G-ManBart Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 (edited) SVI had their new 5-axis machined aluminum and stainless 2011 grips on display (complete guns) at the vendors table at the Nationals. They have a round dimple pattern on the sides (and I think front strap as well) similar to a normal stipple job and much more of an undercut than stock plastic grips. The trigger guard itself is interchangeable and they'll offer more than one shape. They're a world better than the stock plastic grips, but I didn't think they felt nearly as nice as the ones I do for myself. The undercut wasn't even close to being as deep or wide and they didn't scallop out the area leading up to the mag release (on both sides). I asked about being able to remove material and they said they'll offer one that's oversized so you can cut it to fit, but that seems to take away much of the appeal. The biggest issue was cost. They haven't finalized prices, but predict something along the lines of $400 I picked up a 5" Limited gun with a long, wide dust cover, and the stainless grip and man, that sucker was heavy! They said it also had a tungsten guide rod, but still, it was really heavy. The Limited gun I handled with the aluminum grip was quite a bit lighter, but it had a standard dust cover and I think a normal guide rod. When I asked what the benefit was other than durability they said consistency, not being affected by moisture (didn't think that was a big problem with polymer) and, honestly, it was time for something new...lol....at least they weren't hiding it. In the end, it was cool, but I wouldn't bother with one. Oh, they did say you can put one on current guns and use current mags, so this is something anyone can retrofit. I didn't want to insult them and ask if they'd work on STI frames, but I'm sure they will. Edited September 13, 2008 by G-ManBart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joecichlid Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 It would be kind of cool "looking" but I am with you in that it is pretty much a solution to a nonexistant problem. I have seen some pretty cool stuff done with anadizing so it would absolutly look sweet. We shall see what comes of this. Joe W. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grandbagger Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 Bart, you forgot to post pics.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-ManBart Posted September 14, 2008 Author Share Posted September 14, 2008 Bart, you forgot to post pics.... Yeah, I know, but I only had my camcorder with me. I will say they looked pretty nice. They used a dimple patter that was about the size of my first stippled grips and I think a smaller dimple would look better and provide more grip. The more dimples equals more raised ridges which provide the traction. Anodizing in colors would be pretty cool, but I just don't know how many folks are going to drop an extra $400 on them. R, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshF Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 (edited) I took pics w/someone else's camera.. Lets see how long he takes to send me those. I agree with Bart, the SS one was VERY heavy, just too much to draw up quick. The SVI guy said it didn't move though, I can believe that. One other thing, the grip design is proprietary so they said no current magwells will fit, only theirs which will be a two piece design with spacers to adjust the top "shelf" of the magwell so you can adjust the pinch on your hand. Similar to adjust palm shelfs with target pistols. This is kind of a bummer as I'm really hooked on my ICE.... We shall see if people adopt it.. P.S. They said they go on sale next week and will fit STI frames too. Edited September 14, 2008 by JoshF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshF Posted September 26, 2008 Share Posted September 26, 2008 (edited) Ok, these took a little longer then anticipated. Here are pics I took at Open/L10 nats of the new grips. The black one was Aluminum while the silver one was the Stainless. P.S. Thanks Henning! Edited September 26, 2008 by JoshF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joecichlid Posted September 26, 2008 Share Posted September 26, 2008 Interesting, thanks for the photos. It really doesn't look like you can add a magwell to these but I could be wrong. Joe W. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshF Posted September 26, 2008 Share Posted September 26, 2008 Interesting, thanks for the photos. It really doesn't look like you can add a magwell to these but I could be wrong. Joe W. See previous post...... One other thing, the grip design is proprietary so they said no current magwells will fit, only theirs which will be a two piece design with spacers to adjust the top "shelf" of the magwell so you can adjust the pinch on your hand. Similar to adjust palm shelfs with target pistols. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loves2Shoot Posted September 26, 2008 Share Posted September 26, 2008 I don't see needing a mag well with that grip. Is it just me or does it look Caspian-ish? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbs007 Posted September 26, 2008 Share Posted September 26, 2008 I don't see needing a mag well with that grip. Is it just me or does it look Caspian-ish? First words I said..."It's a Caspian". No integrated magwell? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outerlimits Posted September 26, 2008 Share Posted September 26, 2008 sorry, but those are just plain butt-ugly...and yes, it does look like a caspian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshF Posted September 26, 2008 Share Posted September 26, 2008 I don't see needing a mag well with that grip. Is it just me or does it look Caspian-ish? Feels fatter then a Caspian actually. Also with no mag well it feels weird. If you look there is no flair or anything on the bottom of the grip to locate your hand with. The grip just kinda ends... It's ok and I'm sure people will buy it but there is something to be said for the plastic. My first thought when I picked up the aluminum one was WOW That's cold! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Cheely Posted September 26, 2008 Share Posted September 26, 2008 I'll have to reserve comment till I see one with the magwell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-ManBart Posted September 26, 2008 Author Share Posted September 26, 2008 I don't see needing a mag well with that grip. Is it just me or does it look Caspian-ish? Feels fatter then a Caspian actually. Also with no mag well it feels weird. If you look there is no flair or anything on the bottom of the grip to locate your hand with. The grip just kinda ends... It's ok and I'm sure people will buy it but there is something to be said for the plastic. My first thought when I picked up the aluminum one was WOW That's cold! Yep, my first thought was "this doesn't feel nearly as good as my own grips do"...and I'll be they get HOT when it's sunny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RIIID Posted September 26, 2008 Share Posted September 26, 2008 I see a lot of potential with this grip. I'll have to get a couple and see what is possible. They look better than some hacked up plastic grips I've seen. Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Merricks Posted September 26, 2008 Share Posted September 26, 2008 Did they happen to mention when the magwells would be coming out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sps Posted September 26, 2008 Share Posted September 26, 2008 looks like the bul m5 to me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshF Posted September 26, 2008 Share Posted September 26, 2008 Did they happen to mention when the magwells would be coming out? The guy at the table mentioned the magwell should be released about the same time (like now). I really don't see much use for these grips without one. He did not have any magwell examples there on display either. He also said they are working on a new frame design that'll take higher capacity magazines. However considering the metal grips (not frame but GRIP only) will be around the $400 ballpark it'll probably be out of my budget. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remy Posted September 26, 2008 Share Posted September 26, 2008 My first thought is ugly, but maybe some crazy custom anodization would look cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lneel Posted September 26, 2008 Share Posted September 26, 2008 (edited) Spoke with Brandon today and the first magwell version is ready. Probably see a grip in a couple of weeks. They are out next week for the 3 Gun Nationals. Lee Edited September 26, 2008 by lneel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clint U66 Posted September 26, 2008 Share Posted September 26, 2008 Any idea how much the SS grip weighs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TMC Posted September 27, 2008 Share Posted September 27, 2008 I think Joe said it too, seems like the answer to a question nobody asked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaxshooter Posted September 27, 2008 Share Posted September 27, 2008 If there wasn't a difference in mag capacity might as well build a Caspian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steel1212 Posted September 27, 2008 Share Posted September 27, 2008 Caspians at least have a integral magwell, this just looks like a para. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpolans Posted September 27, 2008 Share Posted September 27, 2008 Hmm...if the ballpark price for the grip alone is $400, + cost of frame, + cost of magwell (maybe as much or more than their $150 single stack one), - cost of old plastic frame, that's a pretty expensive option. At that kind of cost, I'd think a Caspian would look pretty good. That said, with the way the election looks like it'll be going, I'd feel more confident about spare S_I parts being available than Caspian parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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