I have a mid '70s HP with a six inch barrel, it is in good mechanical shape but appears to have been spattered with blood or some other substance while in a right handed holster. So not pristine. The stocks are (I think) magnas.

For no real reason except curiosity I am tempted to buy a set of new stocks. I I realize that the shooter is more important to accuracy than the junk he buys. At least that is what I told the kids when I coached.

Options - Hogue Jerry Miculek wood stocks, just over $100. Altamont Company fake "Target Ropers" at about $85 or Altamont Company fake "S&W Target" in the mid $50's.

They all look nice. I have large hands. Does anyone who has shot different grips on N frames think I will notice a difference? The current grips are larger than my Ruger GP and I like them a bit better, but the Smith has a nicer trigger pull and that may be seducing me.

Large hands also and yes a big difference for me.

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Paul
S&WCA #2726

The Miculek grips are horrible for shooting. They are small and slippery, and are just a poor design.

Now the Altamonts are not fake S&W grips. They are an OE maker for Smith and Wesson, and some S&Ws have come with them installed for quite a long time. I can't speak to their Roper design size wise as I do not own any, but Altamont tends to run smaller than the old style grips. The target versions made from real wood and having the diamond, are of the coke bottle variety and are slightly larger in the center just like the old ones. They are slightly larger than if you would have bought the retro style laminate grips.

I like them for the most part, and they are just about all you can get if you are looking for a round to square target style grip as Ahrends in no longer in business.

They are not as hand filling and given a choice, I would opt for a factory target grip every time. The downside is that they are now becoming expensive for nice to like new ones.

^^^^ great summation.

The JM grips are great for Jerry Miculek, but for the rest of us mortals... not so much. I couldn't take them off of my 625-8 JM fast enough, they are smallish in my hand (I wear a large glove size), and they shift around easily, whihc is exactly what Jerry Miculek likes.

I have a set of the Altamont Roper" style grips on a K-Frame and I love them. They are thinner than S&W Target grips, I imagine that the N frame version will be of a similar profile.

I've been waiting for Walnut N-Frame Altamont Ropers to come back in stock, I may have to settle on the Rosewood.

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Conrad
SWCA #1830 SWHF #222

I have Hogue's on all my N frames and I just bought a set of "ivory" grips from Altamont's. Both companies have outstanding grips, the Hogue's are made from solid wood, I don't know if the Altamont wood grips are solid or laminated. Either way you are getting beautiful grips.

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U.S. Coast Guard, retired CPO

Monogrip for me on all my N-frames. Every one I pick up grips exactly the same. If you decide you want JM grips, let me know - I'll never use the set that came on my 625 JM.

By the way, Miculeck must have deep calluses on his trigger finger. The only complaint I have with my 625 is the sharp trigger edges. I'll likely address that with a stone directly.

I have a set of laminated Altamont finger relieved stocks on my M28 and they fit my hand perfectly. I wear a size 8 glove, so my hands are medium-ish. Maybe the target stocks are what you need. I also have a set of laminated Altamonts that are slightly larger on my M57, and I'm planning to replace them as soon as Altamont sends my new ones to me. Things are running a bit slow there, I was told 8-12 weeks to get the ones I want, which should be around end of August. PM me if you'd be interested in the ones from my M57. They're in perfect shape. 1st is M28, 2nd is M57.

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Those old target grips are not bad. I have Goncalo Alves perfect from 1983 that I'll eventually need to sell and a set of late '60s walnut raised diamond that are used but not cracked or chipped. If I get rid of those I'll be able to quit storing valuables in socks!

These work great for ME! Herrett RM. (N, square butt) Shown on my 28, no dash. Moved them to my 25-15. Bob

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Really like the Altamont finger groove. Wear an XL glove and they fit me well.

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I use the X500 grips (that S&W puts on the X-Frame Model 500) on both of my L-Frames and on my N-Frame 629 .44mag 5" Classic EDC gun. They are great, and really soak up the recoil of the .44mag. I got all mine from S&W, but I've heard that you can get them directly and faster from Hogue (who makes them).

I like JMs, but I have short fingers. They do come checkered if too slippery.

Seems weird a guy with big hands designed skinny grips. He likes them slick to adjust his grip while coming up from the holster.

In an old video I have, he actually puts talcum or cornstarch on his hands.

I have several sets of the Altamont “Roper” grips and really like the looks and fit.

I have Ropers in both N and K frame, square and round butt conversion, santos rosewood and olive wood.

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213th FBINA

Nice grips and beautiful gun, but I cringed looking at it lying on those rough, scratchy rocks. I trust you were vewy, vewy cawful when you put it there. What year did that no-dash come from?

I was extremely careful! Those were the last pics of that type. No harm came to any of my revolvers. 28 no dash has a S serial# from 1960. Have old stock diamond targets and diamond magnas for it. Bob

I have a set of Pachmeyers on my model 58 Really comfortable and non slip in the wet conditions of SE Alaska. Great size for larger hands as well Not wood but do the job nicely.

Ischai

The Miculek grip is a perfect fit for my hands. Tried several others but nothing better than the Miculek's. Great for concealed carry as well as competition. Comes both checkered or plain (my preference).

Always best to first try the "feel" of a grip but the proof of the pudding is to actually shoot the gun with the grips installed. Some grips seem wonderful until you try manipulating the pistol and pulling the trigger on live ammo. It's day and night.

The white powder product another poster mentions is a grip enhancement product used by many competitive shooters.

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Here’s mine with altamonts

Personally, I like the factory target "smoothies" on my N-frames. They feel good in the hand, enable a quick grip, and don't abrade your hand in recoil. Plus, I think they look darned sharp.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -