What's with old Smith grips?

[Peter M. Eick]

If you guys want to sell me your N frame Magna's and Service grips I would be interested in buying some wood. PM me.

I only shoot factory grips in my S&W's. It is part of the challenge to learn to shoot the guns.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

I much prefer the old grips. And yes, I am talking old. Partially it is because I collect Smiths and want to keep them in as original condition as possible.

Part of it is that I usually shoot pistols with one hand, and I usually allow my pinky to curl under the grip. The old grips work just fine for that.

 

[RUT]

>>I much prefer the old grips.<<

I think part of it's a "generational" thing, as most of us old timers who grew up with Smith "S" guns seem to prefer the "stock" look. To me there's nothing worse than seeing a beautiful older Smith sporting a set of Hogues!

 

[ckpj99]

Some Hogue's looks good. Like these:

 

[JimmyR]

I have a variety of grips in a drawer for my revolvers, but have pretty well settled on what stays on the gun:

On my SS Ruger Sec Six- Ruger Target grips. They are the sweetest feeling grips for any revolver I have ever handled, bar none.

On my wife's S&W Model 19- She prefers the manga grips on it when she has it, but I have a set of target grips for when I shoot it. Lately, though, she just keeps the target grips on there.

S&W 642- VZ boot grips. I never did like the Uncle Mikes that came with the gun when I got it, and for a CC gun, I don't think you can beat the boot style grips.

Just my .02, YMMV

 

[ryan3465]

I bought my Model 60 with Pachmayr Presentation grips on it, and then went out and found some factory wood grips to put on it. I really love the look of the original factory J-frame grips, and they way they fit my hand allows me to really grip the gun and bear down on it in recoil during fast double action shooting. Sometimes they just fit the hand better. It's all about what works for you

 

[dayman]

I don't like rubber anything. It's not a hard use material. Take a look at my cameras with rubber external coverings (I'm a photographer) and you'll see that rubber wears out and breaks down, especially with daily use.

There are different kinds of rubber out there. Some hold up better than others.
My hogues are pushing 10 years old and still look new - and if they do start to wear out, I'll spend the $10 for a new set.

Personally, I do prefer the look of wood target stocks, but like the utility of rubber. And, since my revolvers are hard use hunting/woods guns they have rubber stocks. I don't worry about them getting scratched or cracked, and they're easier for me to grip with wet hands.
The little stock S&W grips don't work for me at all though. They don't feel right, and I don't care for the way they look.
Clearly they work for some people, but I see modern grips as a definite improvement.