Has anyone any experience with the Wilson Combat front strap grip you can buy for $10 from Brownells? Looking to get some new grips also for my Range Officer Operator I'm sure I will get it checked when $ allows but for now the cost if G10 style grip and the precheckered front strap pallet look like an idea. Maybe I should run it naked the way it is and enjoy. Looking for grip ideas cheaper ones now. Thanks.
No experience with the Wilson front strap add-on, but I do have a Ranger Officer. Mine is the one with the adjustable sights. A fantastic shooter and out of the box, the best trigger I own in that class. I have some VZ grips on some other guns, but I've kept the original Springfield wood grips on mine. Congrats.
The “cheese grater” works well. Keep in mind that it WILL abrade and scratch the finish off your frame. The rubberized or skateboard friction tape is a great option that leaves no damage behind when removed.
Rubberized grip tape. Talon sells it in large squares that can be cut to the size you need. One sheet will do multiple guns, I've done both of my R.O. Compacts and my CZ-75 Compact and still have most of the tape sheet left. That with a set of VZ grips does wonders for giving you traction. Remove the grips and install the tape so it tucks under the grips and then you won't need to worry about it peeling up.
Here's a picture of my R.O. compact 45 with some VZ grips and Talon rubber grip tape.
I have Skateboard tape on my Glock 34 (Red Tape) & 35 (Lime Green Tape), and one of my Kimbers (Red Tape). The other Kimber has some Black 3M No Slip Shower Tape that also works really well!
The colored tape helps with rapid identification too! Yes, I have driven more than an hour to a match thinking I had the G34 when I really thought I had the G35... and THAT is why those 2 are different colors... (LOL)
I used a 3M gray rubberized tape while I was working on making weight for IDPA.
I cannot find it now, the only local lumberyard that carried such stuff closed, leaving only Lowe's and HD.
I bought one of the Wilson front strap checkered thingys (can you call it an insert?). I didn't like it - but I have to qualify that. I've been using skateboard tape on 1911 front straps going back to the turn of the century and I'm so used to it that nothing else feels right - not even front strap checkering.
You can grip tape up higher than you can that add on checkering piece or even straight up checkering. Stippling I have seen get to places grip tape can get.
It sucks. Tends to pop off at bad times. While any monkey could have designed one that wraps on around and secures to the grip screw bushings, Apparently Wilson wanted to save the extra half cent that would have cost. Might work for guns you don't really mean to shoot.
Unless you are shooting a precision pistol shooting sport, you'd probably be better off with Pachmayr wrap-around grips.
If you are not shooting a lot of rounds, the grip tape is really good. Shoot several hundred in a week and it may tear off some skin. For Bullseye, where soft grips suck, and CMP precision shooting where wrap around isn't allowed, grip tape is best, but for carry or action shooting, if you really want something on the front strap, the Pachmayrs are better
Don’t waste your time/money, get the Talon 1911 Grip tape, for the frontstrap! $5 to your door, they’re on both my 1911’s, and will be buying more as I add to collection!
I had Clark to checker mine and couldn't be any happier. It was about $135 door to door and took about 4 weeks. It feels like a completely different gun.
I've used the Wilson Combat part on a number of guns over the years, primarily on stainless models. Worked well for me, and I put a fair number of rounds thru those pistols.
It can cause minor frame scratching but it's easy to shim with cut to fit electrical tape under the forward edges. That, and properly fitting grips, will eliminate metal to metal contact.
So my experience has been positive, it's removable as needed, and a lot less expensive than a $150 checkering job.
I had Clark to checker mine and couldn't be any happier. It was about $135 door to door and took about 4 weeks. It feels like a completely different gun.
LOgan Clark was at Camp Perry last year and he put Clkark "tiger tooth" stippling on the front strap of this one. Costs a lot less and I got my gun back in a couple of hours. Also much more aggressive than checkering.
LOgan Clark was at Camp Perry last year and he put Clkark "tiger tooth" stippling on the front strap of this one. Costs a lot less and I got my gun back in a couple of hours. Also much more aggressive than checkering. View attachment 551868
I could’nt get a good grip on my RO Champion with the stock grips. I went “old school” and put a set of Hogue wrap a round grips and completely solved the problem. To me looks better too.
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