Bought a set of magnas from e-bay for my Victory model and when they arrived, they don't fit? Seems like the Victory frame is different? Has huge gap at top of grip. I thought all k frames fit this model? Guess I was wrong. Will go back on the hunt for original type of grip I guess. I will not pay what they are asking on e-bay for beat up grips. Looks like I might buy a set of reproduction from Numerich, $ 46.00, Ouch. Whats up with this model?

No idea. K-frame Magnas should fit OK - maybe not perfect, but OK. Look on eBay for original grips. Sarco usually has them also.

Are you sure the frame is the problem and not that particular set of grips? I've seen lots of post-war magnas, sharp-shoulder, round-shoulder, no-diamond post-68 style, on Victory frames, and while they may not look hand-fitted, "huge gap" sounds more dramatic than I've seen.

There are no Victory Models that are not K frames. Except for the Model 12 grips, any K frame grip will fit a Victory Model. If your gun is a real Victory model, then the problem is that the grips you bought are not for a K frame, or were altered by someone.Not sure why you would want incorrect Magnas on a Victory Model, but it's your gun and your choice. Actually on the Victory Models that I shoot for fun, I use Pachmayr rubber grips as they are much more comfortable for shooting. Good Luck, Ed.

There are known instances in which the grip frame has somehow been bent accidentally or purposely at some point in its existence. Maybe this is one of them. I'll agree that the rubber grips (I prefer Hogues) are superior for shooting comfort. In fact, the only grips I like are either rubber or smooth wood. I don't like checkered wood grips at all.

If you actually try a set you will see a big gap at the top of the grip. I tried from a friends k frame and his fit the same, big gap, I read that the Victory had different grips, I guess he knows what he is talking about, wished I would have listened to him, would have saved a few bucks. Anyway you learn by doing I have found in life, and when you listen to others, That's when you end up paying. ALL K FRAME GRIPS ARE NOT THE SAME. BUYER, BE WARE or at least know what you are buying.

If your not sure why I would wan't incorrect grips on my Victory why in the H--- would you want Pachmayr's on yours.?

OP,

You know that if you were to post photos of what you are trying to describe then we could actually see what you are talking about.

I have been shooting, repairing and collecting S&W revolvers for nearly 60 years. The only time I have ever seen stocks that do not fit the grip frame fairly closely, usually no more that 1/64-1/32" either + or -, is when someone has sanded the snot out of them, or if the stocks are on the large side and the grip frame is on the small side, there can be an overhang!

Sometimes grip frames do get bent, but rarely. The only real difference in grip frame sizes is what happens in the hand polishing process. Contrary to what you are claiming all K-Frame grip frames are, for all practical purposes, identical.

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Gunsmithing since 1961

Perhaps the new grips aren't K frame at all, but maybe N frame 1917's? As Alk80944 says, a photo is worth a thousand words.

In the absence of pictures of the "gap" and since I really wanted to figure this out, I got out a couple of my Victorys and my post-war M&P's and took off the stocks to determine actual, rather than just theoretical, compatibility of the post-war magnas with the Victory grip frame.

I may now have at least a speculative hunch what went wrong. On all three sets of magnas I tried out, from 1946, 1947, and 1959, the external dimensions fit the Victorys perfectly. However, to install them properly and get a snug fit, one would have to widen and/or deepen the lower hole for the steel centering peg on the frame (see picture attached). If you don't do that, you indeed end up with a gap between frame and grip panel.

I've seen lots of Victorys with magnas, but I've never done the operation. At least judged by my limited sample (two Victorys, three sets of magnas), it's not a drop-in switch. I'm curious whether that might be the issue with the OP's stocks.

Attached Images

peg.JPG (43.7 KB, 104 views)

Thanks for responses. Ended up selling the grips to a friend. I have started looking at pictures of Victory models and noticed the same gap at the top of the grip in many pictures. The problem is where the Smith Wesson insignia is. Its not as deep as the rest of the grip. They might seem to fit the Victory but the tops have a significant gap. Anyway I am waiting on a pair designed for them. The grips I sold to my friend fit his gun perfect. To me if you have to sand or remove the insignia's to make it fit, than its not worth the hassle. This is not my gun but another gun from internet. If you look close at top of photo you can see the gap I am talking about. If you were to turn the gun the gap is quite a bit both in front and to the rear. It wouldn't be bad but I wanted to make Tyler T grips work with these grips. With that amount of gap they would fall off.

Attached Images

14dgkjo.jpg (51.2 KB, 180 views)

Is the gap wider on one side than the other??

DW

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"NUTS"

The gap is the same on both sides. Its like the top part of the magna grip is not recessed enough at the top of the grip to fit in the frame all the way. They were original Smith Wesson grips also. The bottom of the grip fit flush, just the top part would not fit flush.

Nice Victory, nice set of diamond grips. Too bad they didn't work for you. Good that you could sell them and get some or all of your money back.

Dunno what the problem is. I have Magnas on both of my VMs for shooting comfort and they fit fine.

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No life story has happy end.

