First I will clarify, I don't normally carry and I've never had the need to use a handgun for defense, so you can qualify my comments. I'm a huge Hogue fan and I have multiple sets of grips for most of my handguns and I change them out routinely. For my Smith & Wesson model 64 with 2 inch bbl I have 3 sets of grips. A set of smooth wood Hogue combats, same grips in rubber, and a set of Pachmayr rubber combat grips. I just love the feel of the smooth wood grips, the rubber Hogue combat grips with stippling gives better grip, and the Pachmayr rubber checkered combat grips that cover the backstrap has even better grip. I like all three sets but can't seem to declare a favorite because I'm constantly changing them.