When I had my Sig Sauer P220 I changed the grips out to Hogue Rubber Finger Groove Wrap Arounds. IMO it made the gun feel much better in my hands and lessened the recoil. I know you 1911 guys like the traditional grips, but I went ahead and changed them on my Para 1911 too. What do you guys think?
I think it gives the gun a nice feel. IMHO I felt it helped with recoil because the fingers have something to "bite" into. But, I took them off because my gun has checkering in that area. So for me it was a waste to spend the money on buying a gun with checkering there and then to put those grips on. I liked the grips don't get me wrong. I just preferred the gun with out.
Plus it does make your gun nicer looking than the dooky looking factory plastic panels
Heys its your gun, do what works for you. I like the natural look of a 1911 without finger groove grips, but I have the hogue finger grrove insert under my Kimber grips too because I think it gives me a better feel and control and to be honest they don't look bad with the finger grooves
5-0, you know I am not a fan of the way they feel, as they seem to force my fingers into an unnatural position, but I gotta admit that they look pretty good on the P14.
I put the regular hogue (no finger spacer things) on my 220 and the finger spaced version on my 226. I prefer the flat front strap Hogue as my hand just doesn't fit those finger cut outs exactly. I still can shoot it well and it doesn't truly bother me, but I prefer the flat ones that I put on the 220.
I think for certain pistols, they are a real upgrade. On a carry piece, I can see it potentially interfering with the draw perhaps, maybe make you print more?. That rubber is rather tacky and when I conceal my 220, I notice my shirt material seems to sort of stick to it a bit.
The Hogue grips do look good. Years ago I put (and still have on) Pachmeyer combat grips on my 1911. They pretty much look like the Hogue grips without the finger grooves. I've handled a 1911 with the Hogue grips but never fired one. It does feel good and I think it would be great on the range. However, on a combat piece I prefer not to have the finger grooves. I agree with Scott F on his reasons plus I feel like I have more grip options without the grooves.
I had them on my Springfeild V10 Ultra Compact. I think on that weapon the grip made the difference. It did feel really good and made me feel like I had total control over that little 45. I have never put them on anything else though.
I have them on my Kel Tec PF-9 and P3AT. Helps when you shoot more than a clip or two through them especially the P3AT. It is only a .380, but felt recoil is worse than the PF-9 9mm. Mine have the finger grooves but then again I have small hands. They fit perfectly. I have a S&W model 60 in .38 special that came with wooden grips and hurt every time anyone shot it. Put on a pair of Uncle Mikes rubber grips and it made a world of a difference. I pocket carry and the texture of the Hogue grips make it difficult to draw quickly. With practice it makes it easier.