A Tale Of Multiple GP100 Grips Saga

[JonInWA]

As as follow-on to my ongoing "GP100 In Local IDPA Match" thread https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?49929-GP100-In-Local-IDPA-Match, I decided to post this grip discussion as a stand-alone thread, but I'll probably also attach it to the original thread for those who want the continuity in one thread.

Recap: Starting with the Ruger/Altamont Compact rubber grip with laminate inlays, moving to the Ruger full-size rubber grip with laminate inlays, then to VZ Twister and 320 G10 grips, and now....to Hogue's rubber Tamer grip, with a sorbethane cell foam/gel insert in the backstrap area.

The reason for the grip quest was simple: Seeking to find an effective, ergonomic, and non-painful grip when shooting the GP100 with full-house, 158 gr 1250 fps .357 magnum cartridges. My use and evaluations concentrated around IDPA matches, where there would be concentrated 100+ round-per-match use, which would serve as a good evaluative venue.

What I found encompassed several areas of shooting-there was a good learning curve for me. First of all, if I fired more than 50 rounds using my autopistol thumbs forward and thumbs adjacent grip, a painful blood blister would develop on the inner surface of my strong-hand thumb; essentially, the support hand kept it in forcible contact with the left side of the revolver grip, where torquing forces abraded the area. Switching to a lowered strong hand thumb with support hand thumb over strong hand thumbnail provided an effective, non abraiding grip on the revolver.

Second, while the ergonomics of the Ruger Compact and VZ G10 grips were excellent, even with the revised grip shooting full-house .357 was still painful, with recoil forces directed into the web of my strong hand, and painfully so. While I was never unable to shoot effectively, and never had to leave a match due to the pain/discomfort, shooting the GP100 simply wasn't a lot of fun.

I experimented with moleskin bandages and shooting gloves. Both mitigated against the pain somewhat, but since my primary purpose for competition shooting is to help and reeinforce my EDC and duty use, I saw a limited viability to the bandage/glove approach.

I'd briefly had theearlier Hogue rubber GP100 grip. I didn't much like it, especially compared to the Ruger Compact grip. The Hogue was angular, bulky and aesthetically ugly. It was much harder to carry conceiled, so after a brief trial period, I gifted it to a friend for use in his sister's GP100-by all reports she is satisfied with it.

I really appreciated the two VZ G10 grips. Their ergonomics are exceptional, and the raised surface ridges and grip incised cuts on the Twister I found to be exceptional. The problem? They are painful to shoot full-house 158 gr .357 magnum cartridges through...there simply is little to no recoil absorbtion provided by the hard, dense G10 material.

Now the reality is that I could be comfortable using either the Ruger Compact or VZ G10 grips defensively, as the reality is that most armed encounters are resolved with less than a cylinderful of cartridges, by FBI tracking results. Additionally, the discomfort is with .357 cartridges-I can fire .38 Special +P cartridges with no discomfort whatsoever.

But, I have dedicated my GP100 to .357 use, and my Security Six to .38 Special +P, so I felt I should orient the GP100 package so that I'd achieve competance in all of my venues-which meant that much as I liked (and still like and appreciate) the previous grips, my quest would continue.

Enter the Hogue Tamer. This is a grip that Hogue has specifically aimed for the larger Ruger Super Redhawk revolvers, and some tactical shotguns and some Smith & Wesson revolvers. The Tamer has a revised and slightly more compact profile than the original Hogue rubber grips for the GP100. After Letts Grips disappeared from the scene, Ruger began instuting the Hogue grips and the OEM Ruger grips for may of their revolvers, especially the GP100. While Ruger purists raised their noses at the bulkier, less concealible, less aesthetically appealing, they persisted for years as the OEM grip, until in the past year Ruger has begun to increasingly offer other grips as their OEM grips for revolvers.

The Tamer was probably introduced as a recoil-reducing grip for the larger-calibered Super Redhawks, what with their heavy and jarring recoil forces, but a happy coincidence is that the Super Redhawk and GP100 share the same essential frame grip contours. The Tamer provides a recoil absorbing Sorbethane foam/gel cell incorporated into the grip's internal backstrap area. Additionally, I much prefer the Tamer exterior profile to that of the original Hogue rubber GP100 grip; the backstrap angle is better, and there's less flaring and protrusion at the heel and butt of the grip, rendering it more concealable.

