By Dave Workman
Editor-in-Chief
My search for the “perfect” handgun grips has proven one thing above all: There is no such thing.
Over the years, I’ve tried different grips on single- and double-action revolvers, and an equal number for semi-autos. It is abundantly clear some materials add character and even a little flash to a sidearm, while other choices simply provide practicality in certain environments.
Some years ago, during the winter months, I got into the habit of installing Pachmayr rubber grips with molded checkering. They made for a superior hold in wet weather, and you couldn’t hurt them with bumps, scrapes or even by dropping the gun, which has been a rare event in my proximity.
I found Pachmayr models to fit a Model 19 Smith & Wesson snubby with its round butt, a one-piece Presentation for an N-frame S&W, and even a one-piece model designed for my Ruger Blackhawk. In the process, I discovered these grips do absorb felt recoil rather well, but as the years have passed, I’ve also refined my tastes a bit.
The S&W snub gun now is adorned with a set of Detective grips from Herrett’s Stocks. They’re checkered and for concealed carry, they seem just right, especially when carried in an old Safariland upside down shoulder holster. I have a 6-inch Model 19 that has been wearing Herrett’s stocks for decades, and they have held up well through many hunting seasons and treks afield at other times of the year.
Herrett’s also supplied a set of grips made from American Holly, a feather-light wood that is very attractive and gets better with age. This particular set was made on the “Roper” pattern, which I discovered fits my hand rather well.
It was during a Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) show several years back I stopped at the Eagle Grips display, striking up a great friendship with CEO Raj Singh and learning about different grip materials including stag (it’s pricey!) and elk antler (less pricey, but darned attractive).
Raj introduced me to his Heritage grip series, which includes a remarkably well-done target-style Rosewood grip reminiscent of the original factory “coke bottle” grip design found on vintage S&W revolvers a couple of generations ago.
Today, I’ve got a set of these on my Model 57 S&W with a 6-inch barrel, and they are very comfortable even with heavy .41 Magnum loads.
If you’re mounting aftermarket grips on a magnum, be sure they’re not thin panels that seem in vogue among many shooters. A narrow grip will pound your palm during recoil when using full house loads, while shooting target loads doesn’t have the same discomfort.
A few years back, while chatting with Raj, I suggested he make Heritage grips out of a material he had incorporated into his product line. It’s called Kirinite, and it’s a tough stuff, impervious to weather and I acquired a set of square butt “Ivory Heritage” grips to fit on my 4-inch Model 57, which has become one of my favorite carry guns. I vaguely recall him asking whether I wanted checkering or a smooth surface, and I opted for the latter. This Kirinite, when checkered, feels a teensy bit sharp in my hand, and I could just imagine touching off a few rounds of full-house magnum reloads and having my palm sting for the rest of the day.
The Kirinite grips on my wheelgun have a slightly translucent quality, but from a distance, I’ve had pals ask if they were genuine ivory. Alas, ivory is no longer an option, which is a shame because it is durable and beautiful.
However, there are other materials for handgun grips, and I’ve got a .45-caliber Colt Commander upon which I mounted a set of stag grips rounded up several years ago by a pal shopping on eBay. Genuine stag actually offers a solid grip because its natural texture doesn’t slide around in the hand under recoil. I discovered it polishes up nicely, and against a deep blue metal surface, stag just looks classy.
There is another synthetic material available, called “Magna Tusk,” from Arizona Custom Grips. I wrote about these grips more than two years ago, and they have held up very well in the Northwest environment, which can range from hot and dusty to cold, wet and miserable. I have Magna Tusk “Aged Ivory” grip panels on a Ruger Blackhawk and New Vaquero, and both guns are comfortable under recoil.
This “aged ivory” finish appears to be produced with some sort of stain but it doesn’t rub off. The result is a grip that does appear to have yellowed a bit, and it is quite attractive while being 100 percent functional.
Finding the right aftermarket grip for your favorite sidearm could take some experimenting, so don’t be surprised if your initial choice doesn’t measure up to expectations. For some people, the search may not really ever end, but for others, the right combination of feel and looks comes along almost immediately.
