1932 Outdoorsman with hole at top of front strap

[GaryinOKC]

My money is the hole was for a custom (probably prior owner) made grip adapter/filler. The hole was done by an amateur, not the factory or a competent gunsmith because the hole is clearly off-center on the fore-strap! And, yes, I have seen "custom" grip adapters attached with a screw, I have a Highway Patrolman that has one. The screw goes straight up into the frame in the center of the frame arch though, not into the fore-strap!

Don't even think of welding the hole, it will never look right and the gun would need re-finishing putting you several hundred dollars more into the gun than you already are. It wouldn't be hard to get a Pachmayr grip adapter ans drill a matching mounting hole in it after removing the spring clip. A BK adapter will work too.

Maybe he had a Pachmayr type grip adapter with the spring clip missing or broken that he wanted to use. The predecessor companies of Pachmayr were around at least in the 1940s.

That would be a ridiculous place to try to mount a shoulder stock.!!!!

I am sure it was for a grip adaptor like shown a few response back. I could weld the hole shut easily. And blend it back a bit. Would look like it had been welded shut and blended back. But I think I will try to make an adaptor and use the hole.

 

[RKmesa]

I have the same threaded hole on my King K22 Outdoorsman.
Been meaning to see what thread it was.

I cannot find it now but I saw a thread on here a long time ago where a wooden grip adapter was attached by a screw. Looked much like a tyler with the finger grooves lightly in the adapter,

Grip adapter... This King gun has one...











I have another King gun that also has the screw hole for the grip adapter... Probably something that King would do for its customers.

 

[3/4Flap]

It's for a grip adapter as lots have said.
If the hole bugs you find a filler screw that fits it and plug it. Might take a while at the hardware store but my guess is you'll be able to find one. You might have to run a tap thru it to clean up the threads.

 

[GaryinOKC]

Grip adapter... This King gun has one...











I have another King gun that also has the screw hole for the grip adapter... Probably something that King would do for its customers.

Wow what a nice M&P.

 

[SS336]

I'll say. Beautiful and an unusual grip adapter to make it even more special.

 

[AJ]

Break out the pre-war American Rifleman and start researching! Would help but I do not have any of those..........

 

[paplinker]

Grip adapter... This King gun has one...











I have another King gun that also has the screw hole for the grip adapter... Probably something that King would do for its customers.

Interesting to read about your two king guns having the drilled hole! Now just to know have you tried screwing the screw from your MP into the other King gun? If the screw fits both I am going to have to find out if my King OD has the same thread as yours. Could be a new area to learn about.

 

[glowe]

. . . Don't even think of welding the hole, it will never look right and the gun would need re-finishing putting you several hundred dollars more into the gun than you already are. It wouldn't be hard to get a Pachmayr grip adapter ans drill a matching mounting hole in it after removing the spring clip. A BK adapter will work too.

One more time - it does work if you have a qualified welder. Had a near 100% K22 Outdoorsman's revolver that had an extension plate added to the bottom of the butt-frame, adding an half-inch to the butt. Held in place by two screws, one ahead and one behind the serial number. Welder filled the screw holes without issues. Simple cleanup then cold blue and holes are absolutely gone without a trace. Also have had welders fill scope holes in the top of the receivers on Model 1903 rifles when I used to "Re-militarize" sporterized Model 1903 rifles - hole gone without a trace.

 

[2152hq]

A small hole as in the OP's revolver is an easy fix with a plug cold swaged / locked into place.
Then the area reshaped back down to orig. The surface finish then brought back to match the surrounding. The grooves are (re)cut to match the orig look.
Done right and with the correct matr'l & technique, the hole will 'disappear'.

Either method, welding or plugging, takes someone that knows their particular method well and has the experience of actually doing it to carry it to the desired end result.
Without both, better to leave it alone or place a plug screw in it if you find one that fits. Or the idea of making a grip adaptor to make use of the hole is a fine one as well. The ones shown here are great examples.

 

[cstelli]

Here is a picture of a K-22 that has a homemade grip adapter.

 

[dnater]

I have the same threaded hole on my King K22 Outdoorsman.
Been meaning to see what thread it was.

I cannot find it now but I saw a thread on here a long time ago where a wooden grip adapter was attached by a screw. Looked much like a tyler with the finger grooves lightly in the adapter,

I have a Colt New Service with a wooden grip adapter attached by a screw in the same location.

 

[Muley Gil]

Here is a picture of a K-22 that has a homemade grip adapter.

Well, that's different! Similar to the H&R Sportsman trigger guard.