And-Here's the key thing-It flat-out works. I was able to fire an IDPA match with 1250 and 1000 fps .158 gr .357 cartridges in a 7 stage match with absolutely no discomfort whastsoever, both during and after the match. I'm going to continue to run the GP100 with these grips; mmuch as I really like the alternatives, particularly for their aesthetics and easier concealibility, the Hogue Tamers are operationally more comfortable and desirable. I prefer to have the same set-ups on my EDC/duty guns as IDPA-so while I could EDC/duty carry the Ruger Compact or VZ grips (particularly the VZ Twisters) the Hogue Tamers are simply a better all-around selection for me.

Some comparative images:

The GP100 with Ruger/Altamont Compact grips:
https://i.imgur.com/MN97VROh.jpg

The GP100 with VZ Twister grips:
https://i.imgur.com/ql9FTBth.jpg

The GP100 with VZ 320 G10 grips:
https://i.imgur.com/yks73jEh.jpg

The Ruger and VZ grips compared: From left to right, Ruger Fulls size, VZ Twister, Ruger Compact
https://i.imgur.com/1uMwQYfh.jpg

The GP100 with Hogue Tamer grips:
https://i.imgur.com/hPnCh4Bh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Qd6dpQph.jpg

And yeah, the purposful, business-like aesthetics of the Hogue Tamers are growing on me...

Best, Jon

[gato naranja]

And yeah, the purposful, business-like aesthetics of the Hogue Tamers are growing on me...

Best, Jon

"We never remember whether a pleasant woman wuz purty or not."

In the end, if it works for you, you're golden. The Hogues exceeded my personal hypothetical "box" dimensions, but I can be a finicky cat.

[03RN]

I'm glad you've found a grip that works for you. I've lucked out with VZ grips. Their k frame square butts work great for me for hundreds of full power loads.

Its either ahrends or VZs for me. I do really like VZ round butt grips too but not for high round count magnum sessions. They're fine for all day heavy .38s though.

[JonInWA]

"We never remember whether a pleasant woman wuz purty or not."

In the end, if it works for you, you're golden. The Hogues exceeded my personal hypothetical "box" dimensions, but I can be a finicky cat.

I'm actually carrying them as I write, in a Kramer IWB horsehide; they actually conceal nicely. Yesterday I used them in a Galco Switchback OWB, which cants the gun out a little more, so they were more protrusive, but as a duty gun that was irrelevant.

Best, Jon

https://i.imgur.com/xHeHGL3h.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/I4eZT3dh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/dkQomy9h.jpg

[JonInWA]

I'm glad you've found a grip that works for you. I've lucked out with VZ grips. Their k frame square butts work great for me for hundreds of full power loads.

Its either ahrends or VZs for me. I do really like VZ round butt grips too but not for high round count magnum sessions. They're fine for all day heavy .38s though.

We came to identical conclusions regardijng the VZ's viability comfort-wise for protracted magnum shooting. My comfort threshold with the GP100 using 158 gr .357 with the VZ's is at about the 50 round mark...

Aesthetically, I much prefer the VZ's. Ergonomically, between the VZs and the Hogue Tamers it's a wash. Operationally, I gotta give it to the Tamers-especially if exceeding 50 rounds in a shooting venue/session.

Best, Jon

[vcdgrips]

Great job. I reached a similar conclusion before I went to Thunder Ranch Revolver shooting a Police Turn In Model 19. I went Pachmayr and never looked back. Shoot mostly .38 cal 158+P Nyclads with misc .357 thrown in over 3-4 days with no issues at all.

[entropy]

I’ve gone thru a bit of the same thing with my GP100 .44. The factory pebble Hogues are about the best, but not optimal. I tried the compact Altamont/Letts, but they caused the gun to be a bit “whippy” since that big cylinder makes it a bit top heavy. I might try some full size Altamonts for comparison.

