Dressing up your gun with grips philosophy?

J

jaughtman

New member
Since I never leave factory grips on my guns (well, except for my HK P7 - they just look like they belong), what is your preference on aftermarket grips? There are two schools of thought - some like contrasting grips with the metal such as dark wood with stainless, light wood with bluing - while some like complementing grips , dark wood with dark bluing and light wood with stainless, nickel, etc. - your preferences? Of course, pics are welcome!

J
 
If I change out of the factory grips, it's because they don't fit my hand, or are the wrong size for my purpose. So, in my case it's "Form follows function". I really don't care what they look like. No one is ever going to see them anyway. They are simply the handle of a tool that may be required to preserve a loved ones life. All I care about is function.
 
You answered the question when you asked it. "preferences" covers it all. Do yer thing.
For me, the grips on Ruger single actions are too small for comfort. I have put Jay Scott imitation stag on mine. They are thicker and give a better grip and, for me, more comfortable. I like the looks also but that is secondary.
For my Ruger Redhawk I went through a half dozen different (expensive) grips before settling with Pachymar Presentations. They feel good, fill the hand, are grippable without feeling sticky and absorb recoil quite well. The choice was purely practical.
 
I have put Pachymars on my Ruger .357s because of the way they feel. My single six grips are cocoplum because they feel good and look great. I am now thinking about a set of stag grips for my SS Loaded because they look great on a SS 19911.

To answer your question I like grips that in my opinion enhance the looks of the gun but they have to feel good or its a waste of money.
 
If I change out of the factory grips, it's because they don't fit my hand, or are the wrong size for my purpose. So, in my case it's "Form follows function". I really don't care what they look like.
Click to expand...

That's my reason too.
 
I like "form follows function with class" whenever possible. I like smooth grips rather than checkered, but contrasting also. I love the look of my ivory on blued Delta Elite.
 
I don't know that I have a particular philosophy -- beyond liking nice grips and nice looking guns:

IMG_4543E1X.jpg


IMG_4051E1X.jpg


IMG_5424.jpg


IMG_5456_3.jpg


IMG_4994-1.jpg


IMG_4021E1X.jpg
 
i hand carved these at lunch during last winters long lunches there is more detail to the wood than you can see in these pics
i even carved out the screw holes by hand. these are my favorite pair i also have some made from wild cherry that i cut down at work, and a pair made from white oak that fit nice and looked good but didnt match as well as the walnut.
 

Attachments

  • 10-29-10- sunset 039.jpg
    10-29-10- sunset 039.jpg
    252.2 KB · Views: 136
  • 1911 004.jpg
    1911 004.jpg
    215.3 KB · Views: 107
I don't know that I have a particular philosophy -- beyond liking nice grips and nice looking guns:
Click to expand...

Fiddletown, I would say you lean toward the "contrasting grips" side except for that stainless 1911 with the ivory grips - gorgeous all, however!

J
 
My favorite set is one I had custom made for me, which combined unique checkering for grip, very nicely figured cocobolo for looks, and inscriptions inside of crosses for a personalized touch.

IMG_1254.jpg


IMG_1282.jpg


For CCW I favor darker grips and darker frames, with good grip.
STIRangerII12.jpg


I don't mind contrast for fun, though.

STIRangerIIfiguredmaplegrips.jpg


Sometimes the factory grips are just fine for looks and function.
TuckerCoverUpSTIShadow2.jpg

TuckerCoverUprtside.jpg
 
The primary reason for me changing grips on a handgun is to get a set that fits me better than the factory units. However, that's never been the only reason in my case, as I see a firearm as more than just a tool. If ever a gun was ever merely a "tool", it was for me when I carried one or another for over thirty years as a job requirement. But I've invariably been enamored by the more aesthetic potential some firearms embody.
Changing the finish, engraving and embellishing with fine wood have always been ways for people over the ages to personalize an instrument much nearer to the heart than any an otherwise pedestrian implement can be. Museums are full of firearms that have more than just historical value; many are considered genuine works of art. You can't say that about many hammers or shovels. :)
 
I don't have a particular theme for replacing my grips. If I don't like the stock grips, I find something I like and I think looks good on the gun. No other rhyme or reason at all.
 
For heavy recoiling revolvers I used to (1970s) buy Herrett's custom fancy walnut Jordan or regular Trooper stocks. When the ugly Houge soft rubber grips came out I hated the looks but loved the feel so I stick with them. With other guns, semi-autos and what have you, I am also a form follows function and most often leave the factory grips on. Unless they don't feel right for me.
 
To my eye, the best looking grip materials are rosewood, cocobolo, ivory, and stag. Rosewood looks good on just about anything, cocobolo looks good on nickel, hard chrome, and stainless guns, and ivory and stag look good on guns with blue or other dark-colored finishes.
 
I have never owned a handgun that I didn't change the grips on. It's usually for fit though. I usually go with hogue or pachmyer palm swell type rubber grips to fit my hands. On revolvers, I have dressed them up with nice laminated wood grips. I really like rugers laminated wood black and silver grips that come on the super blackhawk hunter model. I put some on my super blackhawk and man those are beautiful with stainless steel. Hogue makes some nice laminated wood revolver grips as well. Anyway, my philosophy is: Why wouldn't you dress up your gun with grips that suit you? If there is a choice better than what the gun came with then by all means make the improvement.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top