Replacement grips for a Smith 66

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Quoheleth

Quoheleth

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I'm wanting to replace the grips on my 4" 66. Eventually, I want to make this a carry gun. Currently, it wears a Pachmayr grip that covers both frontstrap and backstrap. Unfortunately, I have very small hands - see photos - and anything extra in depth isn't helpful to me. I had a set of Magnas on a model 10 and I hate those. The gun "squirts" on me: the barrel rises up and the grips slip downward. Double-action shooting is almost impossible. I do have a set of rubber Hogues on a model 15 that do OK for me. (Ironically, on my semi-autos, I prefer a wider grip. Because I have to side-saddle the grips a bit, a wider grip gives me more contact under the palm. With my M&P9, for example, the medium or large grips work better for me than the small.) I could get another set for the 66, but I think I want to go with a traditional wood.

I contacted Ahrends grips with the same photos. Kim agreed that my situation is unique and suggested either their Tactical or Retro Target grips. "No one has ever complained our grips are too big," he said. I don't necessarily want to be the first...

I thought I would ask here - anyone else have very small hands? Perhaps if there are any women shooters here, or teenagers, who have an opinion on what works for you? I like what Ahrend makes, but I'm open to other ideas. I thought about making my own set, but haven't taken the time to try it.

Thanks in advance,
Q
 
Magnas are what I prefer, but only if there's a grip adapter. Makes a huge difference in handling. I use BK adapters, but Tyler is more famous.
 
Quoheleth

I have small hands though not quite as wide as yours. S&W factory grips, both Magna and Target version have never been a good fit for me either. Pachmayr Presentation grips are alright but it's still something of a reach to the trigger. Best fit for me was their Gripper design which I use on my Model 686. I sanded down the finger groove edges a little as they were a bit too pronounced for my hand. They also offer grips in their Gripper Professional line and Diamond Pro Series. Might want to give them a look to see if they work for you.

I also have some of Kim Ahrends grips though not for S&W revolvers. I can tell you fit and finish are first rate and their prices are very reasonable.

067_zpsd6mgveb8.jpg

066_zpscmmudubb.jpg
 
AZAndy said:
Magnas are what I prefer, but only if there's a grip adapter. Makes a huge difference in handling. I use BK adapters, but Tyler is more famous.
Click to expand...
That was my first thought and I agree. That combination is small and controllable.

M686gripadpt.jpg

If you don't like that setup I have a set if Eagle grips that are not large and are comfortable to shoot with. You might like those better although I like the service grips/adapter setup best.

DSCN2079.jpg
 
Magnas+Tyler T-Grip. Skate board tape on the backstrap and front of the Tyler.
 
I'm torn.
I really enjoy magna's and a T-grip (the BK adaptors are nice and easier to find). It's my favorite set up for CCW
But a set of tactical finger grooves might be my all time favorites for a range gun.

Depends if you want them for carry or the range.
 
Quoheleth said:
I like what Ahrend makes, but I'm open to other ideas
Click to expand...

Maybe consider a place like Herrett's, who'll actually make stocks to a trace of your hand. They look great, too.

Couple o'things no one mentioned: First, you can get a bit of extra reach by radiusing the leading face of the stocks (if recoil's not an issue, you could probably radius the rear face as well). Likewise, narrowing and radiusing the trigger face helps your reach for DA shooting. Finally, your grip on the gun has much to do with reach. You need to grip a revolver high. Most people don't grip a revolver high enough, it seems. The webbing between your thumb and trigger finger should be flush with the top of the backstrap - you shouldn't see any backstrap peeking out when looking at your gripped gun from the side (see pics below).

FWIW, I have Ahrends smooth square butt on my K-38, and IMO, are reasonably small. Certainly smaller than the Pachmayrs I've tried. I find the edges that form between the sides and front face a bit abrupt (sharp?), but it's nothing that a little sandpaper won't cure. :rolleyes:

Finally, since you mentioned you want this to be a carry gun, be sure there's enough clearance for speedloaders if you intent to carry these as well.



Grip that gun high:
IDPAindoorNats2012-1.jpg

Carmonized686Coin.jpg

CoinCropped.jpg
 
I found Pachmayr Presentation small grips very comfortable on my Dan Wesson and S&W 19, but I have had to remove material from 2 sets of Herrett grips, both for my 19 and 586.
Today, I have Hogue rubberized grips on my 586. They are...utilitarian-looking, (read homely) but are very comfortable, and I shoot well with them. :)

But, in the True Spirit of Never Leaving Well-Enough Alone,:eek: I'm now looking for something more handsome, either Hogue or Eagle, maybe.
 
I am generally a hulk, but I have the hands of a middle school girl. The small Pachmayr presentations went on my Model 19 30+ years ago and they are still there. I have found no other revolver that fits my hands better than a K frame with the small Pachmayrs.
 
I have a medium hand with short fingers. On the larger frame guns I have had problems. I solved the problem on a Redhawk by going with a custom Herrett Ropers made to fit my hand. Aside from Herrett, Hogue and Badger will make a grip to fit your hand. One must order directly from the manufacturer. In my case after sending the tracing to Herrett they recommended the Roper so went with it.
 
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Had a 19 that I never did get to fit either. My hand is 7" from wrist to end of my middle finger. Pachmayr's were the worst. There is a factory wood grip that's quite a bit smaller than the standard Smith grip. No idea where you'd get 'em though. Gunparts may be.
 
I put a set of Dan Eagle grips on my M19. My hands are also rather small; the Magnas feel too small, but the target grips are too thick to get a good grip. The Eagle grips are midway between them. They do not cover the back strap, and they conform well to a cupped hand (as when you grip the gun). Mine are rosewood, and have a very nice laser-engraved checkering and design. They were available with a metal S&W logo button, but I opted for the engraved S&W logo.
 

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This is just a picture I pulled off the internet, but I have just changed over to the Hogue Miculek grips on my K-frame

[resize=500] 005-13.jpg [/resize]

They really allow me to get my grip higher with a fast index on the front strap during the draw. They are amazingly thin and really have good pointability

MrBorland said:
You need to grip a revolver high. Most people don't grip a revolver high enough, it seems. The webbing between your thumb and trigger finger should be flush with the top of the backstrap - you shouldn't see any backstrap peeking out when looking at your gripped gun from the side
Click to expand...
This cannot be emphasized enough.

If the webbing, between your thumb and index finger, isn't peeking over the top of the backstrap, you aren't gripping high enough
 
My M-66 used to wear the Pachmyer Compact Professional grips also. The rubber gives a nice cushion if you bump into things and the bare backstrap is a nice touch.

I only switched to the JM grips when I learned that it's smoother surface was more conducive to a quicker presentation and more accurate first shot
 
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