Grip Choices for 325PD

[sonofthebeach]

I'm trying to find a pair of grips that will work for me with my 325PD.

The wood grips that came on the gun don't tame the recoil well. I've tried Pachmayr Decelerators (long and narrow...still "bites" the web of my hand), Pachmayr Compaqs (too thick for me to reach the trigger for double-action shooting), Pachmayr Presentation grips (push my 3rd finger knuckle too tightly against back of trigger guard), and the Hogue Monogrip (not much, if any recoil absorption with the open backstrap design).

Any of you know of any other grips that might work, or do I just have to use one of the above grips?

I reload, and can put together some lighter loads for practice, but was hoping to find grips that would work with commercially available .45 ACP loads.

Thanks.

 

[devildog66]

I do not like finger grooves in my grips and as I recall the Ahrends or Spegels with that gun come with finger grooves. Since others seem not to working for you. I would look to Herretts stocks as they will fit the stock to your hand. Of course, a compact or commander size 1911 might just be the even better answer...

 

[JoeHatley]

I replace the smooth stock Ahrends on my 325PD with a Hoque Monogrip when I go to the range. If I'm going to shoot more than a couple of boxes of ammo, I wear a golf glove.

Joe

 

[sonofthebeach]

devildog66, I probably would have gone with a 1911 style pistol except for all the reloading components I have for putting together cartridges in .45AR.

I know that might seem to be a weak reason for choosing a gun, but I really like the .45AR/revolver combination. To be honest, I still think that there's a 1911 in my future. But until then, I'm going to try to make this 325PD work for me.

And Joe, thanks for your reply also. To be honest, after reading all the posts here about 325PD owners and their painful shooting experiences with the stock Ahrends smooth grips, I haven't even tried shooting with them.

It sounds like you have used them, except when running more than a few rounds through your 325. What are your impressions of shooting with these stock grips?

I'll probably give them a try later this week when I go to the range, and if they become painful with my light-moderate 200gr SWC reloads, I'll use the Hogue monogrip, maybe with a shooting glove.

---Andy

 

[devildog66]

SoTheB,
I understand the reloading commitment to a specific round.

I had mentioned the Herretts stocks but I primarily use the Ahrends tactical round to square butt on my N frames, even my 629, and I really enjoy them. It is a longer grip and available with finger grooves or without. I believe that it may place your hand closer to the trigger than the Pachmayr or Hogue grips. I also have a set of the Hogue rubber monogrips for a 625, and, while it is not uncomfortable, I enjoy the Ahrends round to square a lot more.

I am also probably about the only guy responding who does not like finger grooves as they tend force my hand into an uncomfortable position. Another inexpensive option may a rubber grip wrap/sleeve.

BTW, if you want to sell the smooth grip currently with the revolver, I would be interested.

DD

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Since the Pach Compac grips are a little large, I believe that your logical next step is Pach Compac Professionals (backstrap not covered). However, that is only if the Compacs you are trying are already K (as in Model 19) frame grips. I am not sure, but I believe that K-frame Pach Compacs may be less bulky than N-frame Pach Compacs, and they will certainly fit on your N round frame. I seem to recall that they need no alteration, and that is what I have on my 625-10. If the K Compacs are too large, you can try K Compac Professionals, but you WILL have to use a razor blade on the inside of the grips, in front, to get them to line up properly with the frame. They can also be very nice, and more compact, grips on a 325 or a mini-625, but for a hand large enough to reach the trigger properly with regular K Compacs (mine), the Compac Pro grips are not quite as good at handling recoil. For a smaller hand, they are probably the best.

Good luck!

 

[sonofthebeach]

Model520Fan,

I returned the Pachmayr Compacs, when I realized that they were too large for me to reach the trigger for double action shooting. I'm pretty sure that they were for the N frame...I didn't know that K frame Compacs would fit the N frame 325. I wonder how the Compac Professionals compare with the Monogrip as far as recoil. I guess I'll just have to try them, and see.

And devildog66, I agree with you in that I don't think I ever handled a revolver with finger-groove grips that fit my hand well. The Hogue Monogrip has been a compromise grip for me on heavier steel guns, but if they don't deal with recoil on this lightweight revolver, I need to find a grip that will both fit my hand, and help with recoil.

I was really hoping that the Compacs would have been small enough to work for me, so that I could have a non-finger-grooved grip that fit my hand and helped with the recoil of factory rounds.

I'll look for the K frame Compacs in the LGS, and before I buy them, see how they compare with the N frame ones. I'll also see if I can find the Professionals.

Thanks for your help with this.

 

[Dale53]

This may or not be "germane" but my "L" frame 686 (CS-1) has Pachmayr Compacs grips and I am pretty dern happy with them for a "carrying" revolver. I have rather large hands (kind of long fingers) and have NO problems with double action shooting with that set up. Full house .357's have no sting for me with that set up. Of course, the 686 is quite a bit heavier than the 325 PD.

There is NO substitute for trying a pair with YOUR hands, of course.

Dale53

 

[sonofthebeach]

Dale53,

I know you're a big fan of .45ACP revolvers, and so I'll ask you if you by any chance have tried a pair of Compacs designated for your 686 L frame on one of your 625's? Do they fit the N frame, and would you happen to know if the overall size of the K/L frame Compacs is smaller than the N frame Compacs?

Thanks, and by the way...the images of your revolvers, or of the ammo you put together to shoot in them, all show a great deal of care and pride....I could never get my cast bullets to come out looking as good as yours.

