Hogue Wooden Grip Options

Darkenfast · Jun 24, 2021

Recent comments about rubber grips versus wood grips (and some great pictures in various threads in this sub-forum), got me thinking about Hogue grips and the various formats that they are available in. I like rubber on shorter guns, but this is specifically about the current six-inch barreled 686+ (a revolver that I am interested in).

Wooden Hogues seem to be available in three different shapes (not counting the big-butt competition grips): finger-groove, no finger-groove, and top finger groove (sort of a hybrid, with one groove).

Would anyone care to share their experience of these three types, specifically on longer, heavy barreled Smith and Wesson revolvers, especially with harder-kicking loads?

Thanks in advance!

Fishinfool · Jun 24, 2021

I think, like any other handgun grip, it is going to depend on your hand size, and how you grip your gun.

Me? I like Hogue grips for how they fit me, and their functionality. I also like the looks of the wood versions. I think they handle recoil well, spreading out the recoils force thru out the hand, and not just into the web, like some grips do. And like the way they "point" when you grip the gun, and raise it to eye level. For me, no adjustment needed to get proper sight alignment.

Pictured below is a 4 inch 629 that I enjoy shooting. Hogue rubber grips work very well on it, but I wanted something a little classier on the gun, so I put a set of the very popular Ahrends target grips on. Looks nice, but they are too thin for my hand, and not comfortable with full power loads. Second pic is the same gun with a set of Hogue wood grips I acquired here on the forum. They fit my hand much better, handle recoil better, and subjectively, look better than the target style Ahrends. For what it's worth, I have very thick fingers that are slightly longer than average, and wear a size XXL glove, and a size 19 / 20 ring. Finger grooves can help maintain hand position on heavy kickers, but they have to fit your hand properly. They do fit mine pretty well, but I do not have any problem with the non-grooved versions, and prefer the cleaner look.

Larry

bananaman · Jun 24, 2021

I have never had too many sets of Hogue Grips. Then, I saw this set on ebay. Stippled grips? Never knew they made them. Went to their website and they offer stippling as a special service. Needed RB conversions for my JM, and I snatched them up. They were sold as new, but a too short screw was included. Contacted Hogue, and they asked me the length of the screw. 5/8". Replied back should be 3/4". They sent me 1 at no charge! Was quite happy. No that I have the right 1, am good to go! Bob

S&W Fan · Jun 24, 2021

I use a Hogue wood checkered no-finger groove grip on my 625-3. For me the recoil of the .45acp isn’t uncomfortable and I get an excellent grip on the revolver. The checkering is grippy without being abrasive.

BigMuddy · Jun 24, 2021

In my long ago “action pistol” competition days, my gun was a box stock 6” Model 686 witH Hogue finger groove stocks. This was back when the Hogues were made from a very hard nylon material. For me, they balanced the 6” heavy barrel perfectly and allowed me to acquire a consistent grip quickly. That gun is on my “shoulda kept it” list.

Dan

Krogen · Jun 24, 2021

I have a few sets of K frame Houges. I don't see anything similar on their website; perhaps they don't make them anymore. The grips are hardwood, uncheckered and without finger grooves. I especially like the palm swell. They fit me well. Being hardwood, they don't "soak up" recoil, but that doesn't matter so much when they fit one's hand. The biggest "kicker" is only a 6" 586 though.

jake1945 · Jun 24, 2021

My recent purchase of Hogue wood grips for my S&W 629 was dissapointing because the fit was way off and a large open seam between halves.

colt_saa · Jun 24, 2021

The shape and configuration of the grip is very dependent on the shooter. Proper fit is more important with a wood grip than a rubber grip. If a rubber grip is a poor or sloppy fit, the rubber will often take up most of the issues

I had to buy my first set of Hogue grips with finger grooves to learn that the finger grooves are not sized for my fingers. I then tried a set with just the top groove. This worked better but was not very attractive so I tried no finger grooves and found that giving up the groove did not alter controllability and improved the cosmetics

