629 Mountain Gun - which grips?

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pdcrig

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So, I've got a Mountain Gun that I really like. It's accurate if I do my part and the epitome of handy. That said, it's a pain in the hand with even moderate+ loads. I can shoot a few cylinders before my hand starts to feel it but I ache the next day. Full house loads are brutal but I'll shoot a few cylinders just to stay in practice. I've gone through at least three grip styles and still haven't found the right one. It started with the Hogue rubbers (worthless junk in my opinion) and then I moved to some Ahrends finger groove combat grips. These were comfortable to hold and lovely to look at but didn't do much to spread recoil across my hand. I've currently got Hogue X Frame rubber grips on it but they're still not sufficient. I've got regular sized hands and have come to the realization that all these grips are just too narrow for me.
So, who's got the best grips that combine good looks (i.e. wood) with recoil control? I like the look of Ahrends retro targets but are they any wider than their combats? Do any of the Altamont designs help? I'm almost to the point of sending off for some custom Harretts but just can't spend that much money now.
Any advice/experience is welcomed. Thanks.
 
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I'm a fan of the ahrends combat grips, but you're right they don't do much for recoil reduction. My 625 is comfortable to shoot with them, but the 629 was a little less than pleasant. My solution on the 629 was pachmayr decelerators (the rubber wraps around and covers the backstrap), worked great for recoil reduction but wasn't much to look at.
 

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Now that you mention it, I tried Pachys and had to return them. The fit was so bad they didn't conform to the frame well. They were worse than Hogues.
 
Tried any of the Hogue wood grips? You can get them with no,single or full finger grooves. They are wider than their rubber versions and wider than the Ahrends or Altamont grips which would spread recoil over a wider area of your palm.
 
grip frame said:
Tried any of the Hogue wood grips? You can get them with no,single or full finger grooves. They are wider than their rubber versions and wider than the Ahrends or Altamont grips which would spread recoil over a wider area of your palm.
Click to expand...

Good to know. I haven't put hands on a set of wood Hogues and the pictures on their website don't really show that aspect. I'll check into them.

I do reload for the .44 and haven't settled on a load that balances accuracy with velocity yet. But I haven't experimented in a while and need to get back to the bench, both the range and reloading bench.

Thanks guys.
 
What I experience with the Mt. Guns is to keep every thing smooth. I know black rubber, finger grooves and nice checkering look pretty and at times have a place. However they also tend to grab on to you transmitting recoil. A smooth stock that supports the web of your hand between thumb, forefinger and palm will allow the gun to slide under recoil . When the stock is smooth it dissipates the force over distance softening the felt recoil. I'm not speaking of a limp grip here, or a vise lock, but something in between, firm but yielding. For comfortable shooting that gives you the range time needed to develop control and accuracy, I power down. 240's around 750 to 800 fps and end my range sessions with a couple cylinders of full house. Try Herrett's a little wider a little fuller.
 
Best for me are a set of John Culinas, (Kurac, 650-450-2955), RB Combats. Smooth, comfortable, classy and very attractive. I am waiting to try, a set of Blu Magic "Skeeter Skelton" RB to SB which are adjusted to my hand size.
 
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My Mountain Gun came with Hogue rubber grips which are OK for recoil management. However, I've transitioned to Altamont grips.

The Altamonts work well for my use. For range fun I use more lighter handloads than full power loads. When hunting season grows close, I run a few more of the full power hunting loads. The Altamonts work OK for this level of use. To be fully honest, I did round off some of the sharp corners on these grips.

Regardless of the grips, some of us are less tolerant of recoil. Then again, big booming rounds are fun!

Edmo

S&W 629-5 Mountain Gun - Chambered in 44 Magnum
IMG_1420_zpstoq27pfi.jpg
 
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Edmo said:
My Mountain Gun came with Hogue rubber grips which are OK for recoil management. However, I've transitioned to Altamont grips.

The Altamonts work well for my use. For range fun I use more lighter handloads than full power loads. When hunting season grows close, I run a few more of the full power hunting loads. The Altamonts work OK for this level of use. To be fully honest, I did round off some of the sharp corners on these grips.

Regardless of the grips, some of us are less tolerant of recoil. Then again, big booming rounds are fun!

Edmo

S&W 629-5 Mountain Gun - Chambered in 44 Magnum
IMG_1420_zpstoq27pfi.jpg
Click to expand...
Out of curiosity,why is the S&W 625-5 called Mountian Gun? I haven't been into guns long,I have a lots to learn!:)
 
Ahrends retro targets on my 24-3 are quite comfortable.
The 629-2 Mountain revolver is wearing a set of customs which may have been target stocks at one time. These fill my hands but are not bulky.

Riversalmon makes a good point: "A smooth stock that supports the web of your hand between thumb, forefinger and palm will allow the gun to slide under recoil . When the stock is smooth it dissipates the force over distance softening the felt recoil."
Well stated.
 

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MCorps0311 said:
Out of curiosity,why is the S&W 625-5 called Mountian Gun? I haven't been into guns long,I have a lots to learn!:)
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Mainly the skinny barrel. It's much thinner than a standard M625 no-lug barrel. Also, the round butt, which traditionally wouldn't be found on a N-frame with a 4-inch barrel (this would be before Smith standardized on all round butts in the mid '90's).

The term "Mountain Gun" predates the -5 by maybe 10 years. It's not specific to that dash number. It's also been used with other models, like the M629, M657, and the M57. The M629 was the first and the most common.
 
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Trout said:
In my experience, the best wood grips for N frame recoil are the factory target grips. Many complain about them and compare them to palming a basketball or construction grade two by fours, but this feature is what makes them work. Their large design works the best to distribute the push over the most square inches in the palm of your hand. Some of those skinny Ahrends and the likes are not much better than touching one off with nothing more than the grip frame itself in your hand.

For my round butt guns, I still use the older square frame factory target grips with a home made filler made from pine or whatever and painted to match.
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This is the direction I'm leaning. Now if I could just find some reasonably priced, nice condition targets.
Eagle Heritage grips are nice but they are pricey. Might as well buy originals for that price.
 
Trout said:
The thing about the solid wood original targets is that they hold their value, much like the guns they came with. I've started buying them when I see a bargain, just to have something else that is climbing in value.
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Holy ****! Are folks really paying those prices on eBay? I think I'll get Herretts to checker me a custom set, inlay it with gold, then hand deliver them to my house for those prices.
 
Trout said:
Not sure what prices you are seeing, but folks ask whatever they want. ;)

I've bought a few sets over the past few months. I like to look for sets that could use some TLC, or that are vague in the description, or that are flat out mislabeled. I can spot a set of N frame targets regardless of what the seller says they will fit. I usually spend between $40 and $80 for a set. I bought a set of beautiful smooth targets a few weeks ago and spent $100 shipped, but that is the exception for me.

As with many things, you have to be patient and persistent. You'll find the right set at a good price, but it's definitely not like shopping at Walmart... walk in, plop your money down, walk out.

EDIT: Here's a picture of a set I won last week for $45.50. I had to remove the black paint off the checkering and refinish them, but they are a spectacular set of N targets for the price (and a little TLC).
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There are crazy prices for stocks on ebay. There some great prices too. I have bought around a dozen or so sets there. Purchased a set of K round targets at the gun show for $40. (pictured) Never on a gun. A set like it sold on ebay recently for $150 + shipping.
Patience! Bob
 

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MCorps0311 said:
Out of curiosity,why is the S&W 625-5 called Mountian Gun? I haven't been into guns long,I have a lots to learn!:)
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What Kernel C. said, plus on the right side of the barrel they etched "Mountain Gun". Great marketing gimmick... It got me to buy one!

Edmo

imagejpg1_zpsa0ad1a03.jpg
 
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