Last week while I was at a local gun store having my Highway Patrolman check out by the gunsmith, I found a pair of non-diamond N-frame Magna grips. Now my HP came with beat-up target grips, and I prefer the look of magnas, because that's what most of them shipped with, so I bought them. They are a bit dinged-up, but nowhere near as much as the target grips, and they had a thick coat of shellac on them. Using 0000 steel wool and acetone I removed the shellac and smoothed the wood up a little bit. A quick wipedown with BLO cleaned them right up. However, I have discovered a problem with having the magnas mounted.


My 28-2 has a wide target hammer and trigger, and the thin grips put the exact wrong part of my finger on the edge of the trigger. Shifting the grip around doesn't help much, either. I am willing to bet that a standard smooth trigger wouldn't have this problem, but I did not mount any of the target stuff on the revolver, it was like that when I bought it. As a result I find myself pulling the trigger with the joint of my index finger, which isn't comfortable, especially with the grooves in the trigger.


I am going to keep the grips in the parts box, as I may find another N-frame that could use them. Does anyone own a 28-2 with a wide target trigger and hammer like mine? After asking here and the local gunsmith( who is a former S&W warranty 'smith and all-around revolver nut)I'm still not clear on whether the wide hammer/trigger were factory options in '66-'67 when my HP was made, or not. With the larger target grips the hammer and trigger feel perfect, so I'm going to leave them on the gun.

A few pics of my 28, with both the target and magna grips.








Hammer and trigger pics..

Sir, the target hammer, trigger and stocks were all available then, either as special order on a new gun or as individual parts for retrofitting.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

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Wishin' don't make it so.

Magnas were for service guns, carried everyday and shot seldom.

They feel great in a holster as you ride in the car or sit at your desk, but suck at shooting.

That's why they make target stocks, for shooting.

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NRA Benefactor Member

My 4" 27-2 has the wide trigger and hammer and magna grips. Target
grips are just too big for my hands. I have no problem with the magnas
as I nearly always shoot single action with both hands on the gun.

Your target hammer and trigger could have been installed some time after your gun left the Factory. Only a letter would tell you if it was shipped with TH/TT.

It looks as though it was refinished at some time so possibly installed then?

Back in the day when we carried revolvers there was always the Dept "gunsmith" who thought he knew how to "tune" a gun. Some did, many didn't. I had a 66 that was "tuned" and the guy ruined the hammer and trigger...when I had them replaced I simply opted for the TH/TT instead of the standards. Many reasons why stock parts were later replaced.

FN in MT

Since no one has mentioned it I'll throw it in for consideration. Try a grip adapter with those Magnas, either Tyler's or and older Pachmyar. Many of us think they change the Magna grip's feel from awkward to excellent!

Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

Every time I see a #4 T-Grip for sale here it's always gone before I can refresh the page!! Tyler's website states their lead-time as 6-8 weeks, but I've heard/read here that it's usually a lot longer than that. What is their real lead-time? I'd like to try one out some time.



Yes, my HP has been refinished, but the jury's out as to exactly in what. The finish looks like parkerizing except for slight purplish tint to the barrel and cylinder. Everything else is a uniform grey except for a spot on top of the barrel that looks like it may have been rust. It's not quite bare metal, but all around the spot is a brighter shade of blue.

Checkered Magnas are too 'square' for my hands. Now some smooth more rounded magna styles grips like the ones from Ajax feel much better.

try to get a set of modified magnas. They have a rounded butt and were standard on fixed sight guns (a la model 58's and the 520 in N frames, the model 10 in K frames) I much prefer these to the standard magnas.

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Forum consigliere

I agree that the PC version of the Magnas are more comfortable for shooting .357 Magnum loads.

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Bill - SWCA #2327

Ironhand.

Check your PM's.

I have always and continue to be a huge fan of factory 'magna' stocks in K and N frame Smiths.
To me, they enhance the lines, balance, and function of the Smith revolver, in any barrel length. Granted, if you are a heavy load fan, especially in 357 or 44, they are not the best choice. However, with modest target and even 'mid-range' loads, they provide sufficient purchase to function with rapid fire and with speed loaders. Their best use is to enhance the beauty and lines of the large framed Smiths we all enjoy. If you don't believe me, take your N frame 6 1/2 in 29, 25, 24, 27, or other model, install a set and tell me you don't think it becomes the finest looking revolver ever designed? Maybe even better with a 4 or 5 inch. My model 25-2 with magnas looks quite similar to a triple lock. No, it is not a triple lock, but is aesthetically one of the most attractive revolvers in the Smith line and it points, shoots, and handles far better than the poorly designed 'targets' it came with. JMHO........and then some.

I personally like the magnas for looks and shooting, have a small hand and it seems to fit me much better than targets. I will admit to having Pacs on several that I shoot all the time. I have been looking for a grip adapter, to see if it is any better than the straight magnas. From some other discussions on this site, it seems other like the Tyler grip adapters for use with magna grips, you may want to try this also. Joe

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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

I did, but how they look isn't the problem. I agree that they vastly improve the lines of my 28-2, but because of the target trigger, they are not comfortable to shoot. I have oddly-shaped hands, with big, square, wide palms, but relatively short fingers. Because of this, I accept that many things designed for "most" hands will just not fit correctly. If a glove fits the width of my palm and thickness of my wrists, then the fingers will be too long, and vice-versa.


I DO like the looks of the Ahrends grips I've seen, though...




Iggy: PM'd you back..

I don't have any feelings one way or the other about the target hammers but, for me at least, those target triggers are worthless for double action shooting and marginal for single action. I had the one on my 6 1/2-inch 29 cut down and smoothed years ago.

I'd try a grip adapter first. They're still cheaper than most replacement stocks and you'll get your money back were you to find you don't care for it.

I love the magnas as made by Don Collins ! His are much "fatter" than factory and fit my small hand well ! Here is one of my walnut sets on an old .38/44 HD.

Jerry


a Yavno photo !

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.38/44 Outdoorsman Accumulator

Those are nice!

I know what you mean. My used 28 came with Magnas and they looked great. But they felt like **** when I actually shot the revolver. I sold them and bought a set of Ahrends. Not factory, but much better for me. And that is all that matters.

I have a 28-2 with the same features that shipped with Target stocks. Those may be original to the gun so I wouldn't get rid of them at the least.

I like the looks but not the shooting. I use rubber hogues for all my shooters that recoil hard.

I actually like the N Magnas, as the older '60s-'70s factory Targets are too bulky for my hands. Only Magnas recoil problem is with full power rounds in .44 Mag, and that is manageable. The other N-frames, .38 Special in 38-44 OD/H-D, .357, .41 Magnum, .44 Special, .45 ACP and .45 Colt, are all fine.

And, I like the look of the Magnas with their retro DNA.

Regards,

Dyson

IMO, Dave T and CAJUNLAWYER had the suggestions most likely to bear fruit, but everything is dependent on YOUR hand size. Your thoughts about a smooth (and perhaps narrow) trigger may also be right, but from your description, I doubt it.

You should also be aware that the grip adapter, at least if it's a Tyler, does not necessarily have to be the one specified for the gun. While NOT all Tylers fit all guns, I have often used a #1 on a K or an N. If you can get your hands on some other Tyler than the one for the N, which are harder to find, try it out. It might fit your gun, and it may even work out for your hand.

If that doesn't work, you might try a Hogue or a Safariland/Rogers grip.

Good luck!

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Formerly Model520Fan