I too am in the synthetic camp. In fact, not only do I prefer rubber grips, they have to be really ugly too. That's just coincidental, of course, but I do like the feel of Hogue or Pachmayr grips. I find it easier to return to my proper grip and pressure with the rubber grips. I think this is because the rubber is not as slippery as wood. I have contoured wooden grips and they are more difficult to get a good repeatable grip on. Granted, it's largely a matter of practice, if there weren't a benefit to me I'd be using something prettier. Is there an uglier gun than a 38 special blued K frame with gray Hogue grips on it?