Are rubber grips worthwhile on a SA????

[drdougrx]

Hi All,

I was looking at micarta grips for my 41mag BH.  No reason really other than they look kinda cool.  I bought it used with a pachmeyer rubber grip on it that I don't like the looks of and it feels like I'm holding a potato.  I sent the gun to ruger for a refrub and they sent me a bill with a new set of wood grips added for $38.  I'm not crazy about the factory wood grips either.  I'm not looking for custom grips really, so, I went to the Midway site to browse.  Hogue has a set of rubber grips that would work I guess, but, they are UG-LY!!! 

Any opinions??

[Axehandle]

You can stick with the XR3-Red grip frame on your blackhawk and still have options...  On my personal XR3-Red grip frames I like flat bottoms..  Cary Chapman at http://www.clccustomgrips.com/ made the set on this gun..

[Ken ONeill]

Ugly is exactly the right word for the Hogue and Pachmayrs, in my opinion. But it's not my gun, of course.
Pachs can have a place on a rough service gun, but both they and the Hogues prevent the normal single action roll... and take a bite out of your palm instead, in a heavy recoiler.

[44 Man]

I have ended up with 'Pach's on my scoped, hunting revolvers, but pretty grips on the others.  I agree on the 'ugly' part, but it all depends on what you are doing with them.  When it is cold and snowy out and you need a good 'non-slip' grip on the gun, rubber grips work well.  On a single action with 'normal' sights, I would never go with the rubber grips unless you had very sweaty hands that made gripping the gun difficult.  Only my FA wears the rubber grips, but it is used hunting in the cold and wet.  You will likely end up with several 'extra' grips in the parts drawer before you find exactally what you want.  44 Man

This is my 'Mag-na-port' Stalker FA with Pachmyers.


These are my stainless Gaucho's with Stag


This is another Gaucho with 'fake' Jigged Bone grips that have been thinned to fit my hand.


These are a pair of Lloyd's gun with grips I have scrimshawed for him.

[SHOOTALL]

The beauty of the SA is the ablity of it to rotate in your hand when shooting . It takes some of the kick out . I shot a 44 mag blackhawk when shootinf IMHSA and tried rubber grips and wood grips for target shooting . Both stablized my hand - no slip . After a match with the rubber grips it was back to stock grips . The target grips never made it to a match . Beauty is really in the function .

[Sweetwater]

As posted, I found rubber grips on a Blackhawk or Super Blackhawk, with stiff loads, wanted to rip the web of my hand - not pleasant. I put some Jayscott Fake Bone on one that also squared the bottom edge, which I really liked. I've put oversized grips in walnut (similar in size to a Super Blackhawk grip) on a couple 41Mags that really increased the grip length. Most I tried were very thick and required a lot of thinning. One set and I forget where I got them was perfect - then I split a bottom corner off and after that they hurt. I have a set of Herret's that I really like And somewhere here I've got a set of finger grooves that I used on one Blackhawk that got sold with the original grips back on it.

I guess if you always use a shooting glove ( or hunting glove) you would probably get along fine with the 'rubber' - I liked them on my DA's but not my SA's.

Regards,
Sweetwater

[drdougrx]

OK...I've got it!  I'm just looking for a set of nice grips for hunting revolver.  I think I'll try to find a set of micarta...hogue makes them....though one more question....micarta or polymer???  Does the poymer hold up??  I suspect the micarta will.

[Axehandle]

FWIW Two of my Freedom Arms "Set" came to me with the field grade factory rubber  grips.  I recently shipped both grip frames to Scott Kolar  http://www.skgrips.com/  to have some burl mesquite fitted... Scott asks for the grip frames and a tracing of your hand for proper fitting to the gun and to your hand...  I'll post pics when they return...

[Axehandle]

I put Hogue black micarta on my 300 GNR Blackhawk converted to a Bisley.   They look and fit decent...  I had Cary Chapman fit black micarta to a pair of new stainless Bisley grip frames...  He provided and installed black eagles too...  They are exquisite works of art...

[drdougrx]

How gorgeous!!!  Really...why do I bother with rifles???

Axe...I still have visions of the stainless 41mag with the ivory grips imprinted on my brain!

