Not sure if this is the right place to post this...

I have 3 K-frames, a 10-5, 14-3 and 19-4 and the same shooting discomfort with them: in double action, the gun whacks the base of my thumb, even with medium loads (4.0 gr. 231 over 158gr in the .38 Spec.) But in single action, presumably due to using the tip of my finger on the trigger rather than the crease of my finger, and thus a slight shift in my grip, I don't have this problem.

The grips on the 14 and 19 are Targets. The 10-5 came with Magnas but I have put Pachmayr Grippers (? finger grips) on it. All three share the same open back design. But I have "medium" hands and closed-back grips will likely be too big, at least based on closed back Pachmayrs I tried on my 625-8.

Aside from shooting grips, is there a tape or "patch" I could put on the top of the frame where the base of my thumb meets the frame? I like the wood grips aside from this problem.

I also have a Ruger GP100 4.2" that has rubber Altamont insert grips on and the last time I shot it I don't recall the same problem (with moderate "38-44" loads) but those grips are closed back and wider at the top, which presumably spreads the recoil over a slightly wider area.

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"I drank WHAT?" (Socrates)

Pachmayr makes very nice "compac" grips for K-frame S&W. They have open backs and are a good size for me. I have smallish hands. Unless I am running rhino rollers (which I don't any more) I find them quite comfortable. By a set and try them on one gun, see how you like them.

Looks like the Compacs are only available for round butt K frame, and mine are square. I think I meed a solid (wider) back. The Presentation grips have a solid back but on my 625 they were a bit too big for my hands.

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"I drank WHAT?" (Socrates)

You should read this thread:

"Farrant-Clipped" Revolvers

Fuzzy Farrant designed his grip style specifically to address your needs. The back of the grip is open along the grip frame. But, it has an integral filler at the top of the grip as you get closer to the hammer.

A goldmine of info in that thread!

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"I drank WHAT?" (Socrates)

For me, the Hogue Monogrips are the off-the-shelf answer for grips if you shoot double action. I've never been able to get comfortable with either Magnas or Targets, both of which were apparently designed for single action shooting (and I know I'll get flamed for saying that ).

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Regards,

Chuck

That's what I have on my 625-8. Don't much like the look of them, but they are comfortable.

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"I drank WHAT?" (Socrates)

It's a chronic dilemma - stocks that cover the backstrap can be more comfortable but make the trigger reach too long for some.

Wood stocks may not make a lot of difference with this, the web of your thumb will still get hit by solid material. Perhaps trying stocks that allow a very secure hold will help, or rubber grips with cushioning (Pachmayr Presentations, Uncle Mike's).

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

My K frame Model 15-3 wears PC Magnas and a Pachmyar grip adapter

This is the way.

I've tried a ton of different grip options on revolvers, from the huge target wood grips, to the Hogue rubber bantam grips, and everything in between. None felt natural. They were either too big, too small, too round, too square, finger grooves in the wrong place, etc.

I found my goldilocks when a friend lent me her M&P, which had been fitted with the standard K-frame grips and a Mershon adapter (now Pachmayr). Instant success. It was immediately the best feeling grip I'd ever had with any revolver, with the classic SAA grip being a close second.

My used 10-5 originally came with Magnas and I subsequently came across an old Pachmayr grip adaptor just like yours which I bought "just because." It may have saved my finger being banged by the trigger guard but the base of the thumb was still a bit of a problem.

All depends on our individual hand geometry (and padding) I guess.

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"I drank WHAT?" (Socrates)

Maybe not the best looking stocks, but these old Bill Davis grips are my favorite for actually shooting.

Attached Images

IMG_4933.jpg (248.1 KB, 22 views)

I do not have large hands, and found the rubber Hogue grips the best for me. The Pachmayrs are too long front to back to be comfortable and seem harder than Hogues. I have the Hogue Tamer grips on a couple of .44 Magnums for single action shooting, but they are too large for double action shooting for me.

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Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102