Schofieldkid81
Member
I have decided to write a comparison report for those interested in grips and as a reference for the grips I make. I frequently get asked "are those grips like the factory grips in size?" Not everyone has had access to the grips i frequently mention or reference. My grips are based on these proven designs. I feel there are enough designs out there to accomodate most everyone whether it be hand size or shooting style. Attributes of these grips can be mixed to suit the purpose.
The Boot grips popularity can be attributed to Craig Spegel. People have been modifying grips to be more compact for decades. But it was Spegel who popularized a standard design wich has one finger groove and tapers at the bottom to allow the pinky to be placed in a comfortable spot.
Fitz gunfighter design is the most similar in dimensions to spegel grips. They differ in that they are not as tapered at the botton, and have more area below the gripframe. They also sport 2 nub like fingergrooves that do not acually force you finger into one spot ,this area is also less narrow than the spegel design (which may dissipate recoil better). Many similarities are obvious in the picture. Pretty much every other dimension of these grips are within a couple milimeters.
One exception to this is the J frame Fitz gunfighter as seen here :
These are for a square butt J frame.
Franzite grips are copy of Walter Ropers design. Back in the late 40's and early 50's, if you wanted Roper grips but couldn't afford them, you bought Franzite.
There are variations in the design and my favorite is one that has a groove for your trigger finger that is similar to the Fitz gunfighter design. Franzite and Fitz are frquently compared because they both are made of plastic and offer thumbrest target designs.
This is where the similarities end. Franzite grips are considerably more narrow and slimmer than the Fitz design. Also see the picture below that shows a comparison of factory target grips (left), franzite grips(middle) Kurac "Cokes"(right)
.
Fitz Ten-O is a thumbrest target design that is appropriate for people with med-large hands. This design has been copied by companies like Sile and Jay Scott. It has a covered backstrap. The K Frame version is smaller than the N frame by a considerable margin. Below arw photo that shows a k frame panel on one side and a n frame on the other.
I have small hands. A k frame Ten-O is about right to allow me to fire both single and double action. N frame is too large dor me to fire double action. A person with large hands may consider this size just right.
Pachmayr made a Bill Jordan grip similar to Herretts Jordan trooper. These grips are frequently praised by people with large hands. They offer a high hold with a covered backstrap.
The Boot grips popularity can be attributed to Craig Spegel. People have been modifying grips to be more compact for decades. But it was Spegel who popularized a standard design wich has one finger groove and tapers at the bottom to allow the pinky to be placed in a comfortable spot.
Fitz gunfighter design is the most similar in dimensions to spegel grips. They differ in that they are not as tapered at the botton, and have more area below the gripframe. They also sport 2 nub like fingergrooves that do not acually force you finger into one spot ,this area is also less narrow than the spegel design (which may dissipate recoil better). Many similarities are obvious in the picture. Pretty much every other dimension of these grips are within a couple milimeters.
One exception to this is the J frame Fitz gunfighter as seen here :
These are for a square butt J frame.
Franzite grips are copy of Walter Ropers design. Back in the late 40's and early 50's, if you wanted Roper grips but couldn't afford them, you bought Franzite.
There are variations in the design and my favorite is one that has a groove for your trigger finger that is similar to the Fitz gunfighter design. Franzite and Fitz are frquently compared because they both are made of plastic and offer thumbrest target designs.
This is where the similarities end. Franzite grips are considerably more narrow and slimmer than the Fitz design. Also see the picture below that shows a comparison of factory target grips (left), franzite grips(middle) Kurac "Cokes"(right)
.
Fitz Ten-O is a thumbrest target design that is appropriate for people with med-large hands. This design has been copied by companies like Sile and Jay Scott. It has a covered backstrap. The K Frame version is smaller than the N frame by a considerable margin. Below arw photo that shows a k frame panel on one side and a n frame on the other.
I have small hands. A k frame Ten-O is about right to allow me to fire both single and double action. N frame is too large dor me to fire double action. A person with large hands may consider this size just right.
Pachmayr made a Bill Jordan grip similar to Herretts Jordan trooper. These grips are frequently praised by people with large hands. They offer a high hold with a covered backstrap.
Last edited:
