WAYNO
as the Hogues are now original factory equipment on the GP100's.
WAYNO.[/quote:d498v8un said:
Can you tell me why Ruger did that? To me, it's also like getting rid of the 1/2 lug. Is everything just for money? I don't know but it sure seems that way
Ruger's OEM grip supplier, Letts, went out of business several years ago (unfortunately). Letts provided all of Rugers wood grip inserts, so the Hogue grips became a viable alternative. In the past 5-10 years, Hogue has apparently done quite well, not just as an aftermarket grip supplier, but also as an OEM source, with company-logo'ed grips being provided as desired.
The quality of Hogue grips is excellent; I have been quite pleased with their grips for both revolvers and semi-automatic pistols over the years (and while neither are currently being used, I also have their grips for both my GP100 and Security Six). However, Ruger really got it right with the original grips (both sizes) for the GP100, regarding both form, function, and aesthetics, in my opinion. Since I doubt that Letts manufactured the rubber portion of the original grips, I hope that Ruger finds another wood insert manufacturer and continues to offer both sizes of the original GP100 grips, at least as an alternative, as they currently do.
Best, Jon