What’s the Most Comfy Non-Factory Grips for My M65 in 3-inch??

Nalapombu · #1 10-18-2021, 06:05 PM

Hey all.

I have a m65 in 3-inch that needs some new grips. I did have the factory round butt grips with a Tyler but one of my grip panels got a crack in it so I had to go with a cheapo hard rubber vintage set that’s not bad, but I know there’s much better available.

I was looking at the Hogue rubber grips with finger grooves as well as the Pachmayr grips. I’ve never tried either one. I’ve read good and bad about the Hogue finger groove grips. They’re the least expensive that I’ve found at about $25.
In my search for replacement grips I have been very surprised at just how expensive grips are for this revolver.

What kind of grips do you prefer on your wheelguns? For those that have Pachmayr grips on your 3 inch m65, please post a pic. I’d like to see how they look before I buy.

Any help and suggestions is appreciated.

waffles · #2 10-18-2021, 06:20 PM

Amazon

The above are my favorite round butt K/L frame grips. Finger grooves can be good, but only if your hands match their spacing well enough.

If you have ebay, here's a set for $14 shipped. You can also find plenty of other used K frame grips there, takeoffs are common and cheap.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/25517462670...temCondition=4

SLT223 · #3 10-18-2021, 06:23 PM

I bought these second hand, here on the forum I think. They are the product of John and Jennifer Culina (forum member Kurac). I much prefer this style over the boot grip because I can get my little finger around the bottom of it.

Replaced the hogues below.

waffles · #4 10-18-2021, 06:23 PM

Can't find any pics of the above on my old 3" 65, so here they are on an L frame snub

ladder13 · #5 10-18-2021, 06:28 PM

Check this thread. Best Goodyear’s ever, imo.

If you can find a pair, buy it.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/firearm...-new-post.html

ISCS Yoda · #6 10-18-2021, 06:34 PM

bgmntmn on this forum makes outstanding elk grips for all S&W revolvers. The gun below is a 4" Model 10 .357 Magnum to give you an idea of his work on K frames - I like these grips but they're not inexpensive:

lonestar57 · #7 10-18-2021, 06:35 PM

Don't really know your price range but I like these although I don't currently own a 3" K frame RB right now

Pachmayr Renegade Deluxe Wood Laminate Revolver Grips S&W K/L Frame Round Butt Revolver Checkered Cut Panels Rosewood | Cheaper Than Dirt

mojave30cal · #8 10-18-2021, 06:42 PM

See if you can find a pair of Uncle Mike's grips on Ebay. They
come in round or square but configurations. I like the fit in
my hand when I shoot my 681.

LPD256 · #9 10-18-2021, 07:11 PM

I have used Culina Combats. If price is a concern then I like the Pachmayer Compacs. Enjoy your new gun. They are a lot of fun.

S&W Fan · #10 10-18-2021, 07:49 PM

I'm a wuss, I prefer the Pach Compact grip as well for comfort. This is my 64-5 NY-1 3". While not a magnum I like these grips for my hot .38+P load.

THE PILGRIM · #11 10-18-2021, 08:12 PM

Also like the Pach Compacts.
Like here on my 66 Shorty.

Snapping Twig · #12 10-18-2021, 08:20 PM

Hogue

Moo Moo · #13 10-18-2021, 08:21 PM

Yes, I also like the Pachmayr Compacs too.

-img_6565-jpg

Sistema1927 · #14 10-18-2021, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lonestar57

Don't really know your price range but I like these although I don't currently own a 3" K frame RB right now

Pachmayr Renegade Deluxe Wood Laminate Revolver Grips S&W K/L Frame Round Butt Revolver Checkered Cut Panels Rosewood | Cheaper Than Dirt

Great grips, but friends don't let friends buy from Cheaper than Dirt.

CobiaS&W · #15 10-18-2021, 09:10 PM

I really like the S&W round butt target grips for my 3" K frames. The picture is a 3" Model 64. These grips are now installed on my 3" 65 -grip2-jpg

sigp220.45 · #16 10-18-2021, 09:16 PM

Another vote for the Pachy compacs.

