Recently got a new 1911, and was looking at grips. The gun came with G10 grips, with the large diamond texture (like the VZ Diamondbacks).

Typically, I like aggressive grips, so when you pick up the gun, it "bites" into my hand and stays put.

The new 1911 has a checkered front-strap, and checkered MSH. Coupled with the coarse grips, the gun does NOT move... AT ALL

Recently, I have been looking at smooth wood grips (burls & high-figured woods), and they are gorgeous. I know I will loose a little grip, being smooth, but I have heard that the checkered front-strap and MSH is more important.

Does anybody have any experience with this? Going to smooth grips from checkered? Or vice-versa?

Thanks!

Diamondbacks are what I order for all my 1911s, none of them have front strap checkering.  I did notice a much better grip with the DB over the factory wood grips.

For a competition gun I want very aggressive grip texture.  For a carry gun I want the most aggressive that I can stand brushing against my skin if my undershirt comes untucked.  Smooth wood grips look great on "safe queen" or range toy guns, but I don't care for them much for routine use.

With that frontstrap and msh checkering, smooth grips should be fine.

This.

This will be a safe-queen / range toy. If it was a competition gun or CCW, I would go textured G10 all the way.

Get both
ahrends tactical grips.

Yep