I need 1911 grip panel advice!

[JohnR]

I want to make my compact (Officer) Citadel feel as good in my hands as my Girsan Government model. The Girsan has an arched mainspring housing which I think helps a lot, and a smooth faced trigger, which I have on order for the Citadel. But it also has grip panels that, while lightly grooved, are finished in a glossy clear coat and feel pretty slick and smooth. I can't stand rough cheese-gratery grips and these feel just right to me.

My Citadel came with rough wood grips (deep grooves and satin clearcoat) and a Hogue wrap-around grip. I don'd like either one. I tried Pierce rubber grip panels and those don't feel quite right either.

I don't want an endless Holy Grail quest that'll cost me $50 a pop, so can anyone recommend 1911 compact grip panels that have a glossy smooth or nearly smooth finish? Anyone try RAASCO grips?

[gb6491]

Search "Hogue Colt Officers Coco Bolo Smooth Wood Grips " or "Hogue Wood Grips, Colt/1911 Officers Grips, Coco Bolo" on ebay.
You can also shop Hogue directly: http://www.hoguestore.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=734_49
I've not RAASCO grips myself, but generally read good things about them.
Regards,
Greg

[JohnR]

Thanks, that might do the trick. I'm partial to the look of rosewood over cocobolo, but I expect they'll feel the same. I know how rosewood feels on a guitar neck.

RAASCO grips look intriguing, but are double the price of Hogue's.
http://www.raascogrips.com/1911-grips--mic1911.html

[yqtszhj]

If you can get Bawanna to hold back on his checkering and inlay talents maybe he could make some smooth hippo ivory grips (I think it was hippo)????

[Bawanna]

I don't really have any more Hippo to offer but I can do smooth just about anything else with in reason.

I just sent of my last sliver of Coco Bolo yesterday for a compact 1911, fingers crossed those fit, have to get some more soon.

I have a hunk of stabilized birdseye maple that would do smooth real nice or several other types of wood depending on what your looking for.

Mostly just need patience this time of year, bench time is hard to get sometimes. I'm headed out this minute to whittle some Purple Heart into the shape of an early MK9 grip.

Send me a PM if you want me to whip something up.

[gb6491]

.....

Send me a PM if you want me to whip something up.
JohnR,
I don't think you can do better than set of Bawanna's custom grips:
http://bawanna45.wix.com/bawannas-grip-emporium
Now, that he is into the fray, please consider my Hogue (still very good grips) suggestion rescinded.
Regards,
Greg

[JohnR]

I'd be proud as can be to have some Bawanna grips, but for now I'm taking sandpaper to the factory wood grips and I'll coat them with some clear lacquer and see how they ride.