For many Americans, when you mention the mere idea of a handgun, the first that comes to mind is the venerable 1911. This iconic handgun has been a mainstay in holsters across the country for more than 100 years, serving in some of the most dramatic conflicts in history, and as a capable self-defense firearm at the same time.
The 1911 platform is remarkable for a number of reasons. Shooters of all backgrounds and skill levels appreciate its recoil control, its crisp trigger, and of course, its looks. But one of the features that continues to earn praise is its grip angle. Considered by many to be the gold standard for grip angle, the 1911 features a grip that’s 18 degrees of square. This makes it easy to fit in your hand and point naturally at a target.
While the 1911 might feel natural in your hand, sometimes how it sits and fits there doesn’t quite feel right. That’s where you can tailor the grip on your 1911 to fit your needs and particular shooting style. But rather than simply wrapping your pistol in friction tape, you’ll be better served by getting the right grips. Today, RailScales will break down some of the ways you can improve the grip on your 1911.
Choose the Right Material
A quick Google search for “1911 grips” will reveal page after page of results. In fact, it can be a little overwhelming to figure out which is right for you when you have so many options. Since the 1911 has been around for so long, the list of accessories made for it is nearly endless, and grips are one of the most popular accessories for it. That means you have your choice of nearly any material on earth to choose from. While it might be cool to have a set of bespoke meteorite grips on your 1911, they aren’t cheap, and they aren’t always practical. Instead, think about choosing from one of the more popular and proven materials below.
Wood
The first 1911 to leave John Browning’s shop sported a set of checkered wood grips. Wood grips are attractive and functional. They can be carved or checkered to fit your distinct shooting style and can be finished in any number of ways, creating a grip that’s practical and nice to look at.
You’ll find wood grips made from a variety of woods, including rosewood, cocobolo, walnut, and cherry. The wood itself offers a good grip that’s only enhanced by the checkering or carvings on each panel, as well as the finish on the grip. While wood grips are eye-catching and still functional, they may not be the best choice for all shooters. That’s because these grips can be damaged by moisture and cleaning agents. With time, they can become chipped and damaged from use or exposure to the elements. Some might find this weathering to be part of the charm and value of wooden 1911 grips, while others might bemoan its lack of durability.
Rubber
Rubber grips have been a go-to choice for many shooters for decades now. Often molded to fit into the grip panel positions, or even to wrap around the front and sides of the grip, rubber options are ideal if you’re looking to improve the ergonomics of your pistol. With or without molded finger grooves, you’ll find that you have added purchase and retention over the handgun.
However, some aren’t big fans of rubber grips. They can sometimes be bulky, and the grippy texture of the grips themselves can sometimes snag on clothing or holsters when you’re drawing. Additionally, solvents from gun cleaners can warp some rubber grips.
Plastic
Not long after the 1911 was created, some of the first plastic grips entered the market. Today, you’ll find polymer grips on nearly every pistol produced if the frame and grip itself aren’t entirely made from it already. Plastic is easy to mold and form, and is an affordable material, making plastic grips a cost-effective option.
Plastic grips can be shaped, molded, and checkered into nearly any grip pattern you can think of, allowing for a lot of customization options. They’re also able to resist the corrosive effects of cleaning solvents and oils, making them a durable option. That being said, depending on the size and quality of grip, plastic options may not withstand being dropped or heavy use, as they can chip and crack easily.
Metal
Thanks to CNC technology, metal grips are now an affordable and lightweight option for the 1911. Many make these grips from materials like aluminum, a material praised for its lightweight and durability. Metal can also be laser engraved, painted, or painted with any patterns or finishes you can think of.
But metal grips do have their downsides. The smooth sides might make them ideal for concealed carry, but it can also limit retention in wet situations, or if your hands begin to sweat under pressure. Additionally, they are temperature sensitive, which can be a nuisance in particularly cold or hot temperatures.
G10
A premium material, G10 is actually a fiberglass laminate. Made specifically as a lightweight and durable material, it can easily be carved and crafted into items like 1911 grips, knife handles, and more. G10 can be shaped and carved to have a more or less aggressive texture if needed.
