Advice on Grips`

[Vandal55]

Disclaimer- Please keep in mind I am new to the forum and revolvers.

I understand that grip choice seems to be a very delicate topic. I would like to solicit opinions and advice about what is out there.

I will say I like VZ grips on 1911 style pistols, but am sort of thinking that a textured wood grip is more...classy/appropriate/ whatever for a revolver.

I am looking more at function and aesthetics. I won't concealed carry the thing.

I suspect there is a photo collection here somewhere. Thanks!

 

[MetalMan]

And we're off.......

Ahrend's and Spegel's might be good places to start your search for a range of styles and woods.

Then let the hunt begin.

 

[ctxcummins]

For me it all depends on what revolver they're destined for and what you plan on doing with it.

I like wood and rubber for different purposes.

 

[zogger]

After trying a bunch of grips, I have now "standardized" on SW older style targets with speed loader cutout (see 1st pix) on my N and K/L frames. For my J frame, I went with a Thailand made rnd to sqr conversion with finger grooves (2nd pix).

They just feel better in my hands.

 

[Hurryin' Hoosier]

Uncle Mike's stocks (if you can find some) aren't much for looks but they sure feel good!

 

[ABPOS]

What model, what finish, if not carrying, what are you doing with it? It seems like you want to shoot it, eh?

I don't know what to recommend you until I know what gun you are asking about. I will say this, I typically prefer some kind of grip that fills the gap between the frame and stock, magna type grips.

 

[F75gunslinger]

My advice is pretty close to the advice I give to quite a few other questions. Get your hands on as many different types that you can find and see what feels good to you.

As everyone's hands are different the answers will be all over the place and may or may not help you.

 

[bulldog01]

I just added some Altamonts to my 58. Made all the difference from the service grips. The service grips are beautiful, but in a bag full of sharks' teeth kinda way. The altamonts are the perfect color and finish and I am excited to be able to shoot again. I was really tired of the other grips. I would be willing to spend some money on the right grips, but they don't have to be expensive. I bought some that were really cool -- and really uncomfortable/poor fit. I haven't found a good way to "try on" grips yet. It's kind of a spend and hope crapshoot.

Mike

 

[sheppard]

For shooting, rubber is the way to go. If you like the good looks of wood I suggest you get a set as well as rubber. Just switch depending on use.

 

[Jtown]

I prefer the larger wooden grips, but go to rubber (Pachmayers) for Magnum loads.
Walt

 

[weatherby]

but am sort of thinking that a textured wood grip is more...classy/appropriate/ whatever for a revolver.

I am a rogue and classless sort

 

[Vandal55]

For shooting, rubber is the way to go. If you like the good looks of wood I suggest you get a set as well as rubber. Just switch depending on use.

This actually seems like a brilliantly simple plan. Are there any pitfalls to switching the grips out?

 

[Collo Rosso]

Wood or rubber, Hogue does it for me. Both their round butt and conversions fit my hand and love the palm swell they use.

 

[bulldog01]

This actually seems like a brilliantly simple plan. Are there any pitfalls to switching the grips out?

No except it is a lot of messing around with the stocks and gun. More room for a scratch or something. If you have a field gun or a truck gun, it probably doesn't matter in the long run. I did this for a while with my Blackhawk and eventually just left the most comfortable set on.

Mike

 

[Truckin]

Best way to touch and feel a large selection of grips (and guns) is to join the NRA and go to the convention. Spend at least a day with the vendors and all your questions will be answered.

 

[Wee Hooker]

For me there are allot of variables to work out in selecting grips each particular range gun. After all, beyond looking good (or not) the grip is my connection to the gun. Size and shape are #1 .
Backstrap covered? Finger grooves? Checkering? Square or round butt configuration? Length? ( i.e. The grip has to fit MY hand and give the best control for the weight and balance of the particular gun.)
Next is material. I love natural materials for dressing up any gun. A nice contrasting wood ( or Stag on stainless) is beautiful to behold but rubber has it's place for heavy recoiling and or action shooting guns. To be honest, I like rubber, I just wish they could do something fresh with their appearance.
Last is cost. While I like to support the local /custom guys, I rarely drop $150 on grips for a $400 range gun. I'm more likely to drop $50 on a mass produced set unless the gun is very special.

 

[Tom_R]

There are dozens of options with regards to grips for your smith and Wesson revolver.

VZ makes excellent grips, and if your revolver is a carry gun and you will do quite a bit of shooting, they are excellent options.

Rubber grips get the job done, and for full house Magnum shooting, they are a great way to go. I just personally hate the way rubber grips looks on a fine gun like a S&W.

Many folks, me included, like to slap a real nice set of wood grips onto their revolver o keep the traditional old school look alive.

One thing to do is look for grip pic threads, there are tons of them, and look at what you like, mark the like on that post, and then come back and re-look.

S&W's original wood, Target grips had a great look to them.

 

[old bear]

O/P welcome to the forum. Switching grips is a piece of cake, as long as you remember to do it the right way. Back out the grip screw until it is free of the right grip, then give the head of the screw a sharp rap with the handle of a screwdriver or mallet. This should loosen the offside grip and you can remove the grips. Remember to use the proper sized and hollow ground screwdriver. NEVER pry the grips off!!

Remember, rubber grips will trap moisture between them and the revolver frame. So, remember to remove rubber grips every six months or so, to check for rust. Before replacing the grips give the frame a wipe down with silicon. I learned this lesson the hard way.

 

[grip frame]

There are very few rubber grips that actually soften the blow or make recoil more tolerable. The only two that come to mind are the Hogue grips made for the Smith 500 and the pachmyer decelerator. Both put a layer of soft rubber between the back of the frame and ones hand.

The other rubber grips like the standard Hogue rubber don't do much in the way of making the revolver more pleasant to shoot.

I like the smooth/non checkered Hogue wood grips on my L and N frame magnums. They have more width to distribute recoil over a larger area of the hand and the smooth finish lets the revolver move a little in the hand during recoil instead of grabbing skin and "sticking" which causes blisters.

For these same reasons I have been hesitant to try any of the G10 laminate Hogue or VZ grips .

 

[Lobster Picnic]

I strongly prefer wood grips for looks and feel. Recoil isn't an issue since all my revolvers are .38 Special or milder. Most of mine ended up with excellent and reasonably-priced real wood grips from Thailand. I have bought grips from several of the American makers and IMO the quality is not there for the price and many do not use real wood.