Ahrends Help Needed

[rondo]

I know I could give Ahrends a call, but prefer end-user advice when possible. My 4" 686 RB needs new stocks. This is a range gun only, and I'm interested in the square butt conversion grips with finger groves.

Question 1: Tactical or Retro Combat?

Question 2: Is the backstrap exposed? I think it is, but not sure.

If anyone has a picture of the backstrap area handy I would really appreciate it. I'm concerned about where the round butt backstrap transitions into the conversion grip, if it is indeed exposed. I've seen some cheesy transitions on other makes and want to avoid disappointment.

Opinions / advice greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[haifabuddy]

I have a set of the RB to SB retro combats on a 686 3 inch. I like the way gun presents and feels, etc. However, the backstrap is exposed and there is a space in order to convert the butt. Most people will not like the look of that I suspect. Further, because the grip comes out beyond the backstrap, you have to be careful. I chipped a small piece/corner where it comes out beyond the metal and had to fill and color it to blend. I recommend if you get and like you do not take off and put on because thin area of grip (above) is open and can chip rather easily. This is a carry gun for me, maybe all of this is not an issue for a 4 inch range only gun.

 

[rondo]

That's exactly what I wanted to know, thanks. I guess that would be the case with any conversion grip.

Now I'm thinking it might be better to get the round butt grip instead, but fear it might make the gun nose heavy. Probably just over thinking it as usual.

 

[valkyriekl]

Here's a pic I took of some of my Ahrends grips:

left-to-right they are:
-round-butt finger-groove "tactical" on a K-frame
-square-butt finger-groove "tactical" on an L-frame
-round-to-square conversion finger-groove "tactical" on a K-frame
-square-butt finger-groove "tactical" on a K-frame

I prefer the "Tactical" grips to the "Retro Combat" grips...I just like the way the "Tactical" grips feel in my hand better, notably for the front strap, which feels more angular and less organic, for me. I used to have a set of square-butt "Retro Combat" grips:

Note how rounded they are on the front. The "Tactical" grips have a squared profile on the front...

...which helps me 'feel' where the gun is pointing, and let me feel if I've got my hand wrapped too far around the grip (which I couldn't feel with the "Retro Combat" grips).

 

[rondo]

Perfect!

The conversion grip looks better, from the back, than I thought it would. Not so much "looks" (don't really care about appearance), but what I've been worried about does not look like it's a problem.

Thank you for the pics and excellent information valkyriekl, that helps me a great deal. I appreciate the descriptions of the feel. Exactly the kind of info what I was after.

 

[epj]

Here's the round to square conversion (retro combats) on a N frame. There is a small gap where the backstrap curves.

 

[rondo]

Nice gun.

Does that small gap bother anyone? Would you buy them again if you had to do it over?

 

[haifabuddy]

The last photo above shows the gap at the bottom where the grip is very thin and that is where my chip occurred. I like the tactical ones better than the combat, but I do not think they had when I ordered from TGS. I think an important factor is whether the gun sits better in hand for mounting and aiming that with RB. I find I like the 3 inch 686+ better with SB grip.

 

[rondo]

Thanks all, been tremendously helpful.

Sending off a check to Mr. Ahrends for a tactical conversion grip in oiled walnut...

 

[epj]

Nice gun.

Does that small gap bother anyone? Would you buy them again if you had to do it over?

The small gap doesn't bother me, and I would buy the again. I MIGHT go with the retro targets instead, and then again amybe not. There are some other makers of RB/SB conversions that do not have the gap, but the material has to be very thin where it meets the frame.

 

[maxx]

I had questions similar to yours. I emiled Ahrends, Kim Ahrends emailed me back thoroughly explaining what I needed to know and then some.
I was even more impressed when I got the grips.
Ahrends all the way.