G10 Grips for GP100?

[entropy]

Anyone have a lead? I have a set for the SP101 which I like. The available Hogues are a bit too “finger-groovy” and robust for my tastes. Something more akin to VZ’s would be great. Am I missing something? For such a popular revolver, grips seem a bit scarce.

[JonInWA]

Possibly because some of the best available are the Compact grips that Ruger sells out of their webshop; it's a rubber grip with wood/laminate inserts. At $45, they're pretty hard to beat, and they render the GP100 eminently concealable, but still provide a full-handed grip. http://shopruger.com/Rubber-Grips-with-Rosewood-Inserts-Compact/productinfo/70084/

Even with full-house .357, I prefer them to the larger similar grip Ruger also provides.

While I'm not at all opposed to a G10 grip, these Compact grips also do a superb job of recoil absorption and dissipation, where a G10 or hardwood grip is going to transfer all of it directly back atcha'

Best, Jon

[RevolverRob]

The Compact grips that Jon linked to are the best grips on a revolver in existence for balancing shootability and concealability.

Run, don't walk, over and get you enough pairs to keep your guns holding them, forever.

[JonInWA]

These Compact grips were originally the OEM grips Ruger provided on all their fixed-sighted GP100s back in the day. They were manufactured by their in-house vendor, Lett's Manufacturing. Lett's unfortunately went out of business several years ago, and the Compact (as well as the similar, larger-proportioned Full-sized grips) eventually dried up as Ruger's accumulated stocks depleted. As I recall, the owner of Lett's was a longtime close friend and associate of William Ruger, and they also provided some nice customized Ruger grips, some of which were covered in Ruger's catalogs over the years. When he (Mr. Lett) either passed away or retired, Lett's as a company dissolved too; I believe he and William Ruger passed away in fairly close proximity too.

Ruger switched to full-size Hogue monogrips for their GP100 line-up, including the 3" variant (it looked pretty silly and disproportionate, to say the least on that variant...)

In the past several years, they've made a quiet resurgence. I suspect that Lett's manufactured the wood inserts, and there was another 3rd party manufacturer that actually made the rubber grip itself, but I'm frankly guessing on that one.

At any rate, there's been sufficient interest for the re-emergence of the grips. It'll be interesting to see if Ruger fully goes back to them as the primary GP100 OEM grip(s).

My guess is that the rubber portion is made by whoever the original manufacturer was/is, and the wood/laminate inserts are made by Altamont, or a similar 3rd party for Ruger. Regardless, they're superb grips, and at $45 'Murrican, a heck of a buy.

Their look on a given revolver can be dressed up with the aftermarket inserts available from several vetted parties if desired too.

Best, Jon

[Hizzie]

There aren’t many grips I consider worth a shit for the GP100. The full sized and compact Lett grips are two of them. The Hogue 80010 grip is the non finger grooved version and my favorite for the SRH.

[Wyoming Shooter]

I've been thinking of some new grips for my GP100MC. I'm not a big fan of the OEM wood grips. A close friend tells me that the Ruger and Altamont compact grips, although similar, are not identical. He reports that the rubber on the Ruger grips is softer and more inclined to deform under recoil. He prefers the Altamonts as they seem, to him, less flexible. Looking at the respective photos, it appears that Ruger back and front straps are smooth. The Altamonts are textured. I'll order the Altamonts and report back.

http://shopruger.com/Rubber-Grips-with-Rosewood-Inserts-Compact/productinfo/70084/

https://www.altamontco.com/pistol-grips/ruger/gp100/

[OlongJohnson]

I have the Hogue 80010 NFG grip with some basic tuning and a Wiley Clapp takeoff example of the factory Ruger full-size "Lett's." One key difference that jumps out is that the Hogue 80010 has a deeper fill behind the trigger guard loop, so it gets my long-finger knuckle out of the line of fire of the steel on recoil a little better. In addition, the backstrap wrap is a little fuller at the top, also pulling the knuckle back a little bit. Overall, they're my current fave on the GP. Haven't put a ton of rounds downrange with the WC grips yet, but I suspect that combination of geometry advantages will push me back toward the NFG Goodyear and maintain its fave status. I haven't done a side by side between full size and compact "Lett's."

