Fellow shooters always seem to encourage a 'hand-filling' grip. To that end, I've almost always fitted dead- tree Hogues, Pachs, or UM's to the tools at hand.

Recently, I've had some pairs and comparos with me that lead to a discovery.
It seems to me NOW that 'skimpier' grips seem to transmit less FELT recoil to my hand. Picture two K/L SB's: Snub with magnas and a T-grip, and the other a 4" with heftier rubber. Comparable to a snub Security-6 w/oem wood, and a 4" with Hogues. I swear there is less smack/sting involved in shooting the shorter gun.

Then, I tried it with a pair of DW's most recently. Snub with their one-piece eqivalent to skinny magnas, and then a 3" with medium (but fatter) wood. Same effect.

Is there something involved with the bones of the hand, and/or musculuture, being less spread out with smaller grips? Able to take more punishment?

Grip material will change felt recoil - no doubt about that! What also determines how recoil is perceived is how well the grips fit your actual hand. Sometimes wood grips that fit perfectly to YOUR hands will work better than generic rubber grips that just don't fit. Hence the reason I have had a bunch of custom made grips carved to my hands. Personally, I do not like rubber grips. They are too grabby in pockets and on clothing. They never really fit my hand well and they have always created a rust situation under them - yes even on stainless steel!

IMHO, proper fitment trumps rubber, but that's just me.

I can't be sure in your case, but in my case I believe that what counts is the sum of ALL of the details of fit - which knuckles, if any, are contacted by wood, where, exactly, is the pressure of recoil applied, the effect of the size of the grip on exactly where the pressure is applied, total supporting surface, and other factors. IMO, no general rule can tell you that a larger or smaller grip will be better or worse.

Again, sum of EVERY detail.

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Formerly Model520Fan

my experience after 40 years is that the size of the grip most likely depends on the hand being able to close far enough so that the muscle tension is ideal to hold the weapon firmly. If the circumference of the grip is too large, it can develop a life of its own in the hand during recoil. it is the same if the grip is too small, then the hand is completely closed, but cannot apply enough tension to the grip.

regards
Ulrich

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Life is too short to own a bad gun