[45dotACP]

I've noticed the large hogue grips that came with my gp100, while not the easiest to CCW are the easiest to shoot accurately at longer ranges with heavy loaded .357s.


Sent from my SM-A326U using Tapatalk

[JonInWA]

I've noticed the large hogue grips that came with my gp100, while not the easiest to CCW are the easiest to shoot accurately at longer ranges with heavy loaded .357s.


Sent from my SM-A326U using Tapatalk

I suspect that you'd find the Tamers to be a bit easier to CCW and equally accurate, and even more comfortable.

Best, Jon

[45dotACP]

I suspect that you'd find the Tamers to be a bit easier to CCW and equally accurate, and even more comfortable.

Best, JonOh man, I didn't realize they were different grips haha.

Well off to get another set of Goodyears to add to the old "box o grips"

Sent from my SM-A326U using Tapatalk

[gato naranja]

The GP-100 grip line-up is muddied by the fact that not all the Ruger/Lett/Altamont rubber grips are exactly alike (smooth vs textured backstrap, etc), and Hogues can be wildly different in feel (the tamers are different than the standard rubber finger grooves, which are different from the rubber "no grooves," etc).

I thought the no groove rubber Monogrip would be a step in the right direction for me until I discovered that they were not just "grooveless," but differed in the swells on the sides. I found myself thinking about taking a sanding disc to the front of a grooved rubber sample, but finally just opted for the Ruger compact rubber with inserts because it was the best all-around compromise for me.

(If I fired hot .357s a lot, I might not be so enamored of it.)

It is kind of odd how I can use about any old grip on a Blackhawk and get along with it, but not the GP-100.

[JonInWA]

I noticed the exact same thing with my Blackhawk, during a concurrent (punishing) session shooting the same cartridges with the GP100. The Blackhawk has 2 advantages: 1: Mo' weight, and 2: The frame and grips are deliberately designed to use the recoil, riding/flipping up in your hand to position the support thumb for thumbing back the hammer; that makes a huge difference.

To retain that advantage on my Blackhawk, I've deliberately stayed away from rubber grips on it, which would adversely anchor the gun in position on firing...

Best, Jon

[gato naranja]

To retain that advantage on my Blackhawk, I've deliberately stayed away from rubber grips on it, which would adversely anchor the gun in position on firing...

The only SAs I ever habitually used rubber grips on were my stainless Super Single Sixes, which all had Pachmayr Presentations. They were nick- and weather-proof, non-slip, positioned my hand better WRT the trigger, and there was no recoil to worry about. They were dandy utility pieces.

[Rick R]

Oh man, I didn't realize they were different grips haha.


I didn’t either, I recently changed the Hogue nylon grips on my 3” 10mm GP100 to the Hogue 80000 rubber grip due to getting a blister at the base of my thumb with the nylon after 50-60 rounds. So far the rubber Hogue seems to have fixed that and remains easy to conceal IWB in a JMCK holster. But now I’ve gotta try the Hogue's rubber Tamer grip because, OCD makes me do it.

My new .357 GP100 is a pussycat compared to the 10mm so it just got the larger Lett style grip from Ruger since the smaller doesn’t work with my paws. Off to the range tomorrow to try them out.

Maybe we need an exchange program for GP100 grips.

[Crazy Dane]

I don't know who Hogue modeled the finger grooves from, but my fingers stack on the points. I have sanded a few down smooth and it works if I can't find another option. All 3 of my GPs wear full size Letts. Two sets are the Wilie Clapp textured rubber with the fingerprints in the wood. The other is factory smooth and the rubber is harder than the WCs. I do have a set of compacts that are the same rubber as the smooth full sized. I think I am going to try the Altamont rubbers to see if the rubber is any softer and to get the textured backstrap. There is enough of a difference to make a difference in wet weather.

I do have a set of Hogue no finger grip, pebble finish that came off of my 3-inch .44. If anyone needs them, they are up grabs.

[entropy]

I have some compact Altamonts if anyone wants a test drive as well.

