I would like to put a set of wood grips on my 629-6 Classic to replace the stock rubber grips. I like the looks of Ahrends Retro Targets in Moradilla wood, round butt to square. Any advise or pics would be much appreciated.
Ahrends Retro Target Grips
- Thread starter markeb
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Can't help exactly but here are the Ahrends Retro Combat in Moradillo, round butt to square butt on a 686. I like them
much better than the stock rubber houges (my fingers didn't fit the grooves). These are a perfect fit for me:
much better than the stock rubber houges (my fingers didn't fit the grooves). These are a perfect fit for me:
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OP
What version is your 686? I would love to find one with the unfluted cylinder. Those grips look great so does the 686. I have a dash 4 with S&W wood targets. Would the finger grooved combat be easier on the hand than the smooth targets on the 629?
Black_Sheep
Member
Not much to add other than Ahrends grips are extremely well made and the fit is exceptional. Their customer service is also top notch IMHO.
Here's a 10-6 with Ahrends SB Retro Combats in oil finished Moradillo. I requested as dark of brown as possible and someone at Ahrends selected a very nice set. If you are particular about the color it pays to ask...
The grips on this 64 are also Moradillo but they have much lighter coloring...
Here's a 10-6 with Ahrends SB Retro Combats in oil finished Moradillo. I requested as dark of brown as possible and someone at Ahrends selected a very nice set. If you are particular about the color it pays to ask...
The grips on this 64 are also Moradillo but they have much lighter coloring...
I'm not a good photographer. The gun looks better in person. You can't see all the micro scraches the flash brings out. Mines a 686-6. The 5" was a special run for Canada. I talked to the Ahrends before ordering and this is from their website:
Retro Combat Square Butt
These grips were produced to provide a substitute for Smith's original combat stocks. We have been told that they are the most comfortable grip we make. They are available in a true square butt and also a round to square conversion grip. The Retro Combat takes on an even more original look when done in Goncalo Alves like the originals. These grips have a rounded base to help prevent printing when carrying concealed.
Very comfortable grips and the finger groves give you a good purchase on an otherwise smooth grip. You might not get that with the smooth Retro Targets. I struggled between the two and they suggested the Retro Combats. I should add that mine are the hand rubbed tung oil finish, very easy to maintain and re-oil if necessary. No chipping of the finish as can happen on the regular polyurethane ones. I as well asked for some 'dramatic darker grain'.
Retro Combat Square Butt
These grips were produced to provide a substitute for Smith's original combat stocks. We have been told that they are the most comfortable grip we make. They are available in a true square butt and also a round to square conversion grip. The Retro Combat takes on an even more original look when done in Goncalo Alves like the originals. These grips have a rounded base to help prevent printing when carrying concealed.
Very comfortable grips and the finger groves give you a good purchase on an otherwise smooth grip. You might not get that with the smooth Retro Targets. I struggled between the two and they suggested the Retro Combats. I should add that mine are the hand rubbed tung oil finish, very easy to maintain and re-oil if necessary. No chipping of the finish as can happen on the regular polyurethane ones. I as well asked for some 'dramatic darker grain'.
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Patrick L
Member
markeb,
I recently put a set of Ahrends Retro Targets on a K22. I thought they would be fantastic. They feel pretty good, but I don't think they look all that great. Like most of his grips, they are just a bit "thin" in cross section, as least for my hands. This picture doesn't really show that, I'm sorry
I much prefer his Finger Groove Tacticals. I have a set of those on an N frame Model 24-3. These feel and look (I think anyway) great.
Just my .02.
I recently put a set of Ahrends Retro Targets on a K22. I thought they would be fantastic. They feel pretty good, but I don't think they look all that great. Like most of his grips, they are just a bit "thin" in cross section, as least for my hands. This picture doesn't really show that, I'm sorry
I much prefer his Finger Groove Tacticals. I have a set of those on an N frame Model 24-3. These feel and look (I think anyway) great.
Just my .02.
sheldon wade
Member
ahrends on a 19
here is a set of ahrends on my model 19-6.
sw
here is a set of ahrends on my model 19-6.
sw
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one eye joe
US Veteran
These are Ahrends, round to square, smooth Tactical, Moradillos in Tung Oil on my Mountain Guns.......
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Johnny Nitro
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Ahrends Retro Target Stocks on my 624:
claimbuster
Member
Here's a set on a M29.
I have several sets of their grips on 1911's. Workmanship, fit and customer service are unbeatable.
I have several sets of their grips on 1911's. Workmanship, fit and customer service are unbeatable.
I've alwayd been a fan of Ahrends grips and I found the company and especially the staff very helpful when you call them. I also find therir grips to be very well made and the fit to be very good. They are a little slimmer then the regular S&W wood grips so they take a little getting use to.
OP
Which style would be better for shooting the 629 6.5 inch barrel, target or combat? Thanks.
one eye joe
US Veteran
It depends on what fits your hand best. Finger grooves are tacti-kool BUT just don't fit my hand well, so I shun them. They are generally found on weapons that are CCWs used for personal protection. (S&W has been sticking those big ugly rubber ones on most new revolvers just to save money) I seriously doubt you'll be totin' your 6.5 '' 629 concealed so I would stay away from them.. Targets have a flare at the bottom rear that I don't like. The smooth Tacticals fit my hand best, so that's what I use. Attempt to try both styles out before you buy. Make sure that they're actually Ahrends, because nothing else has a shape exactly like them.
Jake Benson
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I just bought a 686 4 in. barrel. I have been seriously considering the Ahrends grips myself. Three questions:
1. I was first considering the tactical finger groove, round to square conversion. Having seen some of the retro combat grips in the posts, I really like them too. As far a girth is concerned, are the grips the same size? Are they thicker, thinner, or the same size as the stock Hogue grips that come on the gun? I have small hands and would not want anythings thicker than the stock grips.
2. What kind of finish does the tung oil give? It's hard to tell in the photos what it really looks like. Is a shiny or matte type finish? What do they feel like?
3. Are there any disadvantages or advantages with the Ahrends grips over the stock rubber Hogues? What about recoil absorption?
1. I was first considering the tactical finger groove, round to square conversion. Having seen some of the retro combat grips in the posts, I really like them too. As far a girth is concerned, are the grips the same size? Are they thicker, thinner, or the same size as the stock Hogue grips that come on the gun? I have small hands and would not want anythings thicker than the stock grips.
2. What kind of finish does the tung oil give? It's hard to tell in the photos what it really looks like. Is a shiny or matte type finish? What do they feel like?
3. Are there any disadvantages or advantages with the Ahrends grips over the stock rubber Hogues? What about recoil absorption?
They are slightly smaller than the the rubber Houges. The Houges cover the backstrap and the Ahrends don't. I found the groves to big on the houges and perfect for my thinner fingers on the Ahrends. The tung oil on mine is a very attractive matte finish. Won't chip like the polyurethane ones plus you can re-oil it anytime. I shoot mostly .38 spl and occn .357 mag and didn't notice a difference.
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Jake Benson
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Good answer. Thank you.
valkyriekl
Member
Those look like a set of Eagle grips, rather than Ahrends. I like their grips too, but I like Ahrends' grips better =)
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