Hey guys, I've been looking for a hunting revolver for deer that I can comfortably use with my small hands. A ruger sp101 feels just about great in my hands, just to give you an idea. I have a super blackhawk that feels huge, and a 629 that feels not quite as huge. So what would you suggest? I'm open to ruger or smith in at least 357. And revolver only with a minimum 6 inch barrel. Thanks.
Hunting revolver for small hands
- Thread starter Poeschel
- Start date
You might want to check out an N frame with round butt in .44 magnum for deer. Pac Compact grips make for a pretty small grip. I think the 629 comes in round butt with round to square grips. In 1996 they went to round butt only. Yours might have the RB with large grips, in which case all you would have to do is change them out.
Pisgah
Member
Get magna-style grips and a Tyler T-grip for that 629. Or, try a Bisley Blackhawk.
Lobster Picnic
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I would look at the L-frame Smith 686.
If you can compromise a bit on bbl. length, you might consider the S&W J frame Model 60-18. Its a round butt, 5 shot, adj. sight 357 in stainless with 5 inch bbl. I have one and it shoots great. Various J frame grips in round butt style are available and I'm sure you could find one that suits you. Mine with Target style grips weighs in at around 28 oz.
DeadWhiteGoose
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Go with a 6" 686 in .357. The newer models have round butts but come stock with a round to square conversion grip. Switch it out for a round butt grip and it should fit your hands better. I have big hands but I like the look of a round butt. Heres my 686 Plus Pro Series with round butt grips
Pointshoot
Member
I'd get a set of Herretts custom grips. You send them a tracing of your hand and the butt of the gun and they will make them to fit you. Also would probably be a good idea to call them and tell them what youre looking for. The round butt on an N frame is pretty small, or you could go with an L frame 357.
viceunit
Member
Standard target grips on an N frame are just a tad too big for me. Keith Brown makes a beautiful Coke style target grip that is just slightly smaller than standard Cokes and they feel great for me, but I am hesitant to get a set for woods carry because they are like art. I have been using an old set of Pachmayr grips. They used to make an N frame small and I found a pair at a gun show years ago. They work good for me on a 29-2 6 1/2". When the gun goes back in the safe the S&W targets go back on. You will find, through trial and error, the right grip for your 629. IMO, you should stick with a caliber starting with a "4" for handgun deer hunting - and you already have a good one in the 629. Good luck.
JackSavage
Member
This is a 41mag 657-4 Mountain Gun which fits my small hand very well. For the past two years I keep hoping a deer will give me a chance within 10-40 yards will stand still, which has not happened yet.
I'll get beat up for this on the S&W board, but you can put SP101 grips on a Ruger GP100 or Super Redhawk. If you want a S&W, and who wouldn't?, consider a round butt 686, or an N frame with Hogue Bantam grips, which are pretty minimal in size. There are other compact grips out there, and you will probably want to experiment a bit to get a perfect fit.
gatekeeper
US Veteran
I like my 386 XL Hunter, the L frame gives many options for a variety of K andL frame smaller grips. The scandium makes it light enough (30 Ounces) to scope and still be lighter than my 629 Classic (48.3 Ounces)without a scope. Make sure you get the correct barrel length required by you State for hunting.
mg357
Absent Comrade
I suggest a S&W model 686 with a 4 inch barrel i have small hands myself and that specific S&W model 686 fits me reasonably well.
SP-101 with adjustables and 4.2" barrel? Got one for the wife and I sort of like it too. Small, fits small hands well, accurate and easy to shoot, five rounds of .357.
I'm very fond of N frames, but I last carried one around 1973 for one week.
I'm very fond of N frames, but I last carried one around 1973 for one week.
silentflyer
Member
Take a look at a Dan Wesson 15-2 with 8" barrel and Hogue grips a smaller frame, but the longer barrel delivers extra velocity.
Killed a nice buck at 75 yards with one of these some years ago. Lot of bang for the buck...
Killed a nice buck at 75 yards with one of these some years ago. Lot of bang for the buck...
riverrat38
US Veteran
I would go with a K or L frame, also. The grips are the same, so the M686 seems like a good one to handle a stout hunting load.
I buy Ahrends RB grips and specify unfinished. Then, I shape to fit with 60 and 80 grip paper. If they are thinned down a bit, they would fit smaller hands. I also cut the points on the finger grooves down to about half their original size. The grooves can be deepened, also. After that, I finish with 220 grit and Tung oil. This process would give the smallest grips that can be used on a K or L frame, as they don't extend beyond the back of the grip frame, and thinning to fit extends the finger reach.
Best,
Rick
I buy Ahrends RB grips and specify unfinished. Then, I shape to fit with 60 and 80 grip paper. If they are thinned down a bit, they would fit smaller hands. I also cut the points on the finger grooves down to about half their original size. The grooves can be deepened, also. After that, I finish with 220 grit and Tung oil. This process would give the smallest grips that can be used on a K or L frame, as they don't extend beyond the back of the grip frame, and thinning to fit extends the finger reach.
Best,
Rick
K1500
Member
A Blackhawk has pretty small grips.
TrueTexan
Member
The Xframe grips are the same as the K and L Frames so you could go with a .500 mag.
M3Stuart
Member
I handled a security six (service? - anyway, the one with the adj sights) with a 6" barrel with the original wood stocks at the LGS yesterday for $350. Not a scratch on it. Before that, I would have said you need a S&W K or L (with a 6") for small hands. I think it has the 'service' grips with the backstrap showing vs. the target style. I'm thinking it's no bigger than the SP101 - though it's not a round butt like the SP101.
Edit: I just checked GB and saw a couple 6" Security Sixes in the mid-$300 range. You could put hogue bantams on it.
Edit: I just checked GB and saw a couple 6" Security Sixes in the mid-$300 range. You could put hogue bantams on it.
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M2MikeGolf
US Veteran
I have small hands, and have never been comfortable with the normal grips necassary to tame big recoil; I've had the GP-100, Redhawk, 27, 29, etc, etc. Not sure how Ahrend's finger grooved combats work on a N-Frame, but I will attest to them on an L-frame. They fit better than any revolver grip I've ever had, and better than almost all pistols. I highly recommend them; classic wood look, great control, and no problems with the hottest loads (in .357 anyway). I imagine they would be even better with a 6" tube.
Triggernosis
Member
How about a 60-18...5" barrel .357 Mag. Should do fine for deer.