Come to think of it, I could never get them to group as well as yours apparently do, either.

 

[JoeHatley]

What are your impressions of shooting with these stock grips?

It's not as bad as you might think. For me, the 100 round mark, with full power ammo is about the limit. It stops being fun after that.

Joe

 

[MAC2187]

Model520Fan,

I returned the Pachmayr Compacs, when I realized that they were too large for me to reach the trigger for double action shooting. I'm pretty sure that they were for the N frame...I didn't know that K frame Compacs would fit the N frame 325. I wonder how the Compac Professionals compare with the Monogrip as far as recoil. I guess I'll just have to try them, and see.

And devildog66, I agree with you in that I don't think I ever handled a revolver with finger-groove grips that fit my hand well. The Hogue Monogrip has been a compromise grip for me on heavier steel guns, but if they don't deal with recoil on this lightweight revolver, I need to find a grip that will both fit my hand, and help with recoil.

I was really hoping that the Compacs would have been small enough to work for me, so that I could have a non-finger-grooved grip that fit my hand and helped with the recoil of factory rounds.

I'll look for the K frame Compacs in the LGS, and before I buy them, see how they compare with the N frame ones. I'll also see if I can find the Professionals.

Thanks for your help with this.

How did the Compac Professionals, for the K frame, work out on your N frame? I am thinking about trying this on my 325NG. Thanks .

 

[jimonfly]

Hogue Bantam

I replaced the Pachmeyer grips on my 325NG with the Hogue Bantam grips ( Hogue Bantam Grips with Top Finger Groove S&W N-Frame Round Butt Rosewood Laminate - MidwayUSA ). I didn't like the factory grips because it was hard to reach the trigger properly in DA because of the rubber over the backstrap, and I wanted something a little shorter for concealed carry. The Hogues work very well for me. The finger grooves let me get a consistent grip that doesn't slip, and I curl my pinky under the bottom. I've fired 250 rounds with 230 ball and no problem. The hotter carry loads are a little less comfortable, but I still like them better than the j-frame with +p's.

 

[Dale53]

Dale53,

I know you're a big fan of .45ACP revolvers, and so I'll ask you if you by any chance have tried a pair of Compacs designated for your 686 L frame on one of your 625's? Do they fit the N frame, and would you happen to know if the overall size of the K/L frame Compacs is smaller than the N frame Compacs?

Thanks, and by the way...the images of your revolvers, or of the ammo you put together to shoot in them, all show a great deal of care and pride....I could never get my cast bullets to come out looking as good as yours.

Come to think of it, I could never get them to group as well as yours apparently do, either.

I have not tried my "L" frame Pachmayr Grips on my 625's. I have Pachmayr Decelerators on my 625's and have been VERY happy with them. My 625's are, of course, a LOT heavier than a 325, so naturally would have lots less recoil. Using the Pachmayr Decelerators, even the Lyman 454424 clone Keith bullet from an NOE mould (weighs 250 grs) in the .45 ACP 625 loaded to 900 fps+ does not create ANY problems with recoil. It is a real pussycat.

Thanks for the kind words. Yeah, I am really enamored of my Smith 625's and I have put several thousand rounds through them in the past couple of years. Accuracy with these revolvers and cast bullets has NEVER been a problem. They will both shoot well under 1" at 25 yards off a rest. Here is a little target I shot the other day, standing at 25 yards (there were witnesses, too>)):

For general interest, the load was prepared with Starline .45 Auto Rim brass, Federal 150 primers, 4.1 grs of Hodgdon's Clays, and a 200 gr H&G #68 flat base bullet from a MiHec six cavity mould (ww's+2% tin) and sized .452". Frankly, to get these guns to shoot, I only have to have GOOD bullets. They seem to shoot about any reasonable load I put in them extremely well. On one occasion, I was shooting, standing at 25 yards. I was using the NRA 25 yard timed fire target. "Just for grins" I shot two different powder charges with three different bullets. The target
scored 100x100 with a decent "X" count.

Years ago, E.H. Harrison did a work up with .38 revolvers using a machine rest indoors at 25 yards. His conclusions, after a VERY extensive test (described in the NRA "Handloading" book published in 1981, page 103) determined that the most important consideration when reloading cast bullets in the .38 was the quality of the bullets. Powder charge or type of powder did not have a great influence on the accuracy of the reloads.

At any rate, I added his suggestions to my personal "information bank" and keep them in mind when I am working with my own cast bullets and reloading.

Dale53

 

[half-lug]

My 4" 325PD came with two sets of grips in the case:
the reddish brown Ahrends, and a set of Smith marked Hogue mono's.
I find that while the Monos really cushion shooting of this gun, they snag and pull on any clothing near the grips....somthing I'll stick to the woods grips for.
I really did not care for the reddish color of the Ahrends, so I stripped them to find a beautiful light brown walnut colored wood beneath that red stain. I applied about 20 coats of Formby's oil finish to the wood, in a semi gloss form. they look awesome!

I do not have a pic of the gun with the refinished grips, but will post one in a spell.

Here are the originals.

 

[John325]

Modified Pachs

I used a Dremel to ground the inside of the Pachmayr Compac grip to give me better trigger reach, then placed electrical tape on the front part of the grip frame before I installed the grip. This was to take up the space from grinding down the inside so the grip wasn't too loose. This works for me when using full power loads. I also find the Federal 165 grain HydraShock to be the easiest self defense load to manage.