Single action grips with some grip

[Bazoo]

I have a beloved Blackhawk in 44 special. Well I find that when shooting targets my grip changes between shots because of the slickness of the wood panels. If I reposition my grip every time I’m more consistent and shoot tighter groups.

I do not want rubber grips as they don’t look good on a single action revolver. That said I may get some for testing loads.

I am wondering how checkered grips do. I’ve never had the chance to handle them and I want some feedback from folks that have used them.

I have had sambar stag and elk stag. The elk was kinda grabby even though it was smooth. I may end up going that route again but right now I’m unsure.

 

[ontarget]

I have checkered grips on 2 of my Uberti El Patrons. They still rotate up from recoil but I guess I never really saw it as a problem. The checkering does help some in comparison to my smooth grip guns though.

 

[wcwhitey]

I have the factory black checkered on my .44 Flattop. The texture is nice and grippy but they could be a bit thicker. They are slim.

 

[Bazoo]

I have put an XR3-red grip frame on my flattop 44 so grips should be easier to find.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I use the finger grove rubber grips. I do agree wood is nicer.

 

[ThomasT]

I put some Houge rubber on my SBH and it really helped with that. They are ugly but worked. Just for fun add a wrap of friction tape if you can find it or some Hockey Stick tape to the grip. Easily removed and a cheap test.

 

[Pat Riot]

I have Altamont checkered grips on my Vaquero and New Vaquero and they definitely help but are not so grippy to be uncomfortable while shooting spicy .45 Colt loads.

I can’t stand smooth grips on a jumpy gun.



Decided to see how their Super Walnut looked on my Vaquero. I like it.

 

[Iwsbull]

I found that a good tight pair of deerskin gloves to be great. When I shoot down here in Alabama in the middle of summer my everything sweats and the gloves are great for grip.

 

[Riomouse911]

I have Altamont checkered grips on my Vaquero and New Vaquero and they definitely help but are not so grippy to be uncomfortable while shooting spicy .45 Colt loads.

I can’t stand smooth grips on a jumpy gun.

View attachment 1065361

Decided to see how their Super Walnut looked on my Vaquero. I like it.
View attachment 1065362

I did the Altamont grip panels on my Ruger Single Six and Wrangler.



My other SA guns have smooth panels. Indeed, they do get a bit slick with stouter loads.

Stay safe.

 

[Hondo 60]

I am wondering how checkered grips do. I’ve never had the chance to handle them and I want some feedback from folks that have used them.

I have checkered grips on all 4 of my SAAs.
I wouldn't have 'em any other way.

 

[NeroM]

Bazoo, I know you indicated not wanting rubber grips-
the Hogue 83000 is effective, fairly inexpensive, easy to put on - however perhaps a bit ugly.
little finger fits fine, they "have grip" and work well.....

 

[RKRCPA]

I have large hands and could not keep a good grip with the stock grip panels. I stayed with smooth wooden grip panels but these are thicker which give me more to grasp.

 

[chicharrones]

When classic cowboy styling doesn't matter, but you still want checkered wood, Herrett's Model RR. It mimics the feel and control of a large double action revolver grip.

The model RR is made for the Ruger Blackhawk, Single Six, XR3-RED frame. (Model RSB made for the Ruger Super Blackhawk.)

A slightly modified example - https://www.gunbroker.com/item/922399260

A sold example - https://www.gunauction.com/buy/7291238

Another sold example (scroll down) - https://www.ebay.com/itm/175117105297?nma=true&si=p3x6PylNSRx8S9S7qKS8sfCPwPE%3D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

My example.

View attachment 1065428

 

[Tallball]

If you tuck your pinky under the grip your hand will slip less.

Not everyone can shoot that way, though.

 

[doubleh]

I don't care for checkered grips at all. Yep, the Hogue rubber grips are ugly but work better for me than any other grip. Pachmayr rubber grips are somewhat less ugly and are pretty good also. I am a fan of fancy wood grips but the rubber ones beat them all to pieces in shootability in my case so I switched to function over looks.

 

[Bazoo]

Bazoo, I know you indicated not wanting rubber grips-
the Hogue 83000 is effective, fairly inexpensive, easy to put on - however perhaps a bit ugly.
little finger fits fine, they "have grip" and work well.....
View attachment 1065413

Those are great grips for control. I had a set on a super Blackhawk. They are a mite ugly though.

 

[Bazoo]

For hunting or plinking, or the occasional shot on the farm, the first shot is no issue with smooth panels. But when trying to test loads, the grip changes too much and I get vertical stringing, or otherwise large groups. If I re-grip between each shot, spit on my hand for a little bite, I group better.

I’m looking for the best compromise between style and gripping ability.

I appreciate everyone’s insight.

 

[chicharrones]

These look promising.

https://www.eaglegrips.com/366-hardwood-grips

And these are a taller grip for those that want it.

https://us.nill-shop.com/Ruger-New-VaqueroSingleSixBlackhawk-Rhoml.-palm-swell-extended-XL-size

 

[James K2020]

As one member stated above, if you like your existing grips you may try a glove. There are many 'shooting' gloves available (Amazon of course) and many fingerless or with only the index and second being fingerless. Some use quality bicycle gloves that aren't bulky in the palm. There are 'high dexterity' gloves as well using man-made materials.

 

[Bazoo]

I haven’t ever considered gloves. I’ll certainly give it a try I think. I’ll be up class with my fancy “shootin” gloves.

 

[1KPerDay]

The plastic Eagle OEM grips on my Colt SAA are pretty abrasive/grippy. Too much so for my taste, actually.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Some use quality bicycle gloves that aren't bulky in the palm. There are 'high dexterity' gloves as well using man-made materials.

This. Not only do bike gloves give you more traction, they also cushion the hand for hard kickers, and leave the fingers free for sensitivity. And they are relatively inexpensive.
One caveat; if you see a guy wandering around downtown with one glove, steer clear...
Moon

 

[NeroM]

This. Not only do bike gloves give you more traction, they also cushion the hand for hard kickers, and leave the fingers free for sensitivity. And they are relatively inexpensive..
Moon

I too, use and like bike gloves (above freezing weather. Get the ones with minimal padding = less grip distortion.

 

[Bazoo]

I never heard of bike gloves. I like the idea of leather so I’ll likely try buckskin. I’m a steel and wood and leather kinda guy.

I have had elk grips in the past and I like how grabby they were, even though they were smooth. I may eventually go that route.

I’ve never tried checkered, so I was thinking on that when I asked my question.

I’ve had elk, sambar, and Buffalo Horn, over the years. All of them had a tacky sort of feel. I don’t have any of them now.

 

[Jackrabbit1957]

One thing that works for me with a single action is a somewhat loose grip, right thumb tip on the recoil shield, the thumb position controls the roll up somewhat. If you support the gun in the palm of your off hand and use a relaxed grip your accuracy should improve. When you have a death grip on the gun the shakes get started pretty quickly and groups open up.