I'm in the process of getting some target grips for my 627 and I'm debating whether I should go with checkering. I've never had issues with grips without checkering on my revolvers (semis are a different story) and I have an opportunity to have one made with or without checkering and wondering if I should go with checkering. I think it does look nice, but I also think since I've done perfectly fine without checking all this time, if it'd even be worth the extra money. It seems like its mostly ornamental and even potentially detrimental if you're going to shoot hot loads or 44mag.

What are your opinions on this?

I prefer smooth just because I like to see the wood grain better.

I just like a nice looking set of stocks on a revolver

gotta have the right shoes

Nice. I agree that sometimes I really like seeing a pair of nice smooth ones and enjoying the beauty of the wood grains without any distractions, especially on darker woods.

For work: checkering, for showing off: smooth

IMHO: Looking = smooth; Shooting = checkering.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Do you folks really find checkering to make a difference in a revolver? I have textured/checkered grips on all my semis because I can really tell the difference when a grip is way too slick on them since the grip is almost more of a wedging pressure when shooting those.. but when I shoot revolvers, a lot more of the pressure is on the backstrap (and front) vs the semi.

I mean, seeing competition revolver shooters mostly going for smooth must count for something.

I prefer a checkered grip over a smooth grip. There is not real difference for me in the results when firing. But I simply like the checkered grips.

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<><

I personaly prefer smooth wood grips. I used to think I had to have checkering or even worse Hogue type grips. After getting into Steel Challenge I found that smooth is better.

I saw an interview with Jerry Miculek and he said he preffered smooth and even dusts his hands with corn starch prior to shooting. He said you can't draw perfectly everytime, and if the gun "sticks" to your hand you can't adjust as you shoot.

I'll never be anywhere as fast as him, however I did try it, and I like it. I have been using the starch ever since. The guys always joke that I have to have my bag of cocaine. LOL Smooth is good, In fact I just switched my JM grips from the 625 to my new R8 to give it a try at tonights practice. I'll let you know how it works out.

Checkering is most definitely not ornamental. Checkering is there on purpose for any serious use gun (pistols for self protection, big game/elephant rifles, etc). Checkering is there to keep your grip solid on the gun no matter if you have dry, sweaty, bloody, uhh....detrutus...covered hands, whereas when smooth wood surfaces get things on them they get slippery, and hard to hold and control.
Now if you have a hunting rifle you will never use/are not a hunter, or a pistol where the most dangerous opponent you face will be the guy printed on the target, you are cool with either.

I think you misunderstood what I said, but I probably shouldn't have universally understated the affects of checkering on a revolver grip. What I was getting at, the checkering seems to affect revolver grips less than semis. I should have been more concise with my comparison because I'm really looking for something like this:

vs


Now, I've seen other revolver grips that had the checkering throughout and they definitely look like they'd make a difference.. but in a set of target grips like the ones I posted, the checkering seems to have far less of an impact.

Sorry for the confusion.

The question needs to be asked, what are your intentions for the revolver. You didn't mention what type or bbl length 627 you're getting. For target shooting I prefer checkered grips because I feel a little steadier with them, but for concealed carry I prefer smooth stocks on my revolvers because your clothes can get snagged on the checkering leading to a bit of printing. For hunting I prefer Hogue pebbled rubbers for durability and recoil reduction. I've heard of PPC shooters who take cheap plastics and dip them in rubber cement then roll them in sand on the outside for the most tacky grip possible.

Bottom line is personal preference and use. My suggestion, use what feels good and you're the only one that will know what feels best for you.

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Son of a Gun...Smith

Ahh, sorry I missed the target part of the statement. In that case, get what you like the look and dimension of. Hopefully my examples aren't present at your range

I need checkering or some kind of rough texture.

Can't stand the slippyness of guns with smooth grips. Introduce any amoun of moisture and they tend to move around in my hand when firing.

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~ S&WCA No.2159 ~

It's a matter of personal taste. I like checkered. Get what you like!

