I recently purchased my first handgun a S&W 686 Plus, Talo edition with these fantastic looking grips. However, for me at the range, they are real uncomfortable and chew up my hand especially shooting 357. Tried with left/right hand and still uncomfortable. Considering the rubber ones or using a glove to absorb the recoil. Any suggestions.
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Wood Grips vs Rubber Grips
- Thread starter rtbaron
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scooter123
Member
I have hands with longer skinny fingers so my choice for a comfortable grip on my 620 was the 500 Magnum monogrip. Cost is about 36 bucks and it's ONLY available on S&W's web store. Big pluses are that it features a hand filling Coke bottle shape and covers the back strap.
ruger-p94
Member
Wood looks real cool but can be a pain in the hand. Rubber looks like a car tire but sure takes the shock out of a 357. I have wood on my 13-3 and if I am firing a bunch I will put a glove on so I can still enjoy the moment. It is all a matter of preference and health insurance. You will soon learn with the new handgun that you will have to get a big box to collect lots of holsters and grips.
indiandave
Member
I have both for all my revolvers. I also have arthritis in my thumb joints. It's a no brainer for me. Goodyear's are much more comfortable.
My wood grips mostly stay in a the gun safe.
I use both Pachmayr and Hogue depending on the gun. As I get older, I find it better to feel good than to look good!
My wood grips mostly stay in a the gun safe.
I use both Pachmayr and Hogue depending on the gun. As I get older, I find it better to feel good than to look good!
daveyc
Member
You could try some uncheckered wood grips. The smooth ones shouldn't chew up your hands at all
357-RevolverGuy
Member
It may just be those talo grips aren't meant for your hands. You'll have to experiment with other styles. With me, I prefer wood. Most of my revolvers have the old style Target grips with checkering.
Gorenut
Member
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Wood on both my 357s and 44s. I shoot full loads fine. With wood grips, it's more important to find one that fits your hand. The shape will handle recoil better. Always smooth (no checkering) and no finger grooves for me, less edges to cause discomfort.
Waywatcher
Member
With an eye to CCW, rubber catches and tugs on cover garments, so rubber is out for me.
Try some different grips though, the ones you have obviously do not work for you.
Try some different grips though, the ones you have obviously do not work for you.
RGMoore
Member
Reading the above posts you may get the impression that fit is more important than material or style in regards to grips.
That impression would be correct.
That impression would be correct.
Fit is important! Comfort is important! I prefer wood but I am aware that shooting full house .357 Magnum rounds using wood grips can be brutal in some guns. So I shoot .38s and don't worry about it. Although I will note that my Model 27 Classic scarcely gets my attention when shooting .357s - but that's what it's designed for, full weight, 4" barrel, nothing much will rock that gun or cause brutality to your hands. I wouldn't try it with smaller .357s without rubber stocks.
***GRJ***
***GRJ***
halvenut
US Veteran
Try Pachmyar Decelerators for the range. Very comfortable with full house 357 loads.
Doug M.
Member
I bought some well recommended wood grips and they look great. I may not have put them on just perfectly, but it did not take much to rub a hole into the web of my hand. Really unfortunate, as there were some other good reasons to desire them, but I went back to the rubber at least for the foreseeable future.
sac-gunslinger
Member
I use smooth wood on the gun I carry under my Hawaiian) shirt, no snags, no "draping." Use use rubber grips of some manufacture on all other guns so I can have better control under fire and improved recoil absorption.
I tried firing a magnum load in my 640 with cool-looking Siamwood grips once. Man, that hurt, changed to Hogues, sold the wood grips.
I tried firing a magnum load in my 640 with cool-looking Siamwood grips once. Man, that hurt, changed to Hogues, sold the wood grips.
There is one other alternative that most shooters wouldn't even consider. I made up my mind, years ago, that I would not shoot magnum loads, period. I love to shoot, and all my guns have slightly worn factory target grips. I shoot nothing beefier than factory-load .38 Special. No plus P's either. I consider it a trade-off.
I like what Mike said - it's a solid decision because, as a rule, .357 Magnum is too much power for most applications. Among other things, it was developed for LEOs to shoot through cars, etc. Yes, yes, Elmer Keith and his wonderful ilk wanted more and more power up through the big .44s and now beyond but for most, typical shooting applications the magnums are not needed. Bear country is different....
As for Decelerators at the range, my problem with that is I don't like swapping grips - I like to practice with the guns as I expect to use them in practical situations. But fancy rubber grips WILL help at the range, I admit that.
***GRJ***
As for Decelerators at the range, my problem with that is I don't like swapping grips - I like to practice with the guns as I expect to use them in practical situations. But fancy rubber grips WILL help at the range, I admit that.
***GRJ***
I like the Hogue Wood Finger Groove grips. Tames the recoil, looks great, feels great. I have actually changed all my rubber Hogues to the wood.
if you like finger grooves try Hogue monogrips
if you prefer no finger grooves get pachmayr presentation, small or large size....large size is currently made, small size has been discontinued for awhile, but can still be found on ebay
if you prefer no finger grooves get pachmayr presentation, small or large size....large size is currently made, small size has been discontinued for awhile, but can still be found on ebay
shep854
Member
Stock grips are made for average (usually small-average) hands--and who has those??
Research 'custom grips' to see what's out there. Be aware, though that grips can be like holsters; you may have to try a bunch to find what really works for you!
Research 'custom grips' to see what's out there. Be aware, though that grips can be like holsters; you may have to try a bunch to find what really works for you!
UNCLE PAULY
Member
I also bought a 3" 686+ TALO. Although I do not have any problems with the wood grips, I always buy Hogue rubber grips for all my handguns. You can usually find them on ebay or amazon for less the $20 shipped.
If your 686+ has round butt frame like mine then:
full size grip : Hogue rubber mongrip model # 19000
smaller boot grip : Hogue rubber bantam model # 62000
I have the hogue bantam grips for my 686+ and can switch them with the TALO wood grips in just minutes.
