Why are combat and target grips called that?

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jamesallen

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Does anyone know why grips with finger grooves are called "combat grips," and why those without finger grooves are called "target grips"?
Is there some theory regarding why grooveless grips are more appropriate for target shooting, and why grooves are more appropriate for combat?
I know that I can engage in target shooting or combat with whatever grip I shoot better with, and that those are mostly arbitrary names. But is there some origin story behind the two names?
 
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I expect some better answers than my answer, but here goes.

Back in the day nearly all S&W revolvers were shipped with Magna stocks. Full, beefy "target" stocks were an accessory available from S&W and S&W named them.

When the Combat stocks came out in the 1980's, S&W named those also, advertised them in the glossy catalog and also marked the end label as "CS" for "combat stocks."

So the easy answer is that S&W named them as such.
 
Sevens said:
I expect some better answers than my answer, but here goes.

Back in the day nearly all S&W revolvers were shipped with Magna stocks. Full, beefy "target" stocks were an accessory available from S&W and S&W named them.

When the Combat stocks came out in the 1980's, S&W named those also, advertised them in the glossy catalog and also marked the end label as "CS" for "combat stocks."

So the easy answer is that S&W named them as such.
Click to expand...

Based on that, it sounds like S&W applied the names purely arbitrarily, and that target stocks don't actually have anything to do with target shooting, and combat stocks don't have anything to do with combat. That will be my theory until I hear a better one.
 
.455_Hunter said:
Non-PC magnas work well on most SB non-magnum platforms, plus the .357 N-frames. The factory target grips, particularly the N-frame ones offered in the 70's and 80's, are similar to holding a 2"x2".
Click to expand...

Depends on the size of your hands. Personally Magnas without a grip adapter are a nonstarter. Same for most finger grooved grips. K & N Targets show better results on the timer and target for me. Pachy presentations better still.

YMMV
 
Birdhunter6 said:
Depends on the size of your hands. Personally Magnas without a grip adapter are a nonstarter. Same for most finger grooved grips. K & N Targets show better results on the timer and target for me. Pachy presentations better still.

YMMV
Click to expand...

I have L/XL hands, but also played drums (concert band and snare in marching band) for 13 years from age 10 to 22, so perhaps they grew to confirm to the magnas better than most. However, I do find the ever popular grip adaptors to be completely worthless. I also go with the non-groove Pachmyar Presentations (size small) for .41/.44 magnum N-frames and .357 magnum K/L-frames. They are a nice split between the magnas and the targets. I also like factory New Service grips too.
 
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Finger groove stocks have been around for a long time. Dan Wesson coined the term "Combat" in the mid-late 1970's. They may not be the first, but they embraced the name well before S&W. Others quickly followed suit...

If the grooves fit your hand, they provide a secure grip and less readjusting when firing quickly.
 
While I suspect calling some grips targets and others combat is only a naming, marketing endeavor, if you have ever handled a muddy, wet, oily, cold handgun, or maybe bloody , having some sort of finger groove grips can help in keeping the firearm in your hand. Plus, if the gun holder has big hands, like me, the bigger the grip the better it is. I put big "log" grips on my Python, because otherwise it hurts my knuckle in shooting. I am waiting on bigger than the Target grips on my 27-2 before I want to shoot it again, hurts my knuckle.

For my handguns that have a choice of magazines with "pinky' extensions on the mag bottom, i use only them. As for S&W naming their grip styles, I suspect there was some guy in marketing who came up with what sounded like a manly name for their grip styles. But in some circumstances, finger groove grips can be almost essential. SF VET
 
The only finger groove grips that fit my XXL hands is the N Frame Combat grips from Smith. All others my fingers hit the pointy ridges. I'll take a Smith N Frame full size target grips all day long.

Those Magna's I have as a collector, but they are a joke on par with the cap guns in my youth.
 
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