All my Hogue grips are N-frame, but the L-frames will be shaped almost identically

So I now order all of my Hogue wood grips with no finger grooves. I often include the optional white line spacer and contrasting butt cap. The wood grips have a nice palm swell that fills my hand

Round butt conversion grip in Tulipwood

Round butt non-conversion grip in Goncalco Alves with white line spacer and contrasting butt cap

Square butt grip in Brazilian Rosewood with white line spacer and contrasting butt cap

Square butt grip in Kingwood with white line spacer and contrasting butt cap

75Vette · Jun 24, 2021

jake1945 said:
My recent purchase of Hogue wood grips for my S&W 629 was dissapointing because the fit was way off and a large open seam between halves.

Jake, How did you have a gap between the halves? The Hogues are a one piece construction. Of the few wood Hogues I have on my 629s the fit on the gun is perfect and I'm lucky that the finger grooves fit my hand.

BAM-BAM · Jun 24, 2021

The finger grooved grips don't fit my hand well...... but I like the single finger grove.

bananaman · Jun 24, 2021

Not a N frame, but really like these Hogues on my 686, 5" Pro Series. Real comfortable for me. Bob

LPD256 · Jun 24, 2021

I like the palm swell on the Hogue grips. The finger grooves work ok for me.

Darkenfast · Jun 25, 2021

Thank you all for the illuminating answers!

Weiny686 · Jun 30, 2021

LPD256 said:
I like the palm swell on the Hogue grips. The finger grooves work ok for me.

I just joined this forum and this is my first post inspired by this nice set of grips…which type of wood is this, Pau ferro?? I’ve been kicking around the idea of picking up some hogue wood for my 686 and these grips sealed the deal on my decision..

DonD · Jun 30, 2021

I had a beautiful set of laminated, colorful grips for one of my 500 Mags. The grip had a flared base and did a great job of mitigating recoil.

Sadly, the mean old 500 Mag destroyed them in short order and Hogue no longer makes them for the 500 for that very reason.

I think they will make them for the .44 which isn't anywhere near the 500 in terms of recoil, might give them a call. Don

Mike SC Hunter · Jun 30, 2021

To me they are too long having to accommodate that screw and stirrup in the bottom. Therefore I go with conventional grips.

bananaman · Jul 1, 2021

LPD256 said:
I like the palm swell on the Hogue grips. The finger grooves work ok for me.

I like the grip cap also! Bob

Daimler1989 · Jul 1, 2021

I tried many grips over many years, and I came to the conclusion, that for my hands Hogue Woods without finger grooves were the best. I really like Ahrends Grips and have them on several S&Ws, but the aforementioned Hogues have the edge, at least to me.

I prefer the striped cap when the gun is larger, longer and heavier, like my 625 5"

and without striped cap when lighter or not that long, like the 624 4"

They are not cheap, but they are worth the money.

regards from Germany
Ulrich

Weiny686 · Jul 1, 2021

Daimler1989 said:
I tried many grips over many years, and I came to the conclusion, that for my hands Hogue Woods without finger grooves were the best. I really like Ahrends Grips and have them on several S&Ws, but the aforementioned Hogues have the edge, at least to me.

I prefer the striped cap when the gun is larger, longer and heavier, like my 625 5"

and without striped cap when lighter or not that long, like the 624 4"

They are not cheap, but they are worth the money.

regards from Germany
Ulrich

Nice looking grips! What wood is your striped capped 625?

LPD256 · Jul 1, 2021

Weiny686 said:
I just joined this forum and this is my first post inspired by this nice set of grips…which type of wood is this, Pau ferro?? I’ve been kicking around the idea of picking up some hogue wood for my 686 and these grips sealed the deal on my decision..

The wood on those grips is Mexican Cocobolo. They have many choices. Thank you.

Hogue Wooden Grip Options

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