Grip options for K-frames

[oldbrownhat]

Not sure if this is the right place to post this...

I have 3 K-frames, a 10-5, 14-3 and 19-4 and the same shooting discomfort with them: in double action, the gun whacks the base of my thumb, even with medium loads (4.0 gr. 231 over 158gr in the .38 Spec.) But in single action, presumably due to using the tip of my finger on the trigger rather than the crease of my finger, and thus a slight shift in my grip, I don't have this problem.

The grips on the 14 and 19 are Targets. The 10-5 came with Magnas but I have put Pachmayr Grippers (? finger grips) on it. All three share the same open back design. But I have "medium" hands and closed-back grips will likely be too big, at least based on closed back Pachmayrs I tried on my 625-8.

Aside from shooting grips, is there a tape or "patch" I could put on the top of the frame where the base of my thumb meets the frame? I like the wood grips aside from this problem.

I also have a Ruger GP100 4.2" that has rubber Altamont insert grips on and the last time I shot it I don't recall the same problem (with moderate "38-44" loads) but those grips are closed back and wider at the top, which presumably spreads the recoil over a slightly wider area.

 

[robertrwalsh]

Pachmayr makes very nice "compac" grips for K-frame S&W. They have open backs and are a good size for me. I have smallish hands. Unless I am running rhino rollers (which I don't any more) I find them quite comfortable. By a set and try them on one gun, see how you like them.

 

[oldbrownhat]

Pachmayr makes very nice "compac" grips for K-frame S&W. They have open backs and are a good size for me. I have smallish hands. Unless I am running rhino rollers (which I don't any more) I find them quite comfortable. By a set and try them on one gun, see how you like them.

Looks like the Compacs are only available for round butt K frame, and mine are square. I think I meed a solid (wider) back. The Presentation grips have a solid back but on my 625 they were a bit too big for my hands.

 

[6string]

You should read this thread:

https://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-h...lipped-revolvers.html?highlight=Fuzzy+farrant

Fuzzy Farrant designed his grip style specifically to address your needs. The back of the grip is open along the grip frame. But, it has an integral filler at the top of the grip as you get closer to the hammer.

 

[oldbrownhat]

You should read this thread:

https://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-h...lipped-revolvers.html?highlight=Fuzzy+farrant

Fuzzy Farrant designed his grip style specifically to address your needs. The back of the grip is open along the grip frame. But, it has an integral filler at the top of the grip as you get closer to the hammer.

A goldmine of info in that thread!

 

[Chuck Edwards]

For me, the Hogue Monogrips are the off-the-shelf answer for grips if you shoot double action. I've never been able to get comfortable with either Magnas or Targets, both of which were apparently designed for single action shooting (and I know I'll get flamed for saying that ).

 

[oldbrownhat]

For me, the Hogue Monogrips are the off-the-shelf answer for grips if you shoot double action. I've never been able to get comfortable with either Magnas or Targets, both of which were apparently designed for single action shooting (and I know I'll get flamed for saying that ).

That's what I have on my 625-8. Don't much like the look of them, but they are comfortable.

 

[murphydog]

It's a chronic dilemma - stocks that cover the backstrap can be more comfortable but make the trigger reach too long for some.

Wood stocks may not make a lot of difference with this, the web of your thumb will still get hit by solid material. Perhaps trying stocks that allow a very secure hold will help, or rubber grips with cushioning (Pachmayr Presentations, Uncle Mike's).

 

[Zoner]

My K frame Model 15-3 wears PC Magnas and a Pachmyar grip adapter

 

[BoulderTroll]

My K frame Model 15-3 wears PC Magnas and a Pachmyar grip adapter

This is the way.

I've tried a ton of different grip options on revolvers, from the huge target wood grips, to the Hogue rubber bantam grips, and everything in between. None felt natural. They were either too big, too small, too round, too square, finger grooves in the wrong place, etc.

I found my goldilocks when I tried an M&P, which had been fitted with the standard K-frame grips and a Mershon adapter (now Pachmayr). Instant success. It was immediately the best feeling grip I'd ever had with any revolver.

 

[oldbrownhat]

This is the way.

I've tried a ton of different grip options on revolvers, from the huge target wood grips, to the Hogue rubber bantam grips, and everything in between. None felt natural. They were either too big, too small, too round, too square, finger grooves in the wrong place, etc.

