VZ Grips for Tracker .44

[Geldarr]

I've got a Rossi R44102 - the same gun as the TALO 2.5" barrel Taurus Tracker, but blued. I've been shooting it with Trailboss loads in magnum cases, which are nice .44 special level recoil loads. I've also acquired a simply Rugged sourdough pancake holster for it, which I plan to carry it in as backup during this year's deer season; I will be loading mid-range magnums in it for this purpose.

Like most, I can't say I really care much for the "ribber" grips that are on the pistol, so I'd like to replace them. I'm thinking of getting some of the VZ Grips for the Taurus LFR (I have confirmed with VZ that they will fit). Product pages here: https://vzgrips.com/shop-all/revolvers-grips/taurus-lfr-grips/

Should I go with the 320 (smooth) texture, or the Operator II (dimple cuts and grooves). Most folks suggest smooth grips for .44 mag revolvers, but the VZ tech suggested I go with the textured, and that they can be sanded smoother where necessary to avoid destroying my hands. Thoughts? I'm not planning on shooting too much of the real heavy stuff, but keeping in at hot .44 special levels for the most part.

Once I decide and purchase, pictures will (of course) be posted. I will be a bit of a trailblazer, as I cannot find a picture of a short-barreled tracker with these grips anywhere online. I'm partial to the black or cherry colors, by the way.

 

[lee n. field]

Are you sure those fit the Tracker?

My .44 Tracker has a "peg" style grip frame, like unto current Rugers. I don't think they are considered a "large frame" Taurus. Grips are secured through a screw on the heel of the grip. The VZ grips pictured have a screw through the side.

 

[Geldarr]

They have the same grip style as the Judge. Just a different method of attachment I suppose, squeezing from the sides vs. A screw on the bottom. These grips do fit the Judge as well Customer service assured me they would accept a return if they did not fit.

 

[LoonWulf]

They have the same grip style as the Judge. Just a different method of attachment I suppose, squeezing from the sides vs. A screw on the bottom. These grips do fit the Judge as well Customer service assured me they would accept a return if they did not fit.

Id go with the textured, but thats just me.....Im curious to know how well they end up fitting as I have a 692 which should also use the same grips, and Im not a huge fan of either the altamons, or the hogues ive got for it.

 

[Phidelt208]

I have textured grips on all the guns I shoot fast. Smooth grips for eye candy. I very much dislike slippery grips on those hot days or when it's raining. Especially with a revolver, they still feel weird in my hand.

 

[Geldarr]

Here it is in all of its .44 short-barrel glory:

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I must say that I am very pleased with how these grips look, fit and feel! Some thoughts:

• The "black cherry" color does kind of resemble dark rosewood, though the pictures don't really do it justice. It looks classy on a blued gun, for sure. I'd pick the black for a stainless revolver.
  
• The Operator II texture is nice, and I appreciate the couple of responses that mention having some texture as a good thing. They are very grippy without being obnoxiously rough. And, as the tech, Matt, at VZ Grips mentioned in my correspondence with him, I can always sand any hotspots down with fine-grit sandpaper.
  • They are hand filling (slightly narrower than the grippers) without being too big, and provide a little extra room for all of my fingers to hang on to.
  • HKS speedloaders fit with no problem - they would sometimes get hung up on the stock rubber grips.
• The grips have a very clever way of adjusting to fit individual pistol frames - there are 4 holes arranged in a rough circle that you put included steel dowel pins into. These interface with the circular cutout in the bottom half of the grip frame. Depending on how loose or tight things are, you can move one of the pins into a different hole and achieve tighter "wedging" action. I was able to get them on with no wiggle at all, after shifting the pin around. There is also a smaller dowel pin that goes up behind the trigger guard, and prevents any rotation. You can tell these things are done on a CNC, as everything is very precise in location. There is no gap anywhere between the two halves, and the fit around the frame near the hammer is very good as well.

Here's the companion picture in the Simply Rugged Sourdough pancake holster that it will ride in this deer season (possibly much more often). It almost entirely covers the whole gun, and does a great job keeping it tight and out of the way. It's a quality holster.

View media item 4100​

Hopefully I'll be getting out soon to shoot it!

 

[Geldarr]

Just a quick update - shot around 30 rounds through the revolver today, and I definitely could tell they needed a little less "bite". I sanded the checkering down a little with a medium grit sanding sponge (carefully). Feels better, but only the next range session will tell if more sanding is needed.

Grips worked great for their purpose, though. Still no complaints.