I need a new set of grips for a 657 Mountain Gun and have narrowed it down to either the Ahrends Retro Combat or the Tactical Fingergroove. It appears the Retro has the half moon cutout on the left side vs just a bevel on the Tactical. The Retro also looks to have a more rounded base. Either would be in the round to square butt conversion. The gun will be used for general field carry and occasional concealed carry. Has anyone handled both that can give a field report? Thanks in advance.

Not sure exactly what these Ahrends are called , but they feel real good on my Model 58.

I'd go with the tactical finger grooves as them are the ones I'm familiar with. Have 2 sets of RB FG's on two of my S&W's and love em. Way better grip out of the box than the overpriced S&W Combats!

If the finger grooves don't fit your grip like you like em, easy cure. Take some 200 grit sand paper and sand them a little at a time till they match your hold on the revolver. Once you have them to your liking take some 400 grit to smooth them out, but I leave a slight bit of roughness to them so they don't slip when firing. I then apply 3 coats of poly, letting the coats dry well in between, then wax them with some Johnsons paste wax and I'm done.

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V/R
Roger / SG

Hi,

you could try the tactical grip without finger grooves. I like it a lot because I don't like fingergrooves . In my opinion the plain tactical is very comfortable and fits small hands as well as medium sized hands. And it is still slim enough for concealed carry.

regards
Ulrich

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Life is too short to own a bad gun

I don't know what these Ahrends are called, but I like them on this N-frame.




Buck

My 657 MG wears the Tactical Finger groove conversion grips...as a matter of fact they are my grip of choice for any round butt framed S&W N-frame.

Their grips are really good and I used to own a number of them. I like the tactical with finger grooves also.

this is the Tactical smooth I mentioned in my previous post

regards
Ulrich

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Life is too short to own a bad gun

I like the retro combat



oiled moradillo



oiled cocobolo



oiled goncalo alves



oiled walnut



tactical came with this gun

I have a boot grip similar to the lower one in post #2, but I took a metal file and removed the finger grooves...then sanded lightly with 150 sandpaper, and finished in linseed oil. The wood on the front is pretty thin with a square frame.

With my 686, I really like the Tactical Revolver line.

My favorite grips for the N-frame are these, with finger grooves:



Other finishes



Osage Orange, on an L-frame



The finger grooves really help lock the grip into the hand.

I have a 686-6 4" with Ahrends Tactical (finger groove) grips and a 29-8 with a set of Ahrends Retro Combat (finger groove). It's a tossup between the two styles. Both are about the same width, and fill the hand with a gentle palm swell. Both encourage a high grip for good recoil control.

The new style Tactical grips are squared off in the front, so the grip locks into alignment very naturally. They are symmetrical from left to right, which might help if you practice right and left hand shooting.

The Retro Combat grips are rounded in front, and feel more comfortable, especially with heavy recoil. The beveled butt style looks nice, and shows off the grain. I don't think it makes much difference for concealability. You need an OWB and long cover garment for that anyway.

These Retro Combats on my K frame 617 were my choice. I got them unfinished and gave them a tung oil rub and then a Tom's 1/3 Mix wax.

Attached Images

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New to the forums guys, but just installed a set of Ahrends on my 66-2 yesterday and absolutely love them. Finger groove tactical.

Post #12 is the best description you will find. I would just like to add that the two coatings are either and upcharge of $20 for the tung oil which always looks great or the water based poly that has some hit or miss if it cures right. If it cures right I think it looks fine. But two of mine came with the finish looking a little cloudy. Klean Strip lifted it right off though and I refinished them myself. Just keep in mind that oily woods don't like certain finishes.

All my N-Frames (and the Ks, too) wear the Aherends Tactical Finger Groove model. In my shop, there's a big box of "rejects", including about 6 pounds of rubber removed from various revolvers I've purchased over the past few years.

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

Continuing the thread. This afternoon I'll be picking up a nickel Model 29-3. Will be ordering grips for it from Gripseller.

Are there any opinions out there as to the wood that works "best" with nickel?

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95