Opinions Please: Grips on Blued Guns

[flundertaker]

looking to dress up a 6.5" Model 27 with some aftermarket grips and I cant decide what I like better; darker wood like walnut or a lighter wood such as maple. Im looking at KB Roper stlye. I think I prefer the maple because of the contrast to the deep blue of the revolver but you dont see many guns with light colored grips so maybe I am off base on this. Any one have pics of Walnut and / or Maple on a N frame? a side by side pic would be amazing but I know its a big ask. With these grips going $500-700 a set buying both really isnt an option. Ide prefer to get this right the first time!

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

Such likes and dislikes are very personal. To me it starts with the design of the stocks...some I like and some I don't on any particular gun. Once I have the stock design I like...I generally prefer the contrasting look of lighter on a dark gun and darker on a light gun. It's not a hard and fast rule but the overall look it gives.

The ultimate thing is how it fits in my hand. The best looking stocks are useless if they're uncomfortable.

 

[flundertaker]

Such likes and dislikes are very personal. To me it starts with the design of the stocks...some I like and some I don't on any particular gun. Once I have the stock design I like...I generally prefer the contrasting look of lighter on a dark gun and darker on a light gun. It's not a hard and fast rule but the overall look it gives.

The ultimate thing is how it fits in my hand. The best looking stocks are useless if they're uncomfortable.

Thanks for the feedback. Couple of things. Looking at KB Roper style. So thats pretty much decided. The gun is a looker and not one that I shoot so while I certainly understand great feel in the hand, its not much of an factor in this decision.

 

[kimporter]

Comparison pic

My 29-2 with ahrends maple grips,I like the contrast

 

[AJ]

Don't dress it up with anything. Get grips that fit your hand and feel good to you. Looks are secondary. If it does not fit your hand well, you won't shoot it often or very well.

 

[flundertaker]

My 29-2 with ahrends maple grips,I like the contrast

Yup, I agree with you. Thanks for sharing the pic.

 

[stansdds]

Don't dress it up with anything. Get grips that fit your hand and feel good to you. Looks are secondary. If it does not fit your hand well, you won't shoot it often or very well.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
This!!

 

[StrawHat]

Handgun stocks are very individual. What I like may not fit your hand or your style of shooting at all.

I have some walnut and maple stocks. I will post images later today.

Kevin

 

[Rick H.]

Lighter grips just never appeal to me. A blued pistol with darker grips has a rich look that just looks right. I recall the days when I carried a blued S&W for a duty weapon and dark grips just seemed right back then. In some respects I miss those days of real wood and steel. Much too sanitary today. Of course I was one of the few who actually liked a swivel holster so what do I know.

Rick H.

 

[Fullmetaljacket]

I like both, but lean towards dark on dark. 29-2 with Rosewood and a 27-2 with Elk antler.

 

[Autonomous]

My 2¢.
Look at the whole of the gun, grips, holster, belt, etc. Think of the components as a system. Like customizing a car or bike, see that everything compliments the theme or look.

IMO very light-colored grips are tricky to make work.

 

[Imissedagain]

Holly or White laminated wood, but only if they fit your hands.

 

[AJ]

Guess I am to old school my 27-9, My K-17-3 and my M25-9 all have S&W Target grips. Need to take a picture of my 25.

 

[tlawler]

3 words…Culina birdseye maple

 

[alwslate]

Just comes down to personal preference. I like Elk or Stag grips but don't like light colored wood. All of my S&Ws wear magnas and I like the older dark diamond wood grips the best.

 

[wcat94]

These moose grips by bigmtnman not only makes the 25-5 look better, it seems to shoot better also.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Just my own opinion - yours is the one that counts.

My reaction is that choice on a blued revolver is very wide. Almost anything is OK. I happen to prefer interesting wooden grips, probably not really light.

I also agree strongly with those above who stress that personal fit is what's really important.

I suppose that my own favorite grips are French walnut Fishpaws with S&W medallions, on a 3" 629 PC , which is not even a particularly classic revolver, but that's how things fell out in my case. I'm also not unhappy with the dark Ropers on the blued H&R USRA pistol given to me by my friend Richard Gerhardt when he moved to a less gun-friendly state than the People's Democratic Republic of Massachusetts.

 

[StrawHat]

I was not able to capture more images today, (something about St. Padrick’s Day), but here are some of my choices.

First is a pair of Model 1950, 45 ACP, Target revolvers with the factory Magnas.

Next is one of the same revolvers with curly maple Magnas.

And, my favorite, smooth elk.

Kevin

 

[flundertaker]

I was not able to capture more images today, (something about St. Padrick’s Day), but here are some of my choices.

First is a pair of Model 1950, 45 ACP, Target revolvers with the factory Magnas.

Next is one of the same revolvers with curly maple Magnas.

And, my favorite, smooth elk.

Kevin

Very very nice. Was there some ivory in that group shot as well? Lower right? Thank you for sharing.

 

[StrawHat]

Very very nice. Was there some ivory in that group shot as well? Lower right? Thank you for sharing.

Now that you mention it, yes! That image was photobombed by a Model 10-6 with ivory stocks. I have had them on a Model 22-4 but they are just a bit small.

Kevin