Steve,
Grips are like a lot of other things. They each feel differently to each of us, and some like wood and some like rubber, and some like ivory or stag or immitations of those. Some buy for looks and some buy for works. I mostly buy for works, but I also don't mind it a bit if what works also looks good!
I own both brands, and like both brands, some better on a certain type of firearm than others. Mostly, the wood grips that I use are Hogues, and mostly the rubber or composition grips I use are Pachmayrs. I mostly like and use the Decelerators cause they fit my hand best. I have a few that have the open backstrap that I use on some of my older square butt revolvers, but like the regular ones for all the round butt frames. With the possible exception of a smaller piece or two that is carried mostly underneath clothing and shot little and for which I like wood because it is slicker than the rubber, my using handguns wear composition grips and almost all of them are Pachmayrs. I don't know if they work better for me because of the way they are made and shaped or because of the way they fit my hand. I suspect the fit has a great deal to do with it.
I can tell you that the quality of each brand is excellent, and I don't think you will find much to choose between except for style and fit. Both have been in business for a long time, and I have lots of years of experience with each. I highly recommend them both, so get the one you personally like the best!!