RodD · #17 10-18-2021, 09:33 PM

I have two pair of Houge rubber monogrips without finger grooves. They do a run of these periodically. You might give them a call.

22lrfan · #18 10-18-2021, 10:10 PM

My 65 has a pair of bigmtnman stag grips on it.

ME94 · #19 10-18-2021, 10:27 PM

Here are some Ahrends I like.20201228_212106.jpg on my 64

Dale53 · #20 10-18-2021, 10:59 PM

Here is one of my most favorite revolvers:
686 Model CS-1 with 4” barrel. The Pachmayr's are original issue. Totally comfortable and eminently shootable!

https://hosting.photobucket.com/albu...entTests-2.jpg

Dale53

Nalapombu · #21 10-19-2021, 12:06 AM

Thanks all for the info and pics.

Are there more than 1 set of rubber Pachmayr grips that fit the K frame round butt?

Thanks again.

bananaman · #22 10-19-2021, 09:14 AM

They work well for me, Herrett. Have K round, K square, and N square. Bob

prescobd · #23 10-19-2021, 11:22 AM

My favorite rubber grips for round butt K frames is the Uncle Mike's/Butler Creek boot grip. They are no longer being produced, but they can still be found.

gwpercle · #24 10-19-2021, 11:44 AM

Ahrends Retro Combat or Retro Target .

The model 58 in my avatar are Retro Combats and it's a 41 Magnum , very comfy grips of all tried ...see if you can score some .
Sad story but Ahrends Grips is no more .
Gary

BAM-BAM · #25 10-19-2021, 12:07 PM

#1 Spegel Boot grips........ $$s and long wait.

Others that work well for me;
Pachmayr Compact grips...... covered backstrap
Pachmayr Professional Compacts..... open backstrap
Factory Round Butt Target grips ....aka "Banana" Grips..... can be shortened into Boot grips
Hogue wood Bantam Grips

BAM-BAM · #26 10-19-2021, 12:10 PM

[QUOTE=waffles;141284860]

Amazon

. Finger grooves can be good, but only if your hands match their spacing well enough.

^^^^^^^ this sums it up very well!

Paul105 · #27 10-19-2021, 03:11 PM

For ROUND BUTT frames only. Hogue Tamers (S&W X Frame 500) X/Z-Frame Revolvers - Grips for Smith & Wesson - Handgun Grips - Hogue Products. If you don't like the finger groves, you can modify with belt sander, dremel drum sander, sanding block -- here's a picture with finger groves removed and butt rounded on a M19 Carry Comp.

FWIW, The finger groves fit me.

Paul

xfarfuldog · #28 10-19-2021, 03:26 PM

Ford vs Chevy. Colt vs S&W. 9 vs 45. Grips are in the same ball park. I like wood grips but for shooting rubber are best to tame recoil. I personally like Hogues. Years ago I used Pachmayrs on my duty gun. Now its Hogues all the way. Try different ones at a gun show and make your own decision.

Grayfox · #29 10-19-2021, 03:59 PM

My favorite grips on a K-frame RB are the old Uncle Mike's / Butler creek boot grips. They fit my hand perfectly, control recoil and conceal very well.
They don't make 'em any more, but they can be found on e-bay and such.

Walter Rego · #30 10-19-2021, 05:11 PM

Another vote for Pachmayr Compacts. And I like the old ones without the medallion.

lawandorder · #31 10-19-2021, 06:22 PM

Another Spegel Boot reccomendation.

RetCapt · #32 10-20-2021, 10:11 PM

Grip preferences are extremely subjective, as you can see from the posts. For a short barrel revolver I like the standard, original, Hogue Monogrip, the nylon version, not rubber. I grip a revolver tightly enough that I do not like the feeling that I am compressing rubber. The surface of the nylon Hogue Monogrip seems ideal to me. I shoot double action only on all DA revolvers, so I prefer an open back strap to give me the length of pull I need. My DA revolvers are all strictly functional; duty, off duty and competition. In these environments grips tend to get pretty beaten up. So utilitarian black is fine for me. That said though, the wood Hogue Monogrip Snapping Twig posted is beautiful.

