My Shooting Evolution: No More Finger-Groove Grips

[Navy87Guy]

When I first started shooting about a year and a half ago, I had a passion for Hogue finger-groove grips. Every pistol that could take them, got them. I love the feel and the way the pistol seemed to fit naturally in my hand with the grips on.

So here I am, about 14,000 rounds later, and I find myself starting to replace all my Hogue grips with the factory originals. The latest is my CZ 75BD, which always felt great with Hogues. Tonight I put the factory plastic grips back on and the overall feel of the gun was better. I've already done the same thing on my Sig P228 (much better for CCW, too) and the Rugers and Beretta may not be far behind!

My theory is that I have evolved as a shooter. The Hogues were kind of like training wheels for me...they helped me get the feel of where the gun should sit in my hand. As I've shot more and gotten more comfortable with my grip and positioning the gun, I think I've outgrown the need for an aritificial aid to help me hold it properly. So now I'm at the point where I can remove the grips and let the natural contour of the pistol work with me, rather than against me.

Has anybody else found that they've "outgrown" finger grooves?

Now I can start looking around for some "sexy" grips to dress things up a bit!

Jim

 

[BevrFevr]

interesting!

I find that there is more function than comfort in the hogue grips. I return to target faster with them and suffer less fatigue in longer shooting sessions with them. I especially prefer them when my hands are wet. The summers here are real hot and humid.

I really really notice the difference when shooting magnums without finger grooves.

But hey with all that shooting experience behind you I'm sure you know what is best for you and that is what really matters.

 

[Majic]

What you have learned is those Hogue grips really didn't fit you and your grip. The most difficult thing about finger grooved stocks/grips is to find some that naturally fits your hand and how you hold the handgun. Once you find a set then it will be like putting on an old comfortable pair of gloves everytime you pick up the handgun.

 

[HSMITH]

You are on your way. Finger grooves aren't needed or even desired when you learn to shoot the gun. They will only slow you down when you know the gun.

 

[gitarmac]

I just got some hogues for my GP100 and promptly put the factory grips back on. In one way I liked the grooves, I did not have to readjust my grip when shooting hot loads, but I could not grip the gun as high, and I didn't notice that much of a recoil dampening effect.

If the gun came with wooden grips like my security six then maybe the outcome would have been different, I put pachmayr grips on it and loved them. The factory grips on the GP 100 are pretty good, if a little thick. I love the way they look with the rosewood inlay. There is a fun show tommorrow here and I may get some ivory-ish or quasi-pearl grip inlays, I can't leave things alone!

 

[Hal]

Has anybody else found that they've "outgrown" finger grooves?

kinda but not really

I never could stand finger grips,,, or rubber grips either for that matter.

Both my Colt Commander and my Silver Chrome High Power came with the hideous oversized rubber finger groved grips.
I replaced them both before I even fired either gun.

 

[OH25shooter]

You're not alone. My factory finger grooved Hogues have all been removed for the smooth brand(s). But, as stated, maybe those generic grooved grips don't fit all hands. I'm sure if my grip was form fitted in a mold, I'd be pleased with finger grips. I consider grips like shoes. All fit and feel different.

 

[Navy87Guy]

Well, I was inspired last night to try a little "surgery", so I modified the Hogue grips for both my CZ 75BD and my Ruger KP89D. I removed the finger grooves and filed the raw edge down so it tapers to the pistol. Overall, I'm pretty pleased with both of them. I can keep the rubber panels without the finger grooves in my way. I posted some pics of the new look on my website, here: http://users.adelphia.net/~navy87guy/index.html Just click on the thumbnail of the gun to see a full-size pop-up with the modified grips.

Jim

 

[bluto]

I tend to prefer stock grips and occasionally use smooth aftermarket ones. The one recent exception is my SIG P220. For some reason I just couldn't get a proper grip on that pistol. It would always torque a bit in my hand. After a year of trying various methods of holding that gun, I finally tried some Hogue finger groove grips. They fit perfectly. Problems solved. Accuracy really improved, I think, because I no longer find myself re-gripping in the middle of a string.

Would I put them on my P228, P226 or other guns? No reason to do that as I shoot them fine with factory grips. In my case, finger grooves were the solution to a particular grip shape problem. They have their place.

 

[lee n. field]

The Hogue wrap around grips were one of the things that made my Ruger auto work well for me. Don't care at all for the factory grips on that. If someone made soft rubber panel type grips I'd give them a try.

 

[LHB1]

The Hogue finger groove grips are nice but only after I heavily modify them to fit my hand better by reducing and reshaping the finger grooves and points. I then strip any remaining finish and refinish with umpteen coats of TruOil with interim light sanding/rubbing. Problem is that I prefer beautiful exhibition grade exotic woods more than I like the finger groove grips so currently my Wilson 1911s (with magwells) wear Desert Ironwood or Cocobolo grips by Esmeralda.

Good shooting and be safe.
LB

 

[Archie]

Never liked finger grooves.

I never found any that fit my hand.

I shoot Bullseye, PPC and what is now Action Pistol. I shoot autopistols and revovlers. Herrett Shooting Stars work best on revovlers and basic flat-sided checkered grips work best on autopistols.

Except; I have a set of Herrett's National Match grips with thumb rest and palm shelf on a S&W M41 target pistol. Once I rasped them down to fit, they are great. But they don't have finger grooves.