Aftermarket Checkered Grips, Lets See Yours

[Model39]

While doing a routine check on my guns in my climate control safe, I was looking at some of my favorite S&W revolvers with aftermarket checkered grips, and decided to get a small portion group shot of some of my favorite pairs. Sometimes depending on what maker and quality of wood, checkered grips are as appealing as smooth grips. Top to bottom grips; 2 Spegel, 1 Farrant, and 1 pair of Keith Brown "Roper" pattern grips with real Ivory inlay. Lets see some of your favorite checkered grips.

Top to bottom Model 65-5, Gemini Custom Model 340 M&P, Model 19-2, and a Model 66 No Dash

[ISCS Yoda]

Plain old Eagle grips:

[Chubbo]

My all time favorite pair of aftermarket checkered grips, are these fiddleback maple grips made by Keith Brown. They were made from wood that came from trees planted by my mom, and my wife, in our back yard more than 60 years ago. The wood came from one of those trees. Here is a picture of my S&W Mod. 27, wearing them. Thanks for letting me share them with you folks.
Chubbo

[Targets Guy]

Just a couple of what I have picked up over the years.

[boykinlp]

Here is a pair of mine:

[Arquebus357]

Jaruwan P (thailand) You can tell they are from Thailand by the excellent fit.

[RalphMP9FS]

I recently put these on my 9mm SP101 and have no regrets:

[t4terrific]

Originally Posted by Arquebus357

Jaruwan P (thailand) You can tell they are from Thailand by the excellent fit.

I can tell they are from Jaruwan in Thailand by the awful checkering and border cut. That’s his trademark.

Shame too, because he has access to some terrific woods that are probably not available for sale from anywhere else.

[Toyman]

I bought these several years ago, they fit a Colt New Service.
I do not have any idea who crafted these.


These are for a K frame square butt and through comments on this forum decided they were original Guy Hogue grips.

[boykinlp]

Here is another pair:

[BC38]

Originally Posted by t4terrific

I can tell they are from Jaruwan in Thailand by the awful checkering and border cut. That’s his trademark.

Shame too, because he has access to some terrific woods that are probably not available for sale from anywhere else.

WOW, that's kinda harsh.
They aren't Keith Browns or Culnas by any stretch, but not everyone has two or three Benjamins to put into a set of grips.
They don't look bad to me, especially for the price.
If they were mine I might give them a coat or two of tung oil...

[weatherby]

This set isn't aftermarket but does fit into that sometimes category quite well IMHO

[Narragansett]

This is the only checkered set I have, and they came on the gun when I bought it. Eagle Heritage walnut.

I also have this set of N frame Herrett's that I have had for 50 years. I have used them, but never figured out is I liked em.

[bananaman]

I tend to like Herretts. Of course there are others too! Bob

[diecidecimi]

I love Herrett's, and I shoot mainly one-hand . This is the reason for thumbrest targets

However Ropers ( by Herrett's) are very nice


Even not particularly appreciated, some old SILE plays their role in the game:


Another style I love a lot, really a lot, is Fitz: I have some Targets, but never found Gunfighters


Then, of course, factory Targets of various era, from diamond to football to speed loader cutout...

Impossible to buy Sandersons, Ropers, Cloyce, Hurst, Fuzzy Farrant, Spegel , Culina and Brown......they are a dream

[P.44]

Great Thread with a lot of nice wood to "grip on" in

Attached:

1 + 2
Farrant Rosewood Combat's on M 29-2 with Hellweg # 210R

3
Better light = Better pic(s)

4 + 5
Hogue (Kingwood ?) on M 66-1 with Brian C. Foster Cross Draw

P.44

[saemetric]

My edc has Herrett Ace. Nothing like solid walnut.

[weatherby]

My favorites
One of The main reasons being I shoot great with them.

The mini thumbrest is different and works well for me.
The checking around the heal support isn't bad.

[diecidecimi]

Originally Posted by weatherby

My favorites
One of The main reasons being I shoot great with them.

The mini thumbrest is different and works well for me.
The checking around the heal support isn't bad.

I'd say one one the main reasons is....the yare original R!!!!!!!

[brianNH]

I just got a set of Altamont grips for my Model 60. I think they look nice.

[Gunna1day]

Jarwuan's eBay grips on my 686. Love em!!

