Grip suggestions for N frame 5" range/target gun?

[therealsmithfan]

Made a decision

Gunar, that is one fine looking wheel gun. One to be proud of!

Daimler, good points. Thanks for your 30 years of insight. Since I'm newer to revolvers, wisdom like that is greatly appreciated. After shooting this 625 with stock grips...I felt the same thing. 5" full underlug barrel makes for a soft shooter in 45acp, compared to the magnums. But still felt like not enough in my hand for best balance.

Well, after much research, listening to you folks, and digging back to the archives, I decided on the Ahrends retro combats. Seemed to be the perfect idea for grip feel/control/comfort (from what I've read), plus the aesthetics I really crave (wood/finger grooves/round to square). I was so excited to order them up. Then I found out the only ones available now are maple (no offense cardboard). And darker woods are out 6 months!! Dealers say Kim is backordered at 300 pair right now. I kept looking at pictures of stainless wheel guns with maple shoes to try to get my brain to accept something other than a dark wood species. Different people like different things (ie: blondes, brunettes, redheads,) and you can't just switch that off. In the end, my brain won out and I decided I don't want maple or a 6 month wait. During my research, I kept coming back to Altamont's N frame round to square combats (they call the Bateleur style). Altamont's ebay side had a version not even on their site. "black walnut" (looks like their silver/black though) with the checkered panel and silver S&W medallion inlay. That should dress up my 625-6 a bit. Let's face it, they are somewhat austere and utilitarian looking compared to their pretty blued ancestors. I've read many very positive reviews regarding their fit, finish, performance...so thought I'd give them a try. About same price as retro targets. Few images attached from seller. I'll upload images with them on the 625 after I get them, as well as post how they feel and shoot. The retro targets will have to wait for now, but still want them for this gun or another. Thanks again for all the great feedback!

 

[Cardboard_killer]

Then I found out the only ones available now are maple (no offense cardboard). And darker woods are out 6 months!! Dealers say Kim is backordered at 300 pair right now. I kept looking at pictures of stainless wheel guns with maple shoes to try to get my brain to accept something other than a dark wood species. Different people like different things (ie: blondes, brunettes, redheads,) and you can't just switch that off.

Kim lost his wife last year and has been backordered since as she was a key member of his team. No need to worry about offending me. However, maple can be stained dark, so don't let that stop you next time. Here's a picture of stained maple boot grips from ebay auction. However, the staining and finishing would put you in the 6 month category, probably. Perhaps if you ordered them unfinished and stained and then finished them yourself, but that is a lot of work.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

To the OP:

I believe that you ought to try a set of Pachmayr Presentations, size SN-S. I believe that they are no longer made, but they are still around, usually in junk boxes, and not expensive. They are made for square butts, but will probably fit a round butt, especially if you fill up the space with crumpled Saran Wrap or something. Even if you don't like rubber, if you end up liking them, you'll know what shape and size are right, and you can look for that in wood. AFAIK, it is simply a classic Roper design.

The reason I believe that you may like this design is that I apparently have the same size hand as you, and I find the SN-S far and away the best design for N-frame SB revolvers.

Good luck.

 

[Capt. F.]

Nothing feels better to me than these Culina Cokes.

Man, that's way too pretty to shoot!

 

[GunarSailors]

Man, that's way too pretty to shoot!

Thanks, but I gotta disagree with you on that one. I can't imagine how empty my life would be if I didn't shoot it fairly regularly. The truth is that it was shot before I got it (at the factory at least) and will most likely get shot after I am gone (pushing up daisies). I'll be darned if I am going to miss out on my chance to fully enjoy owning it. Besides I didn't go to the trouble of legally importing it to Denmark from back home in the states just to look at it. I would rather be waterboarded. That model 27-8 is a real sweet shooter, even sweeter than all of my old favorite pinned and recessed models.

 

[therealsmithfan]

Gunar,
So glad to hear that beauty aint no safe queen! I shoot every gun in my safe (and carry many of them). I don't buy them, if I would be afraid to shoot them!

 

[therealsmithfan]

Cardboard,
Your stained grips are beautiful. I really considered buying the maple grips from ebay, stripping the clear, and re-staining and oiling. It would be considerable work/time...but not 6 months! I could use orange based chemical stripper probably to remove most of the clear...then very lightly sand with 320 to 600+ to get the rest off and smooth. In my experience (and I have a lot of wood working and staining experience), this may or may not come out nice. If the finish they used penetrated much into the maple (I realize maple is very hard), the new stain job could come out very splotchy and unprofessional. If I had to remove too much wood to obtain clean substrate for re-stain, I would change the shape and size slightly of probably one of the best grip profiles out there (not good). So I was afraid to try that. Unfinished maple would ideal, but probably just as long a wait. Chickened out on trying that, but having a bit of buyers remorse for not giving it a go. The more I look at your stainless guns with maple shoes...the more I like them.