Kim Ahrends grips - two BIG thumbs up!!! (pic warning)

[jad0110]

Whenever I find a great product that comes with excellent customer service, I always like to spread the word.

I recently ordered three pairs of S&W revolver stocks from [URL="http://ahrendsgripsusa.com/index.htm”]Ahrends Grips[/URL]. I emailed Kim Ahrends one evening with a few questions, expecting a response in a few days. I got it that same evening! I was greatly impressed by the attention I got from Kim, and all the valuable information he took the time to provide.

All of the stocks were ordered unfinished, without finger grooves. They can also be ordered with finished and with finger grooves. I decided I wanted to stain them myself using an oil-based stain. I applied the stain and polyurethane using the manufacturers' instructions. It took a little while, but it was a fun and easy. NOTE: I think these stocks are only available for S&W revolvers, so go check Kim’s website to verify for yourself. If that’s true, well, this would be a great excuse to pick up a fine example of S&W Iron! He also sells wood grip panels for 1911s.

When I received the grips, they were beautifully crafted; they fit my hands just right. They are many times more comfortable to me than the original stocks (which I am keeping in a cool dry place). And they fit the guns’ grip frames perfectly. Excellent quality and service. Kim is an awesome guy to work with - I highly recommend his stocks. By the way, the specific stocks I ordered are as follows:

And I know, some of you may be growing tired of seeing these pics, but I had to post them again as a tribute to Kim's fine work!

S&W Model 14-4 / K-38 Mastpiece, as pictured below:
-Square butt
-no finger grooves (all stocks can be ordered with finger grooves, if you prefer)
-Walnut wood
-Unfinished
-Stain I applied: 2 coats of oil-based Watco Dark Walnut (2 to 3 parts) mixed with Olympic oil-based Merlot (1 part), followed by 3 coats of oil-based Olympic Satin polyurethane








S&W Model 17-0 / K-22 Masterpiece, as pictured below:
-Square butt
-no finger grooves
-Walnut wood
-Unfinished
-Stain I applied: 2 coats of oil-based Olympic Red Oak, followed by 3 coats of oil-based Olympic Satin polyurethane








The Model 14 and 17 together. As you can see, one set of stocks is more red than the other:





S&W Model 686, as pictured below:
-Round-to-square converion
-no finger grooves
-Goncalo Alves wood
-Unfinished
-Stain I applied: 2 coats of oil-based Olympic Golden Pecan, followed by 3 coats of oil-based Olympic Satin polyurethane

 

[Majic]

I have always wondered why they square the frontstrap.

 

[Chief 101]

Majic, if the grips come unfinished and a squared front I would say so they can be custom fit to your hand. I like that idea. Chief aka Maxx Load

 

[Majic]

Chief even the finished sets have the squared frontstrap. I had a Mountain Gun that came with those same Ahrends only finished and I never cared for them.

 

[kashton]

those are gorgeous, very nice work

 

[BigG]

The square front makes it look something like a Colt grip. Are they available with checkering? Thanks in advance!

 

[jad0110]

The squared front strap is like anything else: it is a matter of preference. I like it because I can grip the gun more consistently, knowing where the squared edge falls.

BigG,

I know the 1911 grips can be checkered, but I'm not sure about the S&W revolver grips (it doesn't say either way, but I see none pictured with checkering).

You can always email them.

 

[Tyro]

The squared front strap is like anything else: it is a matter of preference. I like it because I can grip the gun more consistently, knowing where the squared edge falls.

I'd had them flatten the groove faces of my finger-groove stocks for this reason. But if you prefer a rounded front strap, they may be able to accommodate you. Mine weren't listed on their site, I'd specifically requested that they finish them with wide flat groove faces.

 

[PhuBai]

Jad0110,

The grips are absolutely beautiful, all of them. Oak is my wood of choice and I'm making a set of 1911 grips and adding some inlay. I like using my own wood as it gives me an opportunity to find those unique grains in the wood. Anyway, I'll also visit Ahrends and mention to him that you referred me to him.

 

[Olympus]

Making grips for revolvers is pretty tough unless you have some CNC equipment. I don't know what kind of setup Ahrends has, but either way they're good looking grips. Looks like high quality craftsmanship to me.

 

[pogo2]

Another Ahrends fan

I am also a big Ahrends fan and have his grips on about 8 revolvers. I like the finger groove variety Ahrends offers. Here are a few of mine: