Three years ago I replaced the grips on my CZ SP-01 — which sported G10 grips from a different, popular manufacturer — with a set from Hogue. The purchase was made just for aesthetics, as I liked the look of the Hogue Extreme G10 G-Mascus ones better or, maybe, it was simply time for something new. I had no complaints about the function or feel of the ones that I had been using. After all, they are highly regarded and may well be the most popular G10 grip choice for CZs. Opening the Hogue package was a pleasant surprise, however, as. . .
…it was immediately apparent that the Hogue pieces were of a higher quality. The G10 felt denser, more solid. The lines and edges were sharper and didn’t have that slightly fuzzy appearance that a lot of machined G10 parts can get, especially if they try to make them too intricate. The fit was better. No flexing, no gaps at all. Nice and flush and secure.
So there they’ve remained, on my competition and fun-use SP-01 (more than any other pistol, this is “my gun”), for the last few years and I have zero itch to make any further changes.
Hogue offers a handful of different standard textures plus options for some custom ones, but I really like the feel and the grip of this “Chainlink” pattern. It’s basically dozens of raised ridges on an otherwise flat plain. It’s comfortable, but it’s grippy.
With that positive experience in the bag I couldn’t help but pick up a matching set of AR-15 parts: pistol grip and trigger guard. Of course, when I eventually went to write up this review it turned out that none of the five AR-15 receivers I have here have a removable trigger guard. Not one mil-spec receiver in the house — all built-in guards.
So, well, the Hogue G10 trigger guard is in the photos and I’m sure you get the idea. They make ’em in straight and in enlarged or “winter” trigger guard style, and in all of the color patterns that you’ll find in the rest of the G10 line (which is quite extensive. For instance, here’s a link to a G-Mascus grip in “Piranha” texture for the Ruger LCR, which is just one of many dozens of handguns they’re available for).
The density and quality of the G10 epoxy laminate was apparent to me when I first felt the CZ grip panels, and I think this materials quality is what allows Hogue to machine it so cleanly. The AR-15 grip lived up to the same high standards — it’s totally clean in every way, and fit is spot-on — and the trigger guard fits and looks great along with it.
Also worth mentioning while on the subject of Hogue, the company’s new website is a vast improvement over the old one. When I went to pick up these AR-15 parts, I was pleasantly surprised to see the changes. It’s much easier to navigate and nicer to look at. I just wish I could bring myself to spend the funds on a matching knife.
Ratings (out of five stars):
Fit & Finish * * * * *Â
Fit is spot on, machining is crisp and flawless.
Feel * * * * *Â
I like G10. It has the warmth — never hot, never cold, just kinda neutral — of wood but is stronger, more durable and more modern or high-tech. I like it for grips and grip panels better than metal, too. And better than plastic, for that matter.
Style * * * * *
To each his own, but Hogue offers tons of color patterns, solid colors, textures, and materials. Most of the grips available in G10 can be purchased in aluminum (there’s an entire line of aluminum AR-15 pistol grips) and/or various woods, and sometimes in rubber overmold. Lots and lots of style options, so there’s probably “something for everyone” if the patterned G10 doesn’t do it for you.
Name * *
“Hogue Extreme Series AR15 / M16 Chain Link G10 G-Mascus Black/Gray” is a bit of a mouthful.
Overall * * * * *
The bee’s knees in G10 epoxy laminate grips.
name is a ranking category? ok.
Tough audience.
Looks badass.
I can’t bring myself to spend the kind of money the full G10 AR grips command. Not cheap to make for sure, but for me a MOE+ or Hogue’s other options are superior ergonomically and economically.
I’ve had several of Hogue’s knives in G10 and they’re fantastic. I have an EX-02 currently in drop point but have been wanting a lava red EX-04 wharnecliffe in the smaller size for a long time. I think the G10 adds a lot more to a knife versus zytel or aluminum than it does on an AR-15.
Oooh the EX-02 is the one I’ve had my eye on 🙂 …the 3.3″ blade. I like the other ones but they’re all kinda large for my EDC folder purposes. I tend to carry smaller knives, and often only a “5th pocket knife,” meaning one that fits in a normal jeans 5th pocket.
