I was fortunate to grab a circa-1967 M12-2 this week that was sitting unloved on the shelf of my LGS. So thrilled to find this little gem...it reminds me of the M19 that Uncle Sam assigned me back in the mid-80's when Special Agents still carried revolvers on duty. Hope to get it out to the range next week.

What I didn't realize, however, was how difficult it is to find grips for them! The stock rubber ones are in great shape, but I just prefer wood. My understanding is that any regular K-frame set will be slightly too large for this model. Which brings to mind two questions:

1). Does anyone know where one can find grips?

2). Just HOW big would K-frame grips be? So big that they are sloppy and move when shooting, or just a tad too big that may be a bit unsightly upon close inspection but otherwise fine?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Attached Images

SW 12-2.jpg (14.0 KB, 39 views)

I'm no expert, but I have a 1966 M10-5, it has the factory service grips, I think will be nice on that gun, if you have small or medium size hands, you can go to Altamont.com, and look at them, that looks like a K Frame round butt, they will be smaller grips if you are going to carry, I think they have a good price W/ Free shipping, that gun may have come with those grips when new, not sure, they may be called magna grips also, they also have other type grips, good luck Clifford..

The difference between Model 10 and Model 12 stocks is seen at the top as a gap between the side of the frame and the "horn" of the stocks. The major thickness of the M-12 frame is .080" thinner than the steel frame models, while the grip portion of the frame is the same. This results in a .040" gap under the horn. Other than this they are the same size.

Standard K-frame stocks can be used on the model 12 by sanding the .040" off the back of the stocks by laying sandpaper on a flat surface and then rubbing each stock half over the sandpaper. It is usually referred to as flat sanding. This is a lot easier than finding original Model 12 stocks! I don't understand why you referred to those Pachmayr grips as original, they are not. The various rubber stocks are very often seen on Model 12s because they don't have the problem of the gap under the horn. You can also get reproduction hard rubber style stocks for it from N.C. Ordnance. They make the gun look like the first M&P Air Weight guns when they were introduced in 1935, and there is no issue with the gap since they do not have the horn at the top!

The gun looks like the finish is in good shape. Be aware that the anodizing on the aluminum frame can wear more quickly than a steel frame if the gun is carried in a holster much.

If you have inspected the gun and it is sound you are in good shape. Be aware that some wag will be along shortly to tell you about Model 12 frames cracking! Some people seem to believe this is a common occurrence, it is not, so just ignore whoever does this. While the Aluminum framed models are seen to crack at the bottom of the lunette, for some reason people pick on the Model 12 incessantly, while rarely saying anything about any of the many other models that are Aluminum!

You should enjoy that gun, believe me, I have owned five of them and still have four. They are a joy to carry and much easier to shoot well than the J-frames because they are big enough for someone with normal size hands to hold onto.

I would show you a picture of my M-12s, but I don't have a photo program on this new computer.