New Shoes - Eagle Boot Grip

[Dump1567]

I thought I'd show these off.

I just picked these Eagle Secret Service Boot Grips up used off ebay. Not the best price, but about $50 cheaper than ordering new and no wait. I basically just wanted to give them a try & see how they feel. I like them, but like the feel of the UM boot grip better.

The wood quality is solid, but the fit is so, so. You don't really notice it when holding it. I just need to go shoot them now.

I thought they would look best on the Nickel 442.

[JAREDSHS]

Great looking Eagles!

[wheelyfun66]

What is it about the fit that is "so-so"?
I've owned Eagle Grips for K frames in the past, and got lucky with fit, though I've heard complaints from others.

[Dump1567]

Originally Posted by wheelyfun66

What is it about the fit that is "so-so"?
I've owned Eagle Grips for K frames in the past, and got lucky with fit, though I've heard complaints from others.

Not flush with the frame in an area on the backstrap . Finger grooves don’t line-up perfectly. I’m wondering if I make the pin holes larger, if I can get to to line-up better. Or am I just going to ruin them?

[wheelyfun66]

Originally Posted by Dump1567

Not flush with the frame in an area on the backstrap . Finger grooves don’t line-up perfectly. I’m wondering if I make the pin holes larger, if I can get to to line-up better. Or am I just going to ruin them?

Ugh, such a pain in the butt to have to modify or adjust grips.
I know the grips are made in India and are likely hit or miss for quality control... (nothing against India, ha!)

I can name my qualms and quandaries with:
Badger grips (don't care for laminated and sometimes bad fit)
Eagle grips (hit or miss with fit and hard to communicate with)
Altamont (slightly cheesy feel to their materials and hit or miss with fit)

I will admit that I am pretty partial to boot grips, as my revolver "collection" is limited to carry guns.

Ahrends and Spegel are the king of the hill, in my opinion.

We need a youngster to start making grips as well as Ahrends and Spegel, as the sand is running out of the hourglass on us old revolver types...

Feel free to set me straight regarding my opinion on the above grip makers, as my sample size has been limited (but I do have first hand experience with any grip maker that I listed above)

[Dump1567]

Originally Posted by wheelyfun66

Ugh, such a pain in the butt to have to modify or adjust grips.
I know the grips are made in India and are likely hit or miss for quality control... (nothing against India, ha!)

I can name my qualms and quandaries with:
Badger grips (don't care for laminated and sometimes bad fit)
Eagle grips (hit or miss with fit and hard to communicate with)
Altamont (slightly cheesy feel to their materials and hit or miss with fit)

I will admit that I am pretty partial to boot grips, as my revolver "collection" is limited to carry guns.

Ahrends and Spegel are the king of the hill, in my opinion.

We need a youngster to start making grips as well as Ahrends and Spegel, as the sand is running out of the hourglass on us old revolver types...

Feel free to set me straight regarding my opinion on the above grip makers, as my sample size has been limited (but I do have first hand experience with any grip maker that I listed above)

I've got countless other J frames to try these on to see if the fit is any better. For some reason Eagle gives this warning about their grips on their website. But shows a picture of a set on a S&W 340?

Designed to fit Models 32, 34, 36, 37, 43, 51, 60, 640, 649, 650 etc. Does NOT fit the S&W Airweight.

I'm not sure what would be the difference? Aren't all J frame grips the same? And I purposely put this on a pre-J Magnum frame thinking that "may" affect the fit.

No big deal. They fit "well enough". I'd love to find some Spegel boots to try out.

[Collin642]

Do they work with Safariland speed loaders?

[Dump1567]

Originally Posted by Collin642

Do they work with Safariland speed loaders?

Not really. You have to shake them in or hope they drop-in after the loader releases. It's a tight fit. Same with the HKS. I'm sure the grip cutout could be reprofiled.

Id' use these on a back-up gun with a speed strip. I've heard these grips are good for pocket carry, as the wood doesn't hang-up like rubber can.

[Collin642]

Thank you , good to know.

[oink]

I have a couple pairs of Hogue wood Bantam Boot Grips. The N frame fit perfect. The L frame didn't initially but they paid to take them back and alter them to fit perfectly. It took two trips back. The second time they asked for the frame. A quick turnaround and a nice fit. They treated me very well.

I believe Hogue's wood grips are manufactured in Mexico but the adjustments are done in the US. To be fair, the L frame grips were for my model 69 .275". And while the grips were advertised as being for L frames the 69 was not one of the models specifically listed. I didn't try them on any other L frames. They fit so tight they are a little difficult to take off.

I have a pretty nice pair of fairly compact wood grips for my 60-10 that I like pretty well. Laminated wood. Altamont Round BATELEUR. I may have bought them here on the forum. Not as compact as a true boot grip but I like them on on 3" 60-10.


I highly recommend the Hogue product.

[CH4]

Great minds think alike. I have the same grips on the same guns.