VZ or alumigrips?

[angryman]

I am torn between these 2 grips and wanted some opinions. I really like wood but my grips keep shifting and coming loose when firing. I don't know if it's a bad fit. I've tried loctite and am still not happy. I'm leaning towards VZ and have heard that Alumigrips are kind of heavy. This is an all steel gov't colt, so I don't need anymore weight. Opinions?

Thanks

[John]

Alumagrips are not heavy, that's for sure.

Both VZ and Alumagrips are great grips, grippy if you pardon the word (does it even exist as a word?).

What bothers me is that your grips keep shifting. Never had that problem. What grips are they? And I hope you didn't use Red Loctite on them screws, purple is the one to use for this purpose.

[angryman]

The shift is minimal, but enough to really bug me. I feel it when I sweep my safety into the fire postion. They loosen up considerately at the range. I used blue loctite which worked, and comes off. The grips I use have Colt medallions but I think are repros. I got them at a gunshow. I don't know if they are cut wrong or it's the ambi-safety, or just normal. It dries me crazy, though. The loctite is a cheap solution, but the grips cover the mainspring pin, so I take them off every now and then.

[John]

The holes are definitely wrong. Dump those grips and get any decent set of grips from our sponsors. I am sure you won't need Loctite anymore.

[Navy87Guy]

If you wait a few more days, I got an email from John at VZ Grips that said they are coming out with some new offerings around February 15. I think they're expanding their color selections in the various styles. Can't wait to try out some 320's on my RIA in Desert Blonde!

Jim

[Navy87Guy]

As promised, VZ has expanded their color selections. New colors in the various styles are posted on the web site. I ordered myself a set of Desert Blonde grips in the 320 style...I'm looking forward to trying them out!

Jim

[dr2e]

here's a heads up on vz grips. i got a pair of the slim 320s today and tried them on my gun. unless you have REAL small hands you might find them too thin. i don't have the largest hands in the world and my first impression when i picked up the pistol was, "boy, these sure are thin", construction was first rate and i highly recommend vz (considering that i exchanged the grips for 2 sets of regular thickness operators) and john was very helpful to get me fixed up with what i wanted. just thought i'd let you know........

[Morphire]

I am torn between these 2 grips and wanted some opinions. I really like wood but my grips keep shifting and coming loose when firing. I don't know if it's a bad fit. I've tried loctite and am still not happy. I'm leaning towards VZ and have heard that Alumigrips are kind of heavy. This is an all steel gov't colt, so I don't need anymore weight. Opinions?

Thanks
I got a new Nighthawk Talon II bobtail (commander size) with thin alumagrips from nighthawk (nighthawk logo on them). I got the pistol and found some issues with them. First and formost they are cold to the touch. When I grab the pistol to pull it from the holster I didn't like the cold very much in my hands. I also didn't like the cold against my skin for IWB carry. The thin grips were also just too thin for my hands. I have larger palms but shorter fingers. Golf gloves are made in cadet size for hands like mine if that helps with a reference.

I called up VZ and asked if they could make a black paper micarta bobtail in the operator design. They didn't specifically list that as an option on the website. I got the nod and ordered them. I COULDN'T BE MORE PLEASED WITH THESE GRIPS. They fit my bobtailed frame perfectly and they fall into my hands like they were custom designed for me. I was able to use the bushings from my alumagrips but ordered longer grip screws from VZ. I wonder if the movement you are getting with your grip is bad bushings. The Operator design is the perfect blend between agressive and smooth so that they feel great in my hands yet they don't rub me wrong with an IWB carry option (VMII). Can't recommend these VZ grips any higher. =]

[Navy87Guy]

I ordered some 320's in the new Desert Blonde color. They came in today and I love them! They look great and they feel good....just enough texture to keep them from slipping but it's not like holding a rasp in your hand. And boy do they change the look of the gun! Below are some "before and after" pictures:
With the Pachmayr rosewood/rubber grips:
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-11/889657/RIA-left-modified.JPG

With the VZ grips:
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-11/889657/RIAwithVZGrips.JPG

A very inexpensive way to dress up your gun and give it a new look!

Jim

[angryman]

I did end up getting the alumagrips and like them, except the color. I ordered the olive/gray grips, because I wanted something other than black. I like the way they feel and do have good "grip". I am hoping that they will let me switch the grips put for a different color (they are unused and pristine), but am not holding my breath. They were a pleasure to deal with and had really fast shipping.

A side note,

The play in my grips was due to the grip screws. I found this out when I put on my alumagrips. They rattled around like crazy, and just before I started cussing, I remembered that I had purchased a set of hex screws at my local gunshow. The original Colt screws were black and I wanted a ss pair of hex screws. I went back to my original screws and my grips were perfect. Stupid mistake.....