Replaced the Hogues with a pair of beautiful badgers for my Plus Pro but finding that the finger grooves just aren't helping my aim as they don't line up will with my small hands. They look great however in pics lol! So, what are you using?

Thinking about trying to find a pair of SSR grips. What you got?

As you can see I'm a big fan of the rubber Hogue grip without those non-fitting finger grooves. Great "working" grip. One of these days I'll buy some pretty wood Hogues...without the finger grooves.

I LOVE THE LOOK OF S&W COMBATS AND AFTER MARKET FINGER GROOVES. UNFORTUNATELY, NONE OF THEM FIT MY HAND OR IMPROVED MY SHOOTING. I SETTLED ON AHRENDS SMOOTH TACTICAL CONVERSION GRIPS FOR NORMAL USE ON MOST OF MY S&Ws. I PUT ON PACHMAYRS FOR USE IN HARSH WEATHER OR HARD USE CONDITIONS, WHEN CAMPING, HUNTING AND FISHING--JUST TO PRESERVE THE AHRENDS, AND ABSORB THE SHOCK OF A BLOW, OR AN ACCIDENTAL DROP, A LITTLE BETTER……….

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

I just fitted these Ahrends Goncalo Alves boot grips on my 2 1/2" 686 I purchased recently. They fit VERY comfortably in either hand (Yeah, I'm ambidextrious OK. I can't help it!). Probably a little short for a longer barrel. I bought another pair for an 8 3/8" 629-3 and I'm sold.

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Don't You Ever Wash That Thing

Finally was able to get something classy to replace the Hogue monogrips on these two.

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I'm just here for the guns.

If you can, they would probably be just the ticket. Craig can make the grips to your specific needs, within reason. The catch is he is not taking new orders, so you may have to bite the bullet if you go with an online seller that has them in stock, or just be vigilant about scanning the classifieds.

Here's a set that I no longer have on my PC 686, but sometimes wish I did They are a "boot plus" with a little more on the bottom than regular boot grips.




An easier option would be the Ahrends smooth tactical stocks, which one-eye has shown pretty well.

Good Luck. And, if you want to get rid of those Badgers, let me know!

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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

My 4" 686 no dash with Altamont Magnas & Bk grip adapter, an a Lobo pancake holster. Conceals easily and shoots well too. I've been considering trying something from Ahrends next.

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-Roger

686+ 2.5" Kim Ahrends Grips, for me they give a very quick draw and natural point of aim with a one or two hand hold and make recoil very pleasant and manageable for double tapping accurately.

Set of Magna grips with Tyler-T. This is on my Talo 686+ that came with the Altamont snakeskin combat grips. Those grips were beautiful but not very practical for shooting.

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Ephesians 6 (Armor of God)

A set of Houge grips with out the finger grooves on my wifes 686 Pro.

Ignatz - Very cool! Love that extended cylinder release! What is the grip plate?

I think its when you have to shoot prone in a USPSA match. You can rest the base of the gun on the ground if its a longer shot. The lack of finger grooves also helps smaller hands grip higher on the gun.
She shoots ICORE, USPSA and the local PA. Steel League.

One is Adherns, factory and the other is Thai Ebay grips:

Check my post here to see what came with my 686 Midnight Black Stainless Steel. I like them.

Stainless 586?

LOVE those Thai grips, srv1, tell me more!

I'm a fan of stocks created by forum member, Kurac. They look great and feel better.

I LIKE YOUR SET UP VERY MUCH, 357-RevolverGuy. HERE'S MY 686 NO-DASH, CONVERTED TO A 7 SHOOTER BY S&W, FOR CC / SD. IT WEARS S&W PC MAGNAS AND A TYLER-T. IT'S EASILY CONCEALED, AND VERY CONTROLLABLE….(AS YOU KNOW)

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

Here's another Ahrends sample.

How are you likng those maple Ahrends?

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-Roger

More Ahrends love.

Hogue calls those Big Butt grips, available in just about any wood for K-L, N frames. I have some in rosewood for both my S&W 25 and my Python. When you shoot from a prone position you need something to elevate the sights a little, and these do the trick.

I like Arhends. Have them in my K, L and N frames.

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Here's my bestie all dressed up:

Bob

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My competition gun-686 SSR with Nills.

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My six inch Model 686 (no dash, no M) came to me grip-less in a "friends and family" deal. I added a set of factory smooth finger groove combat style grips soon after getting it because they worked so well on my Model 66 (also no dash) that became Project 616 For me, these grips are as close to an out-of-the-box perfect fit as I have ever found from any manufacturer.

Froggie

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YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED. TRY TERRI AT GRIPSELLER ON EBAY FOR THE BEST SELECTION OF ALL HIS DISTRIBUTORS, SHE IS GREAT TO WORK WITH AND PRICES ARE IDENTICAL, KIM AHREND RECOMMENDED HER TO ME. I THINK SHE IS EXPECTING A LARGE ORDER OF TACTICAL AND RETRO GRIPS. IN THE NEXT MONTH OR SO. KIM IS SO FAR BEHIND HE TOLD ME HE ISN'T TAKING SPECIAL ORDERS. ALL THE GRIPS ON GRIPSELLER ARE A URETHANE FINISH FYI.

