[Kestrel]

I bought a 6" model 29 with rubber Hogue grips. When I got it home, I noticed it has a ROUND butt. All the 6" models I've seen had square butts.

Does anyone know anything about this? Is this desirable? I wanted the square butt and think I will sell this one, unless there's an advantage I don't know of.

Thanks,
Steve

[WebHobbit]

I'm pretty sure S&W stopped making the square-butt. Any round-butt can "become" a square butt with the proper grip selection.

[QuarterBoreGunner]

S&W stopped making square butts (except for special runs) in mid 1996.

Shame on them.

[WebHobbit]

Shame on them.

Why? :confused:

What advantage did a square butt have? Like I said grips can convert a round to square but NOT vice-versa.

[EJ]

The grip change doesn't truly convert a RB to a SB --
There are problems--
An unsightly and sometimes SHARP gap persists at the rear base of the stocks, often causing cuts when used with heavy recoiling firearms--
And it doesn't look right because it doesn't realy fit -- so it's not a true conversion--

That said --If I had to choose I guess I'ld perfer to have only the RB as opposed to SB only--though both available would be imeasurably better--

[WebHobbit]

Are you talking about slapping Square grips on an RB or using actual "conversion grips".

[EJ]

I'm talkin' about the "conversation" grips that came with the Mdl 29 & 629 Classic DXs when Smith first went to Rb on N frames--

I think other conversion grips are useless if they cover the backstrap--
S&W length of pull is long enough allready -- and I have pretty damn big hands--
If you cover the backstrap (except for minimally as in a Jordon Grip) then the reach is over long for accurate double action use--
If you don't cover the backstrap then there is a gap--

I suppose you could use the Jordon grips on a RB and have an good option-- I just think there is room in the world for SB & RB guns without having to cover the backstraps--

Guess I'll keep my pre-80's S&Ws;)

[WebHobbit]

Ahhh..I see. Well then we are in agreement! I can't stand any revolver with a covered back-strap. I have really small hands though.

:)

[EJ]

Ya-- Even though my hands are big --(I use thick Ivory or Bone grips on my 1911, BHP and S&W 559)--I don't have enough reach with my index finger to use it the way I was "Trained" for DA shooting--(The trigger in the nook between first and second joint -- not on the pad of the index finger) and subsequently even with very big hands I don't like a thickly covered backstrap--

I guess I just wish things (firearms wise) could allways stay the way they were --(sigh):(

[Standing Wolf]

I have a 6.5-inch model 629 with a round butt. I thought it was awfully funny looking at first, but soon realized it accommodates my hand better than the old square butt.

I later had the grip frame on my model 27-2 altered to round butt dimensions so it could share the model 629's target stocks from http://jnb.com/~funggrip/index.html

[WebHobbit]

Standing Wolf- who did you have cut your grip-frame? I wonder if I could get S&W to cut my 686 4 incher to round-butt? That way I can retain my Lifetime Warranty.

[QuarterBoreGunner]

WebHobbit- no real reason for the 'shame on them' comment- I just prefer the older style of S&W revolvers, square butt, pinned barrels and recessed cylinders, etc.

With that being said, round butts are much easier to carry I think.

[BigG]

Covering the backstrap of an N-frame does bite. :cuss:

[Standing Wolf]

Standing Wolf- who did you have cut your grip-frame? I wonder if I could get S&W to cut my 686 4 incher to round-butt? That way I can retain my Lifetime Warranty.

As I recall, I asked the folks at Clark to reshape the grip frame when they took off the original barrel and put on one of their own. I think that part of the job set me back about $75: well worth it, as far as I'm concerned. I'm sure there's nothing like a shortage of gunsmiths, machinists, and patient amateurs who could do the job as well.