Anyone have a set of Herret grips?

[glassman]

I recently bought a Colt m357. It's a beautiful gun and shoots great. I really do like it. Problem for me is that I just can't seem to get my hands in the right position on the stock grips. Held high, my wrist is cocked at an uncomfortable angle; held lower and I don't have as much control. I looked on the Herret site and had them make me a set of finger grooved trooper grips. I went through the hand tracing, etc., called them to talk about the grips and sent the request form out in the mail this morning. They said it would take twelve to sixteen weeks for delivery (merry x-mas to me). This is a case of closing the door after the horse is gone but was wondering if anyone else has a set of their grips, how they felt, degree of quality and any snags that may have popped up.

 

[gb6491]

I like their Shooting Stars; some of my revolvers wear them now, others have in the past. These are not the custom versions, but from when they had a more generic commercial line. That said, I like how they feel and quality is top notch.
http://i44.tinypic.com/2d3o0l.jpg
http://gbrannon.bizhat.com/60stars_720x570.jpg
...and a set I customized:
http://i35.tinypic.com/4u81ud.jpg
Regards,
Greg

 

[glassman]

I thought about the shooting star but went with the trooper for the finger grooves. If they are custom made to my hand, they should solve my problem. Your guns are really nice and they're enhanced by the grips.

 

[MMCSRET]

I have a set of Shooting Stars on an Official Police and an Officers Model Special, same frame(I think) as your Trooper. I like them very well. I also have a set on a Ruger NMBH in 357, I like. The only gun I did not like Herretts on was a Ruger Security Six, they pitched my hand too high and recoil was felt, so recovery was slow, I went with Hogue wood on it
I also have Herretts on T/C Contenders.

 

[slick6]

Here are some pictures of my Colt Mode .357 with some Herrett's finger groove grips on it:

 

[glassman]

mmcsret...I also looked at the hogue grips but thought that the herrets were a better choice for a few dollars more.
slick...the carving on that gun is really pretty. I think I'd be afraid to shoot it for fear of messing it up.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I had some, but it was close to 30 years ago. They were for an "old model" Ruger Super Blackhawk. It made what was a punishing gun more comfortable to shoot. By filling in the area behind its square-backed trigger guard, it stopped the guard from barking my knuckles every time I touched off a round. It also reduced the tendency of the revolver to flip straight up in my hand. And they were very well made.

 

[glassman]

Wow, I didn't know they've been in business for so long. You're comments about knuckle barking and muzzle flip make me think that I'll get what I want out of these grips...that is, comfort and control.

 

[MMCSRET]

Steve Herrett(founder) was a pioneer in developing grips for the T/C Contender and also loads and cartridge development for it. There is a story of him and and Bob Milek shooting rock chucks across the Snake River gorge in the Twin Falls Idaho area and then shooting the magpies that came to scavenge the chucks. They were shooting Contenders stocked by Herrett

 

[CraigC]

The off-the-shelf stocks from Herrett's are hardly comparable to their custom fitted stuff. I would heartily suggest ditching the finger grooves. My favorite for DA's is their Roper, preferably in fancy walnut. Unfortunately, this is the best pic I have. These are mounted on a S&W model 14.

 

[glassman]

Ordinarily, I'd agree with you. I don't have another revolver with finger grooved grips on board but I thought if they were custom made to my hand, they might be beneficial. We'll see I guess. Sweet M14 and the grips are beautiful.

 

[CraigC]

Almost forgot, here's a recent discussion on DA grips with a picture of a lovely 29 with Herrett's Ropers. Might help.
http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=93496

 

[Taroman]

Many years ago I purchased a Colt Three Fifty Seven. I had Herrett make me a set of "Jordan Trooper" grips for it. IIRC, I sent them a hand tracing along with the order. Grips were perfect for me. Gave the gun to my brother long ago, and he still has those grips on it. Says they're the best he has ever used.

 

[glassman]

Craigc...thanks for the link. And you're right, that 29 is lovely. Never heard of the "blu-magnum" grips mentioned in the discussion and they didn't show up in my search for grip makers. Also beautiful work.

Krehmkej...That hand tracing is still the process they use today. From the responses I've gotten on this thread, I think I'll be well pleased with the same quality, fit and finish as you received.