I’ve been carrying one of the new Emerson-Kershaw partnered knives recently, with the wave feature. It’s the cheapest way you can get your hands on that thing, and they’re pretty well made knives overall. There are a couple things I don’t like, but it was definitely worth it to demo the wave opening without spending the cash for a full on Emerson.
I really like the button lock Hogues, and have been thinking of selling the EX-02. The flipper is nice, but I’ve learned that button locks are easier to use with gloves on after this past winter here in the north east! I had one of the first EX-01 models and loved it, ended up gifting it to my brother and he also loves it. I like the 3-4″ folders built for heavy duty, since you never know what I’ll have to chop at out here in the country!
Thank you for buying a HOGUE knife!
I don’t really care about the grips, but your SP-01 makes me tingle inside….the grips are nice though….I love CZ’s!!!
The LCR G-10 grips you linked to make me want to buy an LCR Just to put the grips on it! Grip options (and style) were the last things a jframe had over an LCR.
I love the set I have on my p226. Black and grey gmascus Piranha. Looks incredibly classy and feels 1000x better than the factory grips.
I just traded a sig scorpion for a p226 navy. The scorpion came with the piranha grips with the magwell; loved them. Reading this article gave me the idea to go to the Hogue website and take a look at their offerings for the p226. Ouch. $140 for that grip! That’s a purchase for another time. Good to know they are worth the money though.
I forgot to mention, mine is a P226 MK25. so yes, it is completely worth the money. makes the grip noticeably thinner too.
Unfortunately, a few of the good P226 variants still on the California roster come with those monstrously fugly grips. I realize they can be easily changed, but replacement G10 grips aren’t cheap. I don’t want the MK25, so I may not have much choice. Oh, and fuck the California Roster.
Look at the Hogue website. It looked to me like the had offerings for every type of p226 on the market… Just at a price I don’t want to pay at this point in time. I also don’t know how grippy do I NEED a metal framed 9mm to be. The only reason I would swap the grips would be for the for the built-in magwell and the aesthetics.
Took me all the way until the end to figure out what g10 is
There are a bunch of materials that are essentially like fiberglass, where a fabric is impregnated with resin or epoxy. It can be molded or it can be made into sheets or bricks, etc, and then machined to shape. Micarta, G10, Phenolic, fiberglass, some other G-numbers, etc etc etc. It can be cool stuff. Some of my favorite is canvas micarta, which uses actual canvas or even something like burlap in a resin/epoxy that allows you to see that thread structure inside. Looks super cool. Many of these materials don’t machine well, because you end up with the ends of the threads sticking out of the resin and it looks or feels fuzzy or may actually feel sharp and spiky depending on the fiber material. Some of it can chew up machining bits like crazy, too. Depends on the fiber and the resin. Anyhoo, the stuff that Hogue is using looks good, feels good, machines really cleanly, and is very stiff and very strong.
I have been loathe to admit this (especially to myself) but I traded a nice, smooth-functioning Parkerized RIA 1911 for a Turkish-built Regent R200 stainless 1911 just so my purple Hogue grips would show up (as in “be visible”). The trigger is… well, calling it crap would be an insult to crap. But it sure looks good!
I have G10 Hogues on both my SIG 938 (piranha) and 239 (smooth) concealed carry guns. In my opinion they are worth the money but it’s hard to put the value into words. They are equivalent to comfortable shoes.
I have Hogue rubber grips (with finger grooves) on my 1911 (which I bought to rectify the smooth and slippery front strap), a HandAll Jr grip sleeve on my CW9 (which not only adds a finger groove and smooths out the very sharp Kahr grip but has small palm swells that are a marvel) and an aluminum freefloat Hogue forend on my AR. I guess I must be a Hogue fan.
I had a pair of Hogue Bantam G-10 grips in solid black on my S&W 442 for pocket carry. They cost $60 direct from Hogue. Very good quality. They fit right, looked great on the gun, had adequate grip for me and slipped in and out of the pants pocket MUCH easier than the factory rubber grips that I removed, which tended to snag on my pocket lining.
I eventually sold the 442, but I would not hesitate to buy the Hogue G-10s again for another gun.