44man...had a stalker and predator built  and sold them...more STUPID moves.....

[Graybeard]

There is a major difference in the way DA and SA guns deal with recoil. That difference really should determine the type grip you have on them. DA guns are designed to recoil back into your hand without rolling tho if the recoil is heavy enough the gun will lift some it should never roll in your hand.

An SA on the other hand is designed to roll up in recoil and to slip thru your hand to some extent. To try and prevent it from doing so in a heavy recoiling SA is sure to be an unpleasant experience. Rubber is not compatible with the rolling recoil of an SA and really should never be used with guns that have heavy recoil.

That they are UGLY is just another reason to not add them to SA guns.

Now I happen to prefer the back into my hand recoil delivery of a DA gun far more than the rolling recoil delivery of an SA and that is why I mostly own DA revolvers. I also have developed a very light hold on revolvers which really isn't compatible with heavy recoiling SA guns. When I was doing the review of the FA83 .454 and RB .454 the COR-BON and some Buffalo Bore factory loads in the FA83 when it didn't have a scope would bring blood at most shots due to it rolling so far the hammer cut me.

After one cylinder full of those heavy bullet COR-BON loads in the FA83 without the scope I said ENOUGH and stopped. I would not subject myself to that level of pain again. I was able to shoot them in the RB454 with no pain and no problem whatsoever.

So save the rubber for DA guns and use something on SA guns that lets it roll and slip but not too much.

[Axehandle]

I also have a taste for ivory, Dall Sheep Horn, Sambar Stag, Amboyna burl, claro walnut, and and and  

[Sweetwater]

I gotta agree, Stainless and Ivory just seem right together....

Regards,
Sweetwater

[BlkHawk73]

IMO, nothing looks worse on a single action revolver than oversized rubber grips (pachmayers, hogues, etc)

[Frank V]

I really dislike rubber stocks on any handgun particularly a good SA. There are any number of stocks out there that look better & feel better than rubber. I'd look into a nice set of American Holly by Cary's Custom Grips or maybe a set of Elk stag stocks.
Frank

[drdougrx]

I've got the message!!!  I'll post when I get the gun back!!

[Lloyd Smale]

no condoms on my single actions!!

[cbourbeau32]

All I can say is that ya'll have some cool looking grips. Please do post pic's when you get yours back drdoug.

[Steve P]

To each his own I guess.  I don't want my revolver rolling in my hand.  I want to be able to follow thru and see my target right across my signts.  Obviously you can't do that with heavy recoil, BUT, the head, eyes, and follow thru do not change, only the recoil does. 

I have a lot of single action revolvers.  Most of them have the Hogue grip on them.  Not for looks, for function.  Nothing worse than a sweaty palm on slick grips to screw up a shot. 

I do have a couple of old looking Colt replicas with fancy wood grips that sit in my gun cabinet.  They are there for looks.  Don't get me wrong, they shoot, but not nearly as accurately as my other guns.

No one has ever walked up to me and openly admired one of my revolvers for it's beauty.  I have had many many folks walk up to me and openly admire many of my revolvers for their shooting ability and accuracy.

Maybe it's a crutch, I don't know, but the rubber finger groove grips work for me.  Downing targets also gives me more warm fuzzies than all the compliments in the world. 

Plagarized photo of gun similar to mine.  Same looks, different serial number.

Your gun, your choice.

Steve

[Axehandle]

How about a pair of FA 50 bores....  One with..  One Without... How about that black micarta on that 4 inch round butt 500WE!   The rubbered 4.75 inch 50AE is having Scott Kolar burl mesquite fitted right now...

[drdougrx]

I'm in awe of your collection Axe!

[Axehandle]

No "collection" here...  In my mind "collection" implies safe queens....  Nothing here but a "set" of shooters...   Come on down... Let's Shoot! 

[Glanceblamm]

To each his own I guess.  I don't want my revolver rolling in my hand.  I want to be able to follow thru and see my target right across my signts.  Obviously you can't do that with heavy recoil, BUT, the head, eyes, and follow thru do not change, only the recoil does. 

I have a lot of single action revolvers.  Most of them have the Hogue grip on them.  Not for looks, for function.  Nothing worse than a sweaty palm on slick grips to screw up a shot. 

