N-frame grips or K-frame grips?

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Jack71

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I'm communicating with an eBay vendor who has what he says is a pair of used N-frame target grips for sale. After a couple of messages, he's not sure if they are N-frame or K-frame.

How can he tell for sure if he lacks a gun to put them on and there is no letter on the back to identify them? I don't have a set of N-frame targets, so I can't give him any measurements.

Any ideas?
 
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Jack,

Pictures of the inside of the grips will tell the story, as simmitt has suggested. I could try to describe the difference, but I'm not confident I could make it clear. If the stocks are on ebay, there should be a picture of the inside of each panel. If we could see that, we could readily tell you which frame size they fit.

Best wishes,
Andy
 
Pachmayr grips come in two forms. The oldest ones were fastened at the rear, and opened at the front like a clam shell. The newer ones were two piece. The older style are usually marked on the inside at the top in a brief fashion while the newer two piece are clearly marked. Pic of the newer style attached. They also often had a large and small grip for the same size frame. Can't put my hands on the old style at the moment. I have a few sets somewhere...
 

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If they are factory target grips, the best way I know to tell (other than fitting them on a gun) is to look at the space to the front of the washer and behind the washer.

If they are N-Frame the two spaces will be approximately equal. If they are K-Frame the space in front of the washer will be bigger than the space behind the washers.

Another way to say it is if they are N-Frame the washer will be centered front to rear, if they are K-Frame then the washers will be offset towards the rear of the grips.
 
Thanks for these replies! The seller didn't post photos of the inside of the grips, but I'll ask him to do so.
 
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glenwolde said:
I must be having a senior moment. I don't know how I read "Pachmayr" into your post. Ooopsie....
Click to expand...
Well, actually I didn't say in my initial post that they were factory target grips. So you weren't really off with your comments, no problem and thanks for your input.
 
Jack71 said:
So the grips with the silver colored washer are for an N-Frame and the one with the black washer are K-frame?
Click to expand...

Yup. I didn't have photos to share (I only WISH I had a set of N-targets) so I could only try to describe the differences in my post...
 
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You can use N frame target stocks on a K frame if you wish. Yes, they are a little too large. They will fit. My 1919 M&P K frame came to me wearing N diamond targets. The N targets are now for my 28 no dash.
So, what I am saying, is if you like them, and the price is right, it is hard to loose. Bob
 
bananaman said:
You can use N frame target stocks on a K frame if you wish. Yes, they are a little too large. They will fit. My 1919 M&P K frame came to me wearing N diamond targets. The N targets are now for my 28 no dash.
So, what I am saying, is if you like them, and the price is right, it is hard to loose. Bob
Click to expand...
Thanks Bob, I knew that. Back in the early 70s I picked up a pair of used diamond N-frame target stocks for (IIRC) $5.00 for my M-15 K-frame. I sanded the excess wood off along the back of the grips and they fit nicely, except for a gap at the bottom of the frame.
I sold the gun after owning it a few years and the grips when along with it. Can you imagine finding a pair of factory N-frame diamond target grips for anything close to that price today? Of course, after I sanded them down to fit a K-frame they became almost worthless......
However, I don't know any way to use K grips on an N-frame.
 
hardcase60 said:
Suggestion, if you like the grips/stocks buy them. If they don't fit, then buy something they will fit. If you don't want to buy another gun then sell them on here. hardcase60
Click to expand...
This is my approach. These were on Ebay advertised as K frames. They turned out to be N's. I didn't own a N frame at the time but soon found one they look great on.



 
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