[OlongJohnson]

I thought the no groove rubber Monogrip would be a step in the right direction for me until I discovered that they were not just "grooveless," but differed in the swells on the sides. I found myself thinking about taking a sanding disc to the front of a grooved rubber sample, but finally just opted for the Ruger compact rubber with inserts because it was the best all-around compromise for me.

The NFG Hogue is similar in side profile to the finger grooved Goodyear, just minus the grooves. No Sorbothane, though. I've tuned it up a few different ways, reducing the backstrap hump and filling in the dip at the top. I found the width of the grip at the upper rear was rubbing my thumb knuckle, so I made it a little narrower. The horizontal cross section is kinda wedge-shaped, narrow at the front. I don't know why that made sense to someone, but I built up layers of cloth tape (gaffer tape, similar to hockey tap) on the sides to get a more oval cross section. I have found some guys who are interested in scanning it and 3D printing it in a harder plastic, although there may be a slightly more flexible option. Still have to research and work out details. But I might be able to recommend a source for "OJ's Hogue" in the future.

[Edster]

...and PF.com costs me 30 bucks.

I'm pretty satisfied with the no-finger-groove Match Champion profile Hogue grip. I liked the Altamonts but the Hogue just points perfectly for me.

My GP100 sights are set for 140-158 grain loads listed at 1300-1400 fps. I shot it this weekend and it goes from "Wheeee" to "Not again" after a while. I'm curious what the Tamers might do to help that.

[paherne]

I'm actually carrying them as I write, in a Kramer IWB horsehide; they actually conceal nicely. Yesterday I used them in a Galco Switchback OWB, which cants the gun out a little more, so they were more protrusive, but as a duty gun that was irrelevant.

Best, Jon

https://i.imgur.com/xHeHGL3h.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/I4eZT3dh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/dkQomy9h.jpg

WTF are those sandals? I rocked Hogue Monogrips on my issued Speed-Six, carried with .38 Special 158 grain +P LSWCHP Federal as a new deputy. I then rocked Hogue Wood Monogrips on my 6" M19 S&W Combat Magnum. I never, however, rocked those nasty sandals. Straight Birkenstocks for me, baby. I'm wearing some injection-molded, OD green ones as I type this. They are all I wear around the house. And, sometimes, out. The wife does not like me to wear them out, so... I don't.

[Hambo]

WTF are those sandals?


Right. Use any grips that work on the Ruger, but sandals and socks? Nothing says "I've done time" or "I'm a gringo tourist" like socks and sandals.

[Hambo]

Delete

[JonInWA]

Harsh audience! The sandals are Eccos, from REI-they're great if you're looking for an open toe sandal. And don't worry, I only rock the sandals-and-socks thing INSIDE the house, wifely edicts dictate remval of street shoes before entering the house.

However, I sense an unfortunate JonInWA meme coming...

Best, Jon

[JonInWA]

Right. Use any grips that work on the Ruger, but sandals and socks? Nothing says "I've done time" or "I'm a gringo tourist" like socks and sandals.

The "I've done time" look sartorially requires slides and a wife-beater t (preferably stained), not sandals, sandals would just be passe.

Best, Jon

[Hambo]

Harsh audience! The sandals are Eccos, from REI-they're great if you're looking for an open toe sandal. And don't worry, I only rock the sandals-and-socks thing INSIDE the house, wifely edicts dictate remval of street shoes before entering the house.

However, I sense an unfortunate JonInWA meme coming...

Best, Jon

Fortunately for you I have no meme creativity. I'm not sure which horrifies me more: that you wear socks with sandals, or that you wear sandals/socks in the house.

#freeyourfeetfreeyourmind (https://pistol-forum.com/usertag.php?do=list&action=hash&hash=freeyourfeetfreeyourmind)

[4RNR]

I have a similar grip on my S&W m13. I'm not sure if it's a Tamer but looks same. I have limited experience with revolver grips but this one fits my hand and is easy to shoot 357. 38s are barely noticeable.

I wear flipflops around the house, with sock on in the winter!


