Wood vs rubber grips

Tinkerjoe · Post by **Tinkerjoe** » Fri Jun 25, 2010 3:48 pm

Does anyone have an opinion on which is better, wood or rubber grips? I have a Ruger MK 111 hunter and I'm considering getting new grips from Volquartsen. I'm also thinking about getting a Ultradot 30mm scope. Would it be a good idea to go with the single dot or the four dot version? This is my first post so please bear with me. Thanks.

arizona-hermit · Post by **arizona-hermit** » Fri Jun 25, 2010 4:24 pm

Welcome to the forum TJ.

The following is my opinion only... others may vary. Take it for what it's worth to you.

My favorite grip of all time is the Hogue rubber finger groove and I have them on every one of my Ruger MK pistols. They allow me to stay on target easier (less movement when your hands are sweaty) and are more comfortable than stock wood grips.

blue68f100 · Post by **blue68f100** » Fri Jun 25, 2010 4:30 pm

Welcome to Guntalk-Online.....

Wood vs rubber is kind of like paper vs plastic. If I recall the VQ Laminate grips are a little fatter, very nice though. It's best to find someone who has them on the gun so you can feel the difference. That way you can check the fit. Most all of my guns have the Hogue Rubber grips w/finger groves no thumb rest, but I do not shoot competition.

In most all cases you will use the smallest dot for target shooting, so multi sizes do not help you. Now if you decide to shoot plates some switch to a larger 5moa dot since since it's quicker to pickup and align. I think you will be very pleased with just the 2moa single dot.

Post by **Bullseye** » Fri Jun 25, 2010 7:28 pm

Welcome to Guntalk-Online!

Both styles of Volquartsen grips have their advantages. It just depends on what you like, the profiles between the two are very similar.

If your planning on target shooting then the single reticle sight is best. When you switch between the dot styles you may have to recalibrate your sight knobs.

R,
Bullseye

Downeaster · Post by **Downeaster** » Fri Jun 25, 2010 7:41 pm

I have rubber grips on most of my handguns, either Pachmayr or Hogues.

Exceptions are my S&W 17 and my Ruger Single Six just because it's...well...wrong to take those beautiful wooden stocks off those classic revolvers.

I'm ambivalent about the subject on my S&W 27. The factory Target smooth wooden stocks LOOK great, but the Pachmayr's feel better and are easier to shoot with.

ronn · Post by **ronn** » Fri Jun 25, 2010 9:20 pm

The pistol instructor at our club prefers wood over rubber since wood does not flex. The same grip is very important, and better achieved with a wood or plastic grip, where as rubber will vary as the grip is increased or decreased. Just his opinion, but good enough for me.

bebloomster · Post by **bebloomster** » Fri Jun 25, 2010 10:41 pm

Guess it sorta depends on your purpose too. I haven't seen too many full blown target grips in rubber (other than Volquartsen). I love the Dick Horton grips on my S&W Model 52.

ruger22 · Post by **ruger22** » Sat Jun 26, 2010 3:23 pm

For my purposes, I'm happy with the factory checkered plastic grips on my Mark 3 and Bobcats. The Single-Six came with smooth rosewood, and I'm using Hogue smooth cocobolo, but the shape and size are 99% identical. I just like the cocobolo looks.

It's all personal need and taste. Plastic, wood, or rubber. Finger grooves and thumb rests. Smooth or checkered. What works for you is all that matters.

99/100 · Post by **99/100** » Sat Jun 26, 2010 9:16 pm

As you said it all comes down to what feels "right" and what "works". I've had wood and plastic and "synthetics" and have one that actually has a piece of bicycle tire inner tube on it (the Hogue slip on just didn't feel right).

Post by **Bullseye** » Sun Jun 27, 2010 4:52 am

Dick Horton doesn't seem to have a website, but here's his regular mail contact information:

Dick Horton Match Grips
905 Apricot Ave
Mount Vernon, IL. 62864
(618) 244-3389
Email: [email protected]

greener · Post by **greener** » Sun Jun 27, 2010 7:58 am

I prefer Hogue grips on my MKIII and MKII to the wood grips. If you shoot with two hands, the thumbrest on target grips make it a bit awkward. I have a couple red dot scopes with 4 reticules. I've found I only use the small dot.

22_plinker · Post by **22_plinker** » Sun Jun 27, 2010 10:27 am

I really like the Hogue grips as well but I've noticed with my MKII Competition Target it feels like it slips in my hand. I've decided to change out the grips but I want to go with either the Ruger White plastic grips or custom white grips. Don't want to highjack this thread but does anyone have pictures of a Competition Target Model sporting white grips? Would love to see em if you do.

Thanks....22_Plinker

Tbag · Post by **Tbag** » Sun Jun 27, 2010 1:05 pm

Had Hogues and they are nice. I had the Vothane VQ grip and it worked well. Had Ruger laminates on it and they were just...ok. Ended up with a set of wood target grips from VQ and well they fit just right. The right panel is slightly oversized towards the front of the grip which I really like as it seems to let my trigger finger rest just about right. And the thumb rest isn't very large as to not impede a good two hand hold.

ruger22 · Post by **ruger22** » Mon Jun 28, 2010 11:17 am

Thinking about it, it's really not the grips being different, it's our hands. Hands come in a million different combinations of size, texture, and strength. We all have different ways of holding a gun, too. So one guy loves a set of grips that someone else wouldn't keep for free.

22_plinker · Post by **22_plinker** » Mon Jun 28, 2010 4:57 pm

ruger22 wrote:Thinking about it, it's really not the grips being different, it's our hands. Hands come in a million different combinations of size, texture, and strength. We all have different ways of holding a gun, too. So one guy loves a set of grips that someone else wouldn't keep for free.

I think you hit the nail on the head. I think it also depends on what grips you put on what model of gun.

22_Plinker

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