Pachmayr vs. Hogue

[oliveview]

I have a set of Pach grips on my old Remington 870 pump.
However, I've never cared for their revolver grips, one bit. They feel too blocky, and covering the backstrap is a deal killer for me. It's one reason why I don't tend to buy Ruger revolvers.

Hogue grips, on the other hand, are on almost all my guns. Their aluminum Beretta 92 grips are second to none, and it's the first mod I make, along with a "D" spring.

I've got both their rubber grips and wood ones on my Smith revolvers, and they're amazing.

And as someone also said, above, their CS is fantastic! They're also in my state, and not even that far from where I live. So, it feels like I'm buying local. I like that.

 

[Dave T]

Well, rubber stocks are ugly I will admit. Personal preference is for the Hogue over the Pachmayr as the finger grooves happen to fit me and I've never liked Pachmayrs. Lately I've been using the Hogue Bantams on the RB L-frames I'm shooting. They don't stick out as much on the bottom as the full size versions.

My suggestion is that those who like Pachmayrs shouldn't buy Hogues and those who like Hogues shouldn't buy Pachmayrs. And those who hate rubber should buy wood stocks...but that's just my opinion. (smile)

Dave

 

[finesse_r]

Pachmayr and Hogue

I know rubber grips are just plain ugly, but is it just me or do the Pachmayr grips really seem much comfortable than the Hogues? On the other hand I have noticed the fit and finish of the Pachmayrs are not as good as they used to be, or maybe I just got a bad batch. Though when shooting full house loads that covered backstrap is a blessing!

On all my third generation semi-autos with single stack mags, I much prefer Hogue Grips. Double stacks I leave with the S&W factory grips on them.

For my revolvers it is Pachmayr all the way. I put the presentation/compac grips that cover the backstrap on all my revolvers with RB stocks. For my hand they are just right in size and they really help with the felt recoil.

I really don't like any of the custom wood grips, as I am at an age where I am developing some recoil sensitivity, and the rubber grips make a huge difference. I have mostly RB revolvers. I have not yet changed out the grips on my Square Butt revolvers. They don't get much use now anyway.

I am not concerned about having pretty fancy wood grips, but I am concerned about having functional grips that help me shoot better. The rubber grips are just too functional for me to spend extra money on fancy wood grips, no matter how good they look. Twenty years ago it would not have made much difference to me as recoil then was just not a problem.

 

[oldylocks]

This is my first post (I'm hoping that this is the right place to post this as the current thread is related to the question of the best grips… I have a slightly different question that may not have been considered).

After years of using other brands of firearms, I finally came to the conclusion, "I'm a Smith & Wesson man". So, I got rid of my Rossi revolver and was able to pick up a Model 10-5 2" .38 spl snub (square bottom grip).

I believe it is from the late 60's or 70's. Lot's of wear on the blue. But mechanically sound, and shoots every time. It has the original wood grips. So, here is my issue…

My grasp on the grip is not as comfortable as I'm used to (I also have a Model 66-2 with Pachmayr grips that is very comfortable to shoot). I want to use this snub as my CCW. I'm going to replace the wood with Pachmayr, or another similar brand. However, I have one concern. Will the replacement grips interfere with using a speed loader? Here is whay I ask…

I replaced the grips on my Rossi with Pachmayr and noticed that the cylinder and the speed loader did not line up as well as it had when it had the wood grips installed. The thickness of the Pachmayr grips appeared to be the cause of the problem. I had to come in at an angle and release the rounds when they were slanted to the cylinder. That sorta worked, most of the time.

Plus, the Pachmayr interfered with ejecting the rounds, as the one on the inside caught on the grip.

So, I have read many of the posts that ask what grip is best, but I think my question is a little different… what non-wood replacement grip would avoid this problem with loading and unloading rounds (note that I do not have this same problem with my 66-2).

Thanks in advance.

 

[millerj7]

When I got my 625-6 used, it was wearing the factory Hogues and just did not feel "right." Probably because my original 625 (1988 Model) had worn the Pachmayr Grippers (also factory) when purchased new by me. After refitting with the newer version the Decelerator Gripper, it feels like an old friend! As noted above, it is probably all personal preference. I also prefer the Compac for my 3" Model 60, rather than the factory Hogues or Uncle Mike's Boot Grip. To my grip it seems like trying to point and shoot a banana.

 

[Dot_mdb]

These are Pachmayr Compact Professionals on my 2" Model 10. They are only available for round butt. I don't have any problem using a speed loader and the empties usually clear the grip if the gun is held vertical when ejecting the rounds.

