S&W Round Butt Grips won't fit modern S&W K frame

DeafSmith · #1 03-23-2018, 01:58 PM

Latched on to a pair of RB grips. Defiantly made by S&W. But upon putting them on a 3 screw S&W K frame I find the grips are too thin and won't fit. The wood that meets the metal is about 1/4 inch to thin on each side.

Were earlier K frames made with thicker back straps that used thinner grips than modern K frames?

Thanks!

shell627 · #2 03-23-2018, 02:14 PM

Maybe for a model 12?

Pisgah · #3 03-23-2018, 02:14 PM

Yep, defiantly S&W. "We DARE you to try and put these on a K-frame!!"

weatherby · #4 03-23-2018, 02:15 PM

Could they be I frame grips ?

squidsix · #5 03-23-2018, 02:58 PM

Model 12 grips will be thinner and not fit normal K-frames.

murphydog · #6 03-23-2018, 04:50 PM

Photos from several different angles would help, but my guess is also a thinner set of K frame stocks from an alloy frame gun.

JSR III · #7 03-23-2018, 06:03 PM

When you say that they are 1/4" too thin are you talking thick or wide. A photo on the gun would help.

If it is the front to back dimension that you are referring to then I would guess that they are I or J frame stocks.

glowe · #8 03-23-2018, 06:20 PM

At its widest point, an I frame stock is 1.22" and a K frame stock is 1.42" wide. Need photos with a ruler to be sure what you have, but there should be no K frame round butt guns that are a quarter inch smaller than later round butts? How about height, is it the same or shorter than the frame? Also, you mention wood, are those stocks walnut?

Hondo44 · #9 03-23-2018, 06:56 PM

Yep, they're from an alloy pre model 12 or early Model 12. Later model 12s have same thickness frame as steel guns.

glowe · #10 03-24-2018, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeafSmith

. . . I find the grips are too thin and won't fit. The wood that meets the metal is about 1/4 inch to thin on each side . . .

Those Model numbered guns are way too new for me, but are you saying that the butt-frame is roughly the width of an I frame butt-frame and not a standard K frame? I understand the thin stock, but the OP stated the stocks purchased are a 1/4" too narrow (thin) to meet the frame?? Maybe I am reading the post wrong?

Pisgah · #11 03-25-2018, 12:53 PM

Think of a slice of bread -- it has width, height and thickness. We are confused as to whether your slice of bread lacks width or thickness. We need to know that in order to tell you what the problem is.

Wiregrassguy · #12 03-25-2018, 01:18 PM

Y'all got me confused. The Model 12 before 12-4 has a thinner grip frame which necessitates a thinner grip panel?

Grips from a regular “K” frame will not fit properly on these models before the Model 12-4. A gap of .040” will be on each sie with grips not fitted to a model 12 due to the narrower frame width.

(SCSW, 4th Ed., Page 209).

Maybe the OP's K frame is a Model 12 and the grips are regular K frame panels?

Alk8944 · #13 03-25-2018, 02:08 PM

First, regardless of period of manufacture any K-frame stocks will fit any K-frame gun! The only exception is round/square butt. They will fit within a few thousandths! 1/4", don't be ridiculous! The grip frame straps are no where near that thick, the edges of the stocks would be hanging in the air! Even I/J frame stocks will fit a K-frame better than OP claims!

No pictures it didn't happen! You have been around long enough to understand this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

To everyone else, none of your guesses even come close to explaining what these could be! None is even a good guess and show a total lack of knowledge of S&W stocks, not to mention basic measurements!

Quit your guessing, there is no explanation for what OP Claims! Put the burden on him to post a photo or just let this thread die as it deserves too.

DeafSmith · #14 03-26-2018, 10:10 PM

Ok sorry gang, been away for a bit but... here are the photos.

Notice the grips have serial numbers stamped in them.

Look carefully and you will see the grips are thinner and will not fit my 64 RB snub.

rct269 · #15 03-26-2018, 10:27 PM

I understand perfectly now---kind of like clear mud, right?

Ralph Tremaine

two-bit cowboy · #16 03-26-2018, 10:44 PM

I can "see" the grip that's not on the gun in your third photo is "thinner" than the one on the gun, but I am not understanding your "does not fit" comment, still.

I guess I'd like to see back and side shots of the gun without its grips and the "thin" grips in their place so I can attempt to understand the "does not fit" phrase.

I think everyone wants to help. I'm simply unable to with only those images.

DeafSmith · #17 03-26-2018, 11:02 PM

Ok. here is one more with one of the thin grips attached to the gun (on the right side.)

Alk8944 · #18 03-26-2018, 11:29 PM

The "thin" grip is for a M&P Airweight/Model 12. Or at least it is a standard K-frame stock that has been sanded to fit an Airweight frame.

