I think it’s safe to say that I have a love affair with my Alpha Foxtrot Romulus. It’s an absolutely stellar weapon which generates outstanding results at the range. I really don’t have a bad thing to say about it. Ok, well, maybe it’s a little heavy and bulky for EDC, but I love it so much that I still put it on my hip almost every time I walk out the front door.
To be honest, I didn’t really give much thought to the grip. I knew that the 2011 is a different beast from the 1911 in that the grip is an integral part of the gun, not simply a decorative add-on. I’d already changed out the grips on my 1911s to G10 grips to have something a little more aggressive. When I bought the Romulus, though, I had incredible sticker shock when I saw companies charging almost $600 for a new grip. That’s when I realized what went into making them.
So when I stumbled upon a Facebook post announcing that Alpha Foxtrot had released an aluminum grip, my interest was piqued. When I learned that it was only $250 delivered to your door, I was sold. I placed my order the moment I read about it. It turned out it was a wise decision because they quickly sold out. AF is now shipping the newer guns with the aluminum grip instead of polymer so it was nice to see them make it available to those of us who were already customers.
I know some people don’t seem to like the original factory grip, but to be honest, it didn’t bother me. I didn’t find it lacking in any particular area and actually quite liked it. But the styling on the aluminum grip was excellent. Shipping was fairly quick. Installation, not so much. So here are some pro tips.
- Ensure that you have TWO T8 Torx bits for the front grip screw. This is actually a bushing screw, so you’ll need to hold both sides. I ended up using a large-handled multi-bit screwdriver and a ratcheting right-angle multi-bit screwdriver. I also used a 2.6″ long, 1/4″ hex shank bit to keep the tool away from the frame.
- The front grip scrip was the most challenging part of the installation. I was able to let it sit for about 45 minutes after a couple of shots of WD-40 to get it off but I was on the verge of stripping the heads. Based on other comments I’ve read, I’m not alone when it comes to facing very tight screws. I read one account where the grip was actually cut off because the screws were damaged. If you run into the tight screw issue, try WD-40 to soften up the Loctite. There are also reports of using a hand impact tool with success.
- Use your screwdriver or a brass punch to knock out the main grip bushings. To reassemble, the bushings have a flat and a beveled edge. The flat edge goes on top when you insert it back into the grip.
Honestly, if I hadn’t had so much difficulty with the front grip screw, I probably could’ve had the job done in about 10 minutes. So if you’re comfortable detail stripping your 1911 or 2011, this shouldn’t be a challenge for you. It’s not an overly complex process.
The texture is definitely more aggressive. The MSH and front grip are a more aggressive version of the polymer grip. The side panels really enhance it. Overall, though, this was more of an aesthetic change.
Inside the package, you’ll find the grip, MSH, MSH retainer pin, and a magwell. The MSH is empty so you’ll need to swap the parts from the factory MSH. If you’re interested in the weight, here’s what my postal scale told me:
- Polymer: 67g; 2.4 oz.
- Aluminum: 123g; 4.3 oz.
I can’t say I can tell any difference in the overall weight once it’s assembled. Holding a grip in each hand it’s noticeable, but add the slide and ammunition and you’re not going to be able to tell. If you want an affordable upgrade in the looks and aggressiveness of your Romulus, this is a great way to achieve your goal.
