NCBeagle
Member
I have been experimenting with stocks for the later “generation” Colt Detective Special / Cobra, trying to see what is aesthetically pleasing and functional for concealed carry. The factory wood looks great but prints like a brick. The factory rubber conceals well enough but…well, rubber just doesn’t look right.
There are many quality custom grip makers; however, the Badger Custom Grips and Eagle Grips consistently receive high marks from varied sources. I ordered the Badger boot grips and Eagle “Secret Service” grips because they are marketed as having been designed for concealed carry and look damned good. My goal with this thread is to create a resource for those who want to preview these grips on the Detective Special / Cobra and compare them side-by-side.
You may have seen some of these pictures in earlier posts. Most of these pictures are new for this thread.
Here are two 1975 Cobras wearing the factory wood stocks.
Here is a 1993 Detective Special wearing the factory rubber, possibly produced for Colt by Pachmayr. One of the experts might know who made the grips. These are not completely unattractive and tend to snag clothing less often than some soft rubber grips, like Hogues.
These are Badger’s walnut boot grips. Absolutely beautiful.
These are the Eagle Secret Service grips in checkered rosewood. These are stunning.
Here are a couple pictures of the Badger and Eagle grips side-by-side.
Here are pictures of the Badger, Eagle and factory wood grips side by side:
These pictures should show the relative size of each style grip. These two pictures show (left to right) factory wood, Badger boot grips and Eagle secret Service grips. The Badger grips are markedly smaller than the others in terms of width and extension below the bottom of the metal grip. I expected the Eagle Secret Service to be smaller. The factory rubber appeared to have a smaller profile than the Eagle.
Here is a bottom view (left to right) factory wood, Eagle, and Badger.
I will let the pictures speak for themselves and it was a pleasure to do business with both of these companies. Jim Badger returned my call immediately, took my order on a Saturday and delivered by grips on Tuesday. Amazing. Eagle initially delivered smooth Secret Service grips (I ordered checkered). I called and Bill at Eagle and he immediately shipped the correct checkered grips and was apologetic. Everybody makes mistakes and this was promptly corrected with no additional hassle. That is good customer service.
The Badger and Eagle grips are both well fit and finished. My personal preference is the Badger boot grip, based solely on the slimmer and shorter profile. The walnut is also closer in color to the factory wood. In terms of feel, the Badger and Eagle grips feel slightly different but very good. This is all so subjective that it makes little difference what I say. I hope these pictures are helpful
RWK
There are many quality custom grip makers; however, the Badger Custom Grips and Eagle Grips consistently receive high marks from varied sources. I ordered the Badger boot grips and Eagle “Secret Service” grips because they are marketed as having been designed for concealed carry and look damned good. My goal with this thread is to create a resource for those who want to preview these grips on the Detective Special / Cobra and compare them side-by-side.
You may have seen some of these pictures in earlier posts. Most of these pictures are new for this thread.
Here are two 1975 Cobras wearing the factory wood stocks.
Here is a 1993 Detective Special wearing the factory rubber, possibly produced for Colt by Pachmayr. One of the experts might know who made the grips. These are not completely unattractive and tend to snag clothing less often than some soft rubber grips, like Hogues.
These are Badger’s walnut boot grips. Absolutely beautiful.
These are the Eagle Secret Service grips in checkered rosewood. These are stunning.
Here are a couple pictures of the Badger and Eagle grips side-by-side.
Here are pictures of the Badger, Eagle and factory wood grips side by side:
These pictures should show the relative size of each style grip. These two pictures show (left to right) factory wood, Badger boot grips and Eagle secret Service grips. The Badger grips are markedly smaller than the others in terms of width and extension below the bottom of the metal grip. I expected the Eagle Secret Service to be smaller. The factory rubber appeared to have a smaller profile than the Eagle.
Here is a bottom view (left to right) factory wood, Eagle, and Badger.
I will let the pictures speak for themselves and it was a pleasure to do business with both of these companies. Jim Badger returned my call immediately, took my order on a Saturday and delivered by grips on Tuesday. Amazing. Eagle initially delivered smooth Secret Service grips (I ordered checkered). I called and Bill at Eagle and he immediately shipped the correct checkered grips and was apologetic. Everybody makes mistakes and this was promptly corrected with no additional hassle. That is good customer service.
The Badger and Eagle grips are both well fit and finished. My personal preference is the Badger boot grip, based solely on the slimmer and shorter profile. The walnut is also closer in color to the factory wood. In terms of feel, the Badger and Eagle grips feel slightly different but very good. This is all so subjective that it makes little difference what I say. I hope these pictures are helpful
RWK