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[Gunna1day]

Originally Posted by BC38

WOW, that's kinda harsh.
They aren't Keith Browns or Culnas by any stretch, but not everyone has two or three Benjamins to put into a set of grips.
They don't look bad to me, especially for the price.
If they were mine I might give them a coat or two of tung oil...

Yep, for cheap grips they still look great I reckon!

[Roller Delayed]

Originally Posted by brianNH

I just got a set of Altamont grips for my Model 60. I think they look nice.

They have some really great looking products for the price. I'm looking for K frame grips and was really impressed with this kind of thing:

[RKmesa]

Love this thread. Some beautiful lumber. Here are a couple of my favorites from KB's wood shop:

[Arquebus357]

Originally Posted by Roller Delayed

They have some really great looking products for the price. I'm looking for K frame grips and was really impressed with this kind of thing:

Those Altamont photos look great. Too bad that what you receive will not be even close to that color. One of the reasons I like ordering from Thailand is that what is shown in the photograph is the grips you will receive. It's a gamble for most other vendors. Here is what Altamont's walnut mostly looks like.

[75Vette]

Originally Posted by RKmesa

Love this thread. Some beautiful lumber. Here are a couple of my favorites from KB's wood shop:

AMAZING!!!

[Roller Delayed]

Originally Posted by Arquebus357

Those Altamont photos look great. Too bad that what you receive will not be even close to that color. One of the reasons I like ordering from Thailand is that what is shown in the photograph is the grips you will receive. It's a gamble for most other vendors. Here is what Altamont's walnut mostly looks like.

Altamont's Super Walnut isn't walnut - it's dyed birch laminate. So I'm not surprised those grips look pretty much like Hogue laminates.

It almost looks like the laminate on their website has more layers per inch than the example you show, which is why it isn't as pretty.

Thanks for the warning.

[Arquebus357]

Even though I knocked Altamont over their walnut color, I actually like their grips. They are shaped very nicely for my hands at least. The fit is not too terrible. That sawed off S&W 64 is my car and general knockabout gun. If the grips get a bit ragaddy looking, I just hit them with 1000 grit wet/dry and Mothers metal polish and they are like new.

[Roller Delayed]

Originally Posted by Arquebus357

Those Altamont photos look great. Too bad that what you receive will not be even close to that color. One of the reasons I like ordering from Thailand is that what is shown in the photograph is the grips you will receive. It's a gamble for most other vendors. Here is what Altamont's walnut mostly looks like.

So I spoke with Altamont and they said that their laminations haven't changed, but the wood has been running darker lately. They said anyone who wants a more even tone should give them a call and they'l hand select.

I think that's pretty fair CS.

[TNZ71]

Altamonts on the 640 but not sure of the grips on the 66

[notsofast]

I had trouble finding a traditional S&W style of target conversion grips for my 627 and I also had price concerns. Finally found the jarwuan on “epay”, I like the grips a lot, for me they look good, fill my xxl hand and are price reasonably enough

[saemetric]

Another set of Herrett Ace on my 43C. Natural pointing grips. Only weighs 11 oz.

[Arquebus357]

Originally Posted by Roller Delayed

So I spoke with Altamont and they said that their laminations haven't changed, but the wood has been running darker lately. They said anyone who wants a more even tone should give them a call and they'l hand select.

I think that's pretty fair CS.

Hahaha. Maybe a more even tone but not that beautiful color they show in their website. Actually the color in the Altamonts I posted look more like actual walnut than their website photos. I have no problem with that color, I just wanted to warn you. If you order Altamonts be aware the grips come with two alignment pins. They are not glued to the grip panels so make sure they don't drop out and go disappearo. I crazy glue mine into one of the panels first thing. They are a very nice feature.

[153]

Spegel ebony on a 640-1 in a DeSantis mini scabbard...



Fuzzy Farrant on a 66-1 in a Hunter 54 ...

[Jon651]

Altamont with Spanish Diamonds and silver medalion on a 629-6.

[ShivasIrons]

Originally Posted by saemetric

My edc has Herrett Ace. Nothing like solid walnut.

Old School!

[GunarSailors]

Here are my Culina English Walnut Cokes, hand checkered to 20 lpi.

[Rock185]

The standard wood is usually very blah, but I've sometimes used Herretts on this or that S&W revolver.

Those KB's and Culina's are beautiful!

[keithherrington]

Culina, Spegel, Ahrends, in that order.