Bought a 1940's 5 screw .38 square grip a couple of weeks ago. Non-original gun w/refinish and newer barrel, but works fine and was not much money. Also had after market wood grips that were lousy.

Today I bought some Pachmyr rubber grips (I believe they're the "presentation" style...no finger recesses). I got them used for $5 at a gun show. But, the are for N frame. (Also have a pre-28)

Just for the heck of it, I thought I'd try them on this gun. There is a gap between the back of the grip frame and the matching interior surface of the rubber grip, but other than that they fit very snug.

Any reason I couldn't use this grip if I fill the gap between the grip frame and the rubber surface? I'm thinking of using a strip of black rubber I have and some sort of adhesive. There's no discernible movement in the grip when the screw is snug, and I'm thinking the larger N frame grip might even be more shock absorbing.

If you stick something in the gap so they won't shift around I don't see a problem. The only real issue about grips is, use what feels and works the best for YOU on a certain gun. Pretty grips are nice for pictures and showing off but if they don't perform.....

Lose fitting stocks can trap grit and debris between the stocks and the gun. Under recoil this trash has been known to scratch the finish under the stocks. Soft rubber seems to be the worst offender.

Of course, I forgot to mention (but I think you all have correctly presumed) that my gun is a K frame.

Due to the refinish and mods, I consider the gun a shooter. I was surprised that the N frame grips tightened so snugly to a K frame gun.

You don't want to use poorly fitting grips.

I hate rubber grips but I may have a set I took off a recent purchase. If I can find a K frame set for a square butt gun in the "box of stuff" I'll send them to you if you want them.

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Thank you for your kind offer, SaxonPig. I actually have some Pachmyr "gripper" type rubber grips that will fit a k frame. I just really dislike that particular model because they really aren't thick enough to fit my hand well.

Rather than trouble you for your grips, I can just spend an exrtra 15 bucks and get a set of Pachmyr "presentations" for a K frame.

The points about ill fitting grips are well taken. The problem w/ the aftermarket grips that came with the gun is that they didn't fit right - they shifted and loosened after a while. Really bad.

Thanks for the input everyone. I'll save the Rube Goldberg solutions for my plumbing projects

I like the Pachmayr Presentation grips. Not unusual to find used ones at gun shows for $10-15 a pair. I recently bought a new K-frame pair off eBay for $19, shipping included. I greatly prefer them for shooting purposes, and I don't think they look bad.

I agree with everything you said, DWalt. The Pachmayr Presentations are about the only rubber grips that I think look good. I like factory wood, mostly.

I do have a set of Hogues on my SP101 .357 Ruger, though, cause that gun is in serious need of extra gripping power.

I also have a spare set of what must be older Pachmayr GRIPPER grips - I say older because they don't have the emblem on them and they look slightly thicker than my other set of GRIPPER grips. I MIGHT try those on my newly acquired K frame just to see if the slightly thicker contour helps me hold on a little better. When my model 64 had Pach Grippers on it, the thinness didn't work for me.

One benefit to the Pach grips is that they cover the entire grip frame, therefore your sweaty hands don't touch any metal and cause bad things to happen. I keep my good wood grips put away for the day I might sell the gun. Or maybe sell them in the event I get strapped for cash. I don't believe the insane prices original grips are bringing now. I have a fortune in my grip storage container (a 3# coffee can in my garage).