Why did S&W stop making the wood grips w/ Medallions?

[Rockrivr1]

I really hate the rubber grips that come on the new S&W revolvers so I always replace them with S&W wood grips with the medallions. They are expensive most times, but they make the revolver look oh so much better. Plus I think I shoot them better with the wood grips. With that said, I'm trying to figure out why they stopped making them. The demand for them is pretty stiff and I would figure it would be an additional product line that would make them some money.

Anyone know why?

 

[Master Blaster]

Cost injection molded rubber is cheaper than Goncalo Alves or walnut, plus most folks pitch them so they say, and replace them with aftermarket grips, by Hogue pachmeyer or other custom wood makers.

 

[unspellable]

grips

Cost injection molded rubber is cheaper than Goncalo Alves or walnut, plus most folks pitch them so they say, and replace them with aftermarket grips, by Hogue pachmeyer or other custom wood makers.

I'll buy the rubber is cheaper part, but if most pitch the wood ones, why are they so expensive on the aftermarket?

 

[MICHAEL T]

I also perfer wood. Well I like blue and wood to be more specfic. I won't buy a new S&W I think they look like crap . + they have the you know what on the side. Really if they went back to making pistols like they did years ago I would buy one even with their silly lock. I have decided I will be buying all the used Blue and Wood S&W I can afford. Then my children will own a classic America handgun .When craftmanship mattered and lawyers ,bean counters stayed in background.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Anyone know why?

Five factors: cost, cost, cost, cost, and cost.

 

[R.H. Lee]

Maybe because the labor skill level of whatever third world craphole they outsource to is not high enough to make wooden grips?

 

[el44vaquero]

Smith and Wesson doesn't train it's monkeys the way they used to do. They are getting so lazy.

All joking aside, I believe it is all about cost and you never worry about rubber splitting or splintering.

 

[ktd]

The funny thing was I worked at a shop and it was always "These wood grips suck, why can't they put pach/hogues on em?" and "Wish they made these with a heavy barrel", then when Smith started going nuts with full lug barrels and put hogues on everything it was "These fingergroove rubber grips suck, I like the warmth of wood" and "Wish they made these with light better balanced barrels". Personally, I just have a mix of every combination, it makes me happy.

 

[popeye]

A set of N frame Cokes went for $340 on fleabay the other day. I found out this is not unusual for Cokes. I'm hoping to find some N frame magnas for under $60. I've been buying K frame target grips and any J's I run across. The prices are getting nuts.

 

[Hammerdown]

Hello
Interesting thread. One MAJOR reason S&W dropped the wood was $$$ The other was that they CUT the frame size on there large revolver's BACK to a K-frame configuration.. again $$$ I am partial to WOOD and refinish plenty for guys that want a high performance finish. I apply seven coats of clear and each is wet sanded to remove all blemishes. The finish product is a well grain defined grip with minimal material. here is some to drewl over. Best regards, Hammerdown

 

[Arch]

Hammerdown,
Where can I get a grip just like the ones in the middle of your second photo for a reasonable price?? Patchmar calls the style "presentation style" and sell them for a really good price, but I like the look of wood better.

As for the actually topic, I am definatly another that really hates those monoblock-finger groove grips. They force you to take a hold that you don't want. They just feel very unnatural. Pity you can't injection mold wood pulp.

 

[Hammerdown]

Hey Arch
Those are Eagle Brand grips and can be found by doing a search under Eagle grip corp. Good Luck, Hammer Down.

 

[Arch]

Excellent, thanks for that. $69.95

 

[Hammerdown]

Hello Arch
I HOPE they FIT your gun good. I have seen some ILL fiting problems from Eagle lately.. Good luck, Hammerdown

 

[Arch]

Thanks mate. My bigger problem is scraping together the cash

 

[Rockrivr1]

With the exception of my S&W 500, all my revolvers have wood on them. Some old, some new. Actually, I believe I bought some J-Frame grips from Hammerdown off of a different forum. They are very nice.

Hummmm, wood on the 500. Not sure if that is a good thing or not. That thing can hurt with the bigger loads.

Here is a pic of the family

 

[magsnubby]

Hello Arch
I HOPE they FIT your gun good. I have seen some ILL fiting problems from Eagle lately.. Good luck, Hammerdown

I've bought a couple pairs of Eagle grips off e-bay and Gun Broker in the last year. I paid around $15 (shipping included) per pair. Both pair had to be fitted to the guns. One the pair for a Ruger SP101 the fit was so loose i had to use wood putty to fit them to the gun. The other pair for a J frame S&W i had to trim up the inside to get them to fit. No way i would pay full retail for them. I don't mind doing a little fitting if the price is right.

Hammerdown,
Beautiful grips.