Browning Hi-Power Grips In G10: Palm Swell or Thin?
The Browning Hi‑Power has seen a renaissance in recent years, with several manufacturers producing the iconic semi‑automatic pistol. There’s the original Browning Hi‑Power, the Springfield Armory SA‑35, and the Girsan MC P35 — and LOK Grips makes Hi‑Power-style grips, including G10, in a variety of thicknesses and colors to fit all three.
Best Hi-Power Grips in G10
I’ve always liked the Hi‑Power grip angle — it’s comfortable and similar to the 1911. What I never liked were the factory grips. The wood grips felt flat and chunky; they never felt comfortable. The newer polymer grips were an improvement, but still not ideal. LOK Grips offers several G10 options made specifically for Hi‑Power pistols. In my opinion, the best are the Palm Swell for a full, ergonomic hold and the Thin for less bulk.
LOK Grips Palm Swell G10 Hi-Power grips is on the left. That’s grip finish is Zombie Green Black. On the right is LOK Grips Thin G10 Hi-Power grips. Notice the difference in grip thickness.
How to Change Grips on a Hi-Power Pistol
Before replacing grips, remove the magazine and confirm the pistol is unloaded. Each grip panel is secured by one screw — remove the screws and the panels come off easily. Use a properly fitted, hollow‑ground screwdriver tip to avoid damaging the screw heads. If grips stick to the frame, insert the screwdriver into the magazine well and gently pry the old panel off. Place the new LOK Grips panel on the frame and reinstall the factory screws; don’t overtighten. The panels should fit the frame without overlap.
LOK Grips provided a perfect fit on both my Browning Hi‑Power and my Springfield Armory SA‑35: no overhang, no slop, no wiggle — just a precise fit.
Swapping grip panels on a Hi-Power pistol requires removing two screws. LOK Grips install easily and perfectly.
LOK Grips Hi-Power Palm Swell for a Full Grip
Choosing between G10 Palm Swell and G10 Thin comes down to comfort and preference. Palm Swell grips fill the gap between your palm and the gun, offering ergonomic contouring while remaining thin at the top for easy access to the magazine release. The Palm Swell Roughneck I used on my SA‑35 fills the hand yet still allows smooth safety manipulation and reloads. These grips swell more than standard factory grips at the belly but stay thin where you need to work controls. I like the Roughneck texture — it’s the most aggressive LOK Grips offers: toothy and sharp, it holds through recoil so you can maintain control. LOK Grips machines a spectrum of colors in G10 and offers Checkered, Ridgeback, Bogie, and Roughneck textures.
LOK Grips Palm Swell G10 grips for the Browning Hi-Power in Zombie Green Black with Roughnecks Texture.
LOK Grips Hi-Power G10 Thin Grips for Less Bulk
LOK Grips Thin Hi‑Power panels are slightly slimmer than many factory grips. Factory SA‑35 grips can feel bulky in the web of the hand; these Thin G10 grips reduce girth while retaining a positive feel. The Checkered texture has a classic look and a sandpaper‑like grip that suits concealed carry. Other available textures include Bogies (golf‑ball dimple pattern — very aggressive), Ridgeback (ridges that lock into the palm and fingers for fast follow‑up control), and Roughneck (the most aggressive, with big, sharp checkering that may snag light concealing garments).
LOK Grips Hi-Power G10 Grip Review
I ran LOK Grips Thin panels on a Browning Hi‑Power and Palm Swell panels on a Springfield Armory SA‑35. Installation was simple and the fit was perfect. During a Mozambique drill I was able to run the sequence faster with the Palm Swell Ridgeback; the pistol felt glued to my hand with minimal movement during recoil, allowing quicker follow‑ups and smooth reloads. The sandy feel of the Thin G10 grips noticeably reduces perceived bulk from the Hi‑Power’s double‑stack magazine.