Carriertxv
New member
I've heard good and bad about about how crappy the grips are when shooting. How much difference is there compared to a S&W 629?
Super blackhawk
- Thread starter Carriertxv
- Start date
I have a Blackhawk and a 29-2.... Night and day, style of shooting is completely different. I didn't like my stock 44 Ruger grips and got after market wood, similar but looked and felt better, then I put a Wolf trigger kit on it
Like my Ruger, Love My Smith 29-2 stock ..
My 02
thewelshm
Like my Ruger, Love My Smith 29-2 stock ..My 02
thewelshm
As stated by another poster, the difference is marked between SA and DA shooting. The hump at the top of the grips on Smith, Colt and Ruger DA's was designed to prevent the gun shifting position in your hand during recoil. In fact, the recoil movement in DA guns is much more of a straight back movement at first. Personally, I find them much more uncomfortable with truly heavy loads than the SA models which conform to the Colt Single Action Army style.
SA's in comparison, roll up in your grip, pointing skyward in heavy recoil making them a little softer in feel than the DA's. I do find that some rap my middle knuckle as they turn upward, and the Ruger's, especially, have a sharp edge at the rear of the frame that cuts into the web of my hand.
Elmer Keith, that noted curmudgeon of heavy loaded handguns, noted that repeat shots with a heavily loaded SA were not as difficult to master as some would have us believe since the skyward, rolling movement actually made thumbing the hammer back that much easier. He also believed that that same movement softened the felt recoil. I find that to be true as well.
Since I rarely use the DA feature of my Smith .44's and .41's with heavy loads, it's a mute point for me. IN SA, two-handed use, my weak gripping hand (left one in my case), does the cocking of the hammer in both types. But I do find recoil more comfortable with the Single Action Army grip style in Colt and Ruger guns.
As to the new, so-called, "Cheese Grater" black plastic grips on Ruger's SA's, I find them usable in moderate loads, and not particularly uncomfortable. For the heavy load end of the spectrum, a thicker grip profile feels better to me. That style, known as "Gunfighter" grips by some makers is a better choice. I've made my own for many of my single actions of both makes. They're not particularly hard to do, given a small amount of tool acumen, and you can spend a nice Saturday morning carving to your satisfaction.
Here's a pic of my version of the "gunfighter" style, done in rosewood for my 4-5/8" bbl'd Ruger Stainless, Flat Top, .44 Special.
HTH's Rod.
SA's in comparison, roll up in your grip, pointing skyward in heavy recoil making them a little softer in feel than the DA's. I do find that some rap my middle knuckle as they turn upward, and the Ruger's, especially, have a sharp edge at the rear of the frame that cuts into the web of my hand.
Elmer Keith, that noted curmudgeon of heavy loaded handguns, noted that repeat shots with a heavily loaded SA were not as difficult to master as some would have us believe since the skyward, rolling movement actually made thumbing the hammer back that much easier. He also believed that that same movement softened the felt recoil. I find that to be true as well.
Since I rarely use the DA feature of my Smith .44's and .41's with heavy loads, it's a mute point for me. IN SA, two-handed use, my weak gripping hand (left one in my case), does the cocking of the hammer in both types. But I do find recoil more comfortable with the Single Action Army grip style in Colt and Ruger guns.
As to the new, so-called, "Cheese Grater" black plastic grips on Ruger's SA's, I find them usable in moderate loads, and not particularly uncomfortable. For the heavy load end of the spectrum, a thicker grip profile feels better to me. That style, known as "Gunfighter" grips by some makers is a better choice. I've made my own for many of my single actions of both makes. They're not particularly hard to do, given a small amount of tool acumen, and you can spend a nice Saturday morning carving to your satisfaction.
Here's a pic of my version of the "gunfighter" style, done in rosewood for my 4-5/8" bbl'd Ruger Stainless, Flat Top, .44 Special.
HTH's Rod.
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highpower3006
New member
Many years ago I bought a SBH because I had read too many articles that touted how they were the best thing since sliced bread. I fired it a few times and HATED the way it felt under recoil. I sold it soon after and bought a S&W Model 29 with a 4" barrel and thirty five years later, I still have that 4" Smith.
As an added note, I had the opportunity to shoot another SBH few years ago and I found that I still hate the way they feel. In fact, over the years I have sold off every single one of my single action revolvers except for my .44-40 Colt Frontier Six Shooter.
As an added note, I had the opportunity to shoot another SBH few years ago and I found that I still hate the way they feel. In fact, over the years I have sold off every single one of my single action revolvers except for my .44-40 Colt Frontier Six Shooter.
Carriertxv
New member
Welshm do you have picture and where you got those grips from?
FrankenMauser
New member
Some people can shoot "plow handle" grips.
Some people can't.
Personally, I like mine. I shoot my single-actions better than the double-actions. But my grip style is naturally more inclined towards rolling with the recoil (single-actions with 'plow handle' grips), anyway.
There's no knuckle-busting, no thumb munching, and no slicing the web of the hand.
It works for me.
If you're worried, find a way to "try before you buy".
Some people can't.
Personally, I like mine. I shoot my single-actions better than the double-actions. But my grip style is naturally more inclined towards rolling with the recoil (single-actions with 'plow handle' grips), anyway.
