square vs round

[Pudge]

K frames specifically. I find I shoot much better with the square butt version. I've read here that there are those who prefer to shoot the round version. Is there a hold technique that would allow me to shoot round butt K Frames better? The difference in accuracy for me is not insignificant.

 

[cfullgraf]

The square butt K and N frames fit my hand better but the round butt guns conceal better.

There are grips available for the round butt guns that are the shape of traditional square butt grips.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I was going to respond to this last night, but I don't really know that my answer is what you're looking for.

Square butts works better for me too on K and L frame guns. When I say better, I mean they balance better in my hand, and seem to help steady my aim. I have large hands so I favor closed backstrap grips so I get a proper trigger reach also.

On my round butt 686 PC gun, I use this grip made by Nill Grips, and sold in the US by Mactec.
http://www.mactecsales.com/SW038_p/sw038.htm
View media item 95For me, it balances out a heavy gun like the one pictured, and leads to much better shooting.

However on a gun I actually carry for defence, I don't want a thumb shelf, nor do I want a square butt grip sticking out and getting potentially banged into things. So on my 3 inch 686+, I use this grip.
http://www.mactecsales.com/SW039_p/sw039.htm

686+

• Zaydok Allen
• Oct 28, 2016

Nill Grips

Again, it adds meat to the backstrap and gets me a better trigger pull. It also adds a bit of meat at the butt of the gun taking a round butt, and making it a round butt+, but not quite a square butt. I have never tried to conceal this gun, only carried it openly.

These grips are pricey, but worth it to me. They have quite a variety of grips and some with open backstraps if that's what you prefer.

As far as a technique goes, I have never heard of any particular one that makes shooting round butt guns any easier. Maybe pm MrBorland. He shoots a lot of competition, as do other members here, and see if they have a technique for you.

This is the set I want to put on my 460 magnum.
http://www.mactecsales.com/SW186PHG8_p/sw186phg8.htm
This monster is a little too pretty for the hideous piece of crap S&W put on it.
View media item 50

 

[joed]

I have the same problem with round grips. I have a model 66 that just hurt to shoot, even with .38 Spl. Tried a set of Hogue grips and it cured the problem. On a 29 MG they didn't help and I converted that one to square grip. If I can't cure the problem with a set of grips the gun gets converted to square grip like the MG.

 

[MrBorland]

Round butts are for carryin', square butts are for shootin'.

Maybe pm MrBorland. He shoots a lot of competition, as do other members here, and see if they have a technique for you.

heh…that "technique" would be to shoot a square butt. Or buy some "conversion" grips for your round butt.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Yeah, I kind of figured. If there was some special technique for shooting round butt guns, I'm guessing it would get discussed and described a lot.

 

[MrBorland]

If there was some special technique for shooting round butt guns, I'm guessing it would get discussed and described a lot.

Well, in full disclosure, I'd have to say there may be. I've just never explored it.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Fair enough.

 

[RA40]

My 586 is a round butt and the comfort compared to the square butt versions wasn't to my liking. That pinky area felt weird being able to have the hand so closed up. The .38 spl loads were mild which didn't bring much objection until shooting .357 where a firmer/larger surface to grasp was desired. The other revolvers are K-L square butt which the Hogue monogrips for those felt good. The Hogue round grip was changed out maybe 5-6 years ago to maintain consistency among them.

The grip options my 586 has seen:

 

[Varminterror]

Yeah, I kind of figured. If there was some special technique for shooting round butt guns, I'm guessing it would get discussed and described a lot.

It is discussed and described a lot - it's as @MrBorland outlined - bolt on a round-to-square conversion grip!

 

[Mauser lover]

HA! I like to shoot the round butt better!

Is there a conversion grip to make the square butt models round?

 

[Pudge]

It is nice to read these replies. I've got a couple of 3" round butts I want to love, but need to shoot more accurately for that kind of relationship to blossom. I guess like most things accuracy related, while technique isn't unimportant, practice is what produces results.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Yeah, I kind of figured. If there was some special technique for shooting round butt guns, I'm guessing it would get discussed and described a lot.

Maybe, maybe not...while there are differing gripping techniques for shooting revolvers, even in the same handgun sport, the shape of the grip frame really doesn't play a huge role.

I've shot square butt revolvers much more than round butt ones. I started with Colt Diamondback and Pythons as well as all the popular S&W models. I've carried them on duty and shot them in competition. There really isn't much difference between their inherent accuracy or really how they feel in the hand unless you are using the stock grips.

As posted earlier, the easiest thing to do if you have a round butt gun but shoot better with a square butt one, is to just slap on a set of conversion grips.

During the last couple of years, I've been shooting round butted M-64, a M-66, and a M-686 in IDPA competition. I've been shooting them all with the Hogue JM stocks which are smooth and narrow. As my revolver teacher said, "People either love them or hate them; there is no middle ground."

If you really are less accurate with one style of butt than another, I think it has more to do with the fit of the grip (to your hand) and your gripping technique

 

[bannockburn]

Pudge

Kim Ahrends (www.ahrendsgripsusa.com), also makes round to square butt configuration grips for S&W K frames and are very well made.