.32 Hand Ejector I Frame Grip Extensions

KnightTime · Dec 17, 2013

All,
My question is regarding grip extensions for one of my old revolvers, an old family heirloom, a .32 Long Hand Ejector Third Model from around 1925 ... an I frame I am told. There seems to be a lack of I Frame stuff available, with J frame not too difficult to find. The .32L is no gun safe queen beauty, but a shooter that is still reliably delivering lead on target for the 4th generation in my family. Does anyone have any suggestions for rubber grips or grip extensions for target shooting? I'd guess that ergonomics were not high priority for S&W in 1925! I am casting and reloading .32L for this revolver and get really great groups at 100 ft with a bench rest. My hands are somewhat large, and the grips are somewhat small. I am looking to add to the butt length to get my pinkie on some real estate at minimum. I wouldn't mind more girth on the grips either but that is a secondary requirement. I am a woodworker and made two pairs of grips with longer butts from mesquite and walnut wood. I'm not a great carver though and my efforts have split after a few hundred cycles.

Again, any suggestions concerning rubber grips or slip on extensions for a 1925 .32L Hand Ejector I Frame would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks
Charlie

texmex · Dec 17, 2013

One method you might try; get a pair of J frame grips you like, put some masking tape on the grip frame of the revolver, put one side of the grip on the gun and fill in the gap with slicone rubber from a tube, make sure it doesn't stick up past the edge of the grip, repeat with other half of grip. This should make you a pair of modern rubber grips that fit the gun perfectly. No one can see what the inside of the grip looks like and you still have the gun and original grips in un-altered condition. You could do the same with wooden grips or use Accra Glass bedding compound to make the wooden grips a super duper custom fit. Just make sure to follow the directions so you don't wind up with a set of wooden grips glued to your revolver. I have used Accra glass when I had a really pretty set of custom grips that didn't fit just right. It makes them a perfect fit with no "wiggle".

TACC1 · Dec 17, 2013

Depending on the effort you want to put into your project,
you can do as "texmex" suggested, and get some nice J frame
stocks, or, you can look around for some Improved I-frame
stocks. Either choice will give you a thicker grip and aid in
getting a more controllable hold for shooting. Since I have
smaller hands, it is the route I've taken. Ebay or G-B will
have these occasionally. If J's are really low priced, you
can shorten them to your frame. Left at J frame length
may not be real pretty, but they'll work just fine. YMMV
The DAPerfected ran with J's until I could find some Imp I's.
TACC1

Green Frog · Dec 17, 2013

If you find a pair of J-frame grips that completely enclose the grip frame, you can just install them and use as-is. The curve at the top and the pin at the bottom locate the grips so they don't shift around. You may have to trim a little, but they work! I had a pair of old Mustang smooth combat grips that worked well on my Regulation Police, but let them go when I sold a Heavy Frame Target with worn out Bekeart grips.

Froggie

shovelwrench · Dec 28, 2013

Pachmyer J-frame "presentation" grips work very well.... I greased my frame where epoxy would touch it, along with the grips. Filled one side with the grip on, installed the other half of the grip and let cure, then filled the remaining space (after fresh grease) and re-installed everything.....

You wouldn't know they weren't designed for this gun. Since I purpose built/revitalized this as a target pistol. these grips make the small I-frame MUCH more shootable.

KnightTime · Dec 30, 2013

I appreciate for the responses and suggestions for my I frame grip gripe.

I found a color mismatched orphaned $15 pair of old S&W J grips on eBay. They did mount just like TACC1 pictures show without any modification, but I guess my hands are a little to big as still can't get my paws to gain a comfortable target grip. My pinky is hanging half off the butt. My 3rd homemade set of grips are coming closer to the grip I desire, but still not whittled down to a comfortable hand curve. Perhaps I might make a hand mold in plaster and then fill with black plasti-dip and whittle away the inside. Just thinking!

The Pachmyer J-frame "presentation" grip picture by shovelwrench is probably my best solution as the amount of butt extension looks just about right and rubber seems to stick to my hands better. Thanks for the help and suggestions, much appreciated.

I am amazed at the accuracy of this 90 year old HE .32 Long with a 4.25 in barrel. Crazy good at 50 yards!

Charlie

stu1ritter · Dec 30, 2013

I have a few i-frame .32's that I shoot all the time. After going round about trying all sorts of different grips I've settled on the current J frame rubber grips available from S&W. Takes a little dremel work to complete the fit, but I've grown to like the feel. This is my 1903 3rd Model (1924) wearing them.
Stu

.32 Hand Ejector I Frame Grip Extensions

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