New set of grips for my M28--review

Hair Trigger · #1 05-13-2020, 08:42 PM

The stock Magna grips on my M28 are just too small for my hand, although they performed better than I thought for helping absorb the recoil from magnum loads. Target grips, on the other hand (pardon the pun), are a tad too big. I have a set of Dan Eagle grips on my M19 that fit my hand perfectly, but I could not find any on the internet from them. I shopped Amazon and didn't see anything I liked, and then went to eBay, where I came upon a set of grips that looked to be the same size and contour as the ones on my M19. These were made by Altamont, the price was reasonable, and the pictures looked good, so I gave them a chance. They came in the mail today.

The grips are walnut, and the finish is very nice, there are nicely checkered panels on both sides. I had an option of getting the S&W medallion, but I chose the ones without it. The grips come with two steel locating pins, and three different length mounting screws. The longest screw is the same length as the one that holds the magnas in place, but the short one is what it took to mount the new grips without the end of the screw sticking out, which says something about how much narrower the Altamonts are at that point.

When mounted, the frame pins locate into two holes inside the grip, and with that pin and the two pins included with the grips, the grips are rock-solid on the frame, plus the fit over the front and back strap is perfect. After tightening the screw enough that it won't come loose from shock of firing, there is practically no gap between the edges of the grip halves where they meet. You can see a couple of places where the fit isn't perfect, but when you run your finger over the spots, you cannot feel the gap. If I had to complain about any part of the fit, it would be at the lower rear corner of the trigger guard; the grips slightly "intrude" over the merge of the trigger guard to the front strap. I felt it shouldn't be like that, but when I pulled the M19 out of the safe to compare, those Dan Eagle grips are the same way. In both cases, with the gun gripped for shooting, you feel nothing in the way of your hand, so it's only an appearance thing. I'm overall thrilled with these grips; the revolver feels really good in my hand, a one- or two- hand grip is very secure, and they are more proportional to the large frame than the magna grips. The profile doesn't intrude into the path of a speed loader. The first picture below is the new grips mounted, and one of the magna halves laid on top in position, so you can see the difference.

Hair Trigger · #2 05-13-2020, 08:44 PM

A couple more pictures:

LPD256 · #3 05-13-2020, 11:01 PM

They look good and it’s good to have something that is comfortable fo you.

Andy Taylor · #4 05-14-2020, 11:07 AM

Look great.

Targets Guy · #5 05-14-2020, 11:12 AM

Good looking set up and good looking stocks.

hemiram · #6 05-31-2020, 07:58 AM

I have the non-checkered ones on my 6" 28-2..

Hawg Rider · #7 05-31-2020, 08:16 AM

I put a set of Jim Badger's N-frame walnut stocks on this old Model 28-2 about 10 years ago. Very comfortable for shooting all types of loads.

rubiranch · #8 05-31-2020, 08:20 AM

They look great. I only have Combat grips on one of my pistols.

I have the original Magna grips my M-28 was shipped with.

For shooting I prefer my Pachmayr grips.

I did try a set of Smooth Targets.

And some Combats.

I ended up settling for a nice set of Target Stocks while it rests on my nightstand.

bananaman · #9 05-31-2020, 10:22 AM

Herrett stocks are the perfect size for me. (28no dash) Also like the size & feel of Ahrends that are on it now. Never had finger stocks that felt good to me. Your stocks look good! Bob

hkcavalier · #10 05-31-2020, 11:50 AM

I too like some bigger grips on a 6" 28.