The issue was your 1/4"! If you check the gap between the grip and the frame you will find the gap is .040", the difference between an Airweight (KA) frame and the steel K Frame. This is only 1/6 of 1/4"! More than just a little difference. Had you cited the correct dimension, or simply posted a photo you would have had the correct answer probably on the first reply. One of the most basic concepts of asking a question is to phrase it so who you are asking understands what you are asking!!

rct269 · #19 03-27-2018, 12:02 AM

It would appear a bit of whittling is in order.

RT

Hondo44 · #20 03-27-2018, 12:18 AM

I see the 1/32" thicker on the bulk of the grip which makes them stand off the frame from the top half of the medallion on up the horn as expected for airweight grips. I don't see a 1/4" too thin anywhere.

JSR III · #21 03-27-2018, 12:33 AM

I am no stock expert but on my monitor the medallion washers appear to be different colors. One looks silver and one looks blued. Not sure if that means anything but thought that I would mention it.

It appears to me that the wood at the top of the right panel needs to have some material removed in order for that panel to sit tight against the frame.

Does the serial number on that right stock match the one on the gun butt?

Hondo44 · #22 03-27-2018, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSR III

It appears to me that the wood at the top of the right panel needs to have some material removed in order for that panel to sit tight against the frame.

You're exactly right, but you can't. If you do, the horn becomes too small all the way around because of its curved surface.

DeafSmith · #23 03-27-2018, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSR III

I am no stock expert but on my monitor the medallion washers appear to be different colors. One looks silver and one looks blued. Not sure if that means anything but thought that I would mention it.

It appears to me that the wood at the top of the right panel needs to have some material removed in order for that panel to sit tight against the frame.

Does the serial number on that right stock match the one on the gun butt?

The stock finish on the 'thin' stocks is the same all around. That and the serial number seem to have been made at the same time.

The S&W 64 did not have the stocks on them. I just picked that gun to exhibit the difference. I bought the grips at a pawn shop so I could use them on one of my RB S&W K frames.

But I don't have a model 12! So I guess I'll keep them till one day I run into a 12 to add the stocks to.

Thanks!

DeafSmith · #24 03-27-2018, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rct269

It would appear a bit of whittling is in order.

RT

Oh no! Those are standard S&W stocks made for a K frame. It's the one on the right that is to 'thin', i.e. made for a S&W 12.

JSR III · #25 03-27-2018, 07:06 AM

OK, a few questions. In your photo with the right "thin" stock installed it is apparent that the frame notch is too deep for the depth of the notch on the stock, hence the gap. Does the left stock fit the same?

So my next question to the collective, are there S&W frames where the notch is not as deep?

I have read several references to the Model 12. Is the frame notch more shallow on this model?

Thanks in advance for adding to my S&W knowledge.

chief38 · #26 03-27-2018, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shell627

Maybe for a model 12?

Sight unseen, I was thinking the same exact thought! I've purchased grips that I thought were standard RB K's and they DID turn out to be M12 Grips. Sold them years ago - right here.

squidsix · #27 03-27-2018, 10:36 AM

I dont understand the confusion. Question asked and answered. The frame of a model 12 differs from other frames, and S&W made different grips for this gun. Not a "pics or it didnt happen" situation. The OP's grips are for a model 12 and will not fit the standard width grip frame of other models in the K size. Why are we still questioning this?

DeafSmith · #28 03-27-2018, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSR III

OK, a few questions. In your photo with the right "thin" stock installed it is apparent that the frame notch is too deep for the depth of the notch on the stock, hence the gap. Does the left stock fit the same?

So my next question to the collective, are there S&W frames where the notch is not as deep?

I have read several references to the Model 12. Is the frame notch more shallow on this model?

Thanks in advance for adding to my S&W knowledge.

The frame on 'standard' K frame RBs is thinner, where the backstrap is, than on S&W Model 12 frames. Thus the grips I bought leave a gap between the frame and the grips (about 1/10 or 1/20th of an inch) and won't fit unless one makes a filler that takes up the missing grip thickness.

And yes, the left and right stock both have a gap.

Heck, if any of you have a S&W 12 that needs a good set of original S&W stocks, well I have 'em! I bought this set for a 2 1/2 Combat Magnum and they don't fit now!

handejector · #29 03-27-2018, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeafSmith

I bought this set for a 2 1/2 Combat Magnum and they don't fit now!

You could grind the sides of the frame down till they fit.
Hope this helps.

DeafSmith · #30 03-27-2018, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by handejector

You could grind the sides of the frame down till they fit.
Hope this helps.

Right the reverse. I'd have to build up the frame on the Combat Magnum to get the grips to fit (or get some wood and make some filler to add thickness.)

But no, since they are original S&W Model 12 grips, keep them as is.

DeafSmith · #31 03-27-2018, 07:03 PM

Oh and here is more on the Model 12 grips.

S&W Model 12 Grips

Mitch_D · #32 03-27-2018, 10:16 PM

I'm thinking Wood Putty.