686 Grips for those who are recoil adverse.

[gunsrfun1]

I only see a Diamond Pro and Tamer grip for the K/L round butt, not for the square butt models. Am I missing something? Thanks

 

[Rolling]

I only see a Diamond Pro and Tamer grip for the K/L round butt, not for the square butt models. Am I missing something? Thanks

As far as I can tell those two particular grips are only made for round butt models. Hogue and Pachmayr produce different rubber grips for square butts, like the Hogue Monogrip.

 

[John Patrick]

FWIW, I have a 4” M66-1 that I put a set of Pachmayer Grippers on. I was looking for grips that weren’t quite as round or big as the Hogues. I think they’re the smaller version of the Grippers. I was surprised at how good they feel in the hand and how comfortable they are to shoot.

Unfortunately, I haven’t shot a K frame with the Hogues for a direct comparison. I have shot a 638 with the RB J frame Hogues and they do a magnificent job of taming the recoil of that Airweight.

Photo of the 66 below, for someone to ID which Gripper version.

 

[Onty]

Long story short, I injured my wrist and thumb last year which required outpatient surgery. My hand has never been the same. I had these beautiful walnut colored Altamont grips on my 686 but after the injury the recoil was too much with wood grips even with .38's....forget about .357. I just got these Hogue Tamers today. Went on easy and fit well. Not the prettiest things in the the world, but they feel good. Still need to take it to the range. As I get older I seem to prefer comfort over style.

I am so sorry to hear that!

If recoil is the issue, even with 38 Special loads, I would suggest try one of Ruger Bisley revolvers in 357 Magnum, large frame, or bit smaller Flattop. IMO, for the same weight and round, perceived recoil is about 1/3 less in revolver with Bisley grip.

 

[S&W Fan]

I too have come to enjoy hard recoiling revolvers less as the arthritis in my hand has progressed. On the times I plan to shoot magnums in my 686 I use the Hogue rubber grip. If I’m shooting .38spl I stick with the wood target grips and do fine.

Hope you find something that works for you.

 

[Paul105]

I heard good things about the Pachmayr Diamond Pro grips for the 686 and was considering them, but I have had good experience with Hogue grips on other firearms I own. I guess I'm a Hogue guy. I would like to hear more from anyone that has experienced both the Hogue Tamer and the Pachmayr Diamond Pro grips. How do they compare?

I have shot both and prefer the Hogues. The Diamon Pro is narrower at the top of the grip and drives the backstrap into the web of the hand. There is less material behind the trigger guard which allowed what is exposed to hammer my middle finger. All of this with the M69 .44 mag. The Diamond Pros were ok for me on a 66-8.

As an aside, I think the Diamond Pros have been discontinued for S&Ws.

Here's a picture of some Hogues I modified with a knife sharpener belt sander and a Dremel sanding drum. If you take your time, a much "cleaner" outcome can be had. These are shown on a 2.75" M69 (L Frame .44 Mag)

If you shoot a lot, you may get some wear -- worn out protecting the bone at the base of my thumb on 2.75" M69 .44 mag.

I learned early on (with the M329) to have some spares on hand.

FWIW,

Paul

 

[Rolling]

"If you shoot a lot, you may get some wear -- worn out protecting the bone at the base of my thumb on 2.75" M69 .44 mag."

@Paul105, How long did it take for you to wear a hole into the grip like that?

 

[DeplorabusUnum]

I have Hogue grips on all my N-frame revolvers, but they are not the tamer grips. My N-frames are all square butt, and they don't make tamers for them. Even though the Hogue grips I have don't cover the back strap, I've still enjoyed significantly reduced felt recoil compared to the factory wood grips.

 

[Paul105]

"If you shoot a lot, you may get some wear -- worn out protecting the bone at the base of my thumb on 2.75" M69 .44 mag."

@Paul105, How long did it take for you to wear a hole into the grip like that?

The gun pictured has close to 3,000 factory equivalent 240/265gr .44 magnums thru it. I can't remember if the grip was new when I got the gun or if it was swapped from another.

Wear will depend on the specific gun, load and the way you grip the gun. I doubt you will have any problem with the full lug 686 and 38 specials.

I look at the grips kind of like tires -- heavy use requires more frequent replacement.

Paul

 

[ironhead7544]

I tried the Diamond grips on a M36. Very comfortable to shoot. Really impressed me.

 

[Benchrest1]

A lot of my S&W's have Hogue rubber grips on them. Not only are they good for recoil , but I really like that in the summer when my hands are sweaty they still offer good grip and control while shooting.

 

[Rolling]

For anyone interested...the Hogue Tamer grips work with HKS Speedloader 586-A for .38 Spcl and .357 when used with a S&W 686 six-shooter. The grips provide enough clearance.

 

[LCC]

I would like to hear more from anyone that has experienced both the Hogue Tamer and the Pachmayr Diamond Pro grips. How do they compare?

Tried both on a SP101 3" .357. Preferred the Diamond Pro as the bottom of the grip has a bit more real estate for the pinky finger to grasp with.

 

[Lance Boyle]

For appearance…..square butt target grips.

What I shoot better with? The open back strap style Grippers from Pachmayr.

 

[Lance Boyle]

Tried both on a SP101 3" .357. Preferred the Diamond Pro as the bottom of the grip has a bit more real estate for the pinky finger to grasp with.

I didn’t see those Pachs, I got the Hogues and like them on the 101 so my pinky isn’t hanging. If the OEM grip was just half a finger width longer I would have stayed with them. Mine is a 4” so no real desire to keep it small.

 

[BabaBlueJay]

You already got what I would have recommended. The Hogues will make a noticeable difference. Some prefer Pachs, but as someone who has used both on a 686, the Hogues were noticeably more comfortable. You made the right call OP, it should soften the felt recoil enough for you to enjoy your gun.

 

[Well Armed]

I use Hogue on all my EDC defensive carry revolvers. I sometimes take them off just to take pretty pictures, but I haven't found a better grip when it comes to actually shooting the gun instead of trying to impress others with how pretty the gun looks.

 

[javbike]

I have these old pachs on it when I shoot a lot but I like the look of the wood on blue

 

[bananaman]

BEAUTIFUL 25-7!!! Always wanted 1, but never happened. Do have a 25-15 that I enjoy shooting though. Bob