I recently tried a pair of Pachmayr Renegade wood laminate grips on one of my snubnose revolvers. I liked them so much, I've just ordered another pair, and I daresay I'll be "re-gripping" a number of my revolvers with them.
They look very attractive, and are usually available in plain or checkered form. Here's a composite image, showing one of each style sized to fit a snubnose revolver.
The smooth finish is very smooth, and seems to be finished in polyurethane. The combination can be slippery if your hand is wet; but that's not been a problem for me, since I make sure to use a firm grip. The smooth finish lets the gun slide easily into a pocket (which is where I usually carry a snubnose revolver). They don't "grab" the pocket material at all, which is a big help. The checkered version offers more traction, which will be useful to control more powerful rounds, but still isn't overly "grabby" on pocket material (unlike soft rubber grips). I think my .357 Magnum snubbies will carry the checkered grips, while my .38 Special snubbies will sport the smooth versions.
The Renegades are a little larger than standard snubby grips, so that the gun fits my hand better (giving a full 3-finger grip) and points very naturally. I find, as I bring it up into line with my target, the front sight nestles almost instinctively into the dovetail of the rear sight. That's handy. However, they're slightly less concealable because of the larger grips; something to keep in mind, and compensate for if necessary in the way one dresses. The gun still conceals well in an ankle holster, too. People with smaller hands may not find the Renegade grips a good fit.
I haven't tried the Renegade grips on larger-frame revolvers yet, but I plan to do so soon. They're available for several models of semi-auto pistols as well. Best of all, they're priced very reasonably, much more so than some other "fancy" wood grips. The rosewood grips look good on either blued or stainless firearms. There's also a charcoal finish that I find too dark for my taste, but I'm sure there are those who'll prefer it.
No, Pachmayr isn't paying me to advertise their products, and I've received no compensation in cash or in kind for mentioning them. I simply like to tell my readers when I find a product I really like, that does its job well. These Renegade grips are worth a closer look, if you're a shooter.
Peter
Nice! I prefer wood over rubber grips, rosewood preferably. The only exception, so far, is my carry M442. I still have its factory rubber grips. Wood gets slippery in my pocket.
ReplyDeleteWow, those are pretty grips ! I have a pair of nice wood Hogue grips for my Charter Arms Bulldog, but those put mine to shame. I will have see if they make that grip style for S&W K frame round butt grip.
ReplyDeleteThanks for making us aware of them - I've never heard of these before.
Nice looking grips though I'd rather not have that medallion.
ReplyDeleteThose grips are laminate - - basically a version of plywood - - and any wood name reference is only to highlight similarity in color; the "rosewood" grips aren't really rosewood, nor are the walnut grips real walnut.
ReplyDeleteJim, if you want similar grips without a Pachmayr medallion, look at Altamont Grips:
https://www.altamontco.com/
I was just about to say that, heh. (About the grips not actually being rosewood. If they were, they'd be *significantly* more expensive and -depending on whether they were Dalbergia nigra, which is [stupidly] CITES Appendix I listed, but less endangered than Dalbergia maritima [which is just CITES II listed. Like I said: stupid]- possibly illegal.
DeleteDalbergia maritima would be potentially legal, but insanely pricey. Either way, they'd probably not be on Amazon) You beat me to the punch!
Beautiful grips either way, of course. :-)
I hope you are not pocketing without a holster. It is, of course, not a serious safety issue with a DA revolver, but using a pocket holster, such as the Sticky Holster, will keep the pistol correctly positioned for a good draw, eliminate flopping around in the pocket, break up the "print" outline, and most important, protect the trigger from any foreign objects. With the revolver held by a good pocket holster, the checkered grip and even a hammer spur will not get hung up in your pocket lining.
ReplyDeleteWith semi-autos, using a pocket holster is non-negotiably the right thing to do. Just ask the football players.