Hello, everyone...been quite a spell since I last posted, but after reading an old thread that discussed the closure of legendary stockmaker Herrett's, I thought I'd post good news...
Herrett's are back in business! I just received a set of checkered "Shooting Star" walnut stocks for a square butt Smith and Wesson K frame. Herrett's had my hand pattern on file. When you order your first set of revolver stocks, you trace an outline of your hand and send it in with your order, so it's truly made to fit perfectly. Years ago, I'd had them make a set of Shooting Stars for an N frame, and because they still had my hand pattern on file, I didn't have to repeat that step.
The new K frame Shooting Stars are equal in quality of design, craftsmanship and fit to my older Herrett's. They are simply superior stocks. I've put them on a Model 67-1 that just came back from the Smith and Wesson performance center with a smooth as silk Master Action job. The new stocks fit gun and gunhand perfectly--and the superb balance of that fine old K frame is now optimized.
Turn around time was quite reasonable. I ordered them mid September and received them early November. The price, for bespoke walnut stocks, made to fit my hand perfectly, was reasonable, at $207. More exotic woods will likely cost more. The walnut is beautifully figured and the checkering feels great, giving ideal balance between traction and shooting comfort.
When I ordered them, over the telephone (208) 733-1498, it happened that they had some production stocks available for immediate purchase, including a smooth walnut stock for a K Frame and 1911 stocks in their iconic diamond checkering. Both were very reasonable in price...$51 and $42 respectively, and I ordered those, too.
Looking at their website today, they've got production stocks available for N frame Smiths, for the Walther PPK/S and the 1911 in various woods.
Service was friendly and prompt. After my September phone order, the production stocks arrived a few days later and went immediately on a Model 66 (also recently Performance Center tuned), and a series 70 Government model (that diamond checkering really is perfect on a series 70, an old school 1911 combination)
The production K frame stocks fit my hand quite well, better than the original Target grips that came with the Model 66.
Having a set made to your hand, though, is worth the extra money. The production revolver stocks feel...right. The custom made stocks feel...just right. Both look wonderful on the revolvers. Classic.
Payment was made with a credit card over the phone (before you had to send a check, along with the mail in the trace outline of your hand and the order form). Again, a pleasant transaction and a friendly chat, too.
One of the revolver's great attributes is the potential to get an ideal fit, by choosing the stocks that best suit you and your needs (Herrett's are quite old school, terminology wise, and so favor the term "stocks" over "grips", and, frankly, the word "grips" wouldn't do their stocks justice).
So, whether you're bringing out the best in an older handgun or a current production one, you'll do very well with Herrett's. I have excellent stocks from Craig Spegel on a Model 13 and 49, and these new Herrett's are in the same league.
An outfit like Herrett's are of a bygone era in the world of handgunning, but thankfully they're not gone. I was so pleased with their work that I wanted to take time to give them a proper write up, here on the forum, for folks who appreciate such things.
(Moderators, I thought the "carry gear" forum was appropriate for this thread, but if it's better suited to another sub-forum, please move it accordingly.)
Here's their website:
Herrettstocks.com
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Trust, but verify - R. Reagan
Last edited by Lew Archer; 11-12-2021 at 07:17 PM.
That's good news. I had a set of Jordans fit to my hand back in the 1980's in fancy walnut, and they were nice. Used them on a model 28, and later a 29.
You know we are all gunna be drooling to see a picture, right?.....
Attached is a poor scanned pic from about 1982 on the 28-2. - It doesn't do the grips justice.
Larry
Last edited by Fishinfool; 11-12-2021 at 07:20 PM.
That's good news. I had a set of Jordans fit to my hand back in the 1980's in fancy walnut, and they were nice. Used them on a model 28, and later a 29.
You know we are all gunna be drooling to see a picture, right?.....
Larry
Good point! I'll post pictures later...thanks for the reminder! I believe the Jordans are still available, too. Great design.
That's good news. I had a set of Jordans fit to my hand back in the 1980's in fancy walnut, and they were nice. Used them on a model 28, and later a 29.
You know we are all gunna be drooling to see a picture, right?.....
Attached is a poor scanned pic from about 1982 on the 28-2. - It doesn't do the grips justice.
Larry
Those are beautiful stocks right there, on a wheelgunner's wheelgun, too.
Here are the three revolvers with Herrett’s stocks. The Model 29-3 has the “Shooting Star” made for me a few years ago. The 67-1 has the Shooting Star made for me just recently. And the 66 has a pair of recently made production stocks.
Colt Series 70 Government Model with current production Herrett’s, the diamond checkering (in this case, without contrast between the diamonds and the rest of the grip panel).
Fantastic! I’ve got a three inch 640 that could use stocks like those…I like the enclosed backstap, especially with .357 Magnum! But, even with .38's, would be slightly more hand-filling without adding unnecessary bulk on a concealment gun. And, with the slightly longer barrel of your model 640-1, goes very well, aesthetically speaking.
A true "boot grip" with an open back strap doesn't look quite right on my three inch 640, and those stocks would look great. I'm sure they feel great...and it's visually stunning, the figuring in the wood is beautiful and that color goes well with stainless steel.
Speaking of which, I used to think a beautiful wood stock was wasted on a "utilitarian" stainless steel gun. But, no...it is as much an enhancement on a stainless gun as on a blued gun.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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Trust, but verify - R. Reagan
Last edited by Lew Archer; 11-12-2021 at 09:58 PM.
