Nice over all package
The wood they used is beautiful. The rubber in lay is grippy, but not sticky. It beefs up the grip profile slightly, but not to a degree that makes the grip profile significantly different. Finger grooves feel intuitive and comfortable. I had to dremel some wood out as the plunger tube was impeding it from going into place. Additionally, my handgun has extended ambi safeties, so I had to remove some material to accommodate for that as well. All in all, its a great looking grip that provides the elegance of wood and the grip of rubber together, for a good price.
loctite a must!!
I bought these grips, love the way they feel and the look. BUT, before you ever put them on your gun make sure you loctite the pachmyr emblem and the screw that goes into the back of it. The pachmyr emblem serves to hold the rubber grip to the wood grip. If you don't loctite the screw it will come loose, I've seen it happen on two guns. That small screw fits perfectly under the feed ramp on a 1911. If that happens the trigger won't work and a magazine will not insert. Will also need a littel dremel work if you have ambidextrius safety on a 1911.
Also an attention catcher
I use these grips on my GSG 1911 and my Ruger 22/45 Mark III Hunter. The guys at the gun range think that I have three or four versions of these two handguns. I have other Pachmayr all black grips with finger grooves, as well as factory and after-market wooden grips and the finger groove panel that fits under the side panels. The ONLY negative about these grips is that the little nylon washer between the rubber and wood and screw fell off. The lower rubber flapping around was really annoying. I glued the rubber to the wood and will test the gun next weekend. But I absolutely love the comfort (not to mention look) of these grips.
Work great, but read on...
I picked up a set of these grips from a vendor other than Brownells a couple years ago. With that, what I have to say may not apply to Brownell's "version" of these grips, but I felt worth mentioning in case what I have to share applys. My set was a bit soft or "squishy" for my liking. It didn't take long for me to figure out why. If you look at the backside of the grips, you will notice (at least on my set) that there are large crevices or dimples on the opposite side of where the grip extends between the fingers. I solved the problem by applying a generous drop of Household Goop in each crevice/dimple, applied a good amount of natures Release Agent (yes gentlemen, that would be...spit) to the front side of the grip frame that would come in contact with the Goop, installed the grips and gave her a few hours to set up. Than, removed 'em and rubbed off what Goop might have spilled over onto the frame. Use a dry finger to rub it off, just keep rolling your finger over the Goop and it will, in time, simply roll off. It might take repeating this process one more time (as it did for me) if the crevice/dimples hadn't completely "leveled." If you think your piece runs well with the "stock" version of these grips, give that above a try. It really firms up the feel and you won't be dissapointed. And, if you don't like it, it won't be hard to revert back. Just pull and stretch the Goop until it all comes free. Take care.
Long term use
Probably the nicest grips I've ever owned for any of my .45's. They fit my hand perfect right from a draw. The only problem I've had is after a year of on and off carry,one of the inside screws that holds the rubber to the wood fell out of each side.
