Hi,

So I tried to do some searching and couldn't find exactly what I was looking for. If I missed a thread I appologize.

Anyways I'm looking for recommendations for high end grips for my smiths. At this point I'm mainly looking for wood grips. I also read at some point that in order to have the best fit the grips need to be fit to the individual gun?

Thanks for the help.

Trevor

Search for Kurac and Keith Brown. Keith is in the vendor section of the forum. Kurac has several pair of N frame stocks for sale in the classifieds of differing woods. Those would be my two recommendations.

I just received a set of scrimshawed, bonded ivory grip inserts for my SP101 and checkered rosewood boot grips for one of my J frames.
The quality is top notch - I was really pleased with the fit and blown away by how dressed up they look
Have fun shopping...

Paul

I have purchased wood grips from Altimont, Ahrends, Badger, Eagle, Hogue and Marschal (custom order from Budapest Hungary).

Altimont is hard to beat for detail, fit and price-though all the woods they use are laminates. Their inlaid-scrimshaw style grips are unique. Their laser checking is exquisite.

Ahrends makes great fitting super comfortable grips for S&W's- esp. the magnums. I cheap out and buy the polyurethane spray finish, though for $20 more you get hand rubbed tung oil.

Hogues are always well fitted but the wood can run from spectacular to plain jane, so it pays to see the set you are actually getting.

You'll wait 3 months plus for Marschal gripps, but he offers some really exotic woods at fair prices.

Now-the bad news- I've purchased four sets of Eagle grips in the past few months- one for an S&W, two Rugers and a Beratta 92F. NONE have fit correctly without some 'surgery' and the Ruger grips don't match halves-the right is larger than the left. Eagle grips are now made in India and supposedly checked for fit here in the USA. I've never had fit problems on a moder S&W K frame until I tried Eagle grips.

Craig Spegel. Impecible fit and the finest wood grips I have ever had in my hand and I have tried most.
John

I've owned Ahrends and they are great grips and my favorite is their Coco Bolo finger grip but they make a more traditional grip also that is very nice. I also have had a set of Craig Spegel grips on my Browning HP and they were incredible and I regret selling that pistol to this day. You will never go wrong buying Keith Brown grips as the are absolutely stunning grips.

I now have all S&W grips on my revolvers except for one set of Ahrends finger grips on a model 64 and I have three sets of Kurac grips (one K and 2 N frame) and I love them because they are very comofrtable with the coke like contour.

Set of Kurac K frame grips on my 18-3


Set of Ahrends finger groove grips on my Model 64

check out Esmeralda

Is Herrett's still in business?

Good call by the OP about wood grips often having to be fit to the particular gun. That's one reason why I favor Pachmayr's rubber grips.

But if the wooden ones do fit and have nice grain, they are SO lovely!

With a size 12 hand I do love my Herrett Jordan Troopers

__________________
T. Johnson

Roy Fishpaw.
Craig Spegel.

Keith Brown:




Kurac:


Both are true craftsmen.

Tim

The 3" 65 has cocobolo Ahrends smooth boot grips with the tung oil finish. It's my favorite grip for the K frame. It's smooth, but not slick. It fills my hand without being bulky.

The 642 has a set of Spegel cocobolo boot grips. It's my favorite for J frames. It's compact while still filling the hand well. The finger grooves are low profile; I generally don't like finger grooves but these work well for me. He has several different grades available.

I put a set of BADGER grips on my Smith M&P 360 and they look and feel great.

I've seen roy's work and its amazing but I think I saw that he is not accepting orders any more?

Thanks for the suggestions I will do some searching.

Trevor

Another vote for Ahrends and for Herrett's.

I've been very pleased with the grips from these two makers.

Same here, but on my 642.

Attached Images

642 badger l speed.jpg (63.8 KB, 183 views)

__________________
Inconsistently consistent

I favor Ahrends grips.

Craig Spegel!

This is a set of his Kingwood grips with cathedral grain on a Browning High Power.



This is a set of his Cocobolo extended boot grips on a 3" 625-4.




Buck

I had a set of Kingwood Spegel grips like those on your HP and they are awesome. I sold the gun with the same grips and I have always regretted it.

For a high end gun, or that special Smith like my 3" Model 66, I would definately go with Keith's grips. He is a true craftsman and a gentleman to deal with.

These are French Walnut Hideout grips with a "Roper" checkering pattern, with real ivory diamond inserts to give the grips a unique look.

IMHO, you can't buy a better grip for the money than Ahrends........

__________________
'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

Amen to that.
Just today I installed them on my 6th revolver. All that I shoot regularly are now wearing Ahrends.

__________________
-jwk-
US Army '72-'95