Ruger SP101 concealment grip?

[Naphtali]

I have three SP101 grip sets:
- One standard original OEM grip with Ruger rosewood panel inserts. These rest in my "stuff" box. The grip is too large for me to consider using it for concealment.

- One Hogue Monogrip. This is on a 4.2-inch that uses Grizzly brand 200-grain WFN-GC 357 Magnum ammunition. Revolver is one I keep available for friends who join me hiking or hunting Lolo National Forest. The grip is too large for me to consider using it for concealment.
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- One Rosewood custom-made compact grip that is my trouble spot. Although a chore to fit to my 3-inch, after fitting the grip set they are "compact." Compared with a friend's S&W 640-1 with its boot grip, my revolver is significantly larger. However SP101 in Lobo leather's built-to-order OWB cross-draw holster, my revolver pretty much disappears.

Okay, to my problem. My middle knuckle, the one that wraps just beneath trigger guard. Arthritis has swelled it to the point that Remington OEM 38 Special LHBSWC-HP "FBI" is painful to shoot. The knuckle no longer fits the grip. However, the knuckle causes no difficulty when I shoot Grizzly 357 cartridges in the 4.2-inch SP101.

I've considered enlarging the problem area and ruled it out. I am now considering replacing the grip with one of the following grips.
- Altamont Silverblack Grips
- Badger Rosewood Boot Grip
-PACHMAYR RUGER SP101 RENEGADE PISTOL GRIP
- Pachmayr - P/N 03183 - Compact Grip
- Eagle Secret Service Grip

I have not used any of the grips. Among those of you with experience using any of these grip sets on a Ruger SP101, please describe — compare, if possible, with any of the others — how effectively the grip helps revolver conceal. If grip includes cutouts or finger rests for recoil control, is the finger rest nearest trigger guard enlarged, say to nearly accept a quarter [dollar]?

 

[dirty & hairy]

I love the SP101. Here is my experience with testing aftermarket grips with concealment in mind.

Pachmayr Diamond Pro
Super comfortable to shoot, way too soft IMO, does not conceal well due to tacky nature. Great for the range.

Badger Boot
Very uncomfortable to shoot, small, awkward angle (for me), conceals great, expensive, looks good. Downright painful when shooting magnums.

Pachmayr Renegade
Comfortable to shoot, large enough for a good purchase, conceals well despite larger size. This is the grip I ended up going with, very happy with it.

 

[Sistema1927]

Those Pachmayr Renegades are on my .327 SP-101. Very comfortable.

 

[Erich]

Sorry to bring this back from the dead, but thought this might be of interest to people doing research on this (frequently raised around the web) topic. I've liked the square-profile Lett stocks that have been coming on the SP-101s since the first one I held (a .38 Special +P) when I was working in a gun store back in '89 - but I have not loved the unnecessary (in my grasp) squared-off back corner of them . . . it just protrudes too much under a light cover garment.

Today I finally got around to doing something about it on my 9x19 SP (the "Ladies Model," as Fastbolt calls it) - pulled out a b@st@rd file and stood out in the sun as snow showered down on me on the wind out of Bear Canyon for about an hour.

Not an enormous difference, but that glaringly obvious corner doesn't poke out anymore. Something folks might want to consider.


It just works better for this particular configuration as a concealment revolver. I'll leave the stocks on my 3" .357 alone.

 

[oldbrownhat]

I love the SP101. Here is my experience with testing aftermarket grips with concealment in mind.

Pachmayr Diamond Pro
Super comfortable to shoot, way too soft IMO, does not conceal well due to tacky nature. Great for the range.

I've thought of those for my 4.2" SP101 but I've heard that you need big hands and mine are medium. I find the Hogue rubber monogrip pretty good, as well as the rubber+insert Altamonts. I only load to about 38/44 level, though.

 

[Naphtali]

Regarding my smooth rosewood concealment grip set - compared with other grips with finger grooves, it has but a single groove. My normal-sized hand grip length leaves "pinkie" furnishing imperfect control. Grip size is truly concealable while being shootable. Or it was until MCTD triggered rheumatoid arthritis plus osteoarthritis. My middle finger's middle knuckle has reached the point that wood butchering the grip would be criminal. Anyone interested in such a grip set, please let me know. I'll try to find a friend who has telephone with photography potential. If you are within driving distance of Missoula, we can arrange for trial. Grip set to be given not sold.