There's no knuckle-busting, no thumb munching, and no slicing the web of the hand.
It works for me.
If you're worried, find a way to "try before you buy".
Carriertxv
New member
Too late already bought as it was a smoking deal. Going to try it but those little grips are too small for my hands. Just curious if someone makes wood grips that are a inch or so longer as those would probably work.
FrankenMauser
New member
Hogue makes some oversized wooden grips. Probably not what you're wanting, but it's a start.
Carriertxv
New member
It has a hogue black rubber grip with it. Butt ugly but my hand fits it good. I would like to have plough handle wood grips so it will recoil like it should but just longer ones.
Carriertxv
New member
Holy those are right up there on the butt ugly scale. The Hogue ones I have are looking mighty fine in comparison.
What I am thinking and maybe there is no such thing but what I'm looking for are grips that are stock but a little longer so I can at least get 3 fingers on them. They don't have to be much wider just a little longer and no finger groves.
What I am thinking and maybe there is no such thing but what I'm looking for are grips that are stock but a little longer so I can at least get 3 fingers on them. They don't have to be much wider just a little longer and no finger groves.
Altamont Grips have some very nice looking grips for the SBH at reasonable prices.
http://www.altamontco.com/experimental/products/pistol/ruger/#Ruger_superblackhawk.php
http://www.altamontco.com/experimental/products/pistol/ruger/#Ruger_superblackhawk.php
Full size grips that allow a really fully supported pinkie finger, are pretty long. When you look at Ruger and Colt factory grips, note the angle machined in the bottom of the grip scales. That's there to allow you to shoot "pinkie" under for ease of cocking and add'l comfort. A straight sided grip, all the way down to the bottom, cuts into your pinkie unless the grip length is extended.
For me, pinkie under is the way to do it. With all fingers on the grip, I have trouble with elevation control, i.e. my groups string vertically. I also note that repeat shots make it tough to cock the hammer, and my grip on the gun changes...the latter being a big factor in group size and consistency. With full length grips, the gun rides up in my hand between shots while cocking the hammer...not so with the "pinkie under".
For a look at some really beautiful, full length stocks that allow you to get your three fingers on the grips, check out CaryC's offerings at CLC grips.
HTH's Rod
For me, pinkie under is the way to do it. With all fingers on the grip, I have trouble with elevation control, i.e. my groups string vertically. I also note that repeat shots make it tough to cock the hammer, and my grip on the gun changes...the latter being a big factor in group size and consistency. With full length grips, the gun rides up in my hand between shots while cocking the hammer...not so with the "pinkie under".
For a look at some really beautiful, full length stocks that allow you to get your three fingers on the grips, check out CaryC's offerings at CLC grips.
HTH's Rod
Carriertxv
New member
Well I shot a box of American Eagle 240 jhp through it last night. With the Hogue grips my grouping was not bad but it slammed into my hand pretty hard.
With the factory wood grips my grouping was very bad but didn't slam into my hand but it sure jumps up almost out of control.
Not sure what I'm goingto do. Will try shooting some more with the wood grips but will start reloading when I pick up some dies and load it down until I get this under control.
Shooting a 629 was much more comfortable than this is with the same ammo.
With the factory wood grips my grouping was very bad but didn't slam into my hand but it sure jumps up almost out of control.
Not sure what I'm goingto do. Will try shooting some more with the wood grips but will start reloading when I pick up some dies and load it down until I get this under control.
Shooting a 629 was much more comfortable than this is with the same ammo.
Not "pretty" but these are the grips that work best for me.
Personally, the Model 29 with the stock wood grips is one of the most unpleasant guns to shoot full house .44 Mag from. WAY worse for me than the Super Blackhawk.
Also, the pinkie under grip has been mentioned, and this also works for me, UNTIL you get to the .44Mag level of recoil, then its no longer comfortable.
Its different for everyone.
44 AMP
I have always loved the Super Blackhawk . Bought my first one in about 1961 a three screw . Paid $112,00 no tax and shot the hell out of it . I have bought maybe 10/12 over the years and never got a bad one .
Last year I bought a new BFR in 44 Mag and it is Twice the gun . The BFR shoots softer with full house loads then SB shoots lite lead . It is a heavy gun but I have shot 100 rounds or more and still having fun .
I have always loved the Super Blackhawk . Bought my first one in about 1961 a three screw . Paid $112,00 no tax and shot the hell out of it . I have bought maybe 10/12 over the years and never got a bad one .
Last year I bought a new BFR in 44 Mag and it is Twice the gun . The BFR shoots softer with full house loads then SB shoots lite lead . It is a heavy gun but I have shot 100 rounds or more and still having fun .
I have short, stubbie fingers so the Superblack grips are a little wide for me, especially at the bottom. Rubber grips made the situation even worse.
The grips on this 1973 45 LC Blackhawk are smaller, and a bit better for me.
However the grips on this Lipsey 44 Spl Flattop Ruger are the best of all. They are narrower in width, seem to be narrower front to back, but I have not measured them. Anyway much better grip.
The grips on this 1973 45 LC Blackhawk are smaller, and a bit better for me.
However the grips on this Lipsey 44 Spl Flattop Ruger are the best of all. They are narrower in width, seem to be narrower front to back, but I have not measured them. Anyway much better grip.
