What do you think of rubber grips?

[astigmat2000]

Thanks Crazy Phil but as said ealier, I don't have access to E-bay USA from France. The only possibility would be to have someone who accepts to receive, at his own american address, what I've purchased within the US and reroutes the parcel to me here in France. Obviously, I'd pay for the shipping...
To enhance my Hogue grips, I can use portions of tyre tubes slidded on the grips to increase the size of them...Any better idea?
Jack

 

[Kronos]

Thanks Crazy Phil but as said ealier, I don't have access to E-bay USA from France. The only possibility would be to have someone who accepts to receive, at his own american address, what I've purchased within the US and reroutes the parcel to me here in France. Obviously, I'd pay for the shipping...
To enhance my Hogue grips, I can use portions of tyre tubes slidded on the grips to increase the size of them...Any better idea?
Jack

Um...I'd be careful with that,gun parts are sometimes controlled via international weapons law and shipping outside the US is a no-no.

Not that I'd give a flying...well you know,but customs can open boxes so it's a thing to keep in mind.

 

[astigmat2000]

Hello Kronos,
You know, I'm 61 and I've been shooting here in France for 30 years. When I'm talking about re-routed part, I mean obviously, stuff that is without any restriction such as grips or tools.... things like that...no gun parts neither springs because they are ITAR...
Jack

 

[snowman]

Hello to all,
I fitted both of my S&W revolvers with rubber grips. The model 19 got a Pachmayr and a Hogue when the model 29 is fitted with a Hogue. After a good session at the range that Saturday, I really find these grips too narrow to correctly spread the recoil energy on a big surface of the hand.
I don't have exceptionnally big hands but I really find these grips made for small hands and I don't understand why different sizes aren't available like in the UK for shoes, small, medium and large.
What is your opinion on that?
Regards from France....
Jack

Sir,

I agree with you that rubber grips are too narrow. That was my very first reaction when I used them for the first time, and I still feel that way. And I have no idea why those who manufacture them don't make them in different sizes.

You didn't say why you switched to rubber grips from the target grips which were originally on your 29 & 19. There are many here on the forum who have done the same due to arthritis, having hands too small for the target grips, or some other reason. I don't share any of those issues and find the target grips virtually perfect for shooting, especially on heavy recoiling guns like the 29(Having said that, let me hasten to add that I use only the smooth target grips -but I just don't like checkering, period.) For this reason I'm wondering if you couldn't just put the original grips back on your gun and get used to them -they're certainly not too narrow. But if you have one of the issues mentioned earlier, I guess that that wouldn't be the best.

Best wishes in finding a good solution,
Andy

 

[bigwheelzip]

I poked around on this forum for similar threads to yours. More than once, the Nill name came up as a producer of high quality large-sized grips. They appear to be based in Germany and catering to a worldwide audience.

Karl Nill Massgriffe | Home

Good luck, and try and get your wife out of NY on your next visit.

 

[the ringo kid]

Wood for show and rubber for go...

My S&W Revolvers wore their wood grips until they went into my holster, Pacs originally and later Uncle Mikes. The original grips are pristine as a result.

I like diamond grips and target grips as much as the next S&W afficiando for my blued and stainless guns but for use, I do like the rubber grips.

May be true but-you aint seen the wood on mine yet. ) Ive been too busy to take pics and mail them to Qball for posting for me. I think you will approve of the designs I had made into them.

 

[astigmat2000]

Hi all,
Yes Nill grips are very nice but cost an arm, nothing under 120€..
There is another German grip manufacturer that is Rink but more specialized in orthopedic grips for competition...price is over 200€
Jack

 

[bigwheelzip]

Yes Nill grips are very nice but cost an arm, nothing under 120€..

In one of those forum threads I searched, from 2012 I believe, someone said the contacted Hogue directly and were directed to make several types of outlines of their hand for a custom grip.

