OP
Matt Hooper
Member
The picture doesn't do the grips justice. They are expensive but look great.
What brand are these?
Let's see some 686 Grip Options!
- Thread starter Matt Hooper
- Start date
What brand are these?
AveragEd
Member
I'm not a huge fan of foreign-made goods, especially from some Asian countries, but these stocks from Thailand seem well-made and fit great.
Back when I first got them and posted that photo here, I was warned that the wood would shrink as it is not dried well but I've had them six months or more now and the fit hasn't changed. For something like $45 shipped, they are hard to beat and the finger grooves, unlike most other finger-grooves, fit my average-sized hand well.
Ed
Back when I first got them and posted that photo here, I was warned that the wood would shrink as it is not dried well but I've had them six months or more now and the fit hasn't changed. For something like $45 shipped, they are hard to beat and the finger grooves, unlike most other finger-grooves, fit my average-sized hand well.
Ed
Northwoods Trader
Member
Ahrends in Cocobolo
I hear you Roger. I quickly grabbed these up when I heard Ahrends was going to stop processing Cocobolo orders. I love the natural red color on this set. The hand rubbed oil they used IMO just makes the grip color pop out. This was a good combination on stainless steel.
I wish these were still available!
Wanna sell yours?
I hear you Roger. I quickly grabbed these up when I heard Ahrends was going to stop processing Cocobolo orders. I love the natural red color on this set. The hand rubbed oil they used IMO just makes the grip color pop out. This was a good combination on stainless steel.
one eye joe
US Veteran
Replaced the Hogues with a pair of beautiful badgers for my Plus Pro but finding that the finger grooves just aren't helping my aim as they don't line up will with my small hands. They look great however in pics lol! So, what are you using?
Thinking about trying to find a pair of SSR grips. What you got?
Matt Hooper, MY ADVICE TO YOU IS TO FACE REALITY. THE FINGER GROOVE GRIPS ARE VERY APPEALING TO THE EYE, AND OFFER A GOOD GRIP TO PEOPLE WHOSE HANDS THEY FIT. YOU CAN WASTE TIME AND MONEY GOING FROM BRAND TO BRAND, TRYING TO FIND A SET THAT MIGHT FIT, BUT I SERIOUSLY DOUBT THAT YOU WILL. (CAN YOU AFFORD TO BUY AND TRY OUT A SET OF EACH OF THE BRANDS THAT WILL BE PICTURED IN THIS THREAD ?) FINGER GROOVE GRIPS ARE ALL DESIGNED TO FIT THE AVERAGE HAND. GENERALLY SPEAKING, IF YOU CAN USE ONE BRAND OF FINGER GROOVE GRIPS, YOU CAN "USUALLY" USE ANY OTHER BRAND. IF YOU CANT USE ONE, YOU "USUALLY" CAN'T USE ANY. THIS IS NOT THE CONCLUSION OF A SCIENTIFIC STUDY, JUST THE RESULT OF INFORMAL QUESTIONING OF CLUB MEMBERS THAT I SHOOT WITH, WHEN I WAS IN THE HUNT FOR FINGER GROOVED STOCKS. I SHOULD MENTION THAT THE WIZARD, JERRY M, STATES THAT FINGER GROOVED GRIPS FIT ONLY 10% OF SHOOTERS…..….
I LOVE THE LOOK OF FINGER GROOVES AS YOU DO, SO I TRIED SEVERAL BRANDS, BUT I CAN'T USE ANY. I SHOOT SMOOTH GRIPS, WHICH LET MY FINGERS FALL WHERE THEY NATURALLY WILL, MUCH MORE COMFORTABLY AND EFFICIENTLY. MY HANDS ARE NOT WIDE, BUT MY FINGERS ARE LONG. I SETTLED ON AHRENDS SMOOTH TACTICAL GRIPS OR PACHMAYR SMOOTH PRESENTATION AND COMPACS (FOR HARD USE OR SEVERE CONDITIONS). IMHO, BOTH LOOK GREAT ON STAINLESS S&Ws AND ARE COMFORTABLE, GIVE GOOD GUN CONTROL, AND HANDLE RECOIL WELL. PRICES ARE REASONABLE FOR BOTH BRANDS……….
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MattJames
Member
Just finished the finish on these...
Kurac stocks in Cocobolo
Kurac stocks in Cocobolo
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DeAdEyE956
Member
I like the Kim Ahrends. I also have altamonts which are very nice as well. I just left the Ahrends on because i like the smooth grips. The altamonts i ordered have checkering and finger grooves. Too many choices i think when you include Hogue.
JohnAC
Member
Ahrend's finger grooves - perfect fit for my hand.
sawgrass
Member
Just finished the finish on these...
Kurac stocks in Cocobolo
Nice job on those stocks! May I ask what product you used?
MattJames
Member
Thank you, sir! I used about 4-5 applications of CA (Super, Krazy, etc) glue. I wiped them down good first with acetone to get as much of the surface oil free and then immediately applied the the first coat. Then lightly sanded with 400 before each coat. After last coat I sanded up to 1500 and then took them to the buff wheel with soft wheel and white compound. Then finished off with a couple of applications of Renaissance Wax.
It was a fun little project and I think that they came out ok.
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muddocktor
Member
Wow, I didn't know you could use CA to finish stocks like that. Those came out looking fantastic.
MDMarauder
Member
Besides the factory targets, I like Ahrends.
MattJames
Member
I didn't know about that either... but I'm glad I found out. I guess I could have also used shellac, but went with CA. Apparently many of the exotic woods (coco, rosewood, ebony, etc) are so oil dense that some finishes take long to forever to dry properly. So not only was it fun to do, it's always good to learn something newWow, I didn't know you could use CA to finish stocks like that. Those came out looking fantastic.
Thanks for the compliments... much appreciated!
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raylan007
Member
TopGun and Ahrends
The Top gun distributor carries the tung oiled Ahrend option finish. The only downside is that as I was looking at them it didn't state one way or the other if the grips/stocks pictured are the actual stock you will receive. Due to that being the case with the 2 vendors on Ebay I decided to call TopGun. After calling and inquiring on the matter I was told no, the item pictured is not necessarily what you receive. If you are picky as myself that can be a problem as the variation is great as you can see on gripseller who list each stock individually. If anyone has conflicting information regarding TopGuns policy please say so, I may have had a employee that didn't understand my question in spite of speaking the English language all my life.
loveaffair#686
Member
45Wheelgun
Member
Wood always accents a beautiful gun, and there are a bunch of beautiful grips represented here. When it comes to a day at the range, with some full load .357s, I prefer the Hogue (or in this case S&W branded Hogue), rubber finger-groove grips to anything made of wood (including factory targets).
Great looking pistol...nice polish job, and I completely agree. I like the way wood grips look, but prefer a good rubber or grippy G10 grip.Wood always accents a beautiful gun, and there are a bunch of beautiful grips represented here. When it comes to a day at the range, with some full load .357s, I prefer the Hogue (or in this case S&W branded Hogue), rubber finger-groove grips to anything made of wood (including factory targets).
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