S&W's New Synthetic Grips?

[gr7070]

Curious if anyone has the new synthetic grips that S&W is showing on their site these days, and what y'all think of them compared to the previous ones.

I like the previous ones both function and look, actually. I'm not a fan of the look of the new ones, but wonder what y'all think of their function. Granted, we're talking about rubber grips, so looks isn't exactly high on importance.

Old:

New:

 

[H Richard]

I don't know about the fit and function as I have never held one, but I sure don't care for the looks. But then I like "old" guns with blue steel and walnut.

 

[Dave T]

The term "butt ugly" comes to mind.

Dave

 

[Ashlander]

Looks like Hogue was charging too much.

 

[markush]

Looks like Hogue was charging too much.

+1
That's the only reason they would change.

In the photo of the new one it appears that the back strap is covered as well as the front. If that's the case it's going to be uncomfortable for some with smaller hands...me.

 

[off road]

I have them on a new J-frame. The feel is definitely a bit different than the old ones, and know what, I do like the new ones better.

But...I handled one on a NightGuard, and they seem to lack the thick recoil absorbing rubber on the backstrap of the Pachmayrs that were on it previously. Would like to hear some feedback from someone who has fired both....

S&W has long needed to take a hint from Ruger, and cover their backstraps with rubber!!!

 

[Ashlander]

Off Road and Markush while on the surface disagreeing are making two different points (if I may). On the full frame guns -- if the grip covers the backstrap -- guys and gals with smaller hands (me included) have a harder time pointing the gun and pulling the trigger in a controlled double action. But on a J-frame, the extra rubber on the backstrap actually helps fill the hand (and absorbs some of the more harsh recoils).

 

[wproct]

While I have not yet held a S&W revolver with the new grips, I can't imagine them being as comfortable as the old Hogue grips. However I am biased. I've been a long time fan of Hogue grips. Wonder who makes the new ones?

 

[Palmetto Sharpshooter]

gr7070, thanks for posting this. I haven't handled one yet, but...they look cheap to me.

I agree, I like wood and steel too.

 

[Mark in GA]

I have a 629-6 and a 63-5 with the new style grips. I like them just fine. One problem I have seen with the Hogue's is that for some people the deep finger grooves don't line up correctly for their fingers. My brother and my Mom both have this problem. The new grips have finger grooves, but they are shallower so this is less of a problem.

 

[roundgunner]

While I have not yet held a S&W revolver with the new grips, I can't imagine them being as comfortable as the old Hogue grips. However I am biased. I've been a long time fan of Hogue grips. Wonder who makes the new ones?

+1
the Hogue grips point perfectly for me.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

They look cheap/old and ugly.

 

[les strat]

Although I like the feel of the stock Hogue grips, mine on my 629 did not fit right and buckle at the top of the backstrap.

 

[Snakefoot]

I have a 629-6 and a 63-5 with the new style grips. I like them just fine. One problem I have seen with the Hogue's is that for some people the deep finger grooves don't line up correctly for their fingers. My brother and my Mom both have this problem. The new grips have finger grooves, but they are shallower so this is less of a problem.

That was always my beef with the Hogues...and the reason none of my S&W or Rugers wear them. I use a very high, thumbs forward hold as I would on an auto, placing my fingers on the peaks of the grooves instead of in the valleys. I have large hands.

 

[J.Solo]

I'm looking forward to trying a set on my 686 RB and a 629 RB.

I'll trade old for new ....... Just let me know.

J.Solo

 

[Mark in GA]

I agree, my 686-5 MG has the Hogue's and I think I would trade for the new style just for consistancy with my 629-6 and 63-5.

If anyone has the new style for an L-frame and would rather have Hogues let me know.

Mark in GA

 

[Hurryin' Hoosier]

Those new ones are exactly what I'm looking for for my Model 64 (assuming that they are K frame round-butt to square but conversions), but I can't find them on the S&W site. Where did you find them?

 

[stevieboy]

Let's face it, all rubber grips are ugly. Some are uglier than others (Pachmyr). However, I have rubbers on all of my magnum revolvers for the simple reason that they are far more comfortable than non-rubber grips. I've always been particularly fond of Pachmyr Decellerators and Grippers, because they fit my extra large hands well and because they cover the backstrap, thereby minimizing the effects of recoil.

Hogues? As others have pointed out, Hogues don't fit everybody's hand equally well. I'm one of those whose fingers don't line up with the grooves on the rubber grip. I take a very high handhold and, unfortunately, that causes my fingers to rest on the points rather than the grooves.