Quality made Chinese Nikes. The letters have already pealed off on one! I'm surprised they haven't fallen apart yethttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220301/517c69e0a46c26aedb01e8d368fd1b8e.jpg

[JonInWA]

It could be a Tamer; S&W catalogs the Tamer for J, Centennial, and K, L, N,X and Z round-butt frames as a conversion-essentially, the Tamer will fit on these frames, but the result will be a square-butt appearance.

As effective as the Tamers are in my use, I'm a little surprised that Hogue doesn't market them more effectively. They clearly seemed to be aimed at manufacturers as OEM grips, as opposed to marketing to after-market sales.

While I'm pretty sure that most owners of .357 magnum revolvers either initially fire a cylinder full to a box of ammunition and then stow them in the figurative sock drawer, or if they shoot them with any frequency probably do so with significantly more mild .38 Special ammunition, those using .357 magnums with any frequency or higher round counts can really benefit from these grips. They just flat-out work in mitigating recoil forces.

It'll be interesting to see how they hold up under use and time, but I haven't picked up any complaints to date, and Hogue makes qualiity product.

Best, Jon

[Rick R]

Harsh audience! The sandals are Eccos, from REI-they're great if you're looking for an open toe sandal. And don't worry, I only rock the sandals-and-socks thing INSIDE the house, wifely edicts dictate remval of street shoes before entering the house.


I’m more appalled that you shop at REI after the Camelback debacle. My wife has resigned herself to the fact I’ll shuffle around far from home wearing Keen sandals with wool socks if the temperature is below 60°. Being an old guy who has a wife and no fashion fucks helps.

I also carry a GP100 in a semi-auto cartridge as a CCW so I’m probably a heretic too.

[jtcarm]

The NFG Hogue is similar in side profile to the finger grooved Goodyear, just minus the grooves. No Sorbothane, though. I've tuned it up a few different ways, reducing the backstrap hump and filling in the dip at the top. I found the width of the grip at the upper rear was rubbing my thumb knuckle, so I made it a little narrower. The horizontal cross section is kinda wedge-shaped, narrow at the front. I don't know why that made sense to someone, but I built up layers of cloth tape (gaffer tape, similar to hockey tap) on the sides to get a more oval cross section. I have found some guys who are interested in scanning it and 3D printing it in a harder plastic, although there may be a slightly more flexible option. Still have to research and work out details. But I might be able to recommend a source for "OJ's Hogue" in the future.

Pictures????

What’d you fill the dip with?

I often wish the GP had an old-fashioned grip frame. That spur at the top is very problematic. Covering it makes the reach a bit long for my stubby digits and requires a lower grip. I tried putting a radius on it so I could use the Letts, but it still bites running 10mm unless I remember to grab it lower and squeeze for all I’m worth. Hard to get any speed from the leather that way.

[Rick R]

I made it to the range today with the .357 GP100 wearing the large Ruger grips. With .357 Mag loads using 125gr XTPs over a bunch of 2400 the little gun is well mannered even though it’s a rotary flashbang. .38 loads using a 158gr NOE WFN bullet over BE-86 are very comfy to shoot. I believe I’ll stick with the Ruger/Lett grips for a while.

85329

So far the Hogue 800000 grips are working out on the 10mm, unfortunately I can hear the siren call of the Tamer grips.
:D

[JonInWA]

I'd pretty much always run the Ruger Compact grips, and been really pleased with them, usually with .38 Special +P. I have a set of the full-size Ruger grips (with a nice dark Letts Winewood laminate inserts), and my thought was that they would excel with .357. Reality (for me) was that actually the Compact grips were better, as the full-sized ones tended to jack my strong hand up towards the upper rear tang area, where the rubber is thinnest.

Then I shifted the orientation of the GP100 to using full-house 158 gr .357, and shooting full matches with full-house .357 resulted in the blood blister/banana peel inner thumb with the Compacts, driving me on my quest...To date, I'm running the GP100 with .357, and the Security Six with .38 Special +P, keeping both zeroed and used accordingly.

As pleased as I am with the Hogue Tamers, I'm thinking that there may be an unanswered question: How do the Ruger/Altamont Compacts do with full-house .357 with my now revised revolver grip? As I recall, my issue with them was due more to the inner thumb abrasion and blistering than to perceived recoil force and hand/nerve pain, so I'm suspecting that in my next match or square range session I need to re-try the Compact grips.

