Subjective--what's the best wood color on stainless? (686)

wild cat mccane · March 6, 2021, 06:06 PM

Hey there!

Subjective question. What is the best wood color on a stainless revolver, all else being equal to the grip shape? Top color for you?

Yep totally subjective. Yep I have google. Yep I have wood grips. But I can't say I've thought best and want new wood grips for my 686 4"

Dark red brown? Dark brown? Brown?

So as not to have a dress color fiasco, I consider the 686 Deluxe that comes from S&W to be a brown with hints of red.

jglsprings · March 6, 2021, 06:18 PM

Rosewood...

wild cat mccane · March 6, 2021, 06:19 PM

You beat me at my game. That's wood type. Not color. But good point. Seeing the grain is huge to all this.

I think I'm leaning to less blonde/lighter brown wood.

Thank you for the pics!

FunGramps · March 6, 2021, 07:23 PM

Yep...totally subjective. I like the darker rosewood-looking grip. I'm a contrast guy. Both are very attractive though. Like a Blond, Red-head, or Brunette...I like 'em all

Armybrat · March 6, 2021, 07:25 PM

Black isn’t bad, IMO....

Shadow9mm · March 6, 2021, 07:50 PM

another vote for black grips. excellent contrast against the stainless...

Nanuk · March 6, 2021, 09:25 PM

Rubber grips. Function first.

shurshot · March 6, 2021, 09:29 PM

I just ordered a set of 686 grips, Rosewood, from Bangkok.

hemiram · March 7, 2021, 01:32 AM

I guess I like Rosewood best, but any wood with a good grain to it looks good. I really like the Bird's Eye Maple grips my friend had made for his S&W 28-2, like this, but better, IMHO:

And the always nice Dan Wesson Zebrawood:

eflyguy · March 7, 2021, 03:43 AM

Stag horn:

(yeah, I know, not wood..)

buck460XVR · March 7, 2021, 10:11 AM

Grip color/species is like lipstick, eye shadow, fingernail polish or hair color on a woman. To me, they all look good. But for my wife I want something that not only works with me, but compliments/increases my success. At the end of the day, make-up is a moot point, except for the vain.

For the most part, I prefer rubber grips for my magnum revolvers. I've got several pretty stock wood grips in a drawer, that were just uncomfortable to shoot with true magnum loadings. Bottom feeders have what came with them from the factory unless they didn't fit. Then they have Hogue rubbers. Like with make-up when the lights are off, once the gun is in your hand, since you can't see 'em, it's not the looks that count.

Maxwell Haus · March 7, 2021, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eflyguy

Stag horn:

(yeah, I know, not wood..)

I like that , is it jigged bone ? Not wood, but sure looks sweet .

AustinTX · March 7, 2021, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jglsprings

Rosewood...

Needs to be real wood, though, not laminate.

MarkCO · March 7, 2021, 11:40 AM

I like very dark woods then those with Red hues and finally the very light maples and Black Walnut on stainless.

Brown is okay for my desk, floors and with some blued guns, but I don't really like it with stainless.

gwpercle · March 7, 2021, 07:38 PM

Any color , any material ...Except Laminate wood of any form .
Laminate is another word for plywood and plywood looks cheap .
It's my only pet peeve but real solid wood , as produced by mother nature , and finished in Tung oil is my choice ... my most favorite wood is real Brazilian Rosewood with the dark reddish brown coloring .
Gary

eflyguy · March 8, 2021, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxwell Haus

I like that , is it jigged bone ? Not wood, but sure looks sweet .

Not mine, web pic, but was inspiration for me to start working on my own for my Ruger SR1911 (not a wheel gun..)

rodfac · March 8, 2021, 10:06 AM

I like rosewood...these were a bit lighter when new...Rod

Or maybe something a bit more exotic...black and white ebony

Cocobolo is nice too.

Or faux ivory.

Maybe fiddle back maple...

GarandTd · March 8, 2021, 10:38 AM

Red

upstate81 · March 8, 2021, 11:46 AM

I like the orangeish goncalo alves stocks from the 70’s and 80’s Smith and Wessons.

