Author Topic: best grips for 45 LC with close to max loads? (Read 4236 times)

wileynet · « **on:** January 08, 2012, 07:03:47 PM »

have a 5 !/2 BBL on ruger blackhawk, have some heavy loads i like to carry in bear country, the black checkered grips tear my hands up any suggestions?

Graybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** January 09, 2012, 09:43:54 AM »

Boy ya got that right. I like the feel of the checkered black grips Ruger puts on them and even like the looks but if you load them much above CAS level loads those grips begin to tear at your hand and become quite painful.

From the beginning single actions were designed to roll upward in your hand in recoil. That is the manner in which SAs deliver recoil so the grips you have on them need to be smooth to allow that roll without pain.

I really like the looks of the white plastic grips Ruger is using these days on some of their guns and they are smooth and are proper for a gun with recoil. The bad thing is you can't buy such a grip from Ruger except for the Flat Top cuz the regular BH these days has a silly internal safety in the grip that prevents the grips from fitting.

What I did was order a set of grips from Altamont for my BH and for my Single Six as well. They both are fatter (thicker) than factory and I'm not sure I like that but do feel that on the BH 45 Colt the grips should help with recoil management better for that. On the Single Six tho I really preferred the thinner grips.

Far better for me tho is the Bisley grip and Ruger does sell a set of white plastic grips for them that are thin and feel so much better than the factory installed laminated wood grips it is just hard to imagine just how much better these are for me. Makes me want to put Bisley grips on all my Rugers. Here are some photos of what I have on mine now.

wileynet · « **Reply #2 on:** January 09, 2012, 12:40:22 PM »

whoa i like those grips, i noticed a lot of after marget grips listed as new style blackhawk/vaquero grips do these fit the internal safety frames

tacklebury · « **Reply #3 on:** January 09, 2012, 01:10:56 PM »

When I'm hunting or shooting I wear at least unlined driving gloves or better. I like the control and the grips are great. You can get aftermarket grips from lots of places which work with the internal lock too including:
Privates: http://www.privatescustomgrips.com/Order_XR3Red_Grips.html
nice guy to work with and good prices. States his will work with locks.

CLC: http://www.clccustomgrips.com/
he's stated that his work with the lock specifically on the Ruger Forum.

Few misc:
Esmeralda: http://www.esmeralda.cc/rugergrips.htm
Very cool, but hard to get into her list if you want something specific. 8(

Eagle Grips: http://www.eaglegrips.com/guns/Ruger-New-Model-Blackhawk-W-ma.html

Bigeasy · « **Reply #4 on:** January 09, 2012, 03:06:48 PM »

For my big hands, rubber grips work best with max loads. I can't get all my fingers on the standard wood grips, and the Bisley still nails me on the middle finger even though it seems to provide a good grip. Anything less hen max loads in my 44's and 45's, the standard wood grips work ok for me, with my little finger wrapped under the butt. The slightly fatter maple grips on my 44 mag. flat top seem to help with recoil a bit.

Larry

wileynet · « **Reply #5 on:** January 09, 2012, 04:54:54 PM »

from what i understand a smooth grip letting the gun "roll" is better than soft rubber

painted horse · « **Reply #6 on:** January 09, 2012, 06:20:16 PM »

I don't know, maybe it has to do with hand size. My hands are what I would call medium sized but have long fingers. I tried those Pachmeyer grips on a SBH and hated em'. ( I have two sets if any one wants em') My Vaqueros came with the white micarta smooth grips and while they were ok with "normal" 45 colt loads, with heavier loadings I had trouble hangin on to em', just to slippery. I ended up taking my dremel and turning them into my rendition of a stag grip. The big smooth ridges made the difference for me. No problem with smooth grips on the BBH. I don't really like the looks of the jigged bone grip but think they would give a guy a good handle....

