Herrett National Adjustable Target Stocks
PRODUCT REVIEW
Herrett National Target Grips
After firearm manufactures and favorite loads few conversations on Bullseye Shooting bring in more differing opinions than target grips. Opinions range from the elitists who insist they would never shoot anything other than a sized pair of Randall Fung Match Grips to the puritans who see no legitimate reason for anything other than the standard GI issue slabs.
Somewhere in between these two camps are the ever growing supporters of the Herrett Nationals. At about a third the price of a set of custom fitted grips the Herrett Nationals offer a nice entrance point and easy justification to going to a target type grip. Manufactured from select grade American Walnut the grips feature a nicely contoured thumb rest with an adjustable flared heal. Both from an aesthetics and functionality stand point the grips seem very well designed. The flared heel adjusts to lock a shooter’s grip in nicely, and in general makes for a very solid, comfortable fit.
That having been said, there can be a few irritating nuisances to the grip as 
well. In order to facilitate larger hands the length of the grip extends well past the frame on most models, meaning that it can make it a little more difficult when changing magazines. On handguns such as the Colt 1911’s and S&W model 41’s where the magazine release is north of the grip retrieval isn’t to much of a problem. But on models such as the Ruger MK II I think an extended magazine release may be almost mandatory. Similarly on insertion, I found the 1911 grips to be much friendlier on a reload if I used a magazine with bumper pads to get a little more length out of it.
Lastly, verbatim from the manufacturer … ‘The contour of the National Stock does not lend itself to checkering, thus it is offered in a smooth finish only’. This doesn’t seem to bother most but many of us are more accustom 
to the deep checkered slab grips or the fine stippling effect found on grips such as Randall Fung’s. For this reason I find myself preferring the grips on those guns having aggressive checkering on the front strap and main spring housing as it diminishes the smooth, slippery feel. Another effective means of over coming this is coat the grips with Wrinkle Paint or Sand Paint. It’s a shame to cover such a nice piece of wood but it does give the grip a much more positive feel.
I believe most everyone who purchases the Herrett Nationals will be very happy with the quality and value of the product and for that reason I would recommend them. They currently are available for the Colt 1911 frame configurations as well as the S&W 41/46, Ruger MK I, II, and III, and select High Standard models.