[JonInWA]

Altamont offers some nice options, including the option to get just the rubber grip without inserts for $20. Since I've got a spare set of Lett's Sliver Black compact inserts already on hand, I think I'll try a set of the Altamont rubber grips for comparison purposes as well. (In fact, I just ordered them; went with the snakeskin backstrap texturing).

Thanks for letting us know about it; I'd perused Altamont's site before, but the grip only (without inserts) option was new to me.

I'm interested to see if there's any variation in the rubber composition between the Ruger and Altamont offerings. I would think that they're from the same source, but we'll see (or we'll see if I can in fact discern any perceptual difference{s})

The backstrap texturing (and with two texturing options, to boot) on the Altamonts is nice. It'll be interesting to see how that assists in reality, but it's a nice cosmetic/aesthetic touch regardless.

Best, Jon

[Lester Polfus]

I've been thinking of some new grips for my GP100MC. I'm not a big fan of the OEM wood grips. A close friend tells me that the Ruger and Altamont compact grips, although similar, are not identical. He reports that the rubber on the Ruger grips is softer and more inclined to deform under recoil. He prefers the Altamonts as they seem, to him, less flexible. Looking at the respective photos, it appears that Ruger back and front straps are smooth. The Altamonts are textured. I'll order the Altamonts and report back.

http://shopruger.com/Rubber-Grips-with-Rosewood-Inserts-Compact/productinfo/70084/

https://www.altamontco.com/pistol-grips/ruger/gp100/

Interesting. I purchased a set of Letts style grips that were Ruger Branded, along with some lovely wood inserts from Chig's grips. I was underwhelmed with the recoil handling and switched to Match Champions.

I will have an Altamont grip in the mail forthwith...

[JonInWA]

Hey, Lester and I are doing this for...science. Yeah that's it; for science!

Seriously, it'll be interesting to see what our thoughts are with the Compacts compared from Ruger and Altamont. I'm certainly curious, and I'm pleased with my older Ruger Compacts...

But at $20, it's a pretty cheap tariff to do a comparative analysis.

Best, Jon

[Lester Polfus]

I actually bought the full-size Altamont grip. My GP100 is primarily a woodsbumming gun. I'll sometimes engage in some "covered up" carry if I stop at the Trading Post on my way back from hunting, out of politeness, but even if I were to openly carry it would be unlikely to cause consternation.

I do have a Simply Rugged holster with the IWB loops, and I'm contemplating taking the GP100 on this weekend's eastern WA road trip. The fullsize Letts style grips hide better than the Match Champion grips, but its is still quite a bit of gun to cover up.

So @JohnInWA will have the compacts, and I'll have the full-size from Altamont. MOAR SCIENCE!

[Chuck Whitlock]

I'm interested in hearing the results.

[Lester Polfus]

I will post my results.

The GP100 is the first full-size revolver I've ever owned. I'm having a tremendous amount of fun driving out to the National Forest a mile from my house, sticking a target at 50 to 75 yards and trying to hit it. This may be my new hobby. I'm reloading .357 for about .15 a round, so it's cheap fun.

It just occurred to me that I should have just bought a set of the compacts to try them out too, as I've considered a 3" GP100 as well...

[spinmove_]

Definitely also interested in hearing about the rubber Altamonts for the GP100. I’ll eventually have a 3”-4” .357 wheelgun at somepoint and right now it’s kind of between some flavor of the GP100 and a S&W 66.


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[BehindBlueI's]

In the past several years, they've made a quiet resurgence. I suspect that Lett's manufactured the wood inserts, and there was another 3rd party manufacturer that actually made the rubber grip itself, but I'm frankly guessing on that one.

Unless there's been a fairly recent change, the wood is from Altamont and the rubber is from Hogue.

[Hizzie]

The only full sized Lett I have personally used is the Altamont. All of the compact Lett grips I have are oem Ruger. Guess I need to try the Altamont compact.

[entropy]

Appreciate all the insight. Ordered a pair of the Altamont Compacts. For the price paid, it’s worth the experiment.

[JonInWA]

I received the Altamont Compact. I chose the one with the snakeskin scale checkering on the backstrap, and it also came with some conventional checkering molded into the frontstrap. The grip was nicely molded, with the correct holes and channel to store the takedown pin.

