Pre-M29 4"; your choice of grips (photo heavy)

bettis1 · #1 12-29-2009, 09:36 PM

A couple of weeks ago I posted about a 1957 4", 4 screw Pre-29. The gun is a beaut, but unfortunately, someone had harvested the Cokebottle grips.

I thought it would be a good chance to try some loose grips to see what they look like. Sorry for the photography, but perhaps you can "get the picture".

Give me your choice of what you would want on the gun when I ship it to you

.

Bob

Sanderson's

Very old Ivory

Old Pearl (very heavy grips)

Mexican Silver & Gold

Some of Keith Brown's early Roper's

My choice

66TAS · #2 12-29-2009, 09:39 PM

The Ropers!!!!!!!!
WOW those are nice and look incredible on the gun, which is awesome as well!!

wheelman44 · #3 12-29-2009, 09:41 PM

I like the ropers too, do you need my shipping address?

Nightowl · #4 12-29-2009, 09:51 PM

I vote for the Ropers, too!

45Wheelgun · #5 12-29-2009, 09:55 PM

There is no choice, KB is the best.

bgrafsr · #6 12-29-2009, 09:56 PM

The Ropers definitely. Keith is making me a pair for my 29-2 4 inch now. I'm anxiously awaiting the email telling me they are done.

Gun 4 Fun · #7 12-29-2009, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 66TAS

The Ropers!!!!!!!!
WOW those are nice and look incredible on the gun, which is awesome as well!!

+1 What he said!

29aholic · #8 12-29-2009, 10:44 PM

Ok, so how much with the Sanderson's?? I love KB's grips but the Sanderson's are calling my name.

Ronald617 · #9 12-29-2009, 10:45 PM

I love those Mexican silver and gold grips. Let me know if you ever decide to sell them

bettis1 · #10 12-29-2009, 11:06 PM

Curtis,
Next to Keith's grips, the Sanderson's are certainly the best feeling.

Ronald,
I like the Mexican silvers too. They, the Ivorys, and the Pearls would all have been commonly seen on a Texas Lawman's handgun when I was a kid growing up here.

Bob

bettis1 · #11 12-29-2009, 11:15 PM

Just realized that I left out a set of Deacon Deason's original "Bear Hug's". They are very nice too and deserve to be included in the survey. If your hands are small, they feel better than the larger Sanderson's or Keith's.

Bob

29aholic · #12 12-29-2009, 11:21 PM

Nope...like the Sanderson's better, they remind me of Herrett's Troopers

RKmesa · #13 12-30-2009, 01:23 AM

Bob:

I'm a huge KB fan and have have to agree that they just seem to "work" well with any nice Smith. However, those silver and gold grips are screaming "take me. TAKE ME!" to the BBQ!

I like them all!

Thanks for sharing.

cflier · #14 12-30-2009, 01:29 AM

Well Bob,
It looks to me like the selection isn't as good as first glance would seem. I can't tell for sure but my old eyes tell me the ivory and pearl and silver/gold don't really fit so good, and certainly hurt the hand more when you shoot it. Ropers for sure and then Sandersons.
Mark

JayCeeNC · #15 12-30-2009, 03:27 AM

I'll take the ivories; very classy on that big gun.

Plottman Pops · #16 12-30-2009, 06:07 AM

I really like the old ivory.... just something about them on a 4 screw 44 mag

akguy1985 · #17 12-30-2009, 06:09 AM

i like the ropers myself

bettis1 · #18 12-30-2009, 06:20 AM

Richard,

Those old Compadres from "across the River" do seem to crave a plate of cabrito and beans. Probably not their first. If I hold them close I think I get a faint hint of mesquite smoke.

Bob

s&wchad · #19 12-30-2009, 08:22 AM

Are those S&W medallions in the Sanderson's?

The KB's are my favorite, but they're all lovely.

bettis1 · #20 12-30-2009, 08:40 AM

Yes, they are the large silver pre-war medallions.

Bob

digi-shots · #21 12-30-2009, 09:14 AM

Bob,

It looks like the "ropers" are it!

Do you need my address for the Ivory's???

They'd look great on my NR Magnum.

1950jcb · #22 12-30-2009, 12:24 PM

If the gun was as new, I'd say the Ropers, but to me it looks like the OIs are a much better fit--they just match up better.

Jim

153 · #23 12-30-2009, 12:59 PM

The Ropers!

RKmesa · #24 12-30-2009, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bettis1

Richard,

Those old Compadres from "across the River" do seem to crave a plate of cabrito and beans. Probably not their first. If I hold them close I think I get a faint hint of mesquite smoke.

Bob

Well said. As a matter of fact, with the photos on display, I can almost smell the mesquite smoke if I get real close to the monitor.