Many shooters are now swapping their 1911 grips out for G10 examples, citing the improved traction they have on their pistols, as well as the rugged nature of the material itself. The material is impervious to solvents and oils, and the texturing offers a slip-free purchase even in wet conditions. As an added benefit, the material can be made from a huge palette of colorways for a truly custom look.
Choose the Right Size
Once you’ve decided on the right material, your next step is to choose the proper size of your grips. The right size can make a noticeable difference in your accuracy and precision in shooting. If your grips are too large, your hands will fatigue quickly, and your shots will start to wander across the target. Too small and your hands will be pummeled by recoil.
The ideal size grip then is one that fits “just right” in your hand. You’ll know when it feels comfortable. Settle the backstrap of the pistol into the palm of your hand, and lower the grip into your hand as low as comfortable. Your shooting hand should wrap comfortably around the pistol, and your fingers shouldn’t feel like they have to stretch to reach vital controls like the safety and the trigger. There should be enough leftover space on one side of the pistol for your support hand to fit snugly on the side, covering your shooting hands fingertips.
Modify the Front Strap and Main Spring Housing
If you’re looking for an added level of purchase or control over your 1911, the next step is to physically change parts of the frame. An easy way to do this is to change the main spring housing, which makes up much of the backstrap of the pistol. Typically, you’ll find flat and arched main spring housings for the 1911. Each has its merits, and it’s really about which fits your hand better. Once you’ve found the right type of MSH, you can then look for examples that have checkering or texturing already on them.
The other option, which involves cutting into the frame, is to checker the front strap of the pistol. This is the front of the grip that your fingers wrap around. Checkering this area offers your fingers more purchase. However, this might be something you have a competent gunsmith complete for you. If you simply go after the front of your grip with a Dremel, you’ll just scar your firearm, and create a new way to chew up your fingers every time you use the pistol.
Premium 1911 Grips from RailScales
The right grips can make all the difference in performance during your next range trip. That’s why RailScales has crafted the Ascend series of 1911 grips. Made from our premium G10 materials, our grips are designed to effortlessly attach onto your pistol and were designed with ergonomics in mind. The grips feature our proven Honeycomb and MiniDot textures which offer you increased purchase and leverage even when your hands are sweaty or greasy.
Order your own Ascend 1911 grips today!
The Ascend™ 1911 Scales From RailScales
As we’ve discussed previously in this blog post, it’s essential to have a quality grip cover that you can rely on made from premium materials that is designed specifically to fit your 1911. That’s where the Ascend™ 1911 Scales from RailScales come in. Our textured G10 scales were developed for those who want more from their 1911 grip cover. With better heat protection and a superior attachment method, the Ascend™ 1911 scales are easily the best on the market. Read on to learn more about our 1911 grip covers and visit our site to purchase yours today!
Updated Style for a New Generation
While technology was helping to update and increase efficiency on everything else, the grip covers available for the 1911 seemed to be falling behind. 1911 grip-making tools hadn’t been updated for about a century. That’s why, at RailScales, we designed the Ascend™ line.
CNC machined out of G10, we redefined the standards for 1911 grip covers. Besides ensuring that our grip covers have custom 416 stainless screws that have been heat treated and black oxidized for heat resistance and durability, we’ve also improved our 1911 grip covers in a number of other ways when compared to a traditional 1911 grip, including:
- 25% lighter
- 80% thinner edge
- 65% thinner top shelf
- 10% more frame coverage
- 20% more surface area
At RailScales, we make the best 1911 grip covers on the market. We’ve achieved a larger coverage area while reducing the weight. We’ve improved both functionality and aesthetics, ensuring that our Ascend™ scales melt into the frame, providing a cohesive, sleek look.
Customization Options
At RailScales, we understand that everyone is different, as are their firearms and shooting preferences. That’s why we’ve made our Ascend™ scales available in two of our patented 1911 grip patterns. We offer two different texture options: honeycomb or minidot, so you can choose the one that improves your grip on your 1911 the best. We also offer both of these textured scales in a single safety or ambidextrous safety option, further allowing you to customize your shooting experience.
