I just bought a .357 S&W 686 with 4" barrel. It has the rubber grips. Aftermarket wood grips ask if the gun is square butt or round butt? How can I tell, since the rubber covers the entire frame? Do I have to remove the grip to find out?
686 grips
- Thread starter harrym
- Start date
bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
A new 4" 686-6 has a round butt.
Edit: Thanks OP, learned something new about my own 4" from your thread. I'd read that the butt transitioned from round to square, going from 3" to 4", and the grip shape agreed with what I'd read, but I never removed them till now. Didn't know my 4" had a round to square conversion grip. Glad I pulled the rubber grips off my 686's to check, it needed cleaning in there.
Sorry about the initial wrong info.
Edit: Thanks OP, learned something new about my own 4" from your thread. I'd read that the butt transitioned from round to square, going from 3" to 4", and the grip shape agreed with what I'd read, but I never removed them till now. Didn't know my 4" had a round to square conversion grip. Glad I pulled the rubber grips off my 686's to check, it needed cleaning in there.
Sorry about the initial wrong info.
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Kernel Crittenden
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
I thought most -6's were round butts. Though it's common to see them with round-to-square conversion grips. (See pic below for one style). Does the backstrap "disappear" into the grips? Bottom line, take your grips off to see what you really have.
TAC
Member
TAC
Member
That is correct.
Pizza Bob
Member
A picture is worth blah, blah, blah...
Adios,
Pizza Bob
Adios,
Pizza Bob
Pizza Bob
Member
686's came with several different manufacturer's rubber grips, over the years. Or, if you bought this used, it could have anybody's grips on it.
If the grip screw was on the bottom of the grip, inserted vertically, they are Hogue's. Just remove the screw and pull downwards and toward the muzzle.
If it has a transverse screw, you just aren't using enough muscle. Just work them a bit.
A picture would help us know what grips you have.
Adios,
Pizza Bob
If the grip screw was on the bottom of the grip, inserted vertically, they are Hogue's. Just remove the screw and pull downwards and toward the muzzle.
If it has a transverse screw, you just aren't using enough muscle. Just work them a bit.
A picture would help us know what grips you have.
Adios,
Pizza Bob
bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
I took my 4" 686-6 grips off for the first time this morning, in response to this thread. After a couple of years of shooting and cleaning, there was a slight buildup of schmutz between the grip and frame, but it came apart easily , pulling them straight out to the sides.
Skip to 2:15.
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PWpg42S29Y[/ame]
Skip to 2:15.
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PWpg42S29Y[/ame]
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bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
Isn't the one in the video, at 2:15, your grip?
It's the same one as my 4" 686-6.
If not, post a pic.
It's the same one as my 4" 686-6.
If not, post a pic.
Bobbysixkiller
Member
If the screw is in the side then they should pull off in two pieces. Maybe just stuck on the frame. Unscrew the screw and leave it in the hole and push on it Should pop right off.
Bobby -- Thanks, they did pop right off and the gun is a round butt. I like the feel of the factory rubber grip, but I like the looks of rosewood so I ordered a set of them. I hope they fit and feel as well as the Hogue rosewood grips on my .22 revolver. Thanks to everyone who helped me with information on this project.
Mike_Fontenot
Member
They're round butt. But I'd recommend the X500 grips.
Well, the rosewood grips arrived today. After a bit of scraping to remove some wood on the inside, they fit the frame great. My hand -- not so great. The ugly rubber grips that came on the gun are much more comfortable, although I wish they were just a smidgeon thicker. I love the look of wood grips, but these just don't feel right. Nothing like living somewhere that I could try before I buy. These will probably wind up in the parts box.
vmumford
Member
harrym....Sell'em here at a loss like we do.....LMAO
Wood stocks, especially the old factory target style, look great. But the newer rubber grips are much nicer to shoot with, IMO. They do feel a bit thin in comparison, but that also seems to allow a more substantial firing hand hold.
Chrisj357
Member
What I find incredible is the number of people on this thread that would own a revolver and be shooting it for years and have never taken the grips off. The day you bring a new or previously owned revolver home, the stocks/grip should be removed to inspect and clean/lube. Periodically repeat to make sure all is right under there. It's gun maintenance and gun cleaning 101.
Sorry if that sounds blunt, but it needed to be said.
Sorry if that sounds blunt, but it needed to be said.
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bananaman
Member
Welcome to the world of trial & error! What looks cool does not always feel right. My like new 25-15 came with beautiful looking Altamont stocks. (factory) I took them off and replaced them with older target S&W ones. It feels so much better now.
By the way, I have plenty of extra sets in my filing cabinet.
Gun show, shop, or range are possible places to find someone's for a test fit. Bob
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muddocktor
Member
I don't have any L frame Smiths, but have several N frame models. And I have installed Ahrends grips I've bought off eBay from a seller called "gripseller" who buys them directly from Kim Ahrend. They have several models and use quite a few different woods, so if you check there you can probably find something that suits your fancy. And I find that the Ahrends grips are comfortable to shoot on my N frames, even my 629 with hot loads. And they look so much better than the Goodyears.
justakyguy
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I was wondering the same about the Model 60 or 66 I'm considering purchasing. I prefer the exposed backstrap, so whichever I get, will get some aftermarket wood grips for it plus I prefer the feel of classic wood.
Wee Hooker
Member
...and that is the great thing about S&W K and L frames ( vs any other gun on the planet). Grips style, size,shape, material and texture combinations are near limitless. Finding the perfect grip is a hobby in itself!
i just put Ahrends RB smooth combats on my 686-4. I highly recommend them. The Houge wood RB combats feel thick to me and they are long to accomodate the stirrup thing. Troll the classifieds here, used ones come up for sale at times.....Mike