These new grips look intriguing. They remind me a little bit of the old and, sadly, discontinued Uncle Mike's. I'd be really interested in them if they completely cover the backstrap because for me, and exposed and a covered backstrap make all of the difference from unpleasant shooting to total comfort.

 

[JayBird686]

I have a set of Hogues for my 686 square butt, and dont particularly like them on account of the lowest finger groove doesnt go well with my grip of the gun.

If those new ones are the material of whats on new jframes, the texture will be fine.

 

[Hurryin' Hoosier]

Those new ones are exactly what I'm looking for for my Model 64 (assuming that they are K frame round-butt to square but conversions), but I can't find them on the S&W site. Where did you find them?

Any thoughts on where I might buy a set? I've sent an inquiry to S&W CR but have received no reply.

Anyone???

 

[Calliope]

I think the Pachmayr Grippers are the least ugly of the rubber finger groove grips, at least that's what I tell myself every time I take my gun to the range.

 

[off road]

if the grip covers the backstrap -- guys and gals with smaller hands (me included) have a harder time pointing the gun and pulling the trigger in a controlled double action.

I have the same problem myself. The DA trigger pull on my NG is the absolute worst I have ever had in any gun I have ever owned (no time yet to get it worked on). Add to that, that the reach to the trigger is made a bit to long by the extra rubber over the backstrap.

For now, I am very practiced at cocking the hammer with my off hand, so it's not a serious issue for now. The SA trigger is sweet, but this is a bear country defense gun, so a slick double action trigger pull is my ultimate goal. You can bet that I won't be giving up the Pachmayr Compaqs for anything else, though.

 

[Flip]

Had a shooter with a set on a new 642, in a class I taught last week. Found out that they wouldn't allow the use of his HKS speedloaders...

 

[spearcrow]

Can't attest to the functionality of the new ones, but I like the look of them better than the older ones. The old ones were a really flat black color with deep finger grooves, and I like the new finish and look. Might hate them if I ever tried em, but I am not a rubber guy either.

 

[chief1911]

It looks like the new grip has less rubber behind the trigger guard. Might help getting a higher grip. I think I would like that.

 

[TSQUARED]

I would bet it's an economy move by S&W. I recently purchsed a 627 PC in 38 Super which had the most awful wooden stocks imaginable, cerytainly not the Hogue grips furnished on the previous run. I'll bet they are Chinese imports.

 

[tdan]

Those new grips look like an Ahrends design grip in rubber. This is not the first time that Smith has gone this route. Remember the Spegel designed Uncle Mike's grips?! Looks like Hogue may have lost out to a lower bid. The Hogue rubber combats fit my medium sized hand fairly well. Better yet are the Hogue wood grips with the top groove only. I get a higher/better grip on the gun with those. I'll keep an eye out for these newer rubber grips in my local shop, as to how they fit me.

 

[leftnose]

My 686 has the Hogues and I can't stand them. Like others, the groves don't line up with my fingers. As with others, I have big hands and hold high with thumbs forward.

I've held the new grips but haven't shot them. For me, they're better than the Hogues but not perfect. For my stainless guns, I don't really care what the grips look like. The whole gun is a tool for me. My blued guns, on the other hand, get nice wood grips.

If I could find a grip just like a Hogue but without any grooves, I'd be in heaven. Can someone point me in the direction of something like this?

 

[team sidewinder]

I love these new grips on my 629-6 and would have put rubber grips on if it had wood grips anyway which saved me some $$$. This is my bear defense gun also and I want to be able to get a good grip on the gun in a hurry even if my hands are wet from sweat/rain/or blood running down my arm from a bear bite. My hands are small and even with the covered backstrap I have a good trigger reach which is the best of both worlds for me. If I were to really nit-pick these grips the only thing I don't like is the rubber grip does kind of hang up on your clothing/sleeve when you swing your arm while walking. I toyed with the idea of getting the rubber 500 X-frame grips but after info gathered here I think they might be too big for me. These factory grips with covered backstrap which helps tame recoil, good trigger reach, the material and size just work well for me. If it were for looks I would go with wood grips but it isn't for the " Look " I have this gun for.

 

[stantheman86]

I have noticed them, a pic of a new 64-8 from a local gun dealer shows the gun with these new grips instead of the Uncle Mikes.

I like the Uncle Mikes, I hope they don't stop making them for the K-frame RB.

It seems S&W wants to "standardize" grips for more cost efficiency, i.e. not have to deal with Uncle Mikes for the K frames, Hogues for the L frames, etc. Now, since the K-L-X frame share the same RB grip frame, S&W can just use the same grip for all of them. The N's will probably just have a similiar grip. I wouldn't be surprised if, in coming years, the N frame grip is changed to a K frame RB size.