Well, I have made up several test grips trying to get the old feel on the new gun. Problem is that Beretta changed the shape of the grip frame. I have no idea why. The standard and Vertec frame step down the width by 3mm or so per side for the rear 4-8mm. The X Def frame is perfectly flat.
The problem is that w/o that step down, anything you try to add at the rear to simulate the standard shape has to wrap around the corner and necessarily adds thickness. I hacked a set of the rubber wrap around grip for the M9A3. Trying to take out the mass that fits into step-down on the M9A3 I was able to get it to fit the X Def but the grip width was way up. I tried using a G10 grip for a standard 92fs and took out that added mass but the rear edge of the grip gets real thin. But w/ the fs grips on the X Def I tried filling between the overhanging rear edges. I molded piece of kydex over a standard frame and then cut, filed, etc so it would fit between the grip panel edges. But how to keep it there--grip tape worked but was ugly and I like that as an add-on not as a needed part. This AM I cut up that rubber M9A3 grip to make an insert. Got it to work fairly well but the thin rubber portion (<1/16") I stuck between the grips and the frame to hold it in position (so it would stay w/o tape) of course spaced the rear of the grips out that 1/16" on each side. During all these mods I also tried on the M9A1 a lot of grips that I have had but not used for quite a while. I have been using Super Aggressive G10 grips from Stoner cnc for the last 2-3 years. I found that I kind of liked the Langdon G10 grips which are real thin. I also liked the stock X Def plain panels which are pretty thin. So, like robertg, I ordered the round/thin grips from LOK. Wish they had traditional/thin but I found on the wraparound grips that came w/ the gun I could mod the golf ball shape a little to be more traditional. The problem w/ them is that whatever rubber/plastic compound they are made of there is no way I could find to grind or sand away material and end up w/ a nice surface finish.
My final comment re LOK. I think they are making a big mistake w/ lopping the bottom of the grips short. I hate it and fill mine in w/ tape and it pi$$e$ me off that I need to do that. They do it so their coming mag well will fit? 1- the X Def and X Perf already have a much larger magwell flare than any 92 to date. 2- If I want to add a mag well I could easily do my own lopping. Removing material is easy, adding material is hard.
The stock grips stop there too. In order to make the grip go to the very bottom, the material would need to be thicker at the bottom. This means the grip would have to also flare out at the bottom. This would drastically change the shape of the grip and you would end up with a very thick grip(at least at the bottom). You could make the grip only go to the bottom on the backstrap, but then you would end up with an abrupt change from the side to the backstrap where the stock grip normally stops. You wouldn't be able to have a curved transition at that corner either because the material would get too thick.
92X Performance Wrap-Around Grips NOW @ Lok Grips
in Beretta
Posted · Edited by Crutherland
The stock grips stop there too. In order to make the grip go to the very bottom, the material would need to be thicker at the bottom. This means the grip would have to also flare out at the bottom. This would drastically change the shape of the grip and you would end up with a very thick grip(at least at the bottom). You could make the grip only go to the bottom on the backstrap, but then you would end up with an abrupt change from the side to the backstrap where the stock grip normally stops. You wouldn't be able to have a curved transition at that corner either because the material would get too thick.