I found my goldilocks when a friend lent me her M&P, which had been fitted with the standard K-frame grips and a Mershon adapter (now Pachmayr). Instant success. It was immediately the best feeling grip I'd ever had with any revolver, with the classic SAA grip being a close second.

My used 10-5 originally came with Magnas and I subsequently came across an old Pachmayr grip adaptor just like yours which I bought "just because." It may have saved my finger being banged by the trigger guard but the base of the thumb was still a bit of a problem.

All depends on our individual hand geometry (and padding) I guess.

 

[ezb57]

Maybe not the best looking stocks, but these old Bill Davis grips are my favorite for actually shooting.

 

[Nightowl]

I do not have large hands, and found the rubber Hogue grips the best for me. The Pachmayrs are too long front to back to be comfortable and seem harder than Hogues. I have the Hogue Tamer grips on a couple of .44 Magnums for single action shooting, but they are too large for double action shooting for me.

 

[oldbrownhat]

Unfortunately my budget won't extend to custom grips or vintage Fuzzy Farrants Come to think of it, I may have a Hogue like the one on my 625-8 so I could try that.

This is the grip on my GP100, which covers the backstrap and widens the "recoil" area in question but isn't as thick as the Pachmayr Presentation.

I've seen suggestions for cycling or golf gloves. Something fingerless with a bit of reinforcement around the base of thumb?

 

[Bobbysixkiller]

You said two of them have targets on them already. Are they factory targets or aftermarket. Only curious because magmas do the same thing you describe to me but the factory targets do great. But say altamont targets are just awful.

 

[oldbrownhat]

You said two of them have targets on them already. Are they factory targets or aftermarket. Only curious because magmas do the same thing you describe to me but the factory targets do great. But say altamont targets are just awful.

I believe they're all originals.

I found a K-frame Hogue and will try it on the Model 10 the next time I'm at the range

 

[HardToHandle]

As noted, the Hogue rubber grips have some Fuzzy Farrant influence (maybe an almost identical profile). My experience is the Hogues change the wrist and finger geometry over more traditional Smith target grips.

The Hogues are the best I have used for .357 Magnum shooting.
But each hand is different.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Use, have used Pachs and several other aftermarket grips.
Covered back strap often helps when recoil ‘bites’ your hand.
Results vary, check if you know a good old boy or Agreeable Age Unspecified Girl who can allow you to shoot their guns or borrow grips.
I generally prefer Grippers on K-L 357s.

 

[oldbrownhat]

Update: Went to the range with my buddy yesterday, with my Model 10 wearing the Hogues (as shown in #16) – no bite My buddy also has a Model 10 with the original service stocks on them and he said he has the same problem. (He was an RCMP officer years ago and carrried a Model 10 snubbie on duty.) His 686 wears Hogues. So he'll be looking for the same for his Model 10.

He has bigger hands than I do so the next time we go shooting I'm going to put the Pachmayr Presentation grips on my 625-8 and let him shoot some stout 45 Autorim loads and see how he likes them. The Pachs are just a bit too big for me, at least in DA.

 

[oldbrownhat]

Update #2. Put "the hamsters" to work to see if there might be some way to pad the top of the backstrap behind the hammer to soften whatever recoil is smacking my thumb joint and came up with a sort-of-solution.

Languishing in a box I had a roll of very old (30 yrs.?) clear, soft weatherstripping- about the consistency of a gummy bear. Amazingly the adhesive had not dried out and it was still usable. I have no idea who made this stuff and have never seen it since I bought it. The adhesive on the release strip (top) is easy to ermove but the underside is very aggessive.

I cut a piece the width of the top of the backstrap and overlaid it with some 10 mil black plumber's vinyl tape which extended under the grips onto the side plate.
I initially put two pieces on the Model 10 but ended up removing the bottom one

On the 625:


Took both to the range yesterday. There was some reduction in the amount of "whack" to my thumb joint and the pad showed no sign of shifting.

As previously mentioned, shooting in SA (using the pad of my finger rather than the crease) shifts my hand just enough that I don't get whacked. So I tried that in DA and found that although not as natural as using the crease, it was more comfortable so I think I'm going to stick with that. Maybe not ideal in a SD situation but fine for the range.

@THE PILGRIM: I had a set of Grippers for the Model 10 which I gave to my buddy for his Model 10. MUCH better! When he was in the RCMP they had to endure the standard stocks and they were never comfortable, esp. with the +P loads they were issued and more so in a snub.