New guy says hi, and asks a question

Status
Not open for further replies.
W

Whole Hog

Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2002
Messages
211
Location
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Actually I'm not all that new, since I've been lurking here since TFL days, but I decided it's time to participate more actively. This site is a wealth of information and an excellent example of civil discussion.

By way of introduction, I'll say that I've been a shooter for more than 30 years. I'm primarily a shotgunner (sporting clays and quail hunting), but I also shoot handguns and rifles and reload for all those. Basically, if it has a trigger, I like it. I live in a state that recently passed a CCW law (New Mexico) and intend to get a permit, so my interests are pretty broad.

Here's my question: I recently traded a broken Kel-Tec P-11 (I told the guy, and mailed him the parts Kel-Tec sent me) for a like-new S&W Model 36. I was so pleased that he was interested in trading I didn't remove the enormous Pachmyer Compac grips that were installed, thinking I'd just replace them some day. Imagine my surprise when I took them off at home and discovered that the gun has a square butt. Since I got the new one to practice with, and keep the wear down on my other J frames (an old Model 60 and an Al/Ti 337), I'm a little disappointed. But it's a sweet piece so I'm hoping I can find something like the boot grips I have on the others. Can anyone recommend a small, exposed backstrap, boot grip to fit this thing? Rubber or wood is fine, but this may be the gun to dress up a little.

Thanks for your help.

Scott
 
Welcome to THR! That said, there are a couple of options for your model 36.

First, bear in mind that the square-butt J-frame has not been manufactured for a while. This means that many grip manufacturers (e.g. Butler Creek, Pachmayr, etc.) have stopped making grips for them: so in many cases, you'll have to find someone who has old stocks to find what you want. You could also try Gun Parts Corp. to see what they have - for example, here they list a nice-looking wood grip for square-butt J-frames for less than $10! You could file and sand on it to get the final shape you want.

Another option is to have your revolver converted to a round-butt configuration. I'm sure there's a gunsmith in your area who can do this for you: if not, Clark Custom Guns in Louisiana does a great job - I've had a couple of conversions done by them. This will open up your "grip fit" to all the round-butt J-frame grips in the universe! :D However, it's expensive - Clark's charges $95, plus the two-way shipping.
 
Thanks for the welcome everyone, it's good to be here.

And thanks for all the suggestions. I should have mentioned in the beginning that I've already looked at most of the grip makers' Web sites. There's no shortage of grips to fit my gun, but they're all full-sized and I'm looking for the short boot grip type. I did just look at the Gun Parts and CDNN sites, and they both have relatively inexpensive grips that I might be able to hack to fit, so that may be a good option. I also thought about having the grip frame modified, or just trading the gun again, but I live in a gunstore/gunsmith uh, challenged, area. We do have one pretty good store, but I doubt I'd get much (affordable) action trying to sell or trade it. I guess I could just shoot it like it is and wait for the next gun show, in the fall, where I could sell or trade it. But it's a nice revolver - pinned barrel, hammer mounted firing pin, and nearly new condition. Can anyone tell me how old it is? Serial number is 7632xx.

As far as "old phart" status, I got the T-shirt. I'm working on curmudgeon.

Scott
 
Check with Uncle Mike's. They make a boot grip. Don't know if it fits Square butt models, but it's worth looking.
 
Thanks for those suggestions. Uncle Mike's has boot grips, but only for round butts. As for Clipdraw, I'm severely left-handed, and I just prefer pocket carry. Hypothetically of course.
 
Thanks for that information. I guess this is a classic revolver, and it would be nice if I could make it look classy, too. Custom grips would be a nice touch.

But, I just ordered a set of the grips Preacherman pointed out at Gun Parts. They might be what I'm looking for and if not, I can afford to whittle on them with a pocketknife and wrap them in duct tape if I need to.

Scott
 
Actually, yes I have. And if I had the original grips, I could at least try the Tyler T-grip from the Model 15 my uncle gave me. But I bought the gun with only Pachmyer Compact grips. Rats.

Anyhow, it's not so much filling in behind the trigger guard I'm interested in as it is a minimal length grip, so it matches my other J frames, and so I can carry it in my pocket. When I get my permit of course.

Thanks for the idea though.

Scott
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

G
  • Locked
New Guy Saying Hi
Replies
17
Views
602
sully
S
K
  • Locked
Been posting a bit, but haven't said Hi. New member regards.
Replies
9
Views
689
S_O_Laban
S
J
  • Locked
  • Poll
Grips for the 642/337/340/360
Replies
12
Views
1K
brentfoto
B
L
  • Locked
New guy (er.. sorta) saying "Hi"
Replies
5
Views
327
LeoC
L
B
  • Locked
GOOD customer service
Replies
7
Views
888
DMK
DMK
Back
Top