Bob Wright · March 8, 2021, 09:01 PM

gwpercle said:

Quote:

Any color , any material ...Except Laminate wood of any form .
Laminate is another word for plywood and plywood looks cheap .
It's my only pet peeve but real solid wood , as produced by mother nature , and finished in Tung oil is my choice ... my most favorite wood is real Brazilian Rosewood with the dark reddish brown coloring .
Gary

Brazilian rosewood has been nearly impossible to obtain legally for some time now. The closest I've found was Bolivian rosewood.

These are Bolivian rosewood, from the old Lett Grips firm:

Bob Wright

FITASC · March 8, 2021, 09:06 PM

Darker rosewood for me or similar.

dyl · March 8, 2021, 09:34 PM

Here's a more modern look.

Black laminate

https://i.imgur.com/5caIo2O.jpg

shurshot · March 9, 2021, 06:30 PM

"I like the orangeish goncalo alves stocks from the 70’s and 80’s Smith and Wessons."

My Bangkok made, 'Bay purchased 686 grips arrived... wish I could post pics from my cell phone... Amazing wood as described above, with S&W medallions too! First coat of Tru-oil just went on. For 1/4 or less of the price of vintage or new Rosewood / Goncalo Alves, I'm VERY happy with these! 7 or 8 more coats and they will go on the gun. Looks very similar to Goncalo Alves / Tigerwood.

upstate81 · March 10, 2021, 09:46 PM

Shurshot, i have seen those for sale but havent pulled the trigger on a set yet. Im glad you like them ill have to check them out. I have trouble posting pictures on this site as well, always too large.

jimmyjackjones · March 11, 2021, 10:44 AM

Black grips for me.

March 6, 2021, 06:06 PM	#1
wild cat mccane Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 3,624	Subjective--what's the best wood color on stainless? (686) Hey there! Subjective question. What is the best wood color on a stainless revolver, all else being equal to the grip shape? Top color for you? Yep totally subjective. Yep I have google. Yep I have wood grips. But I can't say I've thought best and want new wood grips for my 686 4" Dark red brown? Dark brown? Brown? So as not to have a dress color fiasco, I consider the 686 Deluxe that comes from S&W to be a brown with hints of red. __________________ My wife is a pulmonologist (respiratory Dr) and epidemiologist. If you have any questions on COVID, please reach out to me in PM.

March 6, 2021, 06:18 PM	#2
jglsprings Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2009 Posts: 1,827	Rosewood... __________________ Let's eat Grandma. Let's eat, Grandma. Commas save lives...

March 6, 2021, 06:19 PM	#3
wild cat mccane Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 3,624	You beat me at my game. That's wood type. Not color. But good point. Seeing the grain is huge to all this. I think I'm leaning to less blonde/lighter brown wood. Thank you for the pics! __________________ My wife is a pulmonologist (respiratory Dr) and epidemiologist. If you have any questions on COVID, please reach out to me in PM.

March 6, 2021, 07:23 PM	#4
FunGramps Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2018 Location: Leftern Washington Posts: 240	Yep...totally subjective. I like the darker rosewood-looking grip. I'm a contrast guy. Both are very attractive though. Like a Blond, Red-head, or Brunette...I like 'em all __________________ Finding a wise liberal is as easy as inventing perpetual motion.

March 6, 2021, 07:50 PM	#6
Shadow9mm Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 3,969	another vote for black grips. excellent contrast against the stainless... __________________ I don't believe in "range fodder" that is why I reload.

March 6, 2021, 09:25 PM	#7
Nanuk Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2005 Location: Where the deer and the antelope roam. Posts: 3,082	Rubber grips. Function first. __________________ Retired Law Enforcement U. S. Army Veteran Armorer My rifle and pistol are tools, I am the weapon.

March 6, 2021, 09:29 PM	#8
shurshot Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2006 Posts: 1,819	I just ordered a set of 686 grips, Rosewood, from Bangkok.

