Combat Masterpiece 38 is home help with grips

[T112-4]

I have been looking for a while for one to carry in a holster in the woods and not worry about wear. Found this one to fit the bill, some holster wear, no rust, nice and tight, timing good.
Now the grip I could live with but need some help and advice here. You can see they don't fit together and the left panel rocks on the frame likes it may not be flat. It may be warped if that happens. By S/N it's from about 1955 have to have Roy put a date to it.
I think they fitted grips from this time frame and tried S&W target grips from my K22 and Combat Masterpiece 22 they did not come close to going on without fitting.
Thanks in advance for any information or advice.
Bill

 

[ACORN]

Pachmayr’s

 

[lihpster]

I agree, in the woods, get some goodyears. As far as the wood grips go, yes they can warp, but it could also have to do with the grip pin not interfacing with the grips right. Whether due to a shallow grip pin hole in the grip, or a grip pin that is longer than the grips were made for. If that's the case, the solution is make the hole in the grips deeper. Try the grips on other guns to see if they are out of spec.

 

[Vtgw938]

Those are a nice set of early Goncalo Targets, but not 1955 which I think would be walnut and maybe non-relieved. Don't mess with those stocks until you determine for sure they are the problem.

 

[T112-4]

I did plan on Hogues or Pachmayer's for outdoors. Probably can't fix warp but will try the other fixes. They are some goodlooking grips.

 

[S&W ucla]

I really like these Hogue grips on my K & L frames. Great looking Combat Masterpiece!

 

[tennexplorer]

Considering that the gap between the panels of the two stocks is at the front of the grip frame, check and see if the strain screw is screwed in all the way.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Those are nice grips.
Do they line up off the gun?
Yes, get some Pachs or Hogues.
Here’s Pachs on my 66.

 

[desmobob]

+1 on the Pachmayr Grippers. I tried the Hogues and the Grippers on my Model 66 and the Hogues felt too thin in my size XL hands. The Grippers feel perfect (and I prefer their looks, too).

 

[rct269]

Considering that the gap between the panels of the two stocks is at the front of the grip frame, check and see if the strain screw is screwed in all the way.

I sure am glad I thought of that!

And even if I didn't, I should have!

And while I'm at it, if you like the trigger pull better with the screw loose---do yourself a favor and get a spring kit---Miculek's is far and away the best one because you can end up with whatever trigger pull your little heart desires----and then tighten the strain screw---and leave it alone!

Ralph Tremaine

 

[CH4]

If you like those grips and they fit your hand, use em in the woods. You don’t need no stinkin’ rubber handles. Just don’t use it to pound tent stakes.

 

[farmer20]

Examine to determine whether the strain screw is fully inserted. Take those grips with you into the woods if you like the way they suit your hand.

 

[Engine49guy]

A 55 CM most likely shipped with Magnas unless the Target stocks were requested.
The checkering is correct for 50's era but IIRC the standard target stocks prior to 1956 were non relieved walnut, in my head I associate the football relief cut with the then new Combat Magnum that was introduced in late 55 but really didn't begin to ship out to the public until after the 1955 holiday season closing so my suspicion is while those were swapped on at some time in its life probable a couple years after purchase.

I've had stocks warp from humidity, I've taken those big lobster claw rubber bands and put them around the heel to nudge them back in the other direction whilst in storage but I'm sure there are faster methods that experts will offer.
For woods beating hard to argue against a inexpensive set of rubber that fits your hand, just remember they trap moisture so uwanna pair that is easily removed to wipe the frame down when carried in bad weather.

 

[daddio202]

I personally would rather carry the gun in the woods with absolutely no grips at all, before I would put rubber on it. They do trap moisture as said earlier and are not pretty in the least.That is an extreme position I know, but something less radical comes to mind. Used magna grips are for sale by the bushel on E-bay, though they are not as cheap as they used to be. I would be inclined to find a decent set there to put on for use in the woods.

 

[T112-4]

First of all a big Thank you for the information and ideas. The previous owner managed to bugger the strain screw. I will need a new one and from the trigger guard number 3 screw buggered also. Any for sale out there? The strain screw turns out easily but seams to bottom out before it's in as far as the strain screws on my other models. I'll try one of those first.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Pachmayr’s

NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! EVER!!!!!!!!!! Blasphemy

 

[mattallamerican]

i like the g10 grips myself

 

[Doug M.]

Grips are personal. I came into shooting when the default response to wood grips was to remove, trash, and replace. There are few revolvers on which wood grips are better for the purpose of the revolver. Typically, they will be custom and fitted to the shooter. Rubber grips are exponentially more practical for almost all uses, but the concerns about trapping moisture are valid.

 

[Retired W4]

I for one would like to see a photo of that strain screw as it is installed on the gun. I can understand how it might interfere with the target stocks if it's damaged enough. If it's bad enough where it can't be removed, and the mainspring give consistent ignition, you can relieve the wood enough to clear the bad screw.

 

[sceva]

Nobody has mentioned it but make sure the alignment roll pin for the grips is not longer on one side. If it is it may be bottoming out and keeping the grips from seating. The pin is easily moved to get it even.