Opinion: Hogue "Nylon" Monogrips

[WrongHanded]

My previous experience with the Hogue Monogrips for revolvers has all been with the rubber over-mold kind. I'd always considered the "nylon" option as something that would be inferior, and kind of like a dogs chew toy.

But I decided to take a chance on one for my new 686+. After getting light strikes shooting DA at the range, I had a suspicion that the strain screw had backed out. It had. But although I have screwdriver sets in my range bag, I don't have a set of Allen wrenches. And wouldn't you know it, the proprietary S&W rubber grip has a hex head screw. I decided I'd prefer a grip I could take off with a regular multi tool (which I carry often).

So I bought what I suspected might be a chew toy, but Hogue still makes them, so it couldn't be that bad.



It feels like G10 micarta, and is also workable with tools such as files, sandpaper, knife blades, etc. The only issue I had was that part of the grip put pressure on the cylinder release. So I trimmed it back.



Time will tell, but it's a nice feeling grip. Not sticky like rubber, so it doesn't grab clothing. But textured enough to provide good purchase. And I suspect the shape is exactly the same as the rubber over-mold version. I'd never considered one before, so I wanted to let you guys know what I thought.

 

[beag_nut]

For my large hands, Hogue is the best, regardless of sticky or not.

 

[wcwhitey]

I like Hoque. Just fits my hand best. I always try the $20 Rubbwr but wind up with the wood.

 

[Pat Riot]

@WrongHanded Thanks for the report. I did consider trying one of those but couldn’t really find any reviews so I passed.

 

[toivo]

I have one on a DAO Model 64, and I love it. That grip, combined with a very smooth double-action trigger, makes that revolver a joy to shoot. A lot of the first-time shooters I've taken to the range have found that revolver easier to shoot than any of my other centerfire handguns.

 

[AzShooter1]

I can't believe that Hogue has started using an Allen head screw for their grips. I've been shooting Hogues for 40 years and all mine are standard flat head screws.

That being said, I've been looking for a new set of grips for my 617. I've shot the Rubber Big Butt and Wooden Big Butt grips for years. I changed the way I purchase my revolver and wanted something with a wider bottom so that my little finger engages the grip.

I tried a set of Altamonts. They felt good but at the end of the match I shot with them my thumb had a blister. Too sharp of an edge near the trigger guard.

I've got an old pair of Pachmeyers I'm going to try this week. My fingers are nice and tight without slipping under that massive recoil of a .22.

If these don't work I'd like to try the nylon grips.

 

[WrongHanded]

I can't believe that Hogue has started using an Allen head screw for their grips. I've been shooting Hogues for 40 years and all mine are standard flat head screws.

Hogue didn't.

S&W are the ones using an Allen head on their own two piece rubber grip. Hogue are doing the same thing they've always done.

 

[AzShooter1]

Hogue didn't.

S&W are the ones using an Allen head on their own two piece rubber grip. Hogue are doing the same thing they've always done.

Thanks for clearing that up.

 

[amd6547]

I tried some nylon Hogues on a K frame. I liked them, but at some point, I needed to take them off...and couldn't. They were stuck on there good, and Hogue, while they seemed aware of the issue, couldn't help.
I ended up having to carefully cut them off, using a Dremel cut off wheel.
Hogue replaced them with rubber grips for me.

 

[WrongHanded]

I tried some nylon Hogues on a K frame. I liked them, but at some point, I needed to take them off...and couldn't. They were stuck on there good, and Hogue, while they seemed aware of the issue, couldn't help.
I ended up having to carefully cut them off, using a Dremel cut off wheel.
Hogue replaced them with rubber grips for me.

That's useful info to have.

 

[CajunBass]

It seems to me that I had a Hogue nylon grip on a Model 19 many years ago. I don't remember anything particularly BAD about it, but to be honest I don't remember anything particularly good about it. It just worked.

About all I asked it to do I suppose.

 

[toivo]

I tried some nylon Hogues on a K frame. I liked them, but at some point, I needed to take them off...and couldn't. They were stuck on there good, and Hogue, while they seemed aware of the issue, couldn't help.
I ended up having to carefully cut them off, using a Dremel cut off wheel.
Hogue replaced them with rubber grips for me.

Good thing I like mine and don't have any plans to replace them/it! (If it's a monogrip, isn't it an it? )

 

[willb]

...They were stuck on there good, and Hogue, while they seemed aware of the issue, couldn't help...

Once you got the grip off could you tell what caused it to stick in the first place?

 

[Riomouse911]

Once you got the grip off could you tell what caused it to stick in the first place?

Ya, that’s a new one. I have Hogues on several S&W’s, some for over 20 years now. I wonder what stuck them on so badly?

Stay safe..

 

[toivo]

Once you got the grip off could you tell what caused it to stick in the first place?

Ya, that’s a new one. I have Hogues on several S&W’s, some for over 20 years now. I wonder what stuck them on so badly?

Just spitballing here, but I wonder if it could be some kind of reaction to a cleaning solvent that seeped in under the grip -- like maybe the solvent partially dissolved the nylon and then bonded it to the frame.

 

[amd6547]

Just spitballing here, but I wonder if it could be some kind of reaction to a cleaning solvent that seeped in under the grip -- like maybe the solvent partially dissolved the nylon and then bonded it to the frame.

Nah, something in the internal molding hooked into an open area of the grip frame, and mechanically locked the grip to the frame. I had to cut a deep slot into it, and pry it apart to free it.

 

[mcb]

I have the rubber over-molded grips on all my N-frames. It appears they only make the Nylon version for the square butt N-frames and all mine are round butts. I would be interested in trying them butt I am stuck on round butt.



Rubber is for go, wood for show...

 

[Charlie98]

I bought a Hogue mono for my 686, just like WC did... while I liked the looks of it, I didn't like how I had to shoot with them, and the exposed backstrap really pounded my hand with Magnums. Gripping it, it felt like I had my grip angle canted too far forward if I wanted to get my hand all the way up on the grips. Every hand is different, of course.



My S&W 657 Classic came with Hogues similar to yours... like the ones on my 686, the grip angle was wrong for me, and I switched to my standard... the Pachy Decellerator.

 

[hk940]

I replaced the stock wood grips with the Houge hard nylon Mono-Grip on my model 66 duty gun back in the mid 80 's.
When I was looking for a set for my Ruger Redhawk the only thing I could find at the time was the rubber model, but it did not fit tight along the back strap. I did eventually find a set of hard nylon's for the Redhawk (which I prefer) and they fit much tighter.
I also have the ones for the 66 on it's replacement.

 

[toivo]

Nah, something in the internal molding hooked into an open area of the grip frame, and mechanically locked the grip to the frame. I had to cut a deep slot into it, and pry it apart to free it.

Glad you could figure it out and fix it.