Did you put those on without any fitting? I do seem to have an thing about me that attracts guns with weird oddities, so nothing surprises me anymore when it comes to S&W's I bought. I guess I could force those magnas onto the Victory peg for a tight fit with a few good whacks with a rubber mallet (which I'm not going to try for obvious reasons), but they definitely don't fit right on.

If you have a picture of those same grips behind and in front it would be nice to see a picture of it. Everyone always shows the picture from the side, how about the rear of the back strap and front ?

After looking at your grips closely, you have the gap also, bet a set of Tylers would not fit yours right either.

They fit fine. Went right on without fitting. I don't need to take a photo I can look right at them. There is no gap. I have no idea what you are talking about.

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No life story has happy end.

OK no picture, no proof, anybody can take a picture from the side.

I am not saying these grips don't fit the frame. They just have a big gap that won't allow Tyler T grip to fit right. Mine didn't and I bet others don't either.

Come on PIG lets see it.

I have fitted old K-frame grips which don't fit quite properly, and it's usually not that much work to get them seated more or less OK. My favorite tool is a woman's fingernail emery board.

I don't see the gap on SaxonPig's guns and he say's there is no gap then there is not one.Just leave it alone

Sounds like your saying the black washer on the back of the grip is not seating underneath the lip of the frame. That would cause a gap on the frame where the T grip flaps go in between the grip and frame.

When you try grips next time put the top of the grip in FIRST (the washer part) under the frame lip then put flush to the frame. If the pin at the bottom does not line up with the hole it is possible it is bent a little causing it not to line up. Any over hang at the bottom would be common and may need sanded some like the factory fitters did.

Folks here have tried to be patient and helpful. There is no need to cop an attitude with one of our most respected and knowledgeable members.

Better pictures of your problem would be useful to those attempting to assist you.

The most insightful reply yet. I would build on the above guidance by suggesting that the stock alignment pin be removed (driven out with a punch) and each grip panel be held to the frame to evaluate fit around the outside edges of the frame.

If the fit is good hold one panel at a time in its best fit position and mark through frame's pin hole where the pin hole needs to be in each wood panel. Then the decision is whether to enlarge the hole . . . fill the existing hole and drill a new one . . . or find a better fitting pair of stocks.

Russ

Wrong grip screw would cause problems, but that should be obvious. Or, should be a flat screw in the side plate corner of a Victory, I think. If that's a dome head screw it will cause the right grip panel to stand out if it isn't relieved for it.

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Cy

This will be last post on this subject. I got rid of the grips so it is kind of hard to take a picture of it. The metal washer was not hitting the frame in anyway. The grip was not cut properly at top, I don't know what else to say. It didn't fit so I sold it to someone else. It fit there gun not mine. Didn't mean to offend anyone but it is so easy to take a picture now days, Wished I would have took a picture but didn't think it would be this hard to explain what was going on with the fit. Anyway I know most here try there best to give out good info . If I irritated some, sorry.

The Victory models came with service grips, not Magnas, and had dome head side plate screws. For Magnas to fit properly, they do need to have the right grip slightly relieved where they touch the sideplate screw.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Grips/stocks from a square butt pre Model 12 will cause the gap shown in the photo. That could be the issue.

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Tim
SWCA #2697

"Ended up selling the grips to a friend."

That is surprising. Not that you sold the grips...

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No life story has happy end.

Seems like the right thing to do. He paid what I paid, nothing more.

Hi forum;

Attached pics of my Victory as it came into my possession...complete with the Magna's, unmodified...even for fitting, grips come and go easily, no "gap" anywhere and left panel is clearly marked 357 which other forum members described at the time to probably be for a circa 60's or 70's Model 19.
I have a Model 19-3 with exactly the same grips and these grips interchange also easily.....19 to Vic...Vic to 19.

Attached Images

	Victory-1.jpg (59.9 KB, 74 views)
	Victory-5.jpg (67.9 KB, 54 views)
	Victory-9.jpg (38.4 KB, 58 views)

You have target grips. Post # 15 shows Magna grips.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Muleygil is right on the money (as usual). I'm still learnen as a newbie Smith collector.

My 19-3 also has the Target grips (covers the backstrap and forestrap ?......right?).

My screwup folks.

Charlie B.

Attached Images

	S&W model 19-1.JPG (22.1 KB, 18 views)
	S&W model 19-2.JPG (26.2 KB, 20 views)

The backstrap is open, but the forestrap is covered.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Lets see pictures from your gun and problem. You have yet to show us what is going on with your gun and if there is a problem at all.

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A Snider squibbed n the Jungle

Good one. I get it!

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A Snider squibbed n the Jungle

Here are both of my VMS from the front with Magans.







And from the rear. Not a gap in sight.

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No life story has happy end.

Pig, I gotta give you credit. run to where? Why didn't you just do that to begin with?

You talk to me like that to my face or shut up. I don't have time for your childish behavior. Your insults are growing wearisome.

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No life story has happy end.

It's like rolling a boulder uphill......

Grown men drawing lines on the playground......

Let me tell you a question?

Condescension........

A curious name chosen and insults invited with a tag line.....
I'm about to fix that. Get ready for the moaning and wailing.
Or the silent pouting.
I'd suggest flak vests and handkerchiefs.....

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett