips N frame recommendation anyone?

Rangerone · Jun 25, 2020

I called VZ Grips yesterday and was told they plan a Fourth of July sale that should be 15% off according to the nice young lady on the phone. Hopefully, she was correct.

With that in mind, I will probably purchase several sets of these. My question concerns the 629, 4" round butt frame.

To those of you who have VZ grips on your 629, did you go with the round to square conversion grips, or did you go with the round bottom grips?

The round to square conversion covers the back strap and offers more surface area to grip, whereas the round bottom exposes the back strap but offers finger grooves. Regardless of which version I get, I will get the tactical diamond version and modify the sharpened diamonds as is necessary.

Any recommendations would be most appreciated.

Thank you.

Coastie762 · Jun 26, 2020

I've got a set of VZ round grips, on a 625-8 PC. I found the finger grip scallops to be a bit sharp where the two halves mate, especially the bottom pinky groove. I used a dowel and sandpaper to round and blend them in better. On a heavier recoiling gun such as your 629 those sharp edges may be a bit uncomfortable during extended shooting sessions.

Size-wise they fit my medium hand well. The sharp checkering definitely keeps the gun from moving in your hand. Attached is a photo of my 625 for your consideration.

HTH,

uncleted327 · Jun 26, 2020

It depends on the gun and the role. Under 4" I like the RB. If it's over 4" and presumably for more of a hunting role then the SB conversion might get the nod. The other difference is VZ has the additional grip textures available in the SB conversions but not yet for the RB N & KL grips. I love the Operator II and Twister textures. I have wrap around J frame grips in those and much prefer them to the standard checkered or 320s. If you opt for the SB don't overlook the added options available. As soon as they offer the Operator II in the RB N&KLs I'm ordering more for myself. I added a pic of the OP IIs on my 360.

Rangerone · Jun 26, 2020

Coastie762 said:
I've got a set of VZ round grips, on a 625-8 PC. I found the finger grip scallops to be a bit sharp where the two halves mate, especially the bottom pinky groove. I used a dowel and sandpaper to round and blend them in better. On a heavier recoiling gun such as your 629 those sharp edges may be a bit uncomfortable during extended shooting sessions.

Size-wise they fit my medium hand well. The sharp checkering definitely keeps the gun from moving in your hand. Attached is a photo of my 625 for your consideration.

HTH,

This is good information, exactly what I was looking for. I have handled many of their grips at the NRA meetings, I vaguely remember a similar concern when I handled one of the N frame guns on which they had a set of their grips mounted.

While I do not hand load to "miniature cannon" levels, especially in this short barrel, I have found the Hogue monogrips to be great when it comes to shootability, but the fit and finish and looks are simply bad.

Rangerone · Jun 26, 2020

uncleted327 said:
It depends on the gun and the role. Under 4" I like the RB. If it's over 4" and presumably for more of a hunting role then the SB conversion might get the nod. The other difference is VZ has the additional grip textures available in the SB conversions but not yet for the RB N & KL grips. I love the Operator II and Twister textures. I have wrap around J frame grips in those and much prefer them to the standard checkered or 320s. If you opt for the SB don't overlook the added options available. As soon as they offer the Operator II in the RB N&KLs I'm ordering more for myself. I added a pic of the OP IIs on my 360.

Thank you for this information, I did look at their various textures back when I was looking to purchase a few grips for my 1911. Of course, controlling recoil in a 1911 is more about the front strap than it is on the side panels.

Perhaps one of these textures might be better suited yet less aggressive. And, there is always fine sandpaper at hand to modify.

Currently, I have several Ahrend's grips, all of them purchased on the day they announced their closing. While I think the quality and finish is wonderful, I want something more hand filling. Should these VZ grips work, I will just sell the Ahrends grips here.

VZ has a quite liberal return policy, so I might just splurge and buy several different styles and send back what I do not want. At approximately $70 per grip, one must choose carefully.

ultratec00 · Jun 27, 2020

VZ makes a quality grip and I've tried the round butt for both K/L and N frame. The checkering is very aggressive. I found them to be noticeably smaller than hogue grips. For concealed carry, they seemed a perfect fit for shorter barrel revolvers. Tried them on my 3" 686+ and 3" 629-5. The fit/finish were fine. I just found them too small for my hands.

To me, grips are totally subjective. I've kind of migrated to Altamonts for most of my N frames simply because they fit my hand and the cost is such that I don't have a lot of heartburn modifying them to fit better. Also have transitioned to Altamonts for my L Frames as well.

bronco45 · Jun 27, 2020

The circumference of the VZs are small, I have them on N and K frames.
The textures available, the more agressive is more aggresive with hard kickers.

Pizza Bob · Jun 28, 2020

OK, I'm a wuss, I admit it. As I've entered my dotage, I have become recoil averse. I had a set on my 625-8 PC that I used for IDPA...

There is absolutely no "give" to G-10. Even wood grips have a little bit of compression when gripped. The G-10 transfers every bit of recoil energy directly to the web of your hand. I shot one match (100+ rounds) with them and took them off the gun.

Beautiful grips with great fit - to both the gun and my hand. But painful - can't imagine what they'll be like on a .44 Mag.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

Rangerone · Jun 30, 2020

Thank you all for your advice, I think I will shy away from the finger grooved grips, at least on the 44 Mag, and look at the round to square conversion grips. I do have a 3 inch model 13 and I think those finger grooved grips will look wonderful on that.

Additionally, I have a near-pristine 1947 2 inch M&P and I am looking for a nice set of grips to put on it. My search for the period correct Smith & Wesson grips has been fruitless, either they are beat up and at a premium price, or they are quite nice and at an even higher price, so I am either going to go modern with a VZ grip or perhaps something fancy from Altamont.

VZ Grips N frame recommendation anyone?

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