Felt recoil in these S&W wood grips?

[kbm6893]

Have this gun on the way, 686 2.5". Comes with the wood finger groove grips pictured. Do they absorb the recoil like rubber fingered grips will? I'm talking about firing 180 grain .357 mag (oocasionally, of course), like these ones here:

Heavy 357 Magnum Pistol & Handgun Ammunition

[scooter123]

IMO, the answer to that is a big NO.

The first time that I tried full power Magnums in my 620 it was with Federal 158 gr. SJSP loaded to 1250 fps. With the smallish Hogue rubber monogrip that S&W currently ships the 620 and 686 with, that experience had me inquiring on this forum about a more suitable grip. The overwhelming recomendation was to try the monogrip for the 500 Magnum and that grip made shooting the 620 with Magnum loads enjoyable.

However, people do vary in their sensitivity to recoil so you may find those grips will work for you, so give it a try and see what you think. It'll only hurt for 5 or 10 minutes after running 2 or 3 cylinders.

However, I would recomend that go on S&W's web site and order the 500 Magnum monogrip as a just in case provision. IMO you'll want that grip for the Buffalo load your considering.

PS, 38 spl. or 38 +P will be fine shooting with those wood grips, compared to a Magnum either 38 is a powder puff round.

[murphydog]

As scooter mentioned, recoil is felt differently between individuals. Being very hard, wood stocks will not "absorb" recoil forces; the type on your new 686 are wide enough to distribute the force somewhat over the palm of your hand. These are pretty slippery and the gun will squirm when fired with heavy loads, and you'll probably find the trigger guard will smack the finger closest to it pretty hard.

Also as scooter mentioned, you'll want to get rubber stocks with a covered back strap for heavy .357 shooting; the gun will move less in your hand with shooting, and the trigger guard won't get a running start toward your finger. Let us know how these work out.

[Brian41]

I put those grips on a 686 plus snub in place of the rubber ones it came with as I like them for concealed carry.
They do have much more felt recoil but tolerable for me if I don't shoot too many. It's a matter of preference and gun for me. I have rubber ones on a 66 snub and 629 but wood finger groove on a 24 snub.

I'd try them first and go to rubber later if you feel the need.

[pinkymingeo]

Everybody is different. I've found that felt recoil depends on grip fit, not composition. All of my N-frames wear wood Spegel boot grips. They fit just right, and I can't tell any particular difference between them and rubber. On K-frames I've always used magnas with a T-grip. Wood is also much lighter than most rubber grips, and considerably better for concealment as it doesn't grab clothing. Looks better, too.

[Loco Weed]

In addition to a grip change you might consider backing off on your ammo and go to a 158 gr SWC.

[kbm6893]

Originally Posted by Loco Weed

In addition to a grip change you might consider backing off on your ammo and go to a 158 gr SWC.

The only reason I am even considering that ammo is a close encounter I had with a black bear while i was in my yard. it didn't pay me any mind, but I felt i should start carrying something while in my yard doing work. That's why I purchased the snub. I have a 4" 686 also. The general concensus from that thread was the heavier the bullet, the better for .357. And 158 was the lowest even considered. I think those grips look really sharp, but might take them off and replace them with a rubber grip. I have a Pachmayer set on my 686 4", but the backstrap is not covered. Does make shooting the 110 or 158 grain .357 much easier than with the stock wood target grips it had.

Also, I just went to the midway site and saw round butt Pachmayer gripper grips. They have a covered backstrap. I prefer pachmayer's over Hogue's. One review said the screw hole in the grip was right over the mainspring, so he couldn't use them. Will these grips fit a 686 snub?

[Marshall 357]

I had wood target grips on my 586 6'' bbl. Put on a set of Uncle Mikes rubber grips and then switched to a set of Pachmayrs, I think the Pachmayrs are the best of them all. But for looks,wood grips are the best.

[Raspy]

If you really are just using this for protection, and you are concerned about bears, I say forget the recoil. That's the least of your problems and I bet you won't even notice it or hear the gun if you get into a fight with one.

You can always practice with lighter loads to get the feel of the gun.

[H Richard]

Fit to your hand is the most important part of recoil control. What fits your hand may not fit someone else. I fired a half dozen cylinder-fulls of 158 gr full load magtech 357's form a 60-15 Pro series with the factory wood grips. They evidently fit my hand pretty well as I didn't mind it at all. A couple weeks ago I fired "1" cylinder-full of the same 357's through a new Ruger LCR in .357, which has specifically designed soft back-strap rubber grips, and I did not want to fire the 2nd. I considered it more recoil than I wanted.

[Jeepster1]

I recently purchased a 686 2 1/2 inch to use as a B.U.G. (Back Up Gun) Match gun in IDPA. I was surprised at the very small Hogue rubber grips on it. Clearly they were meant for a "carry" gun, low profile, etc. I put 100 rounds of .38 Special +P (IDPA Power factor load) through it and it was okay. Then I put on full size Hogue Mono grips and put another 100 rounds through it. WOW! What a difference the full sized grips made (for the better). So, my thinking is that if you are going to shoot it a lot, like practicing for IDPA, or shooting matches, the full size rubber grips are the way to go. However, if you are using it as a "carry" gun, then the smaller grips would be better. I do think aesthetics matter and the mating of steel with pretty wood is more appealing to me than mating rubber with steel.

[tlfw]

Personally, I would get Pachmayrs rubber grips and keep the wood for display and presentation. Especially if you are going to use it as a backup revolver. Wood would leave a lot to desire with the recoil, slipperyness and overall application in a defensive situation where your palms could be wet, sweaty, and/or bloody. I like the look of those wood grips and for target use they are fine. However, the defining answer lies with the user...

On my 686 and Colt Python I like the target wood grips.



On the 617 I like the look of the wood and the feel is fine because there is no recoil.




However, I dislike the wood grips on the 629 PC 44Mag while shooting alot...

[m657]

I have similar combat wood grips on a 3" 629. It is not pleasant shooting mid range 44 mags but fine with 44 specials, to my hand.

I have a 627 with similar combat wood, and even with hot 357 loads it is not unpleasant, I think due to the increased mass of the large N frame.

Usually such loads as you mention requires that I use such as the more cushy Hogues.