Fit was excellent. It may be very slightly wider than the OEM Ruger one, as the screw that secures the insert plates didn't protrude out quite as far as it when installed on the Altamont grip, which was a minor plus. The molded checkering on the Altamont's frontstrap does bald out a little towards the bottom, but that's of little consequence. The checkering on the Altamont (especially on the backstrap) does seem to anchor the grip in your hand a bit better than the totally uncheckered Ruger grip.

Frankly, I can't discern any differences whatsoever between the rubber feel, quality, flex, and absorption between the Altamont and the Ruger-they're both excellent. Since they're pretty much priced the same (Ruger is $44.95, Altamont is $44 (or without panel inserts and hardware, $20 just for the rubber grip itself). Which you choose really is just a matter of aesthetics and convenience. With Ruger, your insert is the smooth Rosewood panel, with Altamont you can choose between Rosewood or Walnut, and in several patterns. There are also several outfits making exceptionally nice GP100 insert panels, such as Chig's Grips, in which case just getting the Altamont rubber without insert makes the best sense (Chig can also emplace a set of Ruger emblems in the grip inserts as desired, for a nominal fee). I'm running my Altamont with a set of Lett's smooth Silver Black laminate inserts; my Ruger Compact grip is being run with a set of Lett's smooth Winewood laminates.

I do believe that the checkering/snakescale patterning, particularly on the grip backstrap of the Altamonts provides a little better grip anchoring, but I've never had any problems with the smooth Ruger grip with full-house .357 magnum loads either. So again, for most buyers it'll likely boil down to aesthetics and convenience-either Ruger or Altamont offerings are excellent, in my opinion. I haven't had a chance to fire my GP100 with the Altamonts yet, but I'm not anticipating any surprises or blinding revelations.

Best, Jon

[Lester Polfus]

So I received my Altamont, full size, Letts style grips for my GP100.

Previously, I've used a Ruger branded Letts style grip that I received from Chigs grips, along with some excellent quilted maple panels. The Ruger branded grips and the Chigs panels fit together quite well and looked good. The problem with them is that I have above average sized hands and a high grip. The gun recoils back right into the web of my hand, and after about 50 rounds, I'm done. Often my hand would be noticeably sore the next day. Aside from discomfort, I'm concerned that I have some arthritis in my hands from previous injuries.

The Altamont grips don't feel noticeably stiffer to me. The Chigs panels didn't fit quite as snugly, and the bottom of the left panel would sit a little proud of the grip if I tightened the panel down too much. The fit well enough though and looked good. Here are pictures of the grips, and the area on the backstrap that is of concern.

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37131

I put fifty rounds through the gun and had the same issues. The load is a 158-grain hard cast SWC over 10.2 grains of Blue Dot. It's not a complete rhino roller, but it is certainly a magnum load. I was not able to discern a difference in recoil management between the Ruger branded grips and the Altamont grips.

The solution has been a set of Match Champion grips. As you can see in the picture below, there's quite a bit more material in the web of my hand. I experience no discomfort when shooting with these grips. .357 is a much more fatiguing cartridge to shoot than 9mm, but I can put a hundred rounds through the gun with these grips without pain.

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37133

I think this reinforces the truism that revolver fit is individual. When researching these grips, I found a post by BehindBlueIs where he talked about how the Match Champion grips were too big in exactly the same area where I needed more material. Fortunately, I don't have a huge amount of money tied up in any of these grips. The Match Champions work well for me, however, they do make the gun less concealable than the Letts. This isn't a huge concern for me as the GP100 is primarily a woods bumming and hunting revolver.

.38 Special +p loads work fine with the Letts. I would also bet that some more sedate magnum loadings like the 125 grain Golden Saber or 135 grain Speer Gold Dot short barrel, would work ok, although I've not had a chance to try them.

[entropy]

Thanks for the update.

Looking forward to trying them out on my .44spl GP100. I tend to run some stiffer loads in this (255gr Keith/7.5 Unique) so hope they provide approximately equal absorbtion over the stock grips. The G10s I have on other guns generally fit me better than stock, so I accept the tradeoff in recoil.

FWIW, Ruger is out of stock on the compacts as of last evening.

Edit to add: LP, thanks for yours as well. We kinda “cross posted”.

[Chuck Whitlock]

Jon & Lester,
I appreciate the feedback. Good info!

