Received a set of Jarawan's for my Model 69 today. The look and feel great. Can't wait to range test them.

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	S&W Model 69 with Jarawan-1.jpg (86.8 KB, 414 views)
	S&W Model with Jarawan-2.jpg (90.9 KB, 323 views)

They are nice.

Maybe S&W should consider sourcing their revolver grips from Thailand?..

Larry

Perhaps. I returned a set of round butt grips to S&W because the furnished grip screw would not engage the threads in the bushing. They sent me another screw thinking perhaps they had sent a "J" frame grip screw by mistake. New screw was the same length, leading me to believe that the bushing was not set deep enough in the grip. Therefore I returned them and ordered the Jarawans for about half the price of the S&W grips.
In addition to the screw problem with the S&W grips, there was about a 1/4" gap between the trigger guard and the grips. Simply ridiculous IMHO!

It’s amazing what can’t be done correctly after so many years of doing it correctly.

I like baby's new shoes. Finally made it the this range this AM and tried the new Jarawans. For me they are more comfortable than the rubber grips and I shot better with them.

I seriously hope you're kidding.

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Don't You Ever Wash That Thing

I'm familiar with that particular grip from Jaruwan. They fit my model 64 perfectly. However, I found them a bit fat for my hands. I since have converted this to a round butt configuration.

I have fairly small hands but find that I do better with a handful of wood. My model 28 has targets on it and they work well for me too. I think the larger amount of surface spreads out the recoil force.

My preference would be that S&W furnish wood grips that fit for a fair price. Since the ~$75 pair that they shipped me had a horrible fit, I turned to Thailand and obtained a pair that fit nicely for ~$40. It's a mean old world out there.

If you attack their medallions with a Sharpie, they aren't too bad either. Like I said, I re-configured that model 64 to a round butt because there are more grips to choose from. I ended up with a pair of Altamonts which I like very much except I needed to do some sanding to fit the backstrap better. Also added medallions from Thailand. hahaha

When I go to EBAY, Jaruwan.p has nothing for sale. What am I doing wrong?

You aren't doing anything wrong, Jaruwan may be sick again. Try Penguin Orchard shop, Doxicon & Nomix, Monticha2014, th-witaya. Prices may not be as good as Jaruwan but the items are pretty much the same. (my experience) Altamonts prices are just about as good and no month long shipping.

Warning...be prepared to view Predator motorcycle helmets and very odd Michelin Man figures.

If someone showed me the Altamont grips on the current 29/629 when they were a concept, I would have made the exact same comment as you.

Too bad Smith can't make good grips anymore. I'd pay extra $$$ for proper shoes from the factory....at least for the N frames.

Those Grips really change the look of the 69 for the Better. I use my 69 Primarily for shooting 44 Specials and don't need those Stock Rubber grips. Going to look into doing the same to mine.

Indeed..I give Altamont kudos for using laminated quasi wood for their grips though. Quality hardwoods are getting more and more expensive. Thailand grip makers have access to hardwoods U.S. makers can only dream about. I just can't believe that Altamont can't make grips that fit as good as grips from Thailand. Unless you are a collector, much of the conversation concerning grips makes no sense at all.

I feel safe saying that as this site does not say " By Collectors, For Collectors" like Gunboards does.

My gripe is the geometry of Altamont stocks, not wood quality. They are too skinny to effectively distribute 44 magnum recoil force in the hand. It is such a glaring error I’m convinced non-gun people comprised the decision process to produce the grips. Shame on S&W for allowing it.

Yes, Altamont grips are skinny which I like but I only shoot .38 specials and sometimes .357. Never occurred to me that they would not be appropriate for the bigger stuff.

The grips that S&W provide on their revolvers now are throw aways...meant to be replaced. Same thing with mirrors, grips foot pegs, etc on Harleys. I think the factory knows a majority of it's buyers will do a grip swap first thing when they buy a new gun. It's really a pet peave of mine to see someone pay $800 for a new revolver & worry about a 30 or 40 dollar difference when choosing aftermarket grips. People cry about MIM parts and the IL but choose to put foreign parts on their guns when there are several great grip makers here at home, most members of this forum.

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Don't You Ever Wash That Thing

American companies knowingly producing throw away items is MY pet peeve. I would much rather Smith put the extra $40 in decent grips and price the firearm accordingly. Notice in this thread that I tried to purchase grips from Smith, but they couldn't supply something workable.

It certainly would be nice if S&W would spend a few extra bucks on nice grips, and I'd happily pay extra. My point is, the grips are the first thing to go when someone buys a new gun. Whether it be a revolver, 1911, or plastic. It's called personalizing your gun. And the factory knows this. Back when S&W was putting the extra money into nice grips, (target grips, magna grips) there were MANY of these that either went back in the box or in the trash in lieu of Pachmayrs. "THROWAWAYS" Now they're worth a small fortune & I'm sure there are many folks kicking themselves for tossing them.
You have many choices in which grip company to buy from. There are several American made and VERY good quality grip makers. We don't get too many chances to choose American made anymore. Redwing boots & Carharts aren't even made here anymore. But you do have a choice in what aftermarket grips you choose to put on the $800 revolver you just bought. Go ahead & send your money to a sweat shop in a third world country. Then get out your dremel tool because you'll probably need it to make that exotic hardwood fit right.
Rant over.

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Don't You Ever Wash That Thing

A sweat shop in Thailand? How do you know? The guy in Thailand might be making $20 bucks a set and living like a king there, while some guy making grips for a factory in America is making well under $20 bucks an hour and living in a crummy apartment and feeding his family by food stamps for making grips that don't fit right. Who is running the sweat shop. Some individual in Thailand or the US company?

Is it Thailand fault you can live like royalty there on $500 a month or live in the US as a pauper on $3000? I know a guy who lives there like a king and works here for 3 months a year. Says more happy people there than here too.

Hate to dump on American companies..but, while I do like Altamont's grips, do they not know the dimensions of a S&W K frame ?



The guys in Thailand know the dimensions perfectly.



Just for fun compare the fit of Ruger's single action revolver grips to the fit of ****** Italian made single actions. hahaha

If you shoot a lot of magnums like I do in my smith 44s, you may go back to the rubber grips that came on it. I find the new rubbers pretty good for recoil second to pachmyer grippers. For looks though, those grips you got look great.

Thanks but I'm actually using the altamont grips because they just feel so good in my hands. I'm not that bothered by the oddly poor fit. The Thailand grips fit the gun beautifully and the wood is lovely but they feel clumsey. I only shoot .38's and some .357's.

FYI I just noticed a small, easy to overlook note on eBay saying that Jaruwan.p is away until June 4th and not taking orders right now.

And another small note on his store saying he's sick. Hope he's doing okay and healing well.

Arquebus357,

Were you aware that by selecting the "Thumbnail for forums" Link for your photo selection on Postimage.org instead of "Hotlink for forums", you are severely limiting the size of the photo that gets pasted, and thus viewed by your fellow forum members?

I just thought you should be made aware of this in case you wanted to help everyone out with a larger view. I've shown an example of what you get with "Thumbnail for forums", and directly below, with "Hotlink for forums" so you can see the difference.

"Thumbnail for forums"

[IMG][/IMG]

"Hotlink for forums"

[IMG][/IMG]

Carry on!

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Dave Brown
SWCA #3279

Ah..I didn't know that..

Many thanks

You're most welcome!

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Dave Brown
SWCA #3279