 

[RugRev]

Agree with CraigC about Herrett's Ropers. Had a Redhawk that the standard grip chewed up my hand and put wood Hogues on it. Still had a hard time reaching the trigger for double action without crawling around the side of the grip. Sent in a tracing to Herrett's and they recommended the Roper which I ordered. When I got it it turned out great as could easily reach the trigger with first joint for double action shooting and I only have a medium hand (9.5). It was money well spent. Regarding your repositioning the hand for shooting on the Colt the Colt .357 and Python have about the longest trigger reach of any double action gun. John Taffin when he was active on his website measured some guns and the reach is more than the N frame Smith or Anaconda.

BluMagnum has been around for a while making grips for single actions and Smith double actions and I think he will make grips to fit one's hand or at least used to. Some claimed at one time Hogue would do this also but not now.

 

[Old Fuff]

I have a number of their stocks, both custom and and the regular commercial kind. The made-to-your-hand kind are as good as they come, but they are made one at a time, and given the quality of their work they have been back ordered from the time they started. I don't like finger grooves, but for those that do the only way to go is to have the grooves matched to your fingers.

Bill Jordan, the Border Patrol's shooting ace always had Herrett carve his personal stocks, and I believe they were the only ones (other then Pachmayr who made them out of plastic) that were authorized to use his name when advertising "Jordan stocks."

 

[DickM]

About 25 years ago I had a set of their target grips made for my Model 41 for bullseye shooting, using the tracing procedure. I ordered them unfinished for a better grip and with the very fine checkering. They were perfect out of the box and they still are, although I now usually shoot a Walther GSP with Rink grips. I think you'll be very pleased with your Herretts, and they're worth the wait.

 

[glassman]

I'm not overly fond of finger grooved stocks either. The only pistol I own with them is a Colt defender and I do like them on that gun given the officer's frame. I tried about as many grip positions as I could on the M357 trying to find the sweet spot and just couldn't get the comfort, consistancy and accuracy I wanted. Using a finger grooved stock will lock me into one position and I have faith that it will solve that problem.

 

[Old Fuff]

Using a finger grooved stock will lock me into one position and I have faith that it will solve that problem.

The problem with too many of today's boot grips is that right or wrong, they lock two fingers into a position and leave the little finger hanging. Match this with a small frame/ultra light revolver chambered in .38 Special (or worse, .357 Magnum) and people wonder why it is that after the first shot (and sometimes during the first one) they can't hit the broadside of a barn at 10 feet.

Obviously if the finger grooves on one-size-fits-all stocks do not locate your two fingers where they should be you're in even more trouble.

Stocks that truly do fit your hand don't need finger grooves, but "truly do fit" is the key point.

 

[glassman]

The problem with too many of today's boot grips is that right or wrong, they lock two fingers into a position and leave the little finger hanging.

I hear what you're saying. I changed out the supplied stocks on my 642 for a set of perfomance center stocks for this very reason. The extra length wasn't much but it was enough to allow for my little finger and gave a lot more comfort and controlability.

Obviously if the finger grooves on one-size-fits-all stocks do not locate your two fingers where they should be you're in even more trouble.

I'm hoping the Herret stocks eliminate that.

 

[D R Greysun]

I recently bought a Colt m357. It's a beautiful gun and shoots great. I really do like it. Problem for me is that I just can't seem to get my hands in the right position on the stock grips. Held high, my wrist is cocked at an uncomfortable angle; held lower and I don't have as much control. I looked on the Herret site and had them make me a set of finger grooved trooper grips. I went through the hand tracing, etc., called them to talk about the grips and sent the request form out in the mail this morning. They said it would take twelve to sixteen weeks for delivery (merry x-mas to me). This is a case of closing the door after the horse is gone but was wondering if anyone else has a set of their grips, how they felt, degree of quality and any snags that may have popped up.

Not Colt but they are Herrett's Custom Fit from the mid 70's can't recall which type they are. They fit as good today as when I bought them. As I recall they were about $40 at the time.

 

[glassman]

can't recall which type they are

I'm gonna guess and say they're shooting stars. I wish they were still as inexpensive today. Nice looking Ruger.

 

[Steve 48]

I have an old set that's new in the box but has not been refinished for a M36 square butt that I don't have. Mine are all round butt.

 

[skeeziks]

What about the Jordan "Trooper" grips? I haven't seen those show up in many years now.

Are the Roper and Trooper one & the same?

 

[Jimmy10mm]

THe Ropers are a slightly different shape IIRC. The true Ropers from years ago were fancy with carving and checkering on them. I had some Jordan Troopers on a couple of S&Ws in the '70s. I had read "No Second Place Winner" and drank the kool aid. They are mighty nice grips but TBH I now prefer the rubber grips Smith furnishes on their heavy recoiling revolvers. They ain't pretty but they sure help soak up the recoil.