Thanks.
I was wondering why there were so many different looking TC-made grips.
I'll look into the Pachmayr Gripper.
Marketing to instill new sales is the main reason why TC changed their grips so many times, not poor design. Yeah the first grip could be unpleasant with the magnums when they offered them, but keep in mind that when it was designed and first offered the Contender was only to come in 22RF, 22WRM, 22 Jet, 22 Hornet and 38 SPL. Most of the later designs were very serviceable, especially considering they were generic "one size fits all" grips. My favorite of all of them was the Herrett style. So starting with that first design I've had them all for the Contender's over the year since soon after TC came out with it (none for G2's), but I've only had the first issue TC factory Encore grips. That first Encore grip did leave some to be desired with "Torque Monster" cartridges (remembering full house loads in my short 454 Casull and short 416 Rigby here). With very strong hands and technique I could handle them just fine, but I went to custom made for the Encores soon after getting them when a buddy who had been shooting handcannions for years cut his knuckles with the Casull (through his shooting glove no less). So while most TC factory grips do work just fine for a pop gun (44MAG), and easily the Pachy's, the best grip for either the Contender or the Encore are custom grips made to fit your hand, period. They are not that expensive from some of the makers, especially in standard grades, and well worth the investment. If you buy a grip set that fits you, you will have a grip that will last you the rest of your life no matter what cartridges you start shooting.
My best custom grips (and stocks) were made for me by Bullberry in exhibition grade, but I had others from other makers as well in lessor grades that were excellent in use. I've never been a fan of color laminated woods, I prefer wood but real wood, so that excluded a couple of excellent grip makers I certainly would have bought from otherwise. For custom grips you might drop a PM to David D. here on GBO, or contact Fred at Bullberry or Denzel Roberts who all make fine sets. Not sure if he is still at it, but Georgia Jim is another. Unfortunately Justin Sip is out of the business.
As for the Pachy's, I never had them for the Encores because I got back out of the Encores by the time they came out for them. But for the Contender's (not G2's) I bought a bunch of the Presentation model Pachy's when they first came out, and hated them, especially for all my wildcats handcannons. When the gripper models came out I eventually ended up owning around 2 dozen sets of them despite their being a bit small for large hands, and loved them even for my hardest recoiling Contender handcannons when they were not wearing the custom grips.
FWIW
