Can I please get some recommendations for target stocks for a K-38 (Model 14)? I am familiar with target stocks made by S&W, Herrett's, and Blu-Magnum, but I'd like to see if there are others out there people have used and enjoyed.

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Aaron Terry

I have used the regular S&W stocks, but I actually prefer the service stocks with Tyler T-grip. I have always wanted to try Hogue checkered stocks, though.

Take a look at the offerings at nill-griffe.com

I just listed some Jay Scott right handed thumb rest stocks for sale, if you're interested.

For Sale- Right Hand Jay Scott Target Grips (K Frame)

Aaron...A set of Keith Brown smooth K-frame stocks with S&W monograms. The stocks are a little thinner than S&W stocks and have a pronounced palm swell and flare at the bottom. The second photo is of a set of finger groove stocks by Nille on an N-frame, but I am reasonably sure you can order a set for your revolver.

Bill

I'm proud to have two sets of Keith's fine work.

I have Hogue hardwood Mono-Grips on most of my D/A revolvers , here's a few.



But ugly as they may be , for matches , my K-38 wears a Pachmayr Gripper Pro. As close to a Hogue Mono-Grip as my hand can tell , but checkered rubber. Hand don't seem to sweat or ache as much.

Aaron, for K-frame revolvers I like either the relieved or nonrelieved target stocks that S&W offered for them in the 1950s; they are better than magnas and authentic too. For custom stocks, I don't think you can do better than stocks by forum member Kurac, who will make them for you either with or without the football. Kurac puts huge palm swells on his stocks; they are in essence modern Cokes (a term we should probably use with caution for K-frames). I love them.

If you like thumbrest target stocks, might as well keep your eyes out for some classic Ropers; they'll fit your postwar Masterpiece just fine.

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David Wilson

You can't beat Kieth Browns grips for beauty. You did not say if you where shooting single action, double action, two handed or offhand. I just put a pair of no name thumb rest grips that I bought on e-bay (two ugly to post a picture) on my Model 17. They felt very funny at first but at the range my scores improved (offhand) compared to the regular S&W target grips that I was using. I think the thumb rest grips made me hold the revolver more consistantly in the same position.

Of course the ideal solution is to have Kieth Brown make a pair of what ever you like (really easy if I am spending your money)

Good luck Troy

If you don't want to spend a whole lot of money on a good set of grips I'd check out the Herrett's CDNN is selling. I have some on one of my .38 CM's and they work great.

For my money (and for my own hand) the best all-around stocks ever made for the K-frame are the smooth combat style with finger grooves that Smith used a lot in about the late '80s and early '90s. I used them on my full house PPC gun and loved them, they are still on my 6" Model 66 for general use, and I even had a pair of the RB type on a K-frame snubbie. The Hogues shown by a previous poster come close, but I like the originals.

Now for looks, especially with a period K-38, I would try to find a set of Ropers or Sandersons, but they are strictly for target use without regard for carry-ability, and since they have to fit your hand about exactly and aren't being made anymore (IIRC) I wouldn't hold my breath hoping on getting a set of them.

JMHO~YMMV
Green Frog

I agree....

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Aaron, I agree with D C Wilson. Fellow member Kurac makes about as good as I can find and at a very reasonable price IMHO. I am a large kid with large hands and Johns grips are like a custom fit for me. Got another pair in the mail headed this way now. Added a pic of Kuracs on my 29.

regards

Bill

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before you buy,check out ahrends grips too. several styles and several different woods available. right now, i am on a kurac kick.

Another vote for the service stocks and a T-Grip. I have this arrangement on my K-.22. The "wedge" effect that you get on your middle finger between the rear of the trigger guard and the T-Grip is steadying for me. Your hand also can get a very high grip; when cocked single action, I have a little bit of the skin between my thumb and forefinger tucked into the space between the hammer and the top of the grip frame, which means that the sights are LOW and, again, very steady.

I have the S&W target stocks on my Model 14 (and others). They are OK, but like all of these they are just a bit too cumbersome at the butt to my liking. That's not such a bad thing with heavy recoiling guns when a two-handed hold is often employed, but seem to be overkill to me on a .38. They do get an "A" for appearance.

If you value custom - as in made from a hand tracing, beautiful wood and exquisite craftsmanship check out Keith Brown's web site.
I've got three pairs and have been known to make a few custom things myself...

problem is the price though, the price of a good new to you M19 revolver or any number of second or third gen autos is too much to ask for a nice pair of stocks, especially considering that the pachmayr grips already have palm swells built into them, however if they were in the 100 - 150 range I'd jump on them but 400 and up? no that's too much to ask.

and I swear by the pachmayr gripper grips on almost all of my smith revolvers, they all have them. the one exception is a 49 that came with Blue PSG grips on it that already perfectly fit my hand.

although I have to admit I have been looking into wood alternatives to the pachmayr's but I have yet to really find one for about a 100 bucks that's as good as them.


Although I have been thinking about picking up a pair of ahrend grips rigged up to look like the old smith and wesson combat grips but almost none of the wood grips look anywhere near as nice as I'd like them to and honestly they look abit on the dull side finish wise.

and I have thought about going with hogue wood grips but I dont care for the feel of the rubber ones which the wood ones look like their based on.

"problem is the price though, the price of a good new to you M19 revolver or any number of second or third gen autos is too much to ask for a nice pair of stocks, especially considering that the pachmayr grips already have palm swells built into them, however if they were in the 100 - 150 range I'd jump on them but 400 and up? no that's too much to ask."

Not too if you appreciate the wood and craftsmanship....not to mention that they seem to find a ready secondary market here at close to retail.
I put a set of Browns on a minty M17 that I snagged at a bargain price.The Browns cost me more than the gun-I'm fine with that.