[JonInWA]

So I received my Altamont, full size, Letts style grips for my GP100.

Previously, I've used a Ruger branded Letts style grip that I received from Chigs grips, along with some excellent quilted maple panels. The Ruger branded grips and the Chigs panels fit together quite well and looked good. The problem with them is that I have above average sized hands and a high grip. The gun recoils back right into the web of my hand, and after about 50 rounds, I'm done. Often my hand would be noticeably sore the next day. Aside from discomfort, I'm concerned that I have some arthritis in my hands from previous injuries.

The Altamont grips don't feel noticeably stiffer to me. The Chigs panels didn't fit quite as snugly, and the bottom of the left panel would sit a little proud of the grip if I tightened the panel down too much. The fit well enough though and looked good. Here are pictures of the grips, and the area on the backstrap that is of concern.

37130
37131

I put fifty rounds through the gun and had the same issues. The load is a 158-grain hard cast SWC over 10.2 grains of Blue Dot. It's not a complete rhino roller, but it is certainly a magnum load. I was not able to discern a difference in recoil management between the Ruger branded grips and the Altamont grips.

The solution has been a set of Match Champion grips. As you can see in the picture below, there's quite a bit more material in the web of my hand. I experience no discomfort when shooting with these grips. .357 is a much more fatiguing cartridge to shoot than 9mm, but I can put a hundred rounds through the gun with these grips without pain.

37132
37133

I think this reinforces the truism that revolver fit is individual. When researching these grips, I found a post by BehindBlueIs where he talked about how the Match Champion grips were too big in exactly the same area where I needed more material. Fortunately, I don't have a huge amount of money tied up in any of these grips. The Match Champions work well for me, however, they do make the gun less concealable than the Letts. This isn't a huge concern for me as the GP100 is primarily a woods bumming and hunting revolver.

.38 Special +p loads work fine with the Letts. I would also bet that some more sedate magnum loadings like the 125 grain Golden Saber or 135 grain Speer Gold Dot short barrel, would work ok, although I've not had a chance to try them.

Lester, to my surprise I experienced the same results you did with the full-size OEM Ruger/Lett's grips. While I've always preferred the Compact grips, my thoughts were that the full-sized ones would come into their own with full-house .357 magnum loads, and would be better to manage them. Empirically, with me (as with you), that was not the case-the backstrap curvature and angle at the tang exacerbated the recoil forces, uncomfortably. The compact grips were far more user-friendly, more comfortable, and induced no perceptible operational difficulties with full-house .357 magnum loads. While the aesthetics of the full-size grips are nice (and I have a set of handsome dark Winewood Lett's laminate inserts for them), it's the compact grips that are pretty much permanently affixed with my 4" GP100.

Best, Jon

[S Jenks]

While we’re talking Altamont, does anyone have experience with their Falconia grips for K/L frames?

I have Altamont Compacts on my GP100 Wiley Clapp and they fit my hand perfectly. I removed the full-sized grips that came on the gun as they were a tad too large.

[Lester Polfus]

Lester, to my surprise I experienced the same results you did with the full-size OEM Ruger/Lett's grips. While I've always preferred the Compact grips, my thoughts were that the full-sized ones would come into their own with full-house .357 magnum loads, and would be better to manage them. Empirically, with me (as with you), that was not the case-the backstrap curvature and angle at the tang exacerbated the recoil forces, uncomfortably. The compact grips were far more user-friendly, more comfortable, and induced no perceptible operational difficulties with full-house .357 magnum loads. While the aesthetics of the full-size grips are nice (and I have a set of handsome dark Winewood Lett's laminate inserts for them), it's the compact grips that are pretty much permanently affixed with my 4" GP100.

Best, Jon

Interesting. One would certainly expect a set of full-size grips to handle recoil better than a set of compacts.

I may buy a set of the compacts and try them with one of the milder .357 loads, which usually have a 125-grain bullet going 1200 fps or so. I think a 3" GP100 wearing compact grips and stoked with those loads would make a nice concealed carry piece. I really don't NEED that, but revolvers have ignited my passion for the gun.

[JonInWA]

Interesting. One would certainly expect a set of full-size grips to handle recoil better than a set of compacts.

