VZ Grips

[walkin' trails]

I noted advertisements for VZ G10 revolver grips designed to fit J, K/L, and. N frame Smiths. Anyone have any experience with the yet? I have medium sized hands and at least from the pictures, these look to to a little smaller in circumference than the factory combat grips.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Haven't gotten any revolver grips ....but can endorse the quality of VZ's G-10 grips........ for the auto grips I've gotten.... 4-5 sets.

 

[Pizza Bob]

I have a set of finger-groove, RB, N-frame grips. Very well made, perfect fit and the agressive texture I've come to expect from G-10. All that being said - while I really like G-10 for auto-loader grips, not so much on my revolvers.

I originally mounted them on my 625-8PC for use in IDPA. I shot one match with them and moved them to a revolver that sees much less action and no competitive shooting. I really like the way the fit my hand and the purchase they give me on the gun, but they are very hard, and thus, unforgiving. All the recoil is transferred directly to your hand - nothing is "damped-out". Even wood grips mitigate the recoil to a degree - these do not. Admittedly, I have become more recoil averse as I've gotten older and these crossed the line - might have been fine with them 10 or 15 years ago. YMMV.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[Tadeus67]

A friend has them on a scandium J frame, I think they are confortable and well made.

 

[Old cop]

I tried them on a J frame and found they are too heavy for me. Not a huge deal but the J is a light weight and the grips added to much weight making the gun sag in my pocket holster.

 

[BCDWYO]

Here's a nice discussion and some pics from a thread I started last summer:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/386212-vz-revolver-grips.html

 

[pacecars]

I have a set on my 610, they are a little smaller and feel great. I have big hands but they still work.

 

[nyeti]

I ll echo pizza bob. Love the way hey feel, like them on carry guns, but let's just say these are not what you want to be shooting hard recoiling calibers with. Pulled them off my 3" .44 mag after running some full house .44's in it. With .38 special, especially in the bigger guns,no problem.

 

[eTripper]

For using on a 'field gun' these grips are very ergonomic, and tough-as-nails. They are made for being carried alot, and shot when needed. The rubber 'Hogue' grips are nice for extended range-shooting sessions with heavy-recoiling loads. The 'aesthetics' of Pachmayr's, and Hogue's never appealed to me in the slightest. But, they are, what they are made for. As are the VZ [G10] specimens. I've also heard; similar comparisons about 'auto grips', with some complaining G10 varieties being way too abrasive [e.g., Operators, & Simonich]. Which, I have never experienced either, as condition on the revolver, or 1911 pistol. I wear an extra-large 'shooting-glove', and my N-frame is perfect in my hand. Everyone has differing levels of experience, and varying comfort-thresholds. I find them also better suited to the exposure of the elements, than un-stabilized wooden grips. Here's a pair on a late-model 610:

 

[Tom_R]

I have a set of Round Butt combat boot grips on my 686+ 2.5" snub.

They are quality and feel nice on my hand.

Really good product, and I am sure if you don't like them, you can send them back for a refund.

Also have a set on a really trick Caspian 1911 and they feel great.

I personally have NEVER heard a bad word about VZs products.

 

[CH4]

Have them on 2 1911s and really like them. Contemplated buying a set for my 19/66 2.5s while at the NRA conference, but was worried about fit. Good to know folks have had good luck in that regard.

 

[regalsc]

I'm looking for grips for my 625-2. It came with factory combats but they are too large for me to get a good grip. I put some Ahrends fingergroove tacticals on that are good for my size hands. How would the vz's compare to the Ahrends size wise?

 

[CH4]

Have them on 2 1911s and really like them. Contemplated buying a set for my 19/66 2.5s while at the NRA conference, but was worried about fit. Good to know folks have had good luck in that regard.

I found the boot grips to be very similar in size.

 

[CH4]

Have them on 2 1911s and really like them. Contemplated buying a set for my 19/66 2.5s while at the NRA conference, but was worried about fit. Good to know folks have had good luck in that regard.

I found the ahrends retro combats to be very similar in size to the VZ finger groove.

 

[nyeti]

Yep, they feel similar to Ahrends. One thing I really like is that you can do a little sanding and Dremel work if there are any high spots or areas that don't quite fit your hand.

As stated above,for daily carry and especially against skin where swear can be an issue or in the outdoors where the elements can be an issue.

 

[walkin' trails]

Thanks for the comments. Also, the pics that were posted of VZ grips on S&W revolver specimins helped. I also looked at the link BCDWYO posted. I will have to say that I am interested in the smooth "square bottom" versions. I have a 66-1 SB that needs a "grip" lift. The S&W targets and some the other offerings really never fit my hands all that well. I don't shoot may full-house magnums anymore so they would probably work. And if not, I can put them on my Model 18.

 

[HarrishMasher]

I tried them on a J frame and found they are too heavy for me. Not a huge deal but the J is a light weight and the grips added to much weight making the gun sag in my pocket holster.

Exactly, VZ grips make no sense for the lightweight J Frame models. You buy a light gun (11ozs to 15ozs) and want it to remain light. The J Frame VZ grips weigh 4 ozs! Compare that to Eagle Secret Service Grips 1.0oz and Ahrends maple or walnut grips 0.9ozs. So VZ grips are a no go for the light J Frames.

They look great though and can be nice for heavier revolvers.

 

[Nemo288]

The main problem with these (and any) finger groove grips is that they don't fit a large percentage of folks out there.
Miculek says 10-20%.
And these are rock hard.
I would get more excited if they had a round to square conversion smooth target version of their square butt grip.
My N frame round butt version ended up being painful on a hard kicking 44 mountain revolver.
I have recently become enamored of the Altamont round conversion target checkered AH grip.
The shape is a little like the Miculek and allows a nice high hold.

As it stands, I would be willing to part with my VZ N round smooth set for $50.
PM me. They have been mounted and shot once.

===
Nemo

 

[629shooter]

The main problem with these (and any) finger groove grips is that they don't fit a large percentage of folks out there.

Some of my revolvers have finger grooves grips/stocks, and some don't. Normally, finger grooves don't bother me. But, VZs on a N-frame are not a good fit for me at all. Especially, when a stout load is involved and, I don't consider myself to be recoil sensitive.

I was helping a friend develop and, test a 10MM "bear load" a while back, and we were using a 610 with a 3 7/8" barrel. He had just put VZs on it. They would "work" but, they wouldn't even be my forth choice.

Thanks to everyone that mentioned their weight. I wont even bother buying a set for a J-frame. (I was going to give them a shot.)

 

[DR505]

They are comfortable on my 3" 657. Better than stock Combats for me.