I noticed some time ago that the 3rd and 2nd gen guns I have been looking at have two basic types of grip, straight or rounded at the base. I was making some assumptions about that (which turned out to be mostly wrong).

Now I am curious if there is some logic behind the two designs, and if the grips correspond to some other feature (like shorter or longer grips and magazines), or earlier v. later models, or if it was just an option??

Just preference. Some like straight and some like curved. I have tried them both and much prefer straight. Single stacks never came with curved. Double stack compact always came with curved. Some double stack full size only came with straight I believe, like the 915. Never seen that one with a curved.

Straight all the way for me. Anyone who wants to trade a double stack straight for my curved I’d be happy to make the trade. Never gonna use the curved I took off my 5946.

I recently acquired a S & W Model 5946. It came with the straight grip. I purchased a curved grip from Midway. I prefer the curved grip because, (for me), it places the axis of the bore lower in my hand which provides less felt recoil and faster recovery.

I believe the straight grip for the full size double stacks came into being with the introduction of the 4006.

This is true concerning the compact pistols. The full size single stack pistols (3904/6) never came with a straight grip.

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I can't stand those short, stubbie, rounded grips!!

My hands are big enough that I have trouble holding onto them. Give me an old school, N frame square style grip and I'ma happy camper.

Doug

First and second gen single stacks all had a curved back strap.
First and second gen double stacks all had a flat back strap.*
Second gen compact pistols all had a curved back strap.
Third gen pistols had one-piece wraparound plastic stocks that formed the back strap. Curved was the most common and was supposed to be more hand filling to aid with double action shooting. I find the flat back strap to be more friendly to small and medium sized hands.


* S&W sold a replacement, curved plastic back strap for first and second gen double stack pistols (59/x59).

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

I prefer the straight grip....... "to me" it feels smaller ......more of a Browning HP feel.

IIRC they only came from the factory on the 915 and 910.

Not sure about that. The cops that I worked with who chose the 5946 had a choice between straight and curved. I recall being able to handle two 5946’s, one with curved and one with straight, before selecting one. Whichever you selected was given to you. Some must have come from factory with the straight grips.

I was referring to civilian commercial sales .... aka... Local Gun Shops.

Police orders were a whole different matter.... S&W (Sig and Beretta also) was very accommodating........grips, sights, # of magazines.
decocker only, mag disconnect.... credit for old guns... whatever it took to close the deal.

Even special guns for upper management.. ....... One chief got a two tone Sig 245 with a hard chromed slide...... another Dept got Single stack Beretta 92 Compacts (Type-M) for Lt's and up. Another Sheriff's Dept got Beretta's DAO single stack guns with mag disconnects .

Some were put together by local Cop Shops..... one here in the Burgh would even send Sigs up to a place in Erie to get them nickeled or hard chromed(?)

Close the deal was the name of the game.......while friendly the 3 local Police Supply houses (I know of) were very competitive.

Agree 100%. I too have large hands and have never ventured into the 3rd. Gen. S&W handguns. The cut down guns are just too small and uncomfortable for my use.

I'll take the 645 any time.

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Bill

My 1006 had the factory wrap around Xenoy one piece grip with the straight backstrap. I bought one of the optional grips with the curved backstrap on ebay, tried it and preferred it to the straight.

Straight. Always, all the time.

I try to keep a supply of new ones for both 9/40 and 10/45 so I can replace either worn or curved on new acquisitions.

Funny, I like the way Glocks feel though.

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Un-Reconstructed Southerner

I bought a few of them and, well I REALLY like them. The only pistol I currently have one on is my “rescue” 59. I think that it feels perfect for me.

I’ve said it before but I’ve got straight and curved grips for all my 3rd Gen pistols that had both options. I do switch back and forth but for some reason, (to me,) some just feel better with curved grips. I like the option anyway.

Jim

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My S&W 915 came with straight. When I got my S&W 5906 it had curved. I liked the way the curved felt in my hand, so I changed my 915 to curved too.

I like curves 😎. Both my 4006’s came with worn straights. They now sport curves. My preference.

My 1006 was missing the factory grip altogether when I bought it secondhand, came with Hogue rubber ones. I ordered a spare set from Numrich which turned out to be the curved ones but I felt they dug into my palm a little too much, especially compared to the straight ones that were on a 1066 I found. I definitely like how they look compared to the straight ones though.

It sounds like the type of grip is optional and not associated with anything else, like mag capacity, weight, or intended use (concealed carry). I sort of assumed the latter when I started looking at these guns... I think I need that Smith & Wesson book everyone talks about, lol.

Here you go!

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Bill

Thanks! I glanced at that before, but I noticed that a review called it a "companion" book to another edition (see below). I wasn't sure if it was the same book people here had mentioned, and did not take the time to ask... I am only willing to put so much of my ignorance on display at one time and in one place, On the other hand, I don't like to wallow in it either, lol.

The reviewer is CORRECT. Some of the information contained in the 3rd edition did not carry forward to the 4th edition, so it is best to have both volumes on your shelf. "The Standard Catalog..." is THE reference set for Smith & Wesson firearms.


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