Gunfighter grips may also work for guys that don't have "Mickey Hands", they're slimmer with less flare at the bottom.

wileynet · « **Reply #7 on:** January 09, 2012, 06:48:43 PM »

belove or not my hand size is a seven ( i wear a lot of surgical gloves) what about the smooth grips with thumb rest

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #8 on:** January 29, 2012, 05:40:47 AM »

I'm one who likes the control and positive hand grip of the Hogue. With them I have the same grip each time I shoot, giving me better shot placement. This is only for me. I run pretty stiff loads through my Blackhawk and Redhawk and have them on both. Some target work with them against factory grips has shown better grouping for me. I do not find max loads of H110 or LilGun under 315gr cast to be painful with either set of grips, only better control and consistant hand placement with the rubber, grooved Hogue grips. DP

Cheesehead · « **Reply #9 on:** January 29, 2012, 05:52:30 AM »

On my Ruger Blackhawk 4 3/8" I use Hogue rubber grips exactly as shown in Bigeasys pic. For me, they help handle Heavy recoil and improve speed of recovery.

Cheese

Duke0313 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 29, 2012, 10:32:01 PM »

There ain't nothin' like stag grips on a blued Blackhawk!

cwlongshot · « **Reply #11 on:** January 30, 2012, 12:03:49 AM »

I prefer the slick smooth grips on my heavy kickers. I also like the Bisley frame!

Stag is not bad and looks good at the same time.

These are Eagle grips.

CW

wileynet · « **Reply #12 on:** January 30, 2012, 09:10:16 AM »

took the blackhawk out again, tried holding it different, i now have road rash on palm from the grips and bushed finger from trigger guard, gun does dot rotate up at all, just to the left and back, thinking ill try some slick grips

Swampman · « **Reply #13 on:** January 30, 2012, 09:31:28 AM »

Knowledgeable handgunners wear a leather glove on the shooting hand when shooting heavy loads. Bob Milek taught me this. That way you don't have to put hideous rubber grips on them. I cut the end off the thumb and forefinger of the glove.

Cheesehead · « **Reply #14 on:** January 30, 2012, 10:23:52 AM »

It is more important for my handgun to be instantly functional, since it is for hunting and defense. Being "pretty" has no place in this application. Be a man and use your bare hands. There is no time for a "fancy" glove in my world.

Cheese

Swampman · « **Reply #15 on:** January 30, 2012, 11:55:35 AM »

I can't hunt without gloves. There's nothing fancy about a leather work glove with the finger tip and thumb cut off. I wear a glove when shooting my bow too. I been a man longer than you've been alive.

Cheesehead · « **Reply #16 on:** January 30, 2012, 12:09:08 PM »

"I can't hunt without gloves."

I am sorry to hear that.

Cheese

Swampman · « **Reply #17 on:** January 30, 2012, 12:19:20 PM »

1. Hand are light colored and frequently are the first thing game sees when you move. Resembling a deers tail they can get you shot.
2. The bugs are so bad here you'd have nothing but nubs without the gloves.
3. The temps drop into the 20s during prime hunting times.

How long have you been hunting?

Cheesehead · « **Reply #18 on:** January 30, 2012, 12:28:02 PM »

Quote from: Swampman on January 30, 2012, 09:31:28 AM

Knowledgeable handgunners wear a leather glove on the shooting hand when shooting heavy loads. Bob Milek taught me this. That way you don't have to put hideous rubber grips on them. I cut the end off the thumb and forefinger of the glove.

Swampman,

You start your trolling with this broad based insult.

I ask why?

Cheese

Swampman · « **Reply #19 on:** January 30, 2012, 12:33:13 PM »

Not trolling or insulting at all......Just stating my opinion.

Graybeard · « **Reply #20 on:** January 30, 2012, 12:34:24 PM »

I've been hunting for about 61 years or a tad more. Been doing so with handguns at least 45 years. Ya ain't got anymore bugs in FL than we do in Bama and for sure it doesn't get as cold down there as here and for sure not as cold as in cheeseland.

I prefer to shoot handguns without gloves so only wear them if it's cold enough to require it or if the recoil is just too much to deal with bare hand. These days arthritis in my hands is so bad I'm not able to shoot loads with that level of recoil anyway so I pretty much never use gloves on the range.

Contrary to your opinion of yourself you're not the only one who has ever used handguns and aren't the keeper of all knowledge of such matters. Tossing names of magazine writers you never met around adds nothing to the discussion.

