625-6 w/ Ahrends Stocks - Opinions Needed

[MacA]

I recently bought a 5" 625-6 and it came with rubber stocks. Being a fan of wood stocks I bought a set of Ahrends Cocobolo, smooth Tactical Conversion stocks to give it a more square butt appearance. I love the look, however, the backstrap is open where the frame curves inward and leaves a gap that I'm not real happy with. I already had a set of Ahrends Cocobolo round butt Retro Combats for my 629 and put them on the 625 for comparison.

I have posted pictures of all three options (also showing the gap of the tactical conversion stocks). Which do you like best?

Original "Goodyears"...

Cocobolo, smooth Tactical Conversions...

Gap with Tactical Conversions....

Cocobolo round butt Retro Combats...

THANKS for looking!!

 

[JCS&W]

Personally, I like the round butt. However, the grain in those square butt stocks looks great. Yeah, I like the round butt stocks.

 

[MacA]

My thoughts...

• "Goodyears"....No way! Just too "air-softish" for me!!
• I like the feel and balance of the conversions. The square butt just looks right with the 5" barrel. But the gap...
• I enjoy shooting my 6" 629 with the round butt stocks. Just doesn't look right with the longer barreled revolvers....my opinion.

 

[one eye joe]

I use the same Ahrends Smooth Tactical Conversion grips, but mine DON'T fit like that. I would contact Ahrends and send them the pic. Below is a pic of 3 of mine. Sorry that it's not a better pic. Look at the middle revolver--a 629 Mountain Gun (an "N" frame like your 625). The wood covers MUCH MORE of the backstrap than your grips do. The revolver to the extreme left is a 686+ Mountain Gun. This revolver is an "L" frame and the grips fit the same as those on my 629 and my 625 on the extreme right. The wood extends up to the apex of the curve in the backstrap on all three. I would return those grips if they were mine. Something is amiss......

 

[CWH44300]

thoses are square butt grips

 

[Oldherkpilot]

Those are not conversion stocks--they are square butt stocks. If you got them from Kim Ahrends, he will make it right. If you got them from someone second-hand, hopefully he will see his mistake. Nice wheel gun!

 

[MacA]

thoses are square butt grips

I got them from gripseller off eBay. Here is the actual description from the ad with areas I highlighted..

"These beautiful Kim Ahrends grips fit the S&W N-Frame, Round Butt. The wood is Cocobolo, the style is Tactical Conversion and they are Smooth (no finger grooves). These are Conversion grips meaning they are cut to fit the Round Butt, yet have the look and feel of the Square Butt. All Ahrends grips have an open backstrap and come with the grip screw"

 

[TAROMAN]

I have purchased a lot of Ahrends from Terri (AKA Gripseller). Outstanding service always. Just contact her. She WILL make it right!

 

[OK Hog Shooter]

Personally, I like the round butt. However, the grain in those square butt stocks looks great. Yeah, I like the round butt stocks.

I like the round butt, too. Now I know exactly what I want for my 625s.

 

[MacA]

I have purchased a lot of Ahrends from Terri (AKA Gripseller). Outstanding service always. Just contact her. She WILL make it right!

Yea, Terri is awesome. I will definitely contact her. I also just looked at the package these came in and they do say "Round to Square". so the wrong stocks were in the bag.

Thanks guys!!

Still curious what everyone thinks....Round Butt Combats? Or the Smooth Tactical Conversions?

 

[CWH44300]

the smooth tactical conversions look good to my eyes

 

[one eye joe]

I like square butt grips on a 4 inch barrel or longer revolver. The round butts are for CCW weapons with 3", 2 1/2", or 1 7/8" barrels because they conceal better IMHO.

 

[MacA]

Emailed Terri with a picture of the grips installed. I'll keep you posted on her response!

 

[Inspector-Callahan]

Sounds like you're good to go with the Ahrends. I have the same 625 with Nill grips that I thought I would share. I tried the Ahrends and although made well, they seemed too thin for me as I have large hands. Both of these grips below are essentially the same, one is smooth (625-6) and the other is stippled (on the 627PC), but both the same model for a RB N frame gun.

IC

 

[TAROMAN]

I standardized on one shape for all my revolvers, The tactical w/fingergrooves. Best fit I'v found for MY hands!

Here are a few on the N Frames. Bottom are RB conversions. All from Terri.

 

[mbliss57]

No to the Goodyears. I like the Combats best.. JMO Pretty gun.

 

[MacA]

I received a nice response from Terri! She was very upset with the mistake and wants to take care of it right away.

I am sure this was a very innocent mistake. Terri (gripseller on eBay and GB) has been excellent to deal with. I HIGHLY recommend her if you are considering an Ahrends stocks purchase in the future. She also handles a couple other manufacturers as well.

BTW, I think I am leaning towards the round butt Combats for my 625.

THANKS for the excellent feedback and the great pictures. Keep the pictures coming!!

 

[Newark Devil]

Nice looking Ahrends grips you have there. I personally like the round fingerless ones...

 

[MacA]

Nice looking Ahrends grips you have there. I personally like the round fingerless ones...

Those look great! Thanks for the picture!!

 

[peppercorn]

Ahrends are awesome! Terri is Top Shelf!
I just put my second set of Ahrends, from Terri, on my PC 627. Mine are round to square with finger grooves.
My hands are XL and these are just a great fit and offer great natural 'point'.
I was able to get most of my 'off the hip' shots, at 25 feet, onto the paper with these grips, unlike the factory supplied grips.
Also, these conceal carry quite well as they are relatively narrow at the base.