Hey, the things a guy's gotta do for science (and the p-f cognescenti)... It'll be interesting comparing the Compact with the Tamer. My feeling now is that the Tamer is definitely the most comfortable grip and the most effective in dealing with/mitigating recoil force, but I'll keep an open mind and report accordingly. Also I find noteworthy that the scallop thumbrest/speedloader cut on the Tamers is in a very ergonomic and natural position for the placement of my strong hand thumb for my revolver grip.

Testing and feedback might not be until later this month, though.

Best, Jon

https://i.imgur.com/MN97VROh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/E3jX8oNh.jpg

[jtcarm]

We need a program for this thread with pics of the grips.

What’s the Hogue 800000?

I bought the tamer for my 10mm, but it looks like it’s going to be too thick with too much material at the top for my short fingers. The cylinder is off getting the throats honed right now.

I don’t mind taking it to the belt sander, but looks like there’s not a lot of material before you’re down to blue insert. I might take the original Hogues to the sander.

[Rick R]

We need a program for this thread with pics of the grips.

What’s the Hogue 800000?



I may have gotten too many “0” in the SKU, I blame the Havana Club rum. Hogue shows their synthetic grips here:

https://www.hogueinc.com/grips/ruger-grips/gp100/rubber

[Edster]

I installed the Hogue Tamers on my GP100 and went to the range today.

When the hammer fell on 158-grain magnums, all the regular boom and drama was there.

But my hand felt totally fine. There was no soreness or fatigue at all.

It was a little surreal. I had trouble believing it but I fired several rounds with the same result.

I might prefer to not have finger grooves but they fit me ok. I can reach the trigger for a good DA pull but just barely.

The Tamers stay.

[JonInWA]

I shot my second IDPA match with the Hogue Tamers on the GP100. 100 rounds of full-house Federal JSP at 1240 fps, and about 35 rounds of slightly lighter 158 gr Magtech Cowboy LFN at 1080 fps. I had the same results as previously with the Hogue Tamers-exceptional cushioning and recoil absorbtion, with absolutely no pain or discomfort to any portion of my hands. While I shot mostly two-handed freestyle, there was also some stages requiring strong-hand only and support-hand only shooting; there were no issues with the Tamers regardless of the type of hold.

Zero problems in acquiring or indexing on draw; the finger grooves and rubber composition work fine with me, and I've noticed no "grabbing" on my concealment garments by the rubber. I'm sold on these. While they're not the most aesthetically attractive, they flat-out work and aren't difficult at all to carry or reasonably conceal.

While the VZ G10s are slightly better in my opinion due to their slightly more compact size (and great aesthetics), and my second choice would be with the Ruger/Altamont Compact grips for .38 Special, .38 Special +P, and limited continued use of .357 magnum (and empirically "less," at least for me is lower than 50 rounds)-but those 50 are still gonna be a tad bit uncomfortable..., in my opinion the Hogue Tamers are the best overall choice for .357 and mixed .357/.38 Special/.38 Special +P use on a .357 magnum revolver. And they're exceptionally cost-effective.

If you're going to be shooting .357 magnum cartridges in any quantity, in my opionion these are a "must buy." I also consider their shape and dimensions to be superior to the Hogue regular rubber grips for the GP100, so they'd be a worthwhile consideration even if you only plan on shooting .38 Special cartridges.

I'm more than a little surprised that Hogue doesn't market these more aggressively, or even have a more detailed advantage feature elaboration on their product website for these.

Best, Jon

[Lester Polfus]

I'm more than a little surprised that Hogue doesn't market these more aggressively, or even have a more detailed advantage feature elaboration on their product website for these.

Best, Jon

Until you posted about this a while back, I had no idea that the Hogue Monogrip that came with my gun and the Hogue Tamer were two different products. The look pretty much identical at a casual glance. There is a $5 price delta between the two so I don't understand why they don't just discontinue the Monogrip.

I can shoot a surprising number of magnums in a session with my Match Champion grips, but I might try a set of the Tamers.

