Hi Folks, I saw one of the reproduction N-frame pre-war grip adaptor's on eBay at $125.00 starting bid. I'd love to play with one and see how it feels, but that seems a bit steep for a repro (I heard they are from China?). Is there a place to get one that is less expensive? Do they fit well on modern-era N-frame? Many thanks and God Bless, Marc

Hi Folks, I saw one of the reproduction N-frame pre-war grip adaptor's on eBay at $125.00 starting bid. I'd love to play with one and see how it feels, but that seems a bit steep for a repro (I heard they are from China?). Is there a place to get one that is less expensive? Do they fit well on modern-era N-frame? Many thanks and God Bless, Marc

One of our board members makes/made one at a reasonable price, plus an extra little rubber doohickey. I'm on the road and don't remember who (something about "merlin" in the name). Some of the board members more intelligent than I can tell you who and if they still make them.
Best of luck.

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and what his trumpet saith

Contact Dave Ballentyne at [email protected] for the full story.

This is a Kansas City issue RM with Dave's grip adaptor

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SWCA 1932 SWHF 135

Here's a prewar 38/44 HD.
It's wearing one of the 'new' grip adapters from Dave Ballantyne and Jerry Rodgers.
The adapters are made in Florida, USA.
The rubber pads can also be used on an original grip adapter...it'll fit perfectly.
A fantastic piece of equipment, well-made and very useful.
Don

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OGCA Life
NRA Life

Many thanks guys. Those adapters look excellent. I imagine guns so fitted feel about like Kearsarge grips? Does anyone know an approximate price for one of these little marvels? Many thanks, and God Bless, Marc

Marc,
The adapter, complete in its box, is $ 125, +/- as I recall.
The feel is unlike any type of target stocks, Kearsarge, Roper, Sanderson, etc.
These adapters do two things: First, the two steel plates make the grip thicker.
Second, the rubber pad 'lifts' the muzzle of the gun up, giving the target-shooter a 'natural' aiming position.
I understand that Elmer Keith was a S&W grip adapter fan, 'back in the day'.
Some shooters milled their Magna stocks to accept the grip adapters, and the combination of the longer Magna stocks and the grip adapter gave a 'feel' more similar to a modern target stock.
Below is a picture of S&W Registered
Magnum #3447.
It was a test-and-evaluation gun for S&W, manufactured in 1938.
It was also a 'loaner' to certain shooters of that era.
The Magnas were milled by the factory to accommodate the grip adapter.
Shooting position, feel and accuracy are fantastic with this setup.
The micro-click rear sight was added by the factory as one of the very first of its kind, and in 1946 the gun was sent to the Westfield, MA Police Dept for their evaluation.
The humpback hammer is original to the gun.
The grip adapter is an original.
Don

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NRA Life

I accomplished the same result with a pice of rubber from a grip strengthener. Cut to fit just like the pic then use Goo to put it on. Don't like it, just peel it off and no scratches or marrs of any kind. Works great