I've always liked smooth grips, both for appearance and for comfort when firing heavy-recoiling revolvers. This 27-2 is about as good as it gets for me.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Looks aside it depends on calibers with heavy recoil 44 mag and above smooth grips smaller calibers and defense type guns I prefer checkering.

As far as looks nothing much nicer than Roper style Keith Brown grips.

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Len

I like them smooth. I mostly shoot heavier loads and I find that no matter how nicely checkering is done, the gun will recoil in my hand. A couple of rounds are not a problem but if I shoot a box of 50 heavy .44 Magnum loads out of a 4" 29-2 with checkered grips, I will feel it by the end of the session and probably the next day. Gloves will make this a non issue but then you have to shoot with gloves. So now I shoot smooth target grips with a nice flare at the bottom that prevents the gun from slipping in my hand it unlike checkering, it doesn't chew up my hands.

I use smooth grips to replace the finger grooved Goodyears that new round butt S&W revolvers are shipped with. My preference is Ahrends Smooth Tactical Conversion grips that mate SB grips to RB frames. I have two no-dash 686s that wear checkered factory Magnas, however--this snubby 7 shooter wearin' PCs and an 8 3/8 inch wearin' Target grips......

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

I think S&W got it right with the target grips on their revolvers, at least for me, and they are a combination of both, with that small section checkered on the center section of the grips. Unfortunately, the only ones that are large enough for me are the N frame targets, so I really have to buy custom grips for any other guns, and prefer oversize grips for some N's as well, but I always end up with smoothies when I buy them. "JM" says a smooth grip gives you the ability to adjust your hold on the gun at various stages of shooting it. I hadn't realized it, but that is exactly what I do, and it is more difficult with checkered revolver grips. Pistols are another story. Flapjack.

To further clarify.. I'm looking for something to be put on my 627 PC 5" model. I shoot 38SP loaded on the hotter side and 357mag. I already have rough, calloused hands to begin with.. so checkering has never been an issue of discomfort (with the exception of an H&K USP 40 I owned).

Thats exactly my experience. Maybe I'll just go with the smooth. Its also partly why finger grooves never fit me.. even the one I had with just 1 groove. I always adjust my grip, definitely moreso with a revolver than pistol.

I never liked finger grooves until I tried Ahrend's. I like the old magna's or service grips, but for controllability and handling and fit to my hand, I've never seen anything like the Ahrend's on the 619 on the top. I've had synthetic and rubber grips (with checkering) on semi-autos that didn't have the superior fit these Ahrend's do; with no checkering I might add:

What grips are the ones on the right? What wood is it? I really like that and I think I might get something along those lines.

I would appreciate any guidance regarding the best 3 or 4 sources of beautiful wood grips -- like others in this thread, I love the look of really gorgeous wood, be it walnut, rosewood, purpleheart (and I would give blood for a pair of purple heart grips), etc. -- would be most appreciative of who you think are the best makers of good0looking wood grips.

I have ordered several sets of Hogue wood grips, always smooth and in Tulipwood. Been very happy with them.

I don't think you can beat Kim Ahrends grips for fit, finish, variety of styles, and the availabiilty of many gorgeous woods. MOST important is the control of the weapon they afford, as well as their reasonable price and delivery time. Here is a link.....Ahrends Grips : Home

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

It's my understanding smooth revolver grips are best in rapid draw and rapid fire situations. In these situations you are doing more pointing than aiming and your pointing will be more accurate with as high of a handhold as possible. The theory is that the smooth grip will allow the first shot to drive the rapidly drawn handgun into the proper high-hold grip.

I have replaced all my checkered grips with smooth grips. The checkering obscures the grain and therefore degrades the appearance, IMO. I wouldn't know how many checkered grips I've seen here that had fantastic grain but it was nearly blotted out by the checkering. I can see the utility of checkering, but on the other hand I've never had a problem with my smooth grips slipping on me, so I don't feel that I need checkering to hang on to the gun properly.