[Stephanie B]

Right. Use any grips that work on the Ruger, but sandals and socks? Nothing says "I've done time" or "I'm a gringo tourist" like socks and sandals.

“I’m from Queens.”

[JonInWA]

“I’m from Queens.”

I'm liking "Gringo tourist visiting relatives in Queens"

Best, Jon

[Rock185]

My 10MM GP100 came with the wood Hogue factory grips. They fit my hand just fine, but with some of the Buffalo Bore and Underwood factory ammo, and equivalent handloads, the factory wood grips were kinda tough on the web of my old hand. I tried the big angular Hogue rubber grips, the standard and compact old style Ruger grips, the Hogue Tamers, etc. The Hogue Tamers were/are head and shoulders above anything else I tried as far as mitigating recoil. They really do work. What a concept.

But, I wanted to reduce trigger reach, to be more similar to the S&W 686s I was used to. I settled on the old style rubber grips with the decorative inserts for this reason. Were I intending to shoot much Buffalo Bore, Underwood type factory ammo, or my 165@1375 FPS reloads, I'd probably have go back to the Tamers.

[Hizzie]

I like the non finger grooved Hogue. They handle recoil quite well and don’t increase the trigger reach noticeably over the Lett grips. They are my choice for the SRH Alaskan in 44 magnum even when shooting Hornady 300 grainers.

p/CZw9Gk0LZsl

p/CX9DBGLrklQ

[Edster]

My first, "Hmmm... not so sure now," with the Tamers today. They really like to snag the shirt on a strong-side concealment draw.

The GP100 isn't a regular carry gun for me so I'm not rushing to change them yet.

[gato naranja]

My first, "Hmmm... not so sure now," with the Tamers today.

I have a section of a poly "bin" that contains a bunch of "not so sure now" GP-100 and SP101 grips and grip inserts that I decided against... the rest of the bin is holsters and such. Hogues are well represented as are the original full-size "Lett" rubber grips. Some of the grips are fairly old, but with very little time on the clock.

It hasn't been for lack of trying, but I can't say I have found the "goldilocks" grip for a GP-100, whether in years past or now. Paw size aside, I guess it is going to depend on what loads are used as well as how many and how often; whether it is being carried concealed, gloves or no gloves, so on and so forth...

As I continue to use the "compact Letts," I find that my reduced shooting schedules and growing preference for low- and mid-range ammunition power levels have worked in their favor. I shoot very little hot stuff anymore, and I figured that I could stand the occasional thump. So far, so good... sometimes my hunches actually work out!

[entropy]

Similar here. I tried several including the compact Letts. I’m back to the pebble grain factory Hogues. The compact Letts made the gun too “whippy”, top heavy, and unbalanced. I do believe they soak up more recoil however. I’m not sure how the overall balance is different with the unfluted .44spl cylinder over the .357 though as I’ve never handled the .357. That might have something to do with it. Anything wood or G10 doesn’t work for me unless I’m shooting a much reduced load. I can’t go through many 255gr/7.5 Unique loads with solid grips.

[Crazy Dane]

By my kitchen scale, the WC 357 weighs 1/8 ounce less than my 3-inch 44 (the 3" Python is just 1/2oz more). I have run the compact Letts on both and can't tell any difference in balance or shootability. The compacts do help with concealability when carrying AIWB. But now that I have abandoned the attempt to carry a big revolver appendix, I have gone back to the full-size Letts. The Hogues for the GPs always feel skinny and seem to be longer. The one big thing I have found that makes a difference with the Letts is the texturing on the back straps, ala the Wiley Clapp models. I have picked up the textured ones for all 3 of My GPs and SP101. I f you can source the WC grips they will only have texture on the backstrap, Altamont's come with the fronts done and seem um, icky.

[Rick R]

I like the non finger grooved Hogue. They handle recoil quite well and don’t increase the trigger reach noticeably over the Lett grips. They are my choice for the SRH Alaskan in 44 magnum even when shooting Hornady 300 grainers.

I just ordered a Hogue non finger grooved to try. I currently have the finger grooved grip on my 3” 10mm and like it but the .357 is still a work in progress.