March 7, 2021, 01:32 AM	#9
hemiram Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2005 Location: Toledo, ohio Posts: 762	I guess I like Rosewood best, but any wood with a good grain to it looks good. I really like the Bird's Eye Maple grips my friend had made for his S&W 28-2, like this, but better, IMHO: And the always nice Dan Wesson Zebrawood:

March 7, 2021, 10:11 AM	#11
buck460XVR Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2006 Posts: 4,342	Grip color/species is like lipstick, eye shadow, fingernail polish or hair color on a woman. To me, they all look good. But for my wife I want something that not only works with me, but compliments/increases my success. At the end of the day, make-up is a moot point, except for the vain. For the most part, I prefer rubber grips for my magnum revolvers. I've got several pretty stock wood grips in a drawer, that were just uncomfortable to shoot with true magnum loadings. Bottom feeders have what came with them from the factory unless they didn't fit. Then they have Hogue rubbers. Like with make-up when the lights are off, once the gun is in your hand, since you can't see 'em, it's not the looks that count.

March 7, 2021, 11:40 AM	#14
MarkCO Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 1998 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 4,307	I like very dark woods then those with Red hues and finally the very light maples and Black Walnut on stainless. Brown is okay for my desk, floors and with some blued guns, but I don't really like it with stainless. __________________ Good Shooting, MarkCO www.CarbonArms.us

March 7, 2021, 07:38 PM	#15
gwpercle Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2012 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 1,752	Any color , any material ...Except Laminate wood of any form . Laminate is another word for plywood and plywood looks cheap . It's my only pet peeve but real solid wood , as produced by mother nature , and finished in Tung oil is my choice ... my most favorite wood is real Brazilian Rosewood with the dark reddish brown coloring . Gary

March 8, 2021, 10:06 AM	#17
rodfac Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,623	I like rosewood...these were a bit lighter when new...Rod Or maybe something a bit more exotic...black and white ebony Cocobolo is nice too. Or faux ivory. Maybe fiddle back maple... __________________ Cherish our flag, honor it, defend it in word and deed, or get the hell out. Our Bill of Rights has been paid for by heros in uniform and shall not be diluted by misguided governmental social experiments. We owe this to our children, anything less is cowardice. USAF FAC, 5th Spl Forces, Vietnam Vet '69-'73. Last edited by rodfac; March 8, 2021 at 10:11 AM.

March 8, 2021, 10:38 AM	#18
GarandTd Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2016 Location: Rural PA Posts: 1,639	Red __________________ 22lr, 20 gauge, 8mm Mauser, 35 Remington, 30-06, 5.56x45/223, 9mm, 380acp

March 8, 2021, 11:46 AM	#19
upstate81 Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2011 Location: NY Posts: 801	I like the orangeish goncalo alves stocks from the 70’s and 80’s Smith and Wessons.

March 8, 2021, 09:06 PM	#21
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,441	Darker rosewood for me or similar. __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

March 8, 2021, 09:34 PM	#22
dyl Senior Member Join Date: October 31, 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,310	Here's a more modern look. Black laminate https://i.imgur.com/5caIo2O.jpg

March 9, 2021, 06:30 PM	#23
shurshot Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2006 Posts: 1,819	"*I like the orangeish goncalo alves stocks from the 70’s and 80’s Smith and Wessons."* My Bangkok made, 'Bay purchased 686 grips arrived... wish I could post pics from my cell phone... Amazing wood as described above, with S&W medallions too! First coat of Tru-oil just went on. For 1/4 or less of the price of vintage or new Rosewood / Goncalo Alves, I'm VERY happy with these! 7 or 8 more coats and they will go on the gun. Looks very similar to Goncalo Alves / Tigerwood. Last edited by shurshot; March 9, 2021 at 06:37 PM.

March 10, 2021, 09:46 PM	#24
upstate81 Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2011 Location: NY Posts: 801	Shurshot, i have seen those for sale but havent pulled the trigger on a set yet. Im glad you like them ill have to check them out. I have trouble posting pictures on this site as well, always too large.

March 11, 2021, 10:44 AM	#25
jimmyjackjones Junior Member Join Date: February 16, 2005 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 10	Black grips for me.