That's good news. I had a set of Jordans fit to my hand back in the 1980's in fancy walnut, and they were nice. Used them on a model 28, and later a 29.
Larry
You may have scanned the wrong picture. The grips in the picture are by Mustang.
My understanding is that Herrett's has moved, and it took them a while to get set up again.
As of last spring, a difference that I heard about was that they were no longer maintaining an FFL, so unless they had a model of your gun, they could not receive your gun to custom fit. I hope that changes.
You may have scanned the wrong picture. The grips in the picture are by Mustang.
I have owned and traded more handguns and grips than I can remember. I might be wrong, but I am pretty sure those are Herrett Jordan Troopers with the finger groove option, sized to my hand in a pencil tracing sent to Steve in Idaho. The uncommon finger groove option changes the look, and they do resemble some Mustangs, which I have also used, so I guess I could be wrong?
Larry
Last edited by Fishinfool; 11-13-2021 at 02:39 AM.
Herrett's never really closed...but they did slow down earlier this year because they moved down the street from the location they had been since Steve Herrett had the business...
I was lucky enough to visit the factory in May and pick out my own walnut blanks. I had a set of N-frame Detective model socks that fit my hand perfectly and left that set with them to be duplicated in two round and two square butt models. They were delivered in August just when they said they would be.
Bob
Top to bottom:
Model 57 with original set of rosewood stocks
Model 58 parkerized
Model 27-2/57 5" .41 Magnum conversion
Model 657-3 5"
Model 657 Mountain Gun
Maybe it was my fault when I posted the sentence about Herrett's stop. You know, all infos I have here overseas are obtained from readings on the web. I'm happy to hear the production is still going on, I'm a fan of this brand and I have several stocks I purchased after long hunts!
I looked, and no sign of the Jordan Troopers that used to be popular, or for that matter any of their former product line, and no prices listed
Makes you wonder if the website is still under construction, or if production is limited to what they show?
I looked, and no sign of the Jordan Troopers that used to be popular, or for that matter any of their former product line, and no prices listed
Makes you wonder if the website is still under construction, or if production is limited to what they show?
...I think there is a lot more available than is showing on the website...
I have Herrett's stocks smooth cocobolo on my Model 29 at left, Jordan Border Patrol in walnut on my Model 19 2nd from left,
and cocobolo double diamond panels on my Colt's Gold Cup 3rd from left. You could say I like them.
This is good news indeed. Herrett's has always been the gold standard for custom-fit stocks, and I'm glad to hear they are still around to provide good products.
This set of Herrett's Shooting Stars was custom made to a pattern of my hand way back in the 1970s, at it's still the most confortable set of stocks on a J-frame for me. Originally these went on a Model 60, but now fit perfectly on a Model 640.
John
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Last edited by PALADIN85020; 11-15-2021 at 09:53 AM.
I had a set just like that but without the checking on a early 70s vintage Model 49 Bodyguard...unfortunately the gun was stolen in a burglary...have never had a better shooting snubbie... Used to be able to put 5/5 on a High-C juice can at 50 yards...
I recently put a set of "NOS" Shooting Stars on my new Python and really like the look and feel. They're much more svelte than most grips made for the Python and the old school makes them look right at home. They were included in a bundle of grips I picked up a couple years ago. Glad I didn't get rid of them.
You know how sometimes a thread here on the Smith & Wesson Forum will cost you money? For me, this is one of those. I somehow ended up buying some NOS skip-lined Shooting Stars. A nice set Herrett's have long been on my radar and looking at the fine examples here nudged me over the edge. Thanks!
To answer a question raised earlier in the thread, yes the website is a work in progress. They can still make all the classic designs, such as the Shooting Star, Detective, Jordans, et al. If you're interested in something, give them a call and I'm sure your questions can be addressed.
Whatever growing pains there may be in getting the website to where it needs to be, their stocks, whether production or custom, are top notch and very much in the Herrett's tradition, in keeping with their standard of excellence, with each design reflecting decades of of stock making expertise.
I'm so glad so many have responded to the this thread and posted so many wonderful photographs. I've enjoyed them all and am now thinking about ordering something from Herrett's for a J frame...
__________________
Trust, but verify - R. Reagan
Last edited by Lew Archer; 11-16-2021 at 03:08 AM.
Yes, Herrett is practically a neighbor of mine! Several years ago (35-40ish!), I actually went to his shop where I had them do all the custom measurements and my hand outline were taken.
Just beautiful and fit like a glove. Here mounted on a pretty special AMT "Bulls Eye Target Model"
...I think there is a lot more available than is showing on the website...
I own several sets of Herretts, including several sets of Shooting Stars. They make a terrific product, but their current website leaves a lot to be desired.
I wanted to reach out to you guys to let you know we are thankful for all the kind words! We are excited to move the Herrett's design and craftsmanship on for many years to come! The 18 months we have been working under Rod Herrett to learn this trade has been amazing.
Herretts understands the website is not the best and we are working closely with a marketing team to update it and are hoping to have it up by 4/11/2021.
As long as we're here can you identify these stocks as Herretts?
Gifted to me by a funny Cop who liked sharp steel, in ancient times, I fitted them to the 460 after removing the finish and began the process of making something to fit that blaster with both of my hands.
Thanks to Mr. Steve and Mr. Rob as we say in the nearby Islands.
TSgt with the SAC smallbore team in the '60s, said kids like me should live in Twin Falls.
Herrett's Stocks Are Back in Business
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