SMITH AND WESSON COMBAT GRIPS

cobra44 · Jan 29, 2009

I have been looking for combat grips for a while now for a couple of my revolvers.
I am trying to figure something out. I have several older revolvers that I bought new, and came with rubber grips.
I have looked at many revolvers, older ones, and they are wearing wooden combat grips. The owners said that they came that way.
My questions is - what was the reasoning or whatever, for putting the combat grips on them?
Also, what was the last year that they made the combats?
I am talking about the finger groove non-laminated ones.
Any information would be appreciated,

cobra44 · Jan 29, 2009

I have been looking for combat grips for a while now for a couple of my revolvers.
I am trying to figure something out. I have several older revolvers that I bought new, and came with rubber grips.
I have looked at many revolvers, older ones, and they are wearing wooden combat grips. The owners said that they came that way.
My questions is - what was the reasoning or whatever, for putting the combat grips on them?
Also, what was the last year that they made the combats?
I am talking about the finger groove non-laminated ones.
Any information would be appreciated,

Bobwtn · Jan 31, 2009

I was always under the impression the combat grips were to assist with control of the firearm. Most were on the Magumn types and were made of exotic woods. Many are very attractive. Until about the mid 80's when some big corporate entity owned smith and wesson, basic revolvers had walnut service grips with checkering. Then the cheap rubber surfaced or gained popularity. I am a traditionlist that loves the factory wood. I think the finger groved factory grips showed up in late 70's or early 80's. Most were slick, or no checkering. I had some on a round butt model 66 2.5 and they did not fit my small hand so I sold them and put the wood service grip on the pistol. You can still get a few on the smith and wesson company website, but there are limitations. Few rubber grips feel good to me, but there is one line that has a pebble grain to the rubber and I think it is the pacmyer company. Rubber is never attactive either. It is good if you are carrying and it is raining. When wet, the rubber will allow you to hold on well.

Sportsterguy · Jan 31, 2009

The Combat grips are terrble for my hands! They look cool but don't come close to fitting me and also chew my hand up on my 29 & 629 when shooting magnums. If they don't feel right either buy some Ahrends that are 130.00 cheaper and look great/feel great or rubber for shooting. JMO

lev83 · Jan 31, 2009

Guess this is why there are so many choices when it comes to grips. Beleive me when I tell you I have tried them all and nothing comes close to providing the aesthetic appeal ar control that I get with a set of S&W factory combat grips.

Gun 4 Fun · Jan 31, 2009

Originally posted by: Bobwtn

Few rubber grips feel good to me, but there is one line that has a pebble grain to the rubber and I think it is the pacmyer company.

The grips you are describing are Hogues, not Pachmayrs.

The combat stocks are designed to give greater control during rapid fire double action shooting. They slip around less in the hand and make rapid sight picture recovery faster.

They started about appearing about 1983 on S&W's. I believe they were first sold on the re-run of model 24's they did back then.

10-12 · Jan 31, 2009

I put a pair of those factory S&W combats on my duty Model 19 in the late 1980's or early 90's. They fit my hand better than any grip I ever used on a revolver. I could easily control full magnum loads firing double action only. Today I won't buy a standard full-size S&W revolver because they have a round grip rather than square. I can live with the lock and MIM parts but not that round butt on a full-size revolver. Regardling your situation, I'd rather have a gun I know shoots straight and everytime with a lock than an older model that hits who knows where. You have nothing to be ashamed of. Besides it's your money. Buy what YOU want and enjoy it.

Bill

SMITH AND WESSON COMBAT GRIPS

cobra44

Member

cobra44

Member

Bobwtn

Member

Sportsterguy

Member

lev83

Member

Gun 4 Fun

Member

10-12

Member

Similar threads

Latest posts