I do have a couple of old looking Colt replicas with fancy wood grips that sit in my gun cabinet.  They are there for looks.  Don't get me wrong, they shoot, but not nearly as accurately as my other guns.

No one has ever walked up to me and openly admired one of my revolvers for it's beauty.  I have had many many folks walk up to me and openly admire many of my revolvers for their shooting ability and accuracy.

Maybe it's a crutch, I don't know, but the rubber finger groove grips work for me.  Downing targets also gives me more warm fuzzies than all the compliments in the world. 

Plagarized photo of gun similar to mine.  Same looks, different serial number.

Your gun, your choice.

Steve

I know what Steve P is talking about as I have a Hogue on a SBH. It is Ugly but yet very functional as the grip provides an excellent platform for launching a bullet with or without a sewer pipe on top. An added benifit is that the large condom really soaks up recoil but I am really not recoil sensitive. I have this one setup for the late season and some comforatable 100yd shooting. I would dare say that most here would not have a consistancy problem with a 100yd bowling pin with either the 240gr XTP ahead of a hunting load of 296 or my newer loading of a 265gr Hornady FP interlock ahead of 2400.

I really do enjoy my three other Stock S/A's and use them for the regular season. Am also shooting a pair of Cap n ball's in the .44 cal 1860 army & .36 cal navy replica's as well as a single shot blk powder in the .45 cal. My old H&R model 649 In the .22 cal convertible still gets a work out but has tended to be replaced by my little 3-7/8" Birds head Vaquero in the .45 Colt for general scouting chores.



The only thing about this piece that grieves me is that there is now a couple of threaded holes in that top strap that may or may not take away from the overall value of this .44 mag...it is for some very comforatable 100yd shooting as said though and I will probably Never sell it. It is great to leave the long guns at home as I have done so for six years now. Sacrilegious? perhaps...Functional? Yes.

[Axehandle]

How about a set of Eagle Sambar Stag on a 8 Shot 327 Stainless Blackhawk?

[Sweetwater]

Yuh, that's real purty!!

[Sverre A.]

On my Ruger`s and FA - I have come to that conclusion that a rubber-grip is much better than wood.
I (read: my finger) don`t like the "rolling".

But - when I take pictures of my SA`s - I mount the woods 

[SM Bob]

To each his own I guess.  I don't want my revolver rolling in my hand.  I want to be able to follow thru and see my target right across my signts.  Obviously you can't do that with heavy recoil, BUT, the head, eyes, and follow thru do not change, only the recoil does. 

I have a lot of single action revolvers.  Most of them have the Hogue grip on them.  Not for looks, for function.  Nothing worse than a sweaty palm on slick grips to screw up a shot. 

I do have a couple of old looking Colt replicas with fancy wood grips that sit in my gun cabinet.  They are there for looks.  Don't get me wrong, they shoot, but not nearly as accurately as my other guns.

No one has ever walked up to me and openly admired one of my revolvers for it's beauty.  I have had many many folks walk up to me and openly admire many of my revolvers for their shooting ability and accuracy.

Maybe it's a crutch, I don't know, but the rubber finger groove grips work for me.  Downing targets also gives me more warm fuzzies than all the compliments in the world. 

Plagarized photo of gun similar to mine.  Same looks, different serial number.

Your gun, your choice.

Steve

I know it's not popular but I agree with Steve P. I like rubber.

6.5 inch blue 41 Mag Blackhawk. Came with black plastic grips. Switched to Hogue Mono Grip.



4 5/8 inch SS 357 Mag Blackhawk with Hogue Mono Grip.



I'm not out to win a beauty contest. I just want to hit what I'm aiming at. I can always switch them back anytime.

                               Robert

[SHOOTALL]

No rubber grips on my revolver and no wooden tires on my Ram truck . Every thing has a place !

[Flash]

There should be a little smiley face icon for sticking your finger down your throat and puking.

[Axehandle]

Had some Ajax Sambar Stag waitng in the parts box for the Lipsey's Flattop Bisley 44 Special..
Sack Peterson is whipping up a set of XR3 Elk Stags for my TALO stainless 44 Special Flattop