What I can tell you is that they fit perfectly and I got them on Ebay. The fit just as good or better than name brand grips. Check Ebay and you will find them. They change designs often so you may find one similar to this one.

James

I think Ahrends is the best there is; great quality and great price!

I just (today) received two sets of grips for my 686 snub:

Pachmayr Compac Pro, which are sort of boot grips with an open back strap.
Pachmayr&reg Pachmayr your primary source for quality handgun grips and recoil pads

Second set are Hogue bantam boot grip in Rosewood.
These also have an open back strap.
K or L Rd. Bantam Rosewood Bantam | Hogue Inc.

Also, TopGunSupply has Ahrends grips IN STOCK!!
http://www.topgunsupply.com/grips-ah...l-frame-grips/

Boring without pics, I know!
I'll get some good pics up within the week.......

Out of curiosity, did you have those Badgers built for you? Normally they take a few measurements from the buyer, & cut them to fit.

If you want to turn loose of them, I might have an interest. PM w/ price.

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Regards - GCF

Altamont Target conversion grips:


I also like these VZ Grips:
VZ 320 black gray round bottom grips

I love the stained maple. Nice figure and hard. I buff up the poly finish with some steel wool to make them slick and grippier. I have some red stained maples on the 617. Cordia is on the 625.

Thanks for the pic, I'm diggin the maple.

Wish the cocobolo was still available.

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-Roger

One point that really needs emphasis here... the L-frame was designed to have the same grip frame as the ubiquitous K-frame, so any question about L-frame grips can probably be answered quite well with a pair of grips originally intended for a K-frame.

Froggie

Actually I found them in a case at my LGS the other day. Brand new but no packaging or anything. Just laying there looking lonely so I took them home.

Thanks for the offer. Probably hold onto them.

My 686+ wears Altamonts. Very comfortable and they look good.

Those are very nice. Not just the wood either. They look proportional to the revolvers - which a lot of grips do not.

What model Ahrends are they?

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Regards - GCF

If you were to contact Badger, they might be willing to re-work them to fit your hand. Used to have pretty good customer service - at least when Jim owned the joint.

Let me know if you change your mind...

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Regards - GCF

Not a 686, but an L frame centennial.

Would work well on short barrel 686.

Round butt tactical

These are PauFerro smooth grips, which I love. They were on it when I bought it. Put rubber grips on it... for about three minutes! Went back to these.

Former owner got these from Smith.

TOP GUN IS THE DISTRIBUTOR THAT HANDLES THE OILED FINISH WHICH IS MY PREFERENCE UNFORTUNATELY NOT MUCH STOCK ON HAND WHEN I LAST PURCHASED.

They list 7 different styles as "in stock" right now.....and that is just for K/L frames.

I am wishing that I remembered TGS carried these.....before I spent my money on the Hogues.....

Top row Round Butt - Bottom Row Square Butt

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Please excuse the HORRIBLE pics.....I'll get some natural light pics soon, but for now.....

Pachmayr Pro Compac: Yes, they are ugly....but these are my all-time favorite for "combat" shooting/defensive carry.

They leave the backstrap exposed and extend just a tad below the grip frame. They allow for a full firing grip (vs pinky tucked under for boot grip) and NO finger grooves means that I can obtain a firing grip in a hurry, without my fingers needing to find the grooves.
The Pachs also have NO palm swell, making for a very thin profile (and a "forgiving" grip that allows for obtaining a hurried firing grip)

So, ugly yes. Quick into action and low profile=my favorite carry grip.



Next are the Hogue Bantam boot grip (Rosewood)

These are well fit, handsome, and allow for snag-free carry under cover garment.
These grips have a well designed palm swell, and fill the hand nicely.

They too have an open backstrap for lower profile, and come nearly flush with the bottom of the grip frame (again, nice low profile).

My hand/fingers DO fit the finger groove naturally, and I can either squeeze all my fingers onto the grip OR tuck my pinkie under the grip. (I prefer pinkie under.....otherwise my pinkie tends to fall off under recoil, causing me to reacquire a full firing grip)




Both grips are great, but boy does this 686 point naturally with the Pachs installed!
If you compare both sets in my pics, you'll notice that the Pachs allow for a much "higher" firing grip, as the grip profile is contoured higher up behind the trigger guard.

These are the Tactical Fingergroove model. The 686 are square butt and the 617 and 625 are round to square conVersions.

This is a pair of Pau Ferro wood Mr Hogue himself fit to my 686 in 1987 or 88 when they brought their trailer to the Masters. I've used them ever since.


He told me there is no finish on them, and doesn't need to be, just put a good way on then every few years.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I'm only set up for square butt ones.

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Paul
S&WCA #2726

Personally, I like to dig in junker boxes at the Gun show and find damaged/destroyed factory wood and shape them to fit my hand.
<the purist should turn their head and look no further >

I like to produce a lot of sawdust - you never know the pretty grains that you'll find.
This is one of many dozen of my creations on my 686 snub.