 

[koz5614]

Pachmayr Compacs. (There. You can lock this thread now)

 

[Cocked & Locked]

I prefer the Pachmayr...

 

[jack the toad]

Pachmayr vs. Hogue

uncle mikes
when it comes to recoil, not familiar with pachs but the hogues (X frame) help.

 

[Fackler Rebel]

I bought my 325PD used. It has "rubber" grips on it but they have the S&W logo on them so I don't know actually who made the grips. I do know that they tame that recoil from that 230 grain ball ammo bearable for my right hand, even with arthritis.

 

[gen3guy]

I have a set of Hogues on my Security Six and they seem to work well on that revolver. Generally I prefer Pachmayr though. You're right about the fit on Pachmayr grips, but that doesn't really bother me on a shooter, as most of my revolvers are. I do think that the Hogues that come standard on the GP-100 are butt ugly!

 

[jrs70]

I like Houge as far as quality and as a company. But their wood grips always stick out from the backstrap creating a hard edge...no fun when shooting.

I received a set in a tread. They did not fit right. The frame stuck out. I found that the last owner had put a small spacer to push the frame out. I took it out. They fit fine on my 66-1. When I got my 48-4. I put them on and there was a that hard edge. I kept that homemade spacer. Replaced it and they fit fine no hard edge.
The spacer was placed in side bottom front.

 

[Checkman]

I found a set of the Uncle Mike's combat grips and put them on my S&W Model 49. Wow those are nice. Too bad they stopped making them. But for all of my other revolvers (S&W and Colt) I prefer Pachmayr. I really like the Compac for my round butt K frames. For all others I prefer the Gripper though I have a few Presentation grips as well. I've tried real hard over the years to like the Hogue revolver grip design, but it just did not work for me. Now I did like the Hogue grips that I put on my Sigs - back when I owned Sigs.

 

[johngalt]

Pachmayr look better, but the Hogue feels better.

 

[CCantu357]

I have to say after years of trying both, I still like the Pachs when it comes to rubber grips. I prefer a covered back strap, and since the primary goal of rubber grips is to aid control and reduce recoil. It seems the rubber covering the back strap is what reduces recoil. I currenlty have Grippers on the old M19, but the original Pach Presentation grip looks pretty good for a rubber grip.

 

[Checkman]

I agree. I prefer grips that cover the backstrap. Just a preference.

 

[dipperdave]

The choice between these two is purely and simply personal preference. There is no "best" choice.

I have used both in the past but prefer the Hogue. The Hogue rubber grips for K and L frames fit me like they had used my hand to build the mold. They are the only finger grooved grips that I can tolerate.

Along with Hogues, Pachs will also trap moisture and cause rust if they aren't removed and the metal cleaned and oiled on a regular basis. I recently bought a Model 19 with Pachs, which had been on the gun so long I had to scrap the rubber and rust off the metal under the grips. The gun was in great condition everywhere except under the rubber grips.

Again, neither is the "best" choice for everyone. One or the other is just the best choice for you.

 

[savit260]

Pachmayr for me.

Purchased this 627 new, and on it's first trip to the range I was a bit unhappy with the groups I was shooting double action.

After the first few cylinders full, I started trying to figure out what was going wrong.

Figured out fairly quick that the Factory Hogues were forcing my hand too low on the grip. The filler behind the trigger guard and all the finger groves were moving my hand lower than where I wanted it to be. Trying to overcome this was causing me to turn my wrist and putting the palm swell in an odd spot making for a less than comfortable experience.

Went home a bit disappointed and hoped that swapping the grips would "cure" the problem. Not a great feeling to have, considering this was the first brand new gun I'd purchased in a long time.

The quick solution was to hit up the LGS and as luck would have it , they had the Pachy Presentations that I figured would solve the problem.

They did the trick, and now I'm quite happy with the groups I'm getting and my hand is more where I want it to be.

PLUS I think they look much better. win win.

For my hands the Pachy's are better all around.

 

[HorizontalMike]

Pachmayr all the way!

I have kept Pachmayr grips on my 4" 686 for 29-years. I have kept the original cocobolo grips boxed up in the old pachmayr box inside of my S&W box.

I am of the mindset that beauty lies in function and the Pachmayr grips are like a mold of my hand while holding/firing my 686.

My opinion about fancy wooden grips goes hand-in-hand with what I think about Garage Queen Harley owners. They spend way too much time polishing/waxing/drooling over their prized possessions than they do using and mastering them.

Just my opinion. Your mileage may very.

 

[amazingflapjack]

I have some Pacs on a 441 Taurus that are wood with rubber inserts in the front of the grip-they made the gun for me. I like Hogues, but for real use AND appearance, these Pacs are the ones for me.