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10-27-2017, 10:11 AM
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Rookie with Grip Question (Not a what grip should I get)
I'm new to DA and just picked up a S&W PC 625. After two trips to the range, roughly 80-100 rounds fired, I am stymied. I am finding the firearm to be painful to fire. The pad between my thumb and index finger is sore... and then some, after just a few rounds.
I have medium to smaller hands. The frame is an N-Frame and I changed out the grips to the Miculek grips from JM's website. (the original were too colorful and very wide front to back) I am loading 200gn SWC with 5.2gn of W231. Not a light load, not a heavy load. (I had no problem with this load when used in a 1911 platform and have shot thousands of similarly loaded 45 colt rounds, 255gn SWC in a Ruger NV SA, and found both of those firearms pleasurable to shoot once technique was acceptable)
My suspicion is my grip technique is not proper, and doing the grip buy&try without focusing on technique first will not yield a happy hand or wallet. Any advice or links that show best grip form would be appreciated, I've googled around quite a bit and see lots of advice on which grips to buy, but little that talk about technique to solve this problem.
Last edited by Fostereast; 10-27-2017 at 10:12 AM.
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10-27-2017, 11:22 AM
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It is against my religion, but you may want to try rubber grips. Right fitting (to you) wood stocks should be comfortable. I have a 625JM, and have had around 5 sets of stocks on it. Currently it is set up well for ME! My hands are medium with stubby fingers. Finding the right stocks is not too easy. Bob
By the way.....Welcome to the FORUM!
Last edited by bananaman; 10-27-2017 at 11:23 AM.
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10-27-2017, 11:44 AM
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I shoot a 625-8 PC for IDPA and I'm also grip sensitive - tried a pair of VZ finger grooves and they really beat-up the web of my hand. I went to the grips that Smith uses on the X-frame guns. Their copy does not specify that they fit RB N-frames, but they do. These have a special insert where the web of your hand falls. They also cover the back strap completely. I have medium sized hands and they fit me well.
This grip is on an L-frame, so there would be a slight dimensional difference in the back strap to trigger face dimension...
And this is my grip, but my 625 was mounted with Hogue Big Butt grips at the time. Get your hand as high on the back strap as you can. It feels almost like you are pulling up on the trigger - not straight back...
The grip is available only from S&W, and no longer in yellow.
Good luck.
Adios,
Pizza Bob
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Last edited by Pizza Bob; 10-27-2017 at 11:46 AM.
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10-27-2017, 11:51 AM
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Hogue open back or Vz, for me.
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10-27-2017, 12:40 PM
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Grip/stock fit is a personal thing to be sure. What works well for me is the Herrett Shooting Star stocks, they raise my thumb up and out just a bit off of my "N frame lump" on my thumb.
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10-27-2017, 01:33 PM
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Thank you for the responses so far.
As I take turns holding my Ruger SA and the 625, I am thinking that if I get a grip that follows the frame (front and back) better at the bottom, I might be able to wrap my three fingers around the front of the grip much better, and allow the recoil to focus on my palm instead of just the web between the thumb and index finger. Right now, the predominant gripping force is close to the top of the frame, pushing against the web between my thumb and index finger.
Currently, I cannot get a really good grasp with those three fingers. I might also take the shiny finish off and use an oil finish, so there is a little more friction between my hand and the grip.
I don't know if I am ready to re-shape and refinish the original or the JM grips to see if my theory is helpful
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10-27-2017, 02:22 PM
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Don't bother refinishing the JM grips.
There are many alternatives to look at, and a good place to start is Hogue for production models.
Altamont has a following, also production.
Ahrends, lesser known, but production class.
Spegel & Badger for custom options.
I couldn't tolerate the Miculek grips, threw 'em away. They work great
for him, but not everybody likes them.
Denis
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10-27-2017, 04:10 PM
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I too have medium/small hands , most factory and aftermarket grips were too big in the wrong places and I would reshape them to fit with wood rasps and sandpaper and refinish. They would look like 5 miles of bad road .
I ordered some Ahrends , got them unfinished so I could shape them to fit...Surprise ! They fit my hand perfectly....no shaping required!
Kim Ahrend knows how to shape them for us regular guys.
Retro combats in smooth Cocobolo (now unavailable) $70.00.
Many exotic woods are available ( I'm waiting on a set made of Macassar Ebony as I type this )
I have 3 sets of Ahrends now...my model 58 avatar is wearing some and they make the 41 magnum not hurt during shooting.
The only other set that fit as well were some Herrett's Troppers smooth walnut with finger grooves , I traced around my hand, sent in the order and they were made custom to fit my hand. I got these when single and had money.
These now cost about $150 , smooth with finger grooves but are very nice.
For rubber I lean to Pachmayr Compac grips.
How grips feel is very subjective, when trying to decide which Pachmayrs , I took my revolver and went to the dealers, tried the different grips on and when I found some that felt good...bought them.
Don't let anyone tell you grip design and shape doesn't matter...it matters big time. Shooting the model 58 with those Godawful S&W factory stocks was painful and drew blood...no joking ! 6 rounds and I was done with it !
The Ahrends Retro Combats changed all that...they fit .
Gary
Last edited by gwpercle; 10-27-2017 at 04:14 PM.
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10-28-2017, 01:19 PM
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I own a 325 Thunder Ranch. I have tried 4 different grips on it. The Factory Hogue, Pachmayr Diamond Pro and Old Style Packmayr Grippers that cover the backstrap, and Altamont Rnd to Sq conversion. I am back to the Factory Hogue grips as they give a nice 3 finger grip and position my trigger finger the best.
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10-28-2017, 11:42 PM
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Congrats on the 625!
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10-29-2017, 12:53 AM
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Besides being butt-ugly, the OEM "rainbow" grips did not fit flush with the backstrap. That guarantees discomfort in the web of your thumb. The best use for the originals I saw on Youtube was the first target on the first range outing. I'm not going to bust something I could sell, or put back in place if I sell the gun.
I put a set of Ahrend's Combat (finger grooves) on my 625PC. The backstrap is exposed, so the reach is minimal. Ahrend's grips are a little wider than Hogue and don't have the palm bulge, which I think promotes a low grip. I hold the web of my thumb flush with the top of the break.
Ahrend's grips have a flat front, which i think aids in indexing and control. He also makes Retro grips which have a round front, with or without finger grooves, which are very comfortable to shoot.
You also have a choice of round butt or round-to-square style. The latter is somewhat better for range use.
Rubber grips give me blisters - too sticky. I prefer wood, which slips just a little under recoil.
Last edited by Neumann; 10-29-2017 at 12:58 AM.
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10-30-2017, 10:48 PM
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attn bananaman
Hi bananaman. What grips are those on your 625? Love 'em. I currently have N frame SB Pach Grippers on my 625JM and would like to have a properly fitting grip.
Hey dpris! I've also found the JM grips to be a waste. In fact, IMO, ALL of the modern-day S&W wooden grips with the additional bolts are worthless.
Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
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10-31-2017, 02:48 AM
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The JM grips were just too big for my hand.
Could not get a good hold with 'em.
Denis
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10-31-2017, 08:23 AM
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Does anyone shoot an N-Frame with a grip that does not cover the area behind the trigger guard? I shoot a SA 45 quite a bit and when I first started, my knuckle on my middle finger would get bruised from the trigger guard hitting it during recoil, but once I got used to gripping it, this issue went away. With a medium to smaller hand, I would think having that area available for a better grip would be helpful.
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