High-Quality Grip Covers for Your 1911
We understand how important it is to have a high-quality grip cover for your 1911. That’s why at RailScales, we didn’t just make a few small improvements and call it a day. We designed our 1911 grips to be the absolute best. We improved size, shape, weight, and functionality to provide you with a better shooting experience.
Our 1911 grips are constructed from CNC machined, premium G10, a high-pressure fiberglass composite material that’s created by stacking multiple layers of glass cloth that’s been soaked in an epoxy resin. The materials are then compressed under heat and cured. G10 is the toughest glass fiber laminate available, which is why we’ve chosen it for our premium 1911 textured grips.
Premium G10 Materials
When you choose RailScales 1911 grips for your firearm, you won’t just get a standard grip. You’ll get a grip that you can trust for many years to come thanks to our lightweight and extremely durable G10 materials. Our premium G10 is CNC machined to feature the same honeycomb texture as our patented RailScales. The G10 materials that we use is a high-pressure fiberglass composite material. This is made by layering glass cloth that’s been soaked in epoxy resin which is then compressed under heat and cured. This means that it is not just lightweight, but also incredibly durable! You won’t have to replace this grip after a few months, and it will be able to withstand just about anything that you can throw at it.
Upgrading The 1911
While the traditional 1911 grip model has lasted for many years, it was time for an upgrade! That’s why we designed the Ascend! These scales melt into the frame and cover more area — this grip redefines how grips should fit your 1911. The original 1911 grip profile has been overlooked for more than 100 years, and we were tired of settling for the same old and tired designs! Each set of our 1911 grips includes a custom set of 416 stainless screws that have been heat-treated and black-oxidized to help reduce vibration and increase durability.
Fitting Your 1911 Grips
Our premium grips offer additional frame coverage. This means that the slim grips ride very close to the front and rear of the frame. In some cases, your grip may hang slightly over the edge of your 1911. If this happens, you are always welcome to contact our team to receive a full refund or replacement. We want you to be fully satisfied with your 1911 grip, and if it hangs over the edges at all, this can cause discomfort and inaccuracy.
The Psychological Advantage
The difficulty of shooting accurately shifts into a psychological struggle once you've mastered your chosen weapon. It's all about bringing your A-game, especially if you're competing in a local shooting event. This is true in every sport, which is why the field of sports psychologists has grown. Maintaining a calm demeanor may make all the difference. You'll have confidence in your equipment if you select custom grips that you are comfortable with. This will assist you to perform at your finest every time since it eliminates the pretext of faulty equipment as a reason for failure.
Moisture-Resistance
You may tell that your hands get rather moist when you shoot at an outdoor range in the summer. If you can't manage to obtain a solid grip on your gun, this can certainly affect your shooting. Furthermore, having a sweaty hand might have an impact on your mental game and simply make you feel uncomfortable. You want moisture-resistant custom grips. G10 is a composite material that is used in the construction of RailScales' custom grips. We use a textured grip with gaps that keeps moisture away for a long time. You'll notice that moisture does not linger for long after you try out our textured grip with spaces.
Get A Grip You Trust
When you want to upgrade the grip of your 1911, get a grip that you can trust with RailScales! Shop our online store now or contact us to get more information about the best choices for your firearm.
RailScales — Your Source for Quality Grip Covers
If you’re looking for the best way to improve the grip on your 1911, look no further than RailScales. We manufacture textured grip panels for firearms, including the 1911, as well as for MLOK and Keymod rails. We believe in creating and manufacturing only high-quality products, and we are constantly looking for ways to improve upon previously designed firearm grip covers.
We believe that our products can improve the shooting experience by providing a superior option to the cheap polymer grips that saturate the market. We’ve worked to improve upon not just the material the grips are made from, but also the attachment method, heat resistance, style, and more to provide you with the best possible product. If you’re looking for an effective way to improve your grip on your 1911, shop the Ascend 1911™ RailScales today.