After 44 years of shooting I have developed some strong opinions on what I like in handgun stocks.

1. I need checkering on heavy recoiling guns. A 44 Magnum with smooth stocks would leave my hand upon firing.

2. No finger grooves. My fingers never fit well and they feel awful. No thumb rests, either.

3. I don't like stocks that extend far below the frame. Increases felt recoil due to recoil axis being altered and they just look too big to me.

4. No target style stocks with barrels less than 4" in length. Simply look too big for the gun.

5. Not a big fan of stag. I have one set that is polished smooth and they are all right.

6. I like mother of pearl but this material is fragile.

7. I love ivory.

With that said, here are my S&Ws with custom stocks. Not that many. Two with ivory and one with polished stag. The vast majority of my S&Ws wear factory wood.