Swampman · « **Reply #21 on:** January 30, 2012, 12:39:24 PM »

Having hunted Alabama many many times, I've never seen any bugs there to speak of. Here (where I hunt) you can scarcely see for the bugs at times.

wileynet · « **Reply #22 on:** January 30, 2012, 12:44:45 PM »

i dont wear gloves all the time, my job requires i wear latex gloves up to 12-14 hrs a day, doing something that dose not require gloves is a bonus to quote my grandfather" the only work a man can do with gloves on is whistle" besides i like to "feel the Gun" looking at some white grips that can be custom screen printed thinking about a picture of Bobby that way he,s always with me

Swampman · « **Reply #23 on:** January 30, 2012, 12:47:19 PM »

I wear gloves at work almost all day due to the chemicals we work with.

Flash · « **Reply #24 on:** January 31, 2012, 01:05:54 AM »

Quote from: Duke0313 on January 29, 2012, 10:32:01 PM

There ain't nothin' like stag grips on a blued Blackhawk!

Wow, the bark on stags will tear your hand up worse. I have smooth Hogues in walnut or white synthetic like Graybeard's Altamont grips, but without the artwork and they work the best for me. I believe the Hogue grip has a little more palm swell (I have large hands) than factory and it keeps me from having to fight the recoil. The Bisley grip in my opinion is the best for felt recoil. The rubber grips will work too but I'd need to carry a screwdriver to remove them, should a buddy walk up on me.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #25 on:** January 31, 2012, 02:25:53 AM »

I too prefer to wear a thin glove with some situations. Hunting, most always, allot of shooting again I prefer them. I cannot wear them for compatition, they are not allowed.

A couple companies make padded gloves for heavy kickers. I find them more trouble than they are worth. But a thin leather glove like a "golf" glove or tactile glove work very well.

With my bisley I find anything that impares the ability of the gun to rotate in my hand to be a problem. Loose fitting gloves or ones with "grippy" palms are not so good. Same as that big Pachmayer SA grip. It makes the gun feel line a DA and completely changes one of the favorable things with a SA.

CW

CW

yooper77 · « **Reply #26 on:** January 31, 2012, 02:49:31 AM »

I use Pachmayr Presentation grips on my Ruger New Model Blackhawk Convertable in 45 Colt/45 A.C.P. Work well with gloves or no gloves and look good too.

I tried smooth wood and non-wood, but the grip is still too small for me.

I also put Pachmayr Presentation grips on Ruger New Model Blackhawk Convertable in 357 Magnum/9mm Luger, Ruger Old Army and Ruger Single Six.

yooper77

greenrivers · « **Reply #27 on:** January 31, 2012, 04:00:14 AM »

As a lineman for many years, the rubber gloves make your hand swet and will not allow callus. But I still prefer the feel and I like the looks of the factory black checkered grips. Even though I make my own. I would love to see someone bring a grip to the market that is made of a reinforced rubber that has the looks and feel, but allows the checkering to bend under recoil.

tacklebury · « **Reply #28 on:** January 31, 2012, 12:00:47 PM »

Quote from: greenrivers on January 31, 2012, 04:00:14 AM

As a lineman for many years, the rubber gloves make your hand swet and will not allow callus. But I still prefer the feel and I like the looks of the factory black checkered grips. Even though I make my own. I would love to see someone bring a grip to the market that is made of a reinforced rubber that has the looks and feel, but allows the checkering to bend under recoil.

Could try out a set of US Firearms Black Rubbers. Part number P40-A- might have to play with mounting hole some on a blackhawk, but would likely be close.

http://www.usfirearms.com/shop/category.asp

cwlongshot · « **Reply #29 on:** January 31, 2012, 12:18:09 PM »

Quote from: tacklebury on January 31, 2012, 12:00:47 PM

Quote from: greenrivers on January 31, 2012, 04:00:14 AM
As a lineman for many years, the rubber gloves make your hand swet and will not allow callus. But I still prefer the feel and I like the looks of the factory black checkered grips. Even though I make my own. I would love to see someone bring a grip to the market that is made of a reinforced rubber that has the looks and feel, but allows the checkering to bend under recoil.
Could try out a set of US Firearms Black Rubbers. Part number P40-A- might have to play with mounting hole some on a blackhawk, but would likely be close.
http://www.usfirearms.com/shop/category.asp

Like these?

They are copies of the hard rubber COLT grips of long ago. They are OK for std or target loads, but for heavy loads many find a smooth grip works better. The gun will have less perceived recoil as it "rolls" in your hand.
A couple of my 45's have smooth walnut stocks, (Much like Larrys top pic.) one Ruger BH wears a fairly smooth stag set. I chose it because it was smoother than most.

CW