Fake "K" frame grips??

[Mickstix]

Hey again.. Got a question on grips today.. Is it common to find/see "fake" wooden grips for the K frame?? I ask because I was browsing around in a pawn shop today and saw a set of K frame wooden grips that had the "S&W" medallion on them, but they were only asking $20 bucks?? Is that a normal price for used "original" wooden S&W grips, or do ya think they were fake? As I've said alot on here, Im new to the scene, so I have no idea whats out there in terms of fake/remanufactured grips and stuff.. These looked like the ones pictured below.. They were definitely used, but no cracks or bad areas on the checkering. Just the usual wear around the edges and the finish was dull in some areas.. Thanks for sharing some knowledge on wooden S&W grips!

Pretty much looked just like these.

Note: Just to clarify, Im refering to "fake" grips as ones that have the S&W medallion on them, but arent actual S&W made.. If it's common for custom grip makers to put the medallion on them, I apologise for referring to them as "fake"..

 

[Mickstix]

Hey again.. Got a question on grips today.. Is it common to find/see "fake" wooden grips for the K frame?? I ask because I was browsing around in a pawn shop today and saw a set of K frame wooden grips that had the "S&W" medallion on them, but they were only asking $20 bucks?? Is that a normal price for used "original" wooden S&W grips, or do ya think they were fake? As I've said alot on here, Im new to the scene, so I have no idea whats out there in terms of fake/remanufactured grips and stuff.. These looked like the ones pictured below.. They were definitely used, but no cracks or bad areas on the checkering. Just the usual wear around the edges and the finish was dull in some areas.. Thanks for sharing some knowledge on wooden S&W grips!

Pretty much looked just like these.

Note: Just to clarify, Im refering to "fake" grips as ones that have the S&W medallion on them, but arent actual S&W made.. If it's common for custom grip makers to put the medallion on them, I apologise for referring to them as "fake"..

 

[panamajack310]

They look real to me.. Some companies do make repoduction grips..I say for $20.00 who cares.
Here are mine you can compare.

 

[8654jm]

Again, you guys are killing me.

Who cares what the grips look like, don't look like, made by, aren't made by, when you are looking down your sights.

If they are that bad, wrap them up in duct tape or hoose them down with WD-40.

As long as all rounds are on target, it really just doesn't matter.

SF

8654JM

 

[panamajack310]

8654jm,
On a revolver the grips are the most important part of the gun for the shooter..If you dont have a comfortable set of grips than you might not be on target.. Some people like the way they look but the manufacturer is important. I personally like hogue and Ahrends for my grips...So yes brand does make a difference.

 

[VM]

Im refering to "fake" grips as ones that have the S&W medallion on them, but arent actual S&W made.. If it's common for custom grip makers to put the medallion on them, I apologise for referring to them as "fake"..

Mick - they are not fake.
K frame rd or square butt magnas from 70-80's era like you've shown sell from $15 up to 35 bucks for excellent ones. They are extremely common and were produced by the millions.


There are a lot of custom grip makers and some do use factory medallions but none of these grips have the same appearance or wood type. They are unique to themselves and you'll know when you see them.

Sile company makes reproduction wood grips for many brands and they look similar but they have their own company medallion.

 

[Jack Flash]

A few years ago I bought some N-Frame Football SB Targets out of a gunshop grip box for $7. They were like new.

I got them home and installed them on an M629 and then realized I needed RB not SB stocks. Did I mention that I was new to S&Ws at the time?

So I took them back for a refund. After all, I couldn't be out a whole $7.

Since hanging around this Forum, I have learned what a great deal that was. Even gunshops that should know better sometimes price their items way below the market.

 

[dsf]

It kills me to pay the $15.00 - $30.00 for the factory service grips. I'm sure other "older timers" remember always taking them off a new purchase & tossing them in a drawer or out the door. I remember one of the local NH gun stores used to have a $1.00 box filled with the things in the '70's.

The ones pictured look real, I suppose if someone were going to do a knock off it would be of the more expensive grips, not service.

 

[Cartouche]

Looks like the real deal there. If I was gonna make fakes they would be Cokes at least.

 

[riptrack44]

They look real to me too. As someone already said, if I was going to make grips and add a S&W medallion, they sure wouldn't be a K frame like those...

 

[rburg]

The grips made during the 70s are mostly ugly. I often refer to them as made from dried dog crap, or the wood off old pallets from their receiving department. Those are too poor for anyone to fake them. Usually their value is in the medallions. People harvest them to put in well made fakes!

I'm holding on to my collection of prewar large medallions. I want to figure out how to get my wife to sew them on a jacket. I want to use them as buttons. Maybe on a Woolrich shirt. It'd sure be the talk of the gunshow, but only among people with a clue.

 

[Mickstix]

Sorry if I wasnt clear about the picture.. The ones pictured are from an auction site gun, and Im sure are "real".. The ones I saw "looked" like those, I just posted the pic for reference..

Thanks all for all the great info!

Originally posted by 8654jm:
Again, you guys are killing me.
Who cares what the grips look like, don't look like, made by, aren't made by, when you are looking down your sights. 8654JM

For one, ME! Oh, and sorry for the pain it's causing ya..

 

[luis]

The grips look real to me. In some locations the public is not interested in factory grips. Last year I purchased a banker box full of factory grips for $50.00 from a local gunsmith. No one in this area wants wood.

 

[BillCa]

In the 70's, most police officers purchased a new gun and immediately either put on Pachmayr grips or the larger S&W target grips. Magna grips were usually tossed or placed in a drawer in case they were ever needed.

 

[Majic1]

Who cares what the grips look like, don't look like, made by, aren't made by, when you are looking down your sights.

Some of us actually do care what our guns look like because you aren't always looking down the sights. I like my guns to look good whether the bullet is going down the tube or not.