GerSan69 · #33 10-21-2021, 02:31 AM

I like these Eagle grips on my 10/"13" custom model. The set on my 64 are some old Uncle Mike's.

CobiaS&W · #34 10-21-2021, 08:14 AM

If you want to spend a little more money these Culina Grips are some of my favorites.
-65-1-jpg

BubbaBlades · #35 10-21-2021, 08:29 AM

These are my favorite replacement grips for most of my J, K, L, & N frame short barrel and/or fixed sight guns.
Not only do they feel great, they have a little red light that comes out of the front of the grip and it can help you aim your shots.

gfors · #36 10-21-2021, 02:45 PM

Uncle Mike’s are a great choice. They’re not in business anymore but as others have said you could probably find them on eBay.

Benchrest1 · #37 10-22-2021, 01:49 AM

Hogue rubber grips are great. In the summer when its hot and sweaty I have better control shooting with rubber grips than I do with wood. However those same finger groove rubber grips look like **** next to my cocobolo grips.

Green Frog · #38 10-22-2021, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetCapt

Grip preferences are extremely subjective, as you can see from the posts. For a short barrel revolver I like the standard, original, Hogue Monogrip, the nylon version, not rubber. I grip a revolver tightly enough that I do not like the feeling that I am compressing rubber. The surface of the nylon Hogue Monogrip seems ideal to me. I shoot double action only on all DA revolvers, so I prefer an open back strap to give me the length of pull I need. My DA revolvers are all strictly functional; duty, off duty and competition. In these environments grips tend to get pretty beaten up. So utilitarian black is fine for me. That said though, the wood Hogue Monogrip Snapping Twig posted is beautiful.

I agree 100% with the first sentence, about 80% with the second, and disagree with the second half of the third… I prefer the back of my grips to enclose the back strap. This is not an argument, but a reaffirmation of the opening comment. “Grip preferences are extremely subjective.” What fits me perfectly will be an abomination for someone else.

Surprisingly, the best feel in my hand with a round butt grip is a pair of cheap Thai-made grips on a Model 60-4. They have the back strap covered and follow the curve of the grip frame naturally. I know I’m bringing a J frame into the conversation, but the principle is the same.

Froggie

THE PILGRIM · #39 10-22-2021, 09:51 AM

Open strap vs. Closed Strap?
Depends.
Closed strap is handy for Guns that recoil.
And you can regulate the hand position, distance and trigger finger spacing with/without Strap covered.
So grip size and style may depend on Your hand size and preferences on Trigger Finger position.
Solution? You need to try numerous grips on several guns.
You’ll wind up with different grips on your guns and a storage drawer that looks like this.

RetCapt · #40 10-22-2021, 02:05 PM

Agree with THE PILGRIM. I too have a drawer full of grips, a product of the obsessive quest to eke out a few more X ring hits. I found that balance plays a role. In my original post I expressed my preference for the Hogue Monogrip on a short barrel revolver. On my PPC guns, which have a completely different balance due to the longer, heavier barrel, I found I preferred the Rogers (later Safariland) grips. While similar to the Hogue, the Rogers have a more flared bottom which allowed me a more stable grip when shooting off the barricades. The original Rogers were slipperier than the Hogue however. (I found the stippled surface of the nylon Hogue to be the best combination of a secure gripping surface while still allowing repositioning of the hand when necessary that I have ever used). Many of our PPC matches were held in the central valley of CA in summer. This often meant temperatures of over 100 degrees. Sweat is slippery, so I took a rosin bag with me out on the line.

