I have a 25-5 w/ checkered targets, very good looking, but kinda big for my hand. I don't like the rubber grips. My question is; if I went to magnas what would that do for me? Also, how would a Tyler t grip fit in that equation ?

I too find the Presentation Targets a bit big , but Magnas don't fit my hand either and are way too small to handle any recoil. I did like the seemingly smaller , earlier Diamond Targets from the late 50s - 60s and of course , the 'Cokes'. The S&W factory 'fingergroove combat' grips are also an improvement.

Most of my revolvers get Hogue hardwood monogrips. They fit like they were made for my hand.

The Magna grips are retro-cool, but were never very good for shooting. They are much wider at the butt than at the top, so they tend to slip downward in your hand. The shape is not favorable to a high, two-handed grip, rather intended for single-hand shooting in vogue 50 years ago.

If you want to preserve the retro look, by all means keep the Magna grips. For shooting, though, I recommend Ahrends or Hogue grips.

Hogue grips have a palm swell, but are fairly thin overall. Monogrips attach with a single screw through the base, and are easy to keep tight. They're good for double action and work well with smaller hands, but I find the most comfortable position is about 1/4" lower than ideal for muzzle control. The grips are fairly uniform in thickness from front to back, and don't ride up. You don't have to adjust your grip after each shot.


I prefer Ahrends grips for shooting magnum revolvers. I have their modern Tactical grips (finger grooves) on one N frame, and the Retro Combat grips on another. Neither are checkered, and give excellent control. The web of my thumb rides comfortably just below the break, which gives a little more felt recoil but a lot less muzzle flip.

The modern style have a flat front which really locks in. However, the square filler edge rests on my middle finger, and I get a blister after 50 rounds or so of .44 Mag. A hit with a drum sander, followed by fine sanding and Tung oil, will take care of that (when I get around to it).

The Retro grips are round in front, and never bite my hand. Perhaps a little less control, but good shooters nonetheless.

I've tried finger-groove grips on my other revolvers in the past, and they always feel like they were made for someone else's hand...


I keep the magnas on mine for the most part, but sometimes put the targets on if I'm going to shoot a lot.

Sir, relative to factory targets, magnas will make it somewhat easier to reach the trigger if you have short fingers. They'll bring the fingers of your trigger hand higher on the gun, which will bring the muzzle down somewhat compared to where the gun points with target stocks.

Magnas with a grip adapter such as the Tyler-T will point about the same as target stocks, but will be slimmer overall. If you have large hands, the pinky of your shooting hand may be crowded off the bottom.

As someone else noted, finger-groove grips were made for someone else's hand. They might fit you, but in all likelihood they won't. Try them if you want, but don't be surprised if they don't suit you.

FWIW, I like magnas on N-frames, especially for double-action shooting. They're not as well-suited to single-action shooting as the big target stocks are.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

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Honestly, your best bet is to buy a few and try a few. Not the cheapest way to go, admittedly, but ultimately the most effective. I, too, found the factory targets too big to get a comfortable grip, though some of the finger groove round-butt grips did feel pretty good on round-butt guns I've tried (I don't own any, though). I don't have tiny hands, but definitely don't have large hands, so Magnas and even pre-Magna service stocks have worked well for me. I've tried both with and without a Tyler T, and find that I don't need it to make Magna/Service grips work for me on an N-frame.

There are differences between makers in the profile of their magna-style grips, so you may find that to be relevant to your shopping.

Mr. Grashorn's no-bark elk anter grips are, by far, the most comfortable grips I've ever owned on any gun that isn't a 1911. A touch wider than factory Magnas, they fit and point in my hand perfectly.



I have been VERY pleased with the feel and behavior of the Ahrends RetroCombat for a shooter, though they give up something in the way of the vintage look of magnas or service stocks. Being narrow and of nearly uniform thickness top to bottom, they seem to discourage the gun from twisting or shifting about when firing heavy loads:



These magnas from from Kurac replaced the Ahrends for my Model 29 "woods gun" and while they do at times let the gun twist some in my hand between multiple-shot strings with full-house loads, their looks won out. They are also a touch narrower and less tapered than other magnas I've owned, which works really well for me:

Targets are way too big for me and magnas work good.

But I had Keith Brown make these on my 25-5 and they are perfect. They are rounder than factory magnas and feel more like holding a broom stick. Had him checker them in the old pre-war pattern. It's the only thing I use on N frames now days.

keithbrowngrips - main

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KSCowboy

Here's my solution. I've equipped all of my 25-5s with smooth targets. They are gen-u-wine S&W stocks, look great, and don't tear up my hand.

John

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Remember Elmer Keith? His grips were ivory magnas with a long horn carved on the palm side.[that carving fit perfectly in the center fold of the palm]I found that wood or stag magnas[preferably the "PC" version] fit my hand and allowed me to shoot better than with the targets. I like the Tyler "T" grip with that set up and it's a little cheaper than custom carved ivories!I carved up a set of round butt N frame combats to near Fuzzy Ferrant dimentions and they are great for me. I'm going to try to get Blu Magnum or Herrets to copy my grip in some nice wood for me. Nick

Dueeast, I have a similar problem with N-frame targets. They look great but the ergonomics are all wrong. As you know they flair at the bottom where the shortest fingers are and prevent a good shooting grip for the average size hand not to mention being useless to a small to average hand.

I find magnas with a grip adapter to be an excellant grip and have several N-frame guns set up this way. This is a good alternative to the targets. The big drawback is the short supply and recent high prices to the Tyler adapter.

I don't particularly like rubber either, but I have some guns with rubber on them. Rubber can make a range session enjoyable and improve the results on target when shooting a revolver that has a pretty good thump or stiff recoil. I use rubber if the end result is better with it. To hell with how they look if it improves my shooting. The forty caliber and up guns can be uncomfortable even if they aren't considered magnums. I often shoot at least a hundred rounds or more through my 44 specials and 45's. They can make my 57 year old hands painfully sore the next day if I don't use a good grip.

Either Ahrends Tacticals with finger grooves:



Or Ahrends Tacticals with smooth front:



Those are my votes.