After featuring the CC3 1911 Grips back in December '13 in a product spotlight on the podcast, I preordered a pair of grips to try for myself. They arrived this week (late February) and I installed the black set on my Ruger SR1911c. The grips only come with screws/nuts for tightening the two halves together at the rail under the dust cover, by the trigger guard. Its a solid mount, no wobble and the gap between the two halves becomes virtually non-existent. As far as looks go, it definitely adds something to the 1911. Whether that something is good or bad is really personal preference. Prepare for questions and admiration from newer shooters, and scoffs/hisses from veteran 1911 owners. I've heard the word 'Heresy' at least once so far in passing. If you want your 1911 to look and feel more like a XD-M or similar polymer pistol, this is right up your alley.
The main purpose of the CC3 grips is adding the benefit of a rail to affix lights or lasers to a 1911 pistol that is railless, some may say as God or JMB intended. The designer, Tamir Porat (creator of the Tavor and other Israeli defense products) clearly wanted to add a futuristic look to the timeless war horse. There are reliefs for thumbs on both sides that have very contemporary angles that continue throughout the panels. This could very well find itself in the next futuristic shooter flick. With three colors in black, green, and tan, there's a color that will match your pistola's frame and slide.
I'm not a huge fan of how it looks on my commander-sized pistol at the reduced length of barrel, slide, and dust cover make it so the CC3 rail protrudes about 3/8 of an inch further than desired, for the lines in the frame to really line up with the rail. Of course its still a flush fit inside the channel of the grip.
As for the 'grippiness'of the grip itself, I'm not a huge fan of the texture. It's just raised curved lines that are quite pronouced. Easy for the ejection molding process but cutting edge and comfortable they are not. I foresee a dremel and a woodburning pen in this grip's future.
For the price point, you certainly would be in the market at nice G10 grips or even some exotic wood grips. I really did just fork out $50 a piece for a plastic design concept of a new product. Would I have still bought them if I weren't hosting the show/reviewing them for you guys? Probably. Will these stay on my 1911 for awhile? Probably not, I'm not interested in getting a new 1911 holster as I'm enjoying the ones I already have grown accustomed to. They are working with holster manufacturers to get more options out there available in popular rigs.
One of the grip panels for the Dark Earth set was a factory second / had defects, upon emailing CC3 Tactical with a photo they promptly sent out a brand new set, like within hours. Needless to say their support is very dedicated to customer satisfaction, gotta love that!
Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points
Claim to Fame: The easiest way to add a grip and rail to your 1911
Target Market: 1911 Owners, Airsoft as well.
FNBs: (Features and Benefits of this product)
- Easy 3 minute installation. No gunsmith or permanent modifications required.
- 2 piece, High Quality Polymer will not break or damage your gun
- Universal Fit for most 1911 model pistols
- Total Weight 80 grams
- Made in Israel
- Only 0.25" thick grip panels
What other aesthetic options or finishes are available? Olive Drab, Black, Tan
What others are saying? "Both halves of the grips mate perfectly with one another with no visible gaps. Weighing in at a 80 grams, about the weight of the current generation iPod touch, it looks and feels very well made. The grip itself adds a quarter inch thickness on each side and less than a quarter inch to the front strap. The grooves on the grip are mostly smooth. You can run your entire hand and grip it quickly without scraping your hand. It is very "un-aggressive" unlike the VZ Recon's that would grate cheese. What surprised me the most about the CC3 is how my Surefire X300 fit on the picatinny rail. The light slide on just snug and flush with the front of the "new" trigger guard with no play or wiggle to it."
Price point:
- Retail = $49.95
I need it now! Availability: Readily available on Recover Tactical
Our Rating:
+ Cool Factor is very high, gives an old design a futuristic spin + Customer support is very quick and responsive. + Only .25" thick, will not add bulkiness
- Grip texture is raised thick lines, a little too pronounced for my liking. - Introductory price is a bit high for a polymer molded product.
Score: 7.5 Good
