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August 15, 2020
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Hi all, I picked up this 15-2 a couple years ago from the son of the original owned who bought it new in 1976. It included the box, documents, and even the order form from back in the day. It's a great piece, but one thing I don't care for is the grips that it wears. They're a bit.... crude, and have a deep palm swell that makes the double action trigger reach a bit long for me. I am not even sure about if these are even the original grips. The others I have seen in my googling seen to be a bit more finely crafted, with DW medallions. I'm curious if anyone out there might know if these are original grips or not and possibly any good recommendations for aftermarket options.
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Dans Club
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November 17, 2008
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They are original. DW had many variations of grips over the years.
LB
Wisdom is merely the realization of how little one knows, therefore I am wise.
Dans Club
December 5, 2008
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They are indeed factory grips.
They were used early and then became options after medallion grips became standard.
Hogue makes grips and many factory grips of different types are available on eBay and GunBroker. Custom grips are also available from LB that are highly recommended.
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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The wide base and palm swell is supposed to push the hand up for more control. I prefer the finger groove grips. I am a short fingered vulgarian. Starting with the DW medallion target grips the base became narrower on target grips. The very first target grip, the Michigan style, was actually very comfortable but it was perceived as an oddity and was only briefly offered in the early 70s. They can sometimes be found on eBay. Nobody calls them by their name and they go cheap. Research some archives to find a picture. They were offered on the first models, the 11 and 12.
February 16, 2016
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June 8, 2009
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Missing from the pic. is the factory Sacramento walnut grip for small frame guns. Smooth walnut, finger grooves, fairly long on top, short on bottom, and pretty thin side to side. Palm facing you, slightly curl your fingers; see how the hand is wider at the top and narrow at the bottom.
I don't know what years they were made, but it is my favorite small frame grip. The thin side to side shape can smart the hand web if shooting hot loads.
June 8, 2009
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Just remembered another thing the factory offered at some time: A blank that was fit for the frame and screw hole; just a rectangular hunk of wood you could shape any way you wanted to.
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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Non of those in the picture are the original target grip, Aka the Michigan. It looked like a hammer handle but worked surprisingly well. Introduced with the first grips with the models 11 and 12. Also the same time period as Sacramento grip. The Sacramento grip was designed for the Sacramento police department. The grip blank was also offered with the first pistol packs. They resell for quite a bit now.
February 16, 2016
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LeonardC said
Just remembered another thing the factory offered at some time: A blank that was fit for the frame and screw hole; just a rectangular hunk of wood you could shape any way you wanted to.
Here is a blank, as Ole Dog said, in one in my older pistol packs.
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