Fitting N-frame grips to K-frame S&W

[taz666]

Hi All,
Got a question for a gunsmith regarding polyurethane gasket materials' reaction to gun bluing ... or lack of reaction.

Subject, a K-38 that has stock Magna grips ... family air loom. I shoot it well enough with the Magna's but my hands aren't small. As a result, extended practice leaves the hand cramped up.

I picked up two sets of old(er) Herrett stocks to get an idea as to what type(s) of grips might be more comfortable. One is their "trooper" and the other their "shooting star".The set that interests me the most is an older style shooting star.

I knew going in that they were made for the N-frame. Did a bit of homework and decided that fitting them to a K-frame wasn't going to be a big deal. So, I picked 'em up. They are nice. Fella that worked on them did a nice checkering job. These are the type that has the checkering wrap around. As a retired cabinetmaker I can appreciate the effort put in ... and the reluctance to take a tool to them. It's a karma thing I guess

The "troopers" are nice too. Only issue is they must be for a Ruger. I can fit them but the existing fastener location and the gun mainspring are trying to defy physics .. if you know what I mean. That, and the covered backstrap puts the trigger just between my pad and index finger tip. I could work down the back side if it wasn't for wiping out a hand done detail there as well. There is room inside the grip to shift things around some but my attention returned to the "shoooting star" set.

I occurred to me that the "shooting star" stocks could be filled in at the backstrap rather than fitting them to the K-frame. I cut up a section of urethane (old bungie strap) and friction fit it behind the heel of the revolver up high and between the stock material that hangs over the K-frame. I shot the gun like this and it fits pretty good.

I'd like to adhere the urethane pad I fit to the heel area with an adhesive that won't harm the bluing. Second thing I like to do is fill in the K-frame backstrap flush with the N-frame cut. I thought about using something like "permatex" gasket maker smeared in over the masked off stocks but I'm not sure about the bluing resilience.

Filling these in rather than cutting them down is only an 1/8" or so difference at the backstrap but it feels right to leave the Herret "shooting star" stock.

Any other recommendations would be great.

 

[lihpster]

I'm not sure I know of an adhesive I would trust on bluing. But here's an idea. What I would do in this situation is sell the Herret's. Very nice grips but not particularly for you. I would use the money to help fund a custom set of grips. These can be made to fit your gun, but give you N frame dimensions.
Curt Harlow, 44magget on this forum, is a creator of beautiful grips, and he will make them any way you want them. He's also a wonderful human being and a joy to do business with.
Culina grips are gorgeous and while I haven't done business with them, all reports I hear are stellar.

Here are a couple photos of some grips Curt made me for my 629. They're made of bubinga and are round to square conversion grips. I was able to specify the exact piece of wood I wanted them made from. As you can see he does excellent work. Well worth it for my gun, much less a family heirloom. JMHO.

 

[80sgyrene]

How about a set of k frame targets?

 

[stansdds]

Herretts still makes stocks and Herretts as well as S&W K/L-frame target stocks are often found on auction sites such as eBay. You can even get reproduction target stocks cheap and they have a pretty good reputation for fit and appearance. Seems like an awful lot of trouble modifying N-frame stocks to fit a K-frame when there are plenty of K/L-frame stocks available.

 

[taz666]

Thanks for the input guys.

 

[taz666]

Herretts still makes stocks and Herretts as well as S&W K/L-frame target stocks are often found on auction sites such as eBay. You can even get reproduction target stocks cheap and they have a pretty good reputation for fit and appearance. Seems like an awful lot of trouble modifying N-frame stocks to fit a K-frame when there are plenty of K/L-frame stocks available.

You're right of course. I just haven't had an opportunity to try what is available for fit to my mits. Local shops have all but disappeared over the years. The "newer" shops tend to cater to a different type of shooter. With almost all of the skilled trades ... time is not kind.