BTW - If you take those grips/gun to the BBQ, it would be unthinkable to be wearing anything less than a nice floral carved holster/belt, with some silver conchs worked into the leather

. (Can you hear the warm harmonies of a Mariachi band?)

sandspur6 · #25 12-30-2009, 06:06 PM

Brings back memories. In 1978, I had a minty 1958 4 inch M29. As they were bringing an insane premium at the time, I stupidly sold it at the Houston Gunshow. It had the factory Coke Bottle grips.

bettis1 · #26 12-30-2009, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RKmesa

Well said. As a matter of fact, with the photos on display, I can almost smell the mesquite smoke if I get real close to the monitor.

BTW - If you take those grips/gun to the BBQ, it would be unthinkable to be wearing anything less than a nice floral carved holster/belt, with some silver conchs worked into the leather

. (Can you hear the warm harmonies of a Mariachi band?)

Would this be what you have in mind, Richard? One of Tio Sam's nicest Threepersons.

No silver conchos, but maybe if I wear a pair of batwing chaps with the conchos they will let me in.

Bob

durco · #27 12-30-2009, 10:08 PM

My choice would be for you to knock $325 off our agreed upon price and send me the .44 with no grips.

RKmesa · #28 12-31-2009, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bettis1

Would this be what you have in mind, Richard? One of Tio Sam's nicest Threepersons.

No silver conchos, but maybe if I wear a pair of batwing chaps with the conchos they will let me in.

Bob

Now that's what I'm talking about! Very nice combo!

29aholic · #29 12-31-2009, 04:50 AM

So who is the lucky recipient of the Karma Bob??

bettis1 · #30 12-31-2009, 06:17 AM

Still working on that Curtis

. You guys better be nice to me. Santa Claus is not the only one who is "keeping a list and checking it twice"

.

Bob

dbracin · #31 12-31-2009, 08:09 AM

Those Ropers look beautiful and would be my choice.

j38 · #32 12-31-2009, 11:21 AM

Fun choices! I'd go for the Ropers followed by the Sandersons.

Jerry

29-1 · #33 01-01-2010, 12:15 PM

Bob, all of them look good on a 4" 44 magnum

Happy New Year
Chuck

DHENRY · #34 01-01-2010, 01:16 PM

Bob,
The KB's win hands down, IMHO.
From a 'usability' standpoint, all those beautiful service-style grips just don't cut the mustard on a 44 Magnum.
Happy New Year!
Don

DCWilson · #35 01-01-2010, 01:32 PM

I'm a little late to the game, but I'll add an opinion anyway. I guess I have minimalist eyes in my head this morning -- I really like the ivory more than anything else there.

But I would hate to shoot anything other than .44 Special in that gun with only the ivories on it. For a blend of function and good looks, I'd go with the KB Ropers.

I understand that Sandersons have their appeal, but they just don't look right to me. They seem top-heavy. Maybe if I actually fired a heavy gun with those stocks on it I would feel differently about it, but I am just judging from the photos.

One other option involves getting some N-frame smooth neo-cokes from forum member Kurac. They are palm filling masterpieces, and a set of Kurac targets in some light hardwood would really dress that gun up. (Not that the gun needs dressing up; It's a fine piece of steel, and I wish I had one of that vintage.)

bettis1 · #36 01-01-2010, 02:00 PM

Everyone's comments are well thought out and balance the conflict between the aesthetic and the functional needs of a .44 Magnum.

I am a little surprised that no one has commented on the "Bear Hugs" though. They don't have the aura of the old ivories or pearls nor the stunning visual impact of Keith's Roper's; but Deacon Deason's creations do a pretty good job of handling hot loads and looking good while doing it. They're very comfortable with .357's in a M 27 although I haven't shot them them on a M 29 yet.

Bob

Keith Brown · #37 01-01-2010, 03:09 PM

Hello Bob,

Thanks for the post, lots of nice grips/stocks in it. The Sandersons look to be a pretty slim set by the pictures, I like them a bunch. The Bear Hug set also looks to be slim, I think that was a standard feature of his grips. The set of mine you pictured were probably within the first dozen made, do they have the number and date inside in white paint pen. Over time and along with customer input my grips have become a good bit slimmer also.
I like all the grips pictured but have to admit I prefer the wood, Ivory is in a class by itself IMO. Thanks to everyone for the kind comments.

Keith

smitholdtimer · #38 01-01-2010, 03:49 PM

KB Ropers are my choice but---------!!!!

bettis1 · #39 01-01-2010, 04:07 PM

Keith,

You are exactly right. My grips have your initials and #10 scribed in the left panel. You wrote the date of 5/20/05" and "Made for Robert A. Bettis" in the right one. I've kept them in my safe for almost 5 years now just looking for the correct gun to put them on. Now I've certainly found it and I expect them to remain on this one. They fit my hand and this Pre-M29 perfectly and I am extremely proud of them.

Thanks so much.

Bob

BobK · #40 01-01-2010, 07:40 PM

Bob, The Ropers are sure pretty......but much too fancy for me. I kind of like the "Bear Hugs" though.......they just seem more like a"pistolero" would have on his revolver, thinner, and would fit my hand better. Not that I've got small hands ( regular large hands) but I like a smaller grip, to completely wrap my mitts around, (Like the rubber Pachs Grippers) for a better. secure, grip. I guess I have to be different. Bob