What Kind of Grips do You Like.

[Tankcommander]

I have a S&W 686 which I just added new grips to. It had Hogue rubber grips from the factory but my fingers just don't fit their ridges. I found some K frame wood grips that fit great and look great. I feel nice wood grips look so much better.
I have a large hand and to me the wood feels better.
So the question is what do you guys like for appearence and handling, wood, rubber, horn, plastic....?


TC:cannon:

[SaxonPig]

I also have trouble with contoured grips. I need checkering on DA revolver panels to prevent slip. On Colt and S&W DA guns I usually go with factory grips. Most S&W s have service grips, with my M24 still wearing its factory target grips. On Colts, I like the old target grips from the 1950s (fully checkered to the top) and I have these on all but one of my Pythons/Officer's Models (need to find one more set).

On the SAA, I like the look of ivory. One pair of real ivories on my .44 Special SAA and fakes on the pair of .45s.

[maddon]

I gotta agree with saxonpig, the factory target grips on my older model N frame smiths, I have about 20 assorted hand guns and none of them quite come of to the feel of the big bore smiths. Though I am developing a fondness for the grips on the birshead ruger vaquero that I picked up about a month ago.

[Geno]

On a revolver I like wood grips. Badger made an excellent set for revolvers but they have gone under. Otherwise custom Herrett grips of the Jordan type are my favorite.

[maddon]

favorite grips:D

[OldFordTruck]

I differ from everyone else that has posted. I have fairly small hands and feel like I need the rubber grips to maintain a firm grip. If the guns I buy don't come with rubber grips I normally replace them with finger grooved rubber. I like the way the wood grips look, however, functionality wins over looks in my book any day.

[Cleaning Rod]

Well, I 'll also vote for the hogue rubber grips. I just like the feel when shooting.

Cleaning Rod

[mpakosta]

I like the standard wood grips on my Python. Their the right size for my hands and the checkering is just right for me to get a proper grip on the pistol.

[johk01]

I bought a set of Fleur de Lis checkered grips for my Ruger Bisley in .45 Colt. They sure do look nice but when shooting with moderate to heavy .45 Colt loads, those grips are painful. I put the factory grips back on and the Ruger is much more comfortable to shoot. For my Ruger Blackhawk in .41, I put a set of Hogue rubber grips on and that makes the .41 easy to shoot. For me, function is more important than appearance.

[Blackwater]

Well, I'll throw my 2 cents' worth in I guess.

For me, there's nothing like plain, smooth walnut for both single and double actions.

Most single action grips are too thin at top and too flared and large at the bottom. The gun will naturally - if it's got any recoil much - slip in the hand as it comes up in recoil. Too much flare, and the degree of variation in that slippage during the up-flip gets too varied, and will affect the vertical in your group. Too smooth a grip, as with the polymers (when your hands are sweaty, expecially) and they also slip too easily. Plain walnut with a minimum of finish on them lets the gun slide into good shooting position if you grasp it quickly for a shot, and then, the texture of the grain will offer a little resistance to slippage during the up-chuck if you've got a good, firm grip, like you ought to have. I've tried a dozen or more - maybe two dozen - grips on the Ruger Super B, and have come full circle back to the factory grips. I pick up any at the gun shows that promise to have more girth up top than average. They DO vary according to who's doing the sanding on the production line.

I think one of the great reasons the Ruger "Bisley" grip is so popular, and that so many find it easier to shoot, is that they have a larger girth up top, at the "hump," which moderates the slippage a great deal - and most especially with those who haven't yet developed a good, firm grip like they OUGHT to have.

Now on DA revolvers, the smooth grips mainly allow the hand to slide onto it for a better grip from the leather. They'll also allow the gun to recoil into more exact position, and CONSISTENT position, when the recoil from the first shot nestles it firmly where it ought to be in one's hand. This also aids good shooting.

I know checkering is highly fashionable, and it's darn well attractive, but for a revolver grip, make mine smooth walnut. The more oily woods are also pretty, and some spectacularly so, but for actual USE???? I'll go with walnut, or some similar not-too-oily wood every time. I think it particularly aids the beginning shooter by helping them find where the gun WANTS to nestle in the hand when shot. This is of more value than many realize when starting out.

Autos? Smooth wood, ivory, or maybe flat-topped checkering. But these opinions and principles are something many will disagree with, most particularly those who make money selling grips, etc. The market often shapes our desires and expectations, moreso than necessity or functionality.

A good man can shoot well with any grip, but I think those starting out and those wanting to improve ought to take a serious look at the benefits of a good, well-fitting set of smooth walnut grips. Oh! And I think most shooters like the "feel" of grips that are really too large for their hands, too. But that's a whole 'nother story.

[cornut]

Sure do like the Houge smooth wood. Got em on a smith 27 & a pair of 29s. Really dresses them up. Hey maddon did I see Allons on one of your posts ? If so M CO. 3RD SQDN. 11 ACR. MOS. 131.10. You will know what it means.:usa:

[.41Dude]

I like the Herretts Jordan Trooper stocks. I ordered mine with the open backstrap. My hands are not as large as Bills must have been. They look good, and fill up my hand better than some. You can find them at herrett-stocks.com Very nice people.
Steve.:2guns:

[Geno]

Hey .41Dude, you are right, Bill Jordan had huge hands! I think his grip design is the best ever design for a revolver but they are too large for the average hand. Even when you send Herrett your hand tracing the grips are too large. I was hoping someone would make a copy that is smaller and less expensive.

[.41Dude]

Hey Geno, sent Herretts my hand tracing, when I received the grips I thought there was a mistake. They felt way too big. But then I took the gun (S&W Model 57) to the range. WOW the recoil
reduction compared to Hogues was amazing. Took some fine steel wool to the grips to take off some of the smooth shine. They stick a lot better to my hand now. The open back lets me reach the trigger no problem. I am VERY glad they are not the full size Jordan Troopers. I wonder if Herretts could thin them down just a little. I will have to check.
Steve.