Do classic S&W and Colt grips actually fit anyone?

[Jim NE]

The oversized target grips are actually pretty good in my hand. I just bought a couple of old model 10's with magnas, however, and yes...they tend to beat up the middle finger of my shooting hand; that's where the trigger guard makes it's impact during recoil. I haven't tried the t-grips 'cause I don't really like the way they look.

Why don't I change them out? They look too cool. Ever seen a '57 DeSoto without the tail fins? Well, that's what an old gun without the original wood grips looks like to me.

However, I took the oversized non-recessed diamond targets off of my '59 model 14 because they were non-original to the gun...and because they will either bring a fair bit of money OR will fit some nice early '50's K 38 that I buy in the future. (Oh...wait a minute...I almost forgot! I'm not buying anymore guns in the future! ) Also, that particular 14 is an average or so so gun.

 

[jmace57]

People (and their hands) were smaller in the past...

 

[kevincallahan]

When I came on the job in1981, most everyone carried a K frame Smith. The first thing you did after day one at the range was go get a set of pacs and get rid of the loops for a set of speedloaders. If you were smart you kept the wood grips on the box the gun came in. The only wood grips that I remember really absorbing recoil were Colt PYthons. But I never had the money to invest in a work gun like that. They sure **** sweet during qualifying but I would have been sick seeing it take the daily wear and tear of my 19.

 

[Sa-tevr]

I'm thinking I need to see what the PPC folks use for grips. They spend a lot of time with a revolver in their hand firing.

 

[Twiki357]

I’m like Driftwood; 33 of my 34 S&W revolvers have the original style service stocks. The only exception is a 19-3 that has football targets that I find very uncomfortable. That’s I, J, K, & N frame sizes from 22LR to 44 magnum and they all get their turn at the range. Almost all were purchased used and many came with aftermarket Goodyears. I have a bag full of those rubber things that I’ve replaced with Magna stocks. So, yes, I like the factory Magna stocks. I even replaced the factory rubber on a 637-2 with Magnas.

I find it interesting that so many commenters have the trigger guard impact their middle finger with the Magna stocks. A problem that I’ve never had. But I do have that problem with target stocks and the rubber thingies.

 

[RealGun]

To figure out the minimal magna grips, part of the issue for longer cartridges, i.e. magnums, is whether the cylinder can be unloaded (and loaded with a speed loader) without cases being blocked by the grip. The design and actual fit of the grips may be a compromise. Changing grips may be for more than a better feel in the hand or control.

 

[bangswitch]

I don't have any Colt revolvers, so it's a moot point, but of the two sizes on the later S&W's (Magna and Target) I like the feel of the target grips better. I have a medium sized hand, and the Magna's feel too small, but the Targets feel too large. Plus, the bigger grip tends to print more easily. I've owned three S&W's over the years (a M19-2 6", a M66-2 4" and my present M19-3 4"), and always replaced the grips on the gun with something that fit my hand better (but not rubber--I hate rubber handgun grips). I prefer something with finger reliefs along the front strap, and just a slight "swell" along the heel.

 

[mrdeltoid]

Good question by the OP. Aside from Smith and Wesson target grips on the old 686's, I have always felt the Colt and Smith grips were not very ergonomic.

 

[golden]

Hogues for me

The first thing I do when I get a revolver with wooden grips is replace them with HOGUE grips. These fit my hand better than any other grip. I tried a set of HOGUE grips made of a hard plastic and replaced them as soon as possible.

For me, wood grips are devices of torture!

Jim

 

[phil dirt]

Where can I buy a Tyler T-grip? I heard somewhere that they will take your money but are very slow, if ever, in sending it.

 

[GBExpat]

Where can I buy a Tyler T-grip? I heard somewhere that they will take your money but are very slow, if ever, in sending it.

Here y'go: http://www.t-grips.com/

 

[RevolvingGarbage]

I'm going to be in the vast minority it seems, as I have glove size large hands(at least), and my favorite grip to have on a revolver is the closest I can get to the old hard rubber turn-of-the-last-century type. I've never had the issue with the second finger getting beat up by the trigger guard in recoil, but I've also never had an aluminum framed revolver, or one in a caliber more powerful than 357 mag.

 

[GBExpat]

... I've never had the issue with the second finger getting beat up by the trigger guard in recoil, ...

Sounds to me like you have never fired a Colt Police Positive Special.

That is the only type that I have fired with which I have experienced that issue.

 

[Gladius]

Dad replaced the target stocks on his model 19 with the magna grips and a Pachmayr insert. It then fit him perfectly. The combo always felt off to me... when he replaced the 19 with a 66, he replaced the oversized stocks on the new revolver with a pair of Pachmayr finger-groove rubber grips, which both he and I agreed were perfect. The 66 still has those Pachmayrs on it today.

I must have larger hands than my old man. The S&W target grips don't bother me.... the magna grips are definitely a bit small...

 

[phil dirt]

Thanks, GBXpat

 

[SeanSw]

Even with my small hands the magna grips feel awful to me. I can't figure out a good way to hold them and my shooting has always been noticeably worse with them installed. Pachmayr grippers are ugly but they do the job for range use. I think my hands prefer them to the ubiquitous Hogues, but those really aren't bad for me either.

 

[Waveski]

"Where can I buy a Tyler T-grip?"

I just ordered one for an old K frame from Robertson Trading Post.

 

[tallpaul]

I grew up and formed my grip tatses in the 70-80's and started buying then. Almost as soon as I got a new revolver the factory grips were always replaced with pachmeyers I am glad I saved those grips! My python grips are worth almost what I paid for the gun I have started going to aftermarket wood though for the beauty. I never understood folks going gaga over factory smith grips! or the python past the they look really good part

 

[GBExpat]

Ayup, I was hooked on Pachmayrs during that period ... and also carefully saved the OEM grips in the OEM boxes.

I still have an orphan set of original wooden grips from the 151-model Security Six that I bought new in ~1975 and subsequently gifted to a close friend who really liked it (it was wearing a set of Pachmayrs at the time).

I also have the POS OEM wooden grips that came on the RB 3" 629-1 that I bought NIB in Feb'89. Horrible grips (for me, at least) ... cheaply made and they always bloodied the right thumb knuckle within a few shots. Replaced them with Pachmayrs ... which I later replaced with Hogues ... which I replaced a couple of years ago with the new-style Pachmayrs, which have turned out to be THE BEST I have ever used.

 

[ThomasT]

I can't take credit for this because I read it here on THR many years ago. The poster made the point that the service type grips that came on the older smiths and colts were designed so that when shooting from a "below the line of sight" position the gun fits the hand very well. Also known as the FBI crouch.

Look at some of the old FBI and police training pictures and you will see what I mean. The gun is never raised up to be aimed from line of sight like in target shooting. But it is drawn from the holster to a height that allows a peripheral sight index and a snap shot. I am guessing that at that time an aimed shot could be made from line of sight and most likely with the gun cocked to shoot in single action mode. So shifting it in the hand was not a big deal.

You just have to try this to see what I am talking about. I have a ruger security six first year run and the grips feel too small when using a deliberate aiming stance. But I can draw it to a low aim below sight and get off a quick accurate shot in a very short amount of time. This also works with my model 10 with a 6" barrel and model 28 with a 4" barrel. All wearing factory grips.