While upgrading the sights on a firearms is always a worthy endeavour, the real pain in the tuchus comes from having to re-sight the bloody thing in. But it’s gotta be done.
As I mentioned, I had installed night sights on my favorite GP-100. It’s a very nice pistol..I got it from Caleb Giddings a number of years back and its got a nice smooth action to it. It really is my favorite .357 at the moment. And..wow, is it accurate. My preferred ammo is 8.0 gr. of Unique under a 158 gr. JHP. Not an earthshaking load, but not a powderpuff either. Cases eject cleanly from the cylinder, recoil is manageable, and, in my two GP-100s, it’s really really accurate. I shoot really well with this gun.
Anway, with the new night sights there was a need to re-sight the gun in and….it was great. Took about three cylinders to get things where I wanted and confirm where they were hitting and it was some tight groups. I’m pleased. I wouldn’t want to run the apocalypse with a revolver if I had a choice, but if I had to carry one through Ragnarok…. this little package would be hard to beat.
Sighting in the new 8-shot Redhawk, however, was a different story. I just could not get it to group nearly as well as the GP-100. I think part of the problem is the grips on the gun. Smooth hardwood that doesn’t really fill the hand well. I normally like Pachmayr Grippers on my revolvers, but the GP-100 has a Hogue Monogrip on it an I shoot that gun quite well. The smooth grips on the Redhawk make it hard to keep the same grip, recoil whips the gun around in my grip, etc, etc. Why do gun companies go through the expense of making these types of grips that are just going to call for replacements anyway? Frustrating.
But..I got to spend time at the range, had a very satisfying time with my GP-100, and crosses some stuff off my To-Do list. Calling it a win.
Wrap some hockey, or athletic trainer tape around the grips…
Maybe a BK grip adapter?
The wood grips are just a classic look! The Pachmayr and Hogue grips were our toe dipping into the world of making our revolvers tactical and more functional in the 80s. Not a whole lot we could do back than other than replacing the wood grips, trigger work, and some white out on the front sight!!!! I do remember being asked when I sold one if I still had the original wood grips though.
I tried Pachmayr Grippers on a Model 29 and the resultant muzzle flip was too pronounced for me. The factory Gonclavo Alves remarkably are the most comfortable to shoot and control.
Funny thing is a Ruger Security-Six (4″) with Hogue Gripper design shoots just fine. ??
I’m glad to hear family bonding with new acquisition is going well.