Gentlemen:

While I have owned and shot many Smiths over the past 45 years, I am at best an advanced Novitiate on this forum.I of course own and have read Jink's book...but am not an expert on Smiths.

I will be acquiring a Combat Masterpiece 4 screw in the near future.SN K 63AXX...4".Absoluely mint condition...doubt it has even seen a box of shells fired through it.This will be from a very close friend's estate and I would like to solute him (RIP) with giving the handgun new grips.

My plan is to use and fire this Smith occasionally...maybe carry it for scouting trips for hunting.Don't plan to hotrod the gun into a mini 19 or 66...but plan to use +P handloads as needed and properly loaded.

So let's call this a semi-working gun brought out of retirement after a long siesta.

Grips: I'd like to replace the diamond grips with something really nice.Maybe smooth factories...or rosewood...or goncalo alves...I have pretty good size hands.No idea today who offers these in quality grips...your input would be valued.

Holster:what RH side carry holsters would be least abrasive but secure? Remember, this is for semi recreational carry under reasonable field/scouting conditions.Lost track of who makes nice leather holsters that really fit a K-15 4".

Bottom line: the CM will be carried some...shot a bit...and treasured always as a memento to a wonderful friend.

Thanks
7STW

Keith Brown Ropers would be my choice for the grips.

Save the original grips where they will be found so they can passed along to future generation with the gun.

Make sure the holster is a little snug, it's that wiggling around that really wears the finish.

Welcome to the forum.

The most important feature for a holster to preserve the gun's finish is a lining with smooth side towards the gun. The flesh side of the leather in an unlined holster retains dirt and grit and will 'sand' off the blue finish.

I also spray my lining with silicone to mitigate all friction.

__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819

Grips depend upon your budget and tastes. You can pay about as much or as little as you want. I also prefer a smooth wood grip. If you are economy minded, look on eBay at some of the K-frame Thai wood grips listed there. They are very inexpensive, but quite nice and fit well. I have bought two pairs, and couldn't be happier with them. On the other hand, you can go the other direction and spend $500 for Keith Brown grips. If you do that, you will always be worred about scratching or denting them. For outdoor use, I'd go cheap just to avoid worrying about damage. For most of my "shootin'" guns, I use rubber Hogues or Pachmayrs (better for big hands), and keep the factory grips in a big coffee can.

Culinagrips.com is another maker of nice grips.

If you like Stag type, our member Patrick Grasshorn creates excellent Elk stag grips, and will make to your size preferences. For a holster that covers most all the gun very well and very securely look at Simply Rugged's offerings. I have one I carry short barreled N Frames in when in the field and they offer maximum protection.
These are an example of the Grasshorn grips (he can leave as much or as little bark as you want).


Notice how the holster completely covers and protects.

__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Thanks to all who responded to this thread.

In the event, purchased a new set of Rosewood factory finger grooves with medallions from Ebay.

These look very nice and the price was reasonable.



Regards
7STW

They should serve your purpose well.

I had two pair of those and they do fit my hand extremely well. I eventually replaced them with original Smith solid wood stocks though. I just couldn't get used to the look of laminated wood.

__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819

Thanks for the post.
Regarding your request, I have a similar gun and chose Simply Rugged Cattleman for mine. Have several of them. They hold the gun securely and provide great coverage. Robs pancake holsters are great too. Just keep it clean(wiped down) after use and it will last longer than you will.
BTW, mine shoots almost everything very well.

This may sound bizarre...but I'm looking for some spiritual guidance here.

This piece is as close to mint/no box etc as you can find.It has been fired maybe 20 rounds based on the scoring on the front of the chamber mouths and barrel gap.

Everything matches the serial # and the Diamond Grips are original.

In short, a wonderful and wonderfully preserved CM 4'".

I want to shoot this gun.Treat it with respect, but also enjoy it for what it is.

I am not trying to troll for collectors value, as that doesn't concern me.

Question:have others on this board turned similar models into "everyday" shooters...or am I just being overly anal on what is a "no big deal" CM?

Thanks in advance.

guns are made to be fired. shoot it, clean it, and take care of it, and you will get the most enjoyment out of it

I like the Combat Masterpiece and have a couple .. they shoot, balance, and carry well ... if it is too nice to shoot and too nice to carry all you're doing is passing on the pleasure to someone else. I suggest it be used at your pleasure ... just a little normal cleaning and maintenance and they last more than a lifetime of which you only have one.

If you can't force yourself to get it dirty now and then, well buy another for practice/use and put this in the safe. Guns that I really like .. I always buy two anyway ..

It's your gun and you seem to appreciate it for what it is. I also have a 4" CM that looks to have spent all of its life in a sock drawer before I purchased it. For me it will never see the inside of a holster. I have stainless revolvers that I've frequently carried and I never even look for wear. My best blued guns are shot often but given the care needed to stay pretty. I would hate to grimace at hoster wear every time I cleaned it.

Shoot it, enjoy it. Remember your good friend every time you do. Proper care and maintenance along with prudent handling will preserve the condition for years to come. as for the holstering? I would avoid that.

I didn't know your friend, but I suspect he would have wanted you to enjoy shooting that nice gun.

__________________
Oh well, what the hell.

The best way to ease one's mind about shooting a mint condition 4 screw CM is to have another 4 screw CM in lesser condition. Instant excuse to buy another S&W, what could be wrong with that?