I believe they put the smallest, least expensive grips they could on their handguns, because they figured most people were going to change them anyway. A self-fulfilling prophecy.
Or, maybe, instead of doing it because it cost a little less in materials, maybe they did it, and do it, so that people with smaller hands can use their guns.
While it is a fairly simple matter to increase the size of the grips with replacements, making the grip smaller runs into trouble because you can't easily get smaller than the grip frame allows. SO, you use a small-ish grip frame, put on small(er) grips, and you're set for people with smaller hands, and people with larger hands have the option to use as is, or increase the size with aftermarket grips.
I put rubber (pachmayr) grips on all my serious revolvers, Ruger Blackhawks, Super Blackhawk, and S&Ws. Even my pocket Colt Agent has rubber grips. Don't get me wrong, I like wood, and have several wood gripped guns, just not the ones with heavy recoil, or where I feel its useful.
I have not tried any Hogue "soft" grips, I did get a Blackhawk with a set of the "hard" ones. While I liked the style, I didn't like the hard plastic, the pebble finish didn't do anything for me.
There are .44 Mag Blackhawks, though uncommon, and there is the Super Blackhawk .44 Mag which is common. The grip frame of the Super Blackhawk is usually NOT the same as the grip frame of the Blackhawk, and the grips are not interchangeable. Make sure which you have before ordering grips. (and be prepared for them to send you the wrong ones,
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