I may buy a set of the compacts and try them with one of the milder .357 loads, which usually have a 125-grain bullet going 1200 fps or so. I think a 3" GP100 wearing compact grips and stoked with those loads would make a nice concealed carry piece. I really don't NEED that, but revolvers have ignited my passion for the gun.

If you try the GP100 with Compact grip (either Ruger or Altamont), you'll be impressed. They really assist in making the GP100 an easily viable concealed carry revolver, and are comfortable to both carry and use. I had a 3", but sold it awhile back; it and a previous 4" fixed-sight GP100 sale are two that I kind of regret letting go now, even though carrying my 4" with the compact grips is not onerous, uncomfortable or a hardship.

And I also have my stainless 4" Security Six...

Best, Jon

[Wyoming Shooter]

FYI - Here is a photo showing the original Ruger GP100MC grips and the Altamont compacts. Best, ELN.

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[entropy]

Still on the road, and the Altamonts are still in the box on my bench awaiting my return. Curious to see how they work controlling a stout field load in .44. This coming weekend...

[entropy]

Well got them on. A bit smaller than what I’m used to on an N frame or similar. Will have to see how the feel with the field loads.



37395

[45dotACP]

If you try the GP100 with Compact grip (either Ruger or Altamont), you'll be impressed. They really assist in making the GP100 an easily viable concealed carry revolver, and are comfortable to both carry and use. I had a 3", but sold it awhile back; it and a previous 4" fixed-sight GP100 sale are two that I kind of regret letting go now, even though carrying my 4" with the compact grips is not onerous, uncomfortable or a hardship.

And I also have my stainless 4" Security Six...

Best, JonYou cost me money sir.

But it was money well spent.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190419/7280386c76998bbfbbc410071bb8e55b.jpg

Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk

[entropy]

Well I got to the range and ran some handloads and factory Blazers thru the GP100. The verdict is still out on the compacts. They handled the recoil well enough, with everything from lighter 200gr RNFP to some stiff 255gr Keith/2400 loads. The overall “feel” of them is where I have issue. My hands aren’t overly huge, yet the grips feel “small” in my hands and the overall handling is a bit “top heavy” and “whippy” if that makes sense.

I’ll keep them on for a bit. Heading north this weekend, so I’ll carry it as I poke around the back 40 seeing what mother nature left us this past winter. Don’t be surprised if they show up here with a “get them out of my parts box” price.

Call me underwhelmed.

[Flamingo]

Well got them on. A bit smaller than what I’m used to on an N frame or similar. Will have to see how the feel with the field loads.



37395


Who did the barrel and cylinder swap for you? I have a stainless 3 inch barrel and cylinder ready to go into my blued frame, I just need a gun doc that is interested in doing the work.

[entropy]

It’s stock. I didn’t swap anything. Apologize if I hinted otherwise.

A bit of an older post, but still happy with its use as a big bore, Upper Great Lakes field revolver. Compact Letts now reside in the “spares box”. I might try some full sized ones out, but for now it’s back to wearing the factory pebbled Hogues.

[gato naranja]

You cost me money sir.

But it was money well spent.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190419/7280386c76998bbfbbc410071bb8e55b.jpg

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I could not find any G10 or micarta inserts that checked all my boxes, so I went with American holly.

[JAH 3rd]

I have in-bound a GP100 4" stainless steel .357 revolver. I got some good ideas on grips from this thread. Not a big fan of the finger groove grips, but gonna give them a try to see how they work.

Just asking for updates of opinions from those who changed out their grips. Just a simple ID of grip you went with and how it's treating you. Positive and negative opinions welcomed.....and of course, if I knew then what I know now, what other grip would you have first bought.

Thanks in advance!!

[Guerrero]

I have in-bound a GP100 4" stainless steel .357 revolver. I got some good ideas on grips from this thread. Not a big fan of the finger groove grips, but gonna give them a try to see how they work.

Just asking for updates of opinions from those who changed out their grips. Just a simple ID of grip you went with and how it's treating you. Positive and negative opinions welcomed.....and of course, if I knew then what I know now, what other grip would you have first bought.

Thanks in advance!!

I also went with the Ruger compact grip. I can't articulate why, but when I swapped out the full-sized grip for the Ruger compact, I just said, "Oh, yeah. That's the stuff." It just feels right.