Do you prefer your grips with or without checkering?

[Gorenut]

I'm in the process of getting some target grips for my 627 and I'm debating whether I should go with checkering. I've never had issues with grips without checkering on my revolvers (semis are a different story) and I have an opportunity to have one made with or without checkering and wondering if I should go with checkering. I think it does look nice, but I also think since I've done perfectly fine without checking all this time, if it'd even be worth the extra money. It seems like its mostly ornamental and even potentially detrimental if you're going to shoot hot loads or 44mag.

What are your opinions on this?

 

[weatherby]

I prefer smooth just because I like to see the wood grain better.

I just like a nice looking set of stocks on a revolver

gotta have the right shoes

 

[Gorenut]

Nice. I agree that sometimes I really like seeing a pair of nice smooth ones and enjoying the beauty of the wood grains without any distractions, especially on darker woods.

 

[Shooting4life]

For work: checkering, for showing off: smooth

 

[Old cop]

IMHO: Looking = smooth; Shooting = checkering.

 

[Gorenut]

Do you folks really find checkering to make a difference in a revolver? I have textured/checkered grips on all my semis because I can really tell the difference when a grip is way too slick on them since the grip is almost more of a wedging pressure when shooting those.. but when I shoot revolvers, a lot more of the pressure is on the backstrap (and front) vs the semi.

I mean, seeing competition revolver shooters mostly going for smooth must count for something.

 

[brucev]

I prefer a checkered grip over a smooth grip. There is not real difference for me in the results when firing. But I simply like the checkered grips.

 

[Seabear1500]

I personaly prefer smooth wood grips. I used to think I had to have checkering or even worse Hogue type grips. After getting into Steel Challenge I found that smooth is better.

I saw an interview with Jerry Miculek and he said he preffered smooth and even dusts his hands with corn starch prior to shooting. He said you can't draw perfectly everytime, and if the gun "sticks" to your hand you can't adjust as you shoot.

I'll never be anywhere as fast as him, however I did try it, and I like it. I have been using the starch ever since. The guys always joke that I have to have my bag of cocaine. LOL Smooth is good, In fact I just switched my JM grips from the 625 to my new R8 to give it a try at tonights practice. I'll let you know how it works out.

 

[senecaap]

Checkering is most definitely not ornamental. Checkering is there on purpose for any serious use gun (pistols for self protection, big game/elephant rifles, etc). Checkering is there to keep your grip solid on the gun no matter if you have dry, sweaty, bloody, uhh....detrutus...covered hands, whereas when smooth wood surfaces get things on them they get slippery, and hard to hold and control.
Now if you have a hunting rifle you will never use/are not a hunter, or a pistol where the most dangerous opponent you face will be the guy printed on the target, you are cool with either.

 

[Gorenut]

Checkering is most definitely not ornamental. Checkering is there on purpose for any serious use gun (pistols for self protection, big game/elephant rifles, etc). Checkering is there to keep your grip solid on the gun no matter if you have dry, sweaty, bloody, uhh....detrutus...covered hands, whereas when smooth wood surfaces get things on them they get slippery, and hard to hold and control.
Now if you have a hunting rifle you will never use/are not a hunter, or a pistol where the most dangerous opponent you face will be the guy printed on the target, you are cool with either.

I think you misunderstood what I said, but I probably shouldn't have universally understated the affects of checkering on a revolver grip. What I was getting at, the checkering seems to affect revolver grips less than semis. I should have been more concise with my comparison because I'm really looking for something like this:

vs

Now, I've seen other revolver grips that had the checkering throughout and they definitely look like they'd make a difference.. but in a set of target grips like the ones I posted, the checkering seems to have far less of an impact.

Sorry for the confusion.

 

[cornfed83]

The question needs to be asked, what are your intentions for the revolver. You didn't mention what type or bbl length 627 you're getting. For target shooting I prefer checkered grips because I feel a little steadier with them, but for concealed carry I prefer smooth stocks on my revolvers because your clothes can get snagged on the checkering leading to a bit of printing. For hunting I prefer Hogue pebbled rubbers for durability and recoil reduction. I've heard of PPC shooters who take cheap plastics and dip them in rubber cement then roll them in sand on the outside for the most tacky grip possible.

Bottom line is personal preference and use. My suggestion, use what feels good and you're the only one that will know what feels best for you.

 

[senecaap]

I think you misunderstood what I said, but I probably shouldn't have universally understated the affects of checkering on a revolver grip. What I was getting at, the checkering seems to affect revolver grips less than semis. I should have been more concise with my comparison because I'm really looking for something like this:

Now, I've seen other revolver grips that had the checkering throughout and they definitely look like they'd make a difference.. but in a set of target grips like the ones I posted, the checkering seems to have far less of an impact.

Sorry for the confusion.

Ahh, sorry I missed the target part of the statement. In that case, get what you like the look and dimension of. Hopefully my examples aren't present at your range

 

[BlackSky]

I need checkering or some kind of rough texture.

Can't stand the slippyness of guns with smooth grips. Introduce any amoun of moisture and they tend to move around in my hand when firing.

 

[C Islander]

It's a matter of personal taste. I like checkered. Get what you like!

 

[PALADIN85020]

I've always liked smooth grips, both for appearance and for comfort when firing heavy-recoiling revolvers. This 27-2 is about as good as it gets for me.

John

 

[Leonard]

Looks aside it depends on calibers with heavy recoil 44 mag and above smooth grips smaller calibers and defense type guns I prefer checkering.

As far as looks nothing much nicer than Roper style Keith Brown grips.

 

[Culina]

I like them smooth. I mostly shoot heavier loads and I find that no matter how nicely checkering is done, the gun will recoil in my hand. A couple of rounds are not a problem but if I shoot a box of 50 heavy .44 Magnum loads out of a 4" 29-2 with checkered grips, I will feel it by the end of the session and probably the next day. Gloves will make this a non issue but then you have to shoot with gloves. So now I shoot smooth target grips with a nice flare at the bottom that prevents the gun from slipping in my hand it unlike checkering, it doesn't chew up my hands.

 

[one eye joe]

I use smooth grips to replace the finger grooved Goodyears that new round butt S&W revolvers are shipped with. My preference is Ahrends Smooth Tactical Conversion grips that mate SB grips to RB frames. I have two no-dash 686s that wear checkered factory Magnas, however--this snubby 7 shooter wearin' PCs and an 8 3/8 inch wearin' Target grips......

 

[amazingflapjack]

I think S&W got it right with the target grips on their revolvers, at least for me, and they are a combination of both, with that small section checkered on the center section of the grips. Unfortunately, the only ones that are large enough for me are the N frame targets, so I really have to buy custom grips for any other guns, and prefer oversize grips for some N's as well, but I always end up with smoothies when I buy them. "JM" says a smooth grip gives you the ability to adjust your hold on the gun at various stages of shooting it. I hadn't realized it, but that is exactly what I do, and it is more difficult with checkered revolver grips. Pistols are another story. Flapjack.

 

[Gorenut]

To further clarify.. I'm looking for something to be put on my 627 PC 5" model. I shoot 38SP loaded on the hotter side and 357mag. I already have rough, calloused hands to begin with.. so checkering has never been an issue of discomfort (with the exception of an H&K USP 40 I owned).