There is one kind of smooth grips that tend to slip, but I don't have them. They are the ones with the dull finish. Those are like handling bare wood, which, when sanded, is slippery. I finish all mine with a gloss. It sounds counterintuitive, but the glossy finish really does give you a firmer grip, unless your hands sweat profusely.

YMMV, as they say.
Andy

I don't mind either way, whatever works on the gun is fine, it doesn't matter to me until .44 magnum and above because at the greater recoil levels the checkering starts to act like a meat tenderizer.

Plus one on what he said and for excellent grips Kurac up here makes beautiful smooth grips.

What grips are the ones on the right? What wood is it?

I'm sorry but I'm really not sure

+1 on what One eye joe says; Ahrend's is at least in the big three, but in my book, #1 for the above reasons.

checkered and smooth work for me....magnums are funner to shoot with smooths on them though

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Kris
OGCA, NRA LM

I actually prefer smooth wood grips for shooting.I never cared much for finger grooves,but someone pretty smart suggested that on the smooth woods that the finger grooves actually helped with getting a proper grip with the scoop draw that I use.
I experimented with that and found it to be true for me.
I like the magnas with a grip adaptor for carry,but it isn't as fast or positive for me as smooth oversize woods.

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Blessed be the Lord,my Rock

I prefer smooth grips on all my guns, and yes checkering does make a difference and sometimes not for the best. I had a 50th Anniversary BH .44 Magnum and the factory checkered grips were like sandpaper on my hands. Smooth grips have always been the way to go.

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Vaya con Dios

Always love threads like this because I get to see all the beautiful eye-candy. Some of you folks are blessed with envy-inducing collections.

I'm going with my original intuition and on the advice of many here and order some smooth grips. Like I said, its never served me wrong.

For shooting magnums or large caliber (over .40) revolvers I definitely prefer wood without checkering even though I own many extra grips in both checkered and smooth. After factory wood I like Ahrends grips best.

I've shot enough to know that I prefer smooth grips. My first preference for smoothies is a good pair of clean Colorado elk, no bark, from Grashorn. My next preference is for a set of Ahrends, as noted above in one eye joe's post. After that I'd have to say a good set of Hogue's. I like my Ahrends and Hogues with grooves.

Now I know why I see so many sets of grips for sale! It's like a grip addiction program...

Blessings,
Hog

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Isaiah 55:8-9
Phil. 4:13

Choice of grip style and configuration is as individualistic as selecting a pair of shoes and about as specialized to the usage, so in my mind, there is not just one answer to the question.

For my short barrel J&K frames I like smooth finger grove combat style, they just feel right.

For my longer barrel K&N frame shooters, I go with Houge wood checkered. The checkering on Hogue grips is more LPI than S&W factory, therefore smaller and smoother, and less likely to have the cheese grater effect with the hard recoiling calibers. At the same time, the checkering is fine enough to slip around a bit if you don't have a death grip on them to "auto adjust".

On my 6" bbl 626 Classic... I have a set of Houge grips sold by S&W for the .500 Magnum with the extra bit of cushion at the part that contacts the web between thumb and forefinger... I'm too old now to even want to put up with full house .44 magnum recoil.

On my "trophy guns" mainly for show... then it's fancy grain/wood smooth targets, which to me have always had an elegant look to them.

I have many different styles, shapes, woods, plain and checkered... to put on any of my handguns to suit my mood at the time, kind of like my wife and her shoe closet inventory,

And whenever she asks me why I have so many guns grips I just smile as say "Why dear, I'm getting in touch with my feminine side" Usually resulting in being told if I really want to get in touch with my feminine side, I can insert my grips somewhere that wasn't meant to be used that way.

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Conrad
SWCA #1830 SWHF #222

I prefer smooth on mine too. Here is my 27-2 and my 29-2 with smooth presentation grips. In fact even with the smaller magna type stocks I prefer smooth.





IMG]http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l320/feralmerril/IMG_9442.jpg[/IMG]

Smooth for show, checkered for go.

N-framed Magnums..........Smooth

Everything else...............Checkered

I'm tender.....be nice to me