Wood Grips for SP101?

[Classified00]

Hello all,

1. I'm looking for wood grips for my SP 101. Does anyone have any ideas?

2. Does anyone use the factory wood grip inserts? How are they working out?

Thanks!

 

[The_Shootist]

Woods Grips on SP 101

Actually, I have Pachmeyr (? sp) grips on mine, but if you go to Hogue Grips online store they sell a variety of wood grips - been toying with the idea of getting some Secret Service Grips.

 

[Doug Add]

I have Hogue cocobolo on my SP101. In my opinion they are an improvement over the factory grips in appearance, feel, and performance.

Go to Hogue Auction for good prices on factory seconds that are nearly impossible to tell apart from the ones for which you will pay full price. I have had excellent service from the auction site, buying for my Ruger and my SIG.

 

[cslinger]

I bought this set at a gunshow and I believe they are Hogues. I like them very very much.

 

[BlkHawk73]

I actually prefer the factory ones myself. The blk xenoy (?) inserts are getting changed to blk/grey lamintes ones but that's just for visual.

 

[K-Man]

I have the secret service grips in ebony from Eagle Grips:

 

[GaryP]

Try Lettgrips. They specialize in grips for Ruger. I purchased a set of checkered Zebra Wood inserts for one of my SP101's back in 1997 -- really nice! They have since discontinued many of their styles but it is worth looking into.

Gary

 

[Classified00]

Thanks for the ideas!

 

[P95Carry]

If you can run to CT grips - and like the idea - they are in fact (IMO) very comfortable and suit well.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

I run Houges on mine. Having that 3rd finger on the grip instead of under it makes all the difference in recoil control.

Also the wood doesn't hang up on clothing like the facory rubber can.

 

[BusMaster007]

K-Man,
Who did the gold accents for you? Looks nice with the grips.

 

[K-Man]

BusMaster007:

I bought the gun with that already done. But here's a guy that might be able to do the same thing:

www.ccr-refinishing.com

I plan in the not too distant future to have some engraving done by a guy that's in MO on the cylinder and then back filled with gold. The engraving would be somewhat of a simple line pattern, rather than the elaborate style often seen. I just want to give more of an accented appearance.

 

[skynyrd1911]

I've tried the Hogue rubber grips on mine, but didn't like the extra length. Made the gun harder to conceal for me. Went back to factory grips with the wood inserts from Ruger. They look great. I too am looking at the Secret Service grips, but haven't made a decision as of yet.

 

[The_Shootist]

Secret Service grips

K-Man, do those SS grips work okay with speedloaders? Either HKS or Safariland?

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

Do wooden grips cause more discomfort shooting? I've always wondered if they were more for looks.

 

[cslinger]

There is no doubt that a good set of rubber grips will soak up the recoil more effectively and be more comfortable, but I just have such a hard time accepting a revolver without wood or ivory/bone even faux grips. Revolvers to me are classy and should be done up that way.

I find that the worst for soaking up recoil are the wood or hard plastic grips that do not cover the backstrap. With wood or hard plastic that covers the backstrap coming in second and rubber being the most comfortable.

Chris

 

[Bronco45]

Try Badger Custom Grips

Badger Custom Grips makes some nice grips for the SP. I have them on a Smith N Frame, c Colt Cobra and a SP and I like them.

Their Boot grip looks a lot like the Eagle but it is finished and fitted better.

 

[Doug Add]

Do wooden grips cause more discomfort shooting?

You always hear that rubber absorbs recoil better than wood, and it seems like that should be the case. However, my son and I both agree that on our 4" S&W 686 and 2.25" Ruger SP101 the wood grips were more comfortable to shoot than the Hogue rubber.

 

[Pistol Toter]

I did not like the way the plastic inserts felt. Ordered the wood panels from Ruger and made all the difference in the world and changed the appearance a 110%. I don't want anything too nice as it is a primary carry just as long as it does what I want it to.

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

Wow, thanks for the comments. Looks like I can feel comfortable ordering some nice Hogue wooden grips.

 

[K-Man]

Shootist:

I use the HKS speedloaders and have not experienced any problems related to the SS grips. The grips fill my hand very comfortably.

 

[larryw]

Have to agree with Doug Add. I have both the rubber and wood Hogue grips for my SP101. I find the wood grips more comfortable to shoot, and they draw better since they don't hang up on clothes.

I think in the case of Hogue, it's because the wood grips are wider across the back, so recoil is spread out over a wider part of the hand.

 

[TonyB]

Ditto Larryw..I have both kinds of Houge's...I like the wood,but they are real slippery...I went back to the rubber after a range session using them.They don't seem to snag on my clothing either..but the wood look prettier....

 

[Nick96]

Well, first off - I'm real impressed with Hogue grips. Very good quality - well designed - resonably priced for what you get. Here's my experience with the SP101.

The factory grips provided very good web of the hand recoil comfort. But they were so short & thin that my middle finger took a beating on the trigger guard & muzzel flip was quite pronounced. I'm talking full power .357's here - no problem with any .38's.

Got the Hogue rubber grips. Much better feel, pointability & controllability. Not quite as recoil absorbing in the web of the hand - but still comfortable with full power .357's. Down side was they are kind of clingy on cover garments (it's generally carried in an IWB holster under a light shirt - heavier sweater or jacket kind of garment was no problem).

So I got the Hogue wood grips. Beautiful wood that really dressed up the revolver - especially against the stainless frame. Downside was they felt a bit slick when pulling from concealment. Still not punishing - but noticably less comfortable than the factory or Hogue rubber grips when shooting 30 or more rounds at a time.

The compromise - Hogue nylon grip. All the Hogue SP101 grips are the same size & shape. The nylon is slick enough where it doesn't cling to clothing (like the wood) - but there is dimpleing on the sides of the nylon that allow for a confident grip when pulling from concealment (like the rubber). If you are bothered by recoil - get a fingerless shooting glove.

You can get the wood grips with checkering on the sides to reduce the "slickness" - but they cost a bit more. Both the Hogue rubber & nylon grips are about $15 each + shipping. The wood grips start at about $55 + shipping (add another $30 or so for checkering the sides).

I've put the wood grips on a .22 SP. The nylon & rubber are completely interchaingable without having to change the mounting stirup. So on the .357, it wears the nylon for carry - for practice it wears the rubber.

 

[Doug Add]

The wood grips start at about $55 + shipping

Not at Hogue Auction. The prices there are in the $25-30 range for grips that you will have a hard time finding a reason for them being cosmetic seconds.