During all this I was teaching shooting in AJ and community classes. My teaching revolver was my issue revolver, a S&W 686 4" bbl with Rogers grips. Again I chose these for the stability (and thus better scores) from the 25 and 50 yard barricades. I often let my students fire this revolver, and they all really liked that 4" L frame with Rogers grips.

Both are functional for me. Neither will ever win a beauty contest, but that was/is not the purpose. The only revolvers on which I have grips for the sake of appearance are single action revolvers. On these I have stag or imitation stag grips, just like my Saturday matinee cowboy heroes did. I think that is required in the Code of the West.

HardToHandle · #41 10-22-2021, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nalapombu

What kind of grips do you prefer on your wheelguns? For those that have Pachmayr grips on your 3 inch m65, please post a pic. I’d like to see how they look before I buy.

Any help and suggestions is appreciated.

My absolute favorite shootable grips are the laser Hogue Monogrips. Red Laser Enhanced Monogrip for S&W K/L-Frame Round Butt: OverMolded Rubber - Black - S&W K/L-Frame Round Butt - Laser Enhanced (LE) Grips - Hogue Products

They are cushiony for recoil but still pretty svelte and skinny. No awkward finger swells to shift my fingers. It makes shooting a K Frame a dream.

The down side? They cost $200 and the red laser is weak. The placement of their switch on the fore strap also falls in a natural gap in my fingers, so is consequently hard to activate.

Great grip, lousy laser grip for me. Hence I have only bought one.

My concealed carry Airweights all have wood. Less likely to snag in IWB but more pain to shoot.

AJ · #42 10-22-2021, 02:47 PM

My reply to these questions is generally "Whatever fits your hand comfortably". On J-Frames, I generally use Hogue Grips. I like S&W Combats for my K-Frames.

moosedog · #43 10-22-2021, 03:13 PM

You'll find the Hogue rubber grips to be a softer rubber and will absorb more recoil and give you a better grip than the rubber Pachmyers.

John Adams · #44 10-22-2021, 08:59 PM

My 65 lightly customized by gunsmith Mike Larocca wears walnut Culina walnut grips with a tung oil finish. It is comfortable and easy to carry and shoot.

Jcon72 · #45 11-10-2021, 08:57 PM

For a combination of pure comfort, grippy-ness and price, Hogue rubber wins every time in my book. If you want something that is almost just as comfortable but much prettier (and a little more expensive) the Hogue Hardwoods grips are great. The first picture is a 66 instead of a 65, but I just love this Hogue cocobolo grip. The second pic is a 65 with a Badger grip which is also quite nice.

LittleCooner · #46 11-10-2021, 09:59 PM

For the three inch K and L frame guns with a round butt, I love the feel of the Hogue monogrip with one finger groove. And it comes in some really nice wood. I just got a set in last week, they now make it in fancy "burl" Amerian Black Walnut. They posted that is was out of stock, but the set was in my mail box in 3 or 4 business days after I sent them an order. These grips with the palm swell just fit my hands.

gerhard1 · #47 11-10-2021, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waffles

Can't find any pics of the above on my old 3" 65, so here they are on an L frame snub

Pachmayr Compac like this one. Very comfortable.

rbmac52 · #48 11-11-2021, 02:01 PM

I've bought several sets of grips for Smith & Wesson revolvers from "vitoonmakers" on eBay. They are very well made, with beautiful wood, and they fit right. He's in Taiwan but it rarely takes more than 10 days for delivery.

Here's an example of a nice set for K-frame round butts:

NEW S&W K, L FRAME ROUND BUTT MODEL 66 686 696 COMBAT GRIPS NICE WOOD GRAIN # 6 | eBay

Old cop · #49 11-11-2021, 03:25 PM

I found that rubber grips, from any company, that cover the backstrap are the most comfortable at the range.

RobertJ. · #50 11-11-2021, 05:26 PM

I bought this 65-3 a couple of years ago and immediately put some beautiful Altamont combats on it. It looked great. However, when I'd draw, I needed to shift my hand to position my index finger on the trigger. So, away they went, and the Pachs went back on. Function won out over form!