 

[astigmat2000]

hello Andy,
First I've to congratulate you for the clear English you use. I must admit that, sometime, I've difficulties in understanding....
You are asking why I replaced the target grips on my revolvers? It is just because they jump in my hand when using strong reloadings (meaning heavy bullets such as the .44 Hornady JSP 265 gr). The cylinder lock hits my right thumb and hurts the skin.
I have different options, either use gloves or put a small bandage in anticipation on the expose part of my thumb.
Therefore, as many S&W revolvers 'Off The Shelf" nowadays come with rubber stock, probably Hogue with the S&W logo glued on it, I thought it would be a great idea to test... and the results are far to what I expected...
Have a good day.
Before I forget, I've also got a Colt Python and the shape of the stock suits a lot better my hand. In fact, it is the curve between the stock and the trigger guard that is bigger and gives ease and room for the middle finger....
Jack

 

[astigmat2000]

I think, at last, I managed to create a "big" picture to be attached to my posts...
After having checked, it seems that it doesn't work... for me...
Jack

 

[Kronos]

I see it,you've got the open backstrap hogues and those are skinny.

Go look at the grips for the .500 mag S&W revolvers I dunno if hogue makes them for an N frame but they do for a round butt K and L those ones are a good bit thicker.

And while they're not made anymore you may be able to find some Trausch Grips I know they made them for most S&W revolvers.

 

[oldiesradio1560]

I have a set of Pachs on my 640-3 and I love how they fit my hand and help with recoil of full .357 loads. The guy you're gonna defend yourself against isn't gonna comment "Oh, I like the looks of your grips." before you shoot him.

 

[Skeet 028]

I have 2- 3 inch N frame round butt guns in 44 mag. With original(pretty) wood stocks they are miserable to shoot. The 29-3 I tried Hogue's on and while larger and ugly.... they make the gun much easier to shoot. The stainless version of the same gun I bought used and it had a set of Hogue included. Pachmayr made the N frame grips in different sizes

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

They.........pull a vacuum.........nuff said...

 

[S&W Fan]

The only way I enjoy shooting magnums in my 686 is when I put the Hogue rubber finger groove monogrip on it. When I know I'm going to only shoot .38spl in it I use the modified factory targets that have been smoothed on the edges, got them here.

On my 4" 629 I can handle a fair amount of short barrel Gold Dots in magnum with the factory targets or stag magnas with T-grip.

I love the Pachmayr Compac and Compac Pro on short barrel K frames.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

I also like the rubber grips for recoil and to avoid wear and tear on my wood grips.
I have older pair of Pach Presentation grips.
There are probably 25 years old.
They have bee used on my blue 19 and my K22 among others.
Lately, I prefer the Pach Grippers on my K/L frames.
Like know this 686.

 

[mike from st pete]

Rubber grips have their purpose, to cushion recoil from heavy magnum rounds or on very light weight guns. Utility wins, at times, over looks.

 

[astigmat2000]

Hello friends,
Here are my thinkings of the night.... protypes I mean
Using 3 layers of bicycle tubes...cheap and very ugly.
For the efficiency results, I will have to go to the range but not before the next week.
Ruger used to make on the GP100 a sort of bi-component wood/rubber on their stocks....
By the way, my two revolvers are square butt...
Jack

 

[astigmat2000]

And Trausch company is French ;-) but I'm not sure whether they still make grips. In any case, many thanks Kronos...
Jack

 

[P.44]

If someone have large hands (and a looong triggerfinger !) for recoil absorbing
(and the money !) the 500 X Frame Hogues are hard to beat:

M 629-3 Classic DX with 500 X Frame Hogues + SL Speedloader


Product: Model 500 Impact Absorbing Hogue Square Butt Conversion Grips

But...they only fit (K / L and N-Frame) Revolvers with ROUND BUTT
...and from astigmat2000 pictures (post #8 + 50) it seems to me, that his
revolvers have Square Butts (?), so -in (t)his case- the "Hogue Model 500" is "out".


There was a time...(as mentioned above from linde in post #16) when the Pachmayr
Presentation grips do come in different sizes...

M 29-2 with small "Pachy's"


...but today ? (I don't know, as I prefer the Hogues, especially for quick Double Action shooting,
but that's just me ...and no help for astigmat2000).


What I know:
I have a good friend, who had the same "problem" (Hogues a bit small for his big hands). He is now
very happy with his Nill's Closed Back (only other wood as below)...




Grips -like shoes- are a very personal thing:
They must fit your feet (ahm...hands) to walk / run (shoot) comfortable...So if ever possible:
Try them out (before you buy).

There should be some (slightly) used Nill's out in / near France for a "good price" with a bit patience + luck. Scroll
a bit through the European / German auction sides...

P.44
(Good Luck !)