I am going to change out the grip bushings on my LW Champion Operator for VZ Slim bushings. Has anyone had issues with this? I do not want to be too aggressive in removing them because I am worries about damaging the alloy frame. The bushings do not looked staked but has anyone had trouble getting them out before?

if there isn't a star type pattern on the bushings (seen from inside the magwell) then it's not staked in.
you will need to heat up the bushings a little to loosen up the loctite.  also use the proper bushing driver and you shouldn't have a problem.  
an alternate method is to remove the panels, use red loctite to install the old grip screws in, then remove the bushings using the grip screws.

never needed a bushing driver, just a large screwdriver that fits the cutout.

^ +1.
i was hoping to learn what a bushing driver is!
i ave one of the pachmeyer(sp?) screwdriver kits; found the tip that fits. i did have to heat them(bushings) first.
ask the wife/gf for a candle.