Wood grips for K frame

[CraigC]

Handgun stocks (grips to some) are such a personal thing it is silly to argue who's right in what they choose to use/shoot. If rubber makes your elevator go to the top floor, more power to ya. If wood makes your heart beat a little faster, enjoy. (smile)

Dave

Absolutely true. However, I feel rather compelled to challenge the popular notion that rubber grips cushion against recoil and are the only ones suitable for shooting. Or that "real shooters" use them. Many people just accept this without ever really exploring their options, thinking that all wood grips are just like whatever cheap crap the manufacturers put on factory guns. Some go so far as to deride the use of wood grips entirely and condescend those that prefer them with rhetoric about safe queens. The nonsense perpetuated in post #12 is a prime example of this.

I have Pachmayrs on my Dan Wessons because they are actually more comfortable than the factory wood grips. Which is rare because for most other guns they are too narrow in width and too long front to back. No doubt others find rubber grips to be more comfortable but as I said, it's the shape that matters.

 

[Speedo66]

Have you looked into the Thai grips on Ebay? Seems like a good deal on some nice grips, I know some people here have some and appear satisfied.

 

[Boattale]

Hands are always different. The idea that 1/8th inch or less of rubber somehow buffers recoil is absolutely ridiculous. The grip on rubber is sticky and makes recoil more felt. One example, a plow handle Blackhawk "roll's" in your hand. A well fitting wood grip is superior in every way.

Unless one happens to prefer rubber grips. And FWIW, the Pachmayer grips that I have mistakenly put on three of my revolvers could never be called sticky.

 

[WestKentucky]

I have Altamont Altai grips on a J frame and would highly recommend those for a K frame gun as well. Seems to be very similar to what comes on the Jerry Miculek signature guns. Altamont makes a great grip for the money.

I also have some Thailand JaruwanP grips which are nice as a low budget grip, but for a nice revolver I would skip them.

 

[RA40]

Hogue offers some:
https://www.hogueinc.com/handgun-grips/grips-for-smith-wesson/kframe/squarebutt/wood/pauferro

I have some pau ferro for the 686 but for the usual range stuff the Pachmayr are installed.

 

[amd6547]

On S&W’s, I like factory wood... On my GP100, I prefer the Lett compact rubber grip. I bought a wood Hogue, and it doesn’t fit my hand...too thick at the web, and became painful after about 30rds of magnum ammo. Never an issue with the compact rubber, or the Hogue rubber that came on it. I may get out the dremel and a sanding drum, and go to town.

 

[Gary W. Strange]

This is a set of Culina, English walnut on a S&W 18 no dash. I just got them in yesterday. When I ordered them, I told them what I wanted, they emailed me pictures of some blanks to choose from and when they were finished, they emailed me the finished product, to approve, before they shipped them. The whole process took about a month. They are first rate. Very well made, fit great and look very nice. This is my first set of Culinas, but it won’t be my last. I am going to look into getting a set of N frame coke bottles for a 624, in a very nice semi-fancy wood. They are very mindful and listen, to get you just what you are looking for. Very professional people to deal with. I don’t think you would be disappointed with Culina. I ordered a set of grips from Craig Spegel, actually talked to him on the phone, for a Browning Hi-Power. They remind me of the way he does business.

 

[Gary W. Strange]

Agree 100%! The way the grip fits your hand is FAR more important than the material it's made from. This idea that rubber cushions recoil is purely myth.



The problem is not wood grips, it's factory wood grips. In a word, they usually suck. Funny thing is, it's the same problem with rubber grips, they suck too but for different reasons. How do I know this? From shooting tens of thousands of rounds out of guns that recoil a hell of a lot more than anything a cop would carry. There's a reason why .475's and .500's never sport rubber grips.

Not a safe queen (Keith Brown):
View attachment 899975

Not a safe queen (Lone Star):
View attachment 899976

Not safe queens. The .44 is now with a gripmaker for custom exotic wood grips. The .480 wears rubbers because of the shape, not the material:
View attachment 899977

Not a safe queen (Culina):
View attachment 899978

Not a safe queen (Culina):
View attachment 899979

Not safe queens (Culina):
View attachment 899980

What are the grips on the S&W 629 mountain gun of? Also how would you rate Culnia against Keith Brown? Not considering checkering, because Culina no longer offers checkering. Just as far as quality in the wood, finish, fit and feel in the hand. Just wondering what ones thoughts are, that own both.

 

[CraigC]

It's antique linear paper micarta. I don't see any difference between them. Honestly, I think Keith Brown's off the shelf grips are overpriced.

 

[Gary W. Strange]

It's antique linear paper micarta. I don't see any difference between them. Honestly, I think Keith Brown's off the shelf grips are overpriced.

I
I think Keith Brown's grips are beautiful, but they are high, but from what I can see from just looking at them on the internet, Culias look just as nice. Thank you for your reply.

 

[CraigC]

In my opinion, if they're gonna cost $500, they should be fitted to the frame. That said, I doubt that above is my last set.

 

[NoirFan]

I'm a big fan of the Ahrends smooth tactical grips. I have medium to small hands and these fit me perfectly. I just wish they made them for the Security Six too.

Not a safe queen (Lone Star):

Please tell us more about that GP100. Love the gold bead and classic half lug.

 

[slickracer]

I'm a huge fan of Kim Ahrend's stuff. Sad he's closed up shop.
View attachment 899990

My favorite grips.

 

[J-Bar]

And now for something completely different, just for grins and to pass the time while socially distancing:

Sometimes I dress up my S&W Model 14-3 with a set of walnut Fitz grips I found on eBay for less than $50. Actually feels pretty good in my old arthritic hands.

 

[CraigC]

Please tell us more about that GP100. Love the gold bead and classic half lug.

It's a 5" blued .44Spl. A distributor special from Lipsey's a couple years ago.