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

[therealsmithfan]

Loving my "new" 625-6, but not super excited about the stock hogue rubber combat grips. I wear size L gloves, so hands not huge (not dainty either). My pinky feels left out. This is 5" barrel and I think it feels more muzzle heavy than it should (duh, full underlug and all) because the grip doesn't allow my hand to support it's weight well. Anybody else get that feeling with these stock combat grips on N frames?

I'm using this gun for target, plinking, trail. Not competition or concealed carry. Love the look of wood grips on stainless guns, and have upgraded several of my autos this way. Thinking of buying some "larger" combats (what altamont calls "bateleur"), or maybe switch to target style with round to square butt conversion grips. Anybody move to larger combat grips or target /coke bottles from stock for this type of shooting? Good move? I found image from forum post of 2003 from member "bigGuns" of hogue combat grips that seem more substantial. I've attached (hope OK to show your gorgeous piece). Like this kind of look. Also attached Altamont bateleur image, looks nice for around $60. Would like to keep from buying 3 or 4 sets of grips to find right ones (been there, done that). What have you done to improve your grip for size L hands, and this kind of shooting? Please share pictures!

 

[therealsmithfan]

Thanks Trout. Looks nice! . I appreciate your input, and your little wiggling fish analogy is fitting. After 2-3 shots I felt like I had to "re-grip" a bit. I like a grip that fills the hand and stays put more....and actually like the look of the vintage targets as well!

 

[dr. mordo]

I just ordered a set for my new 629 so I can't yet comment on quality, but these look nice and are inexpensive:

jaruwan | eBay

I ordered the uncheckered Miculek copies, but if they are nice I plan to order a few more sets!

 

[petemacmahon]

I ordered the uncheckered Miculek copies, but if they are nice I plan to order a few more sets!

Miculek's all the way. They are by far my favorite grips for DA work.

 

[SLT223]

You're going to want to contact John Culina. Kurac on this site.

 

[Cardboard_killer]

On a stailess gun I like blonde grips. You can get unstained maple or the Osage Orange from Ahrend Grips. Here's a pair I finished in Tung oil myself. They are Retro Combats, the maple are N-frame the Osage are k-frame (round to square conversion).

 

[therealsmithfan]

Thanks SLT...checking out the Kurac site. Not seeing prices...it might be one of those "if you have to ask, you can't afford them". Which in my case, could be true. I'll pop them an email. Very nice stuff.

Hey Killer...great pics and nice grips! I've been checking out the Ahrends grips. I've noticed some people don't care for "flat" area across the front of the finger grooved combats. Obviously, they work very well for you...what size of hands do you have? As far as control and getting a grip up high, good marks? Thanks for taking the time. These seem to be a nice step down in price from Hogue wood grips (like 1/2 in some cases), without a big drop in fit, function, quality.

 

[Cardboard_killer]

I have medium hands shading to small. So for autos with three backstraps I use the medium. For revolvers, I prefer full grips on the k-frames with covered back straps, but I prefer exposed back straps for my n-frames else they are a shade too big for me in double action.

Edit: you can, of course, modify grips with some sandpaper and a sanding block and patience. If you look around, you can usually find grips to play with on the auction sites a bit cheaper than buying new if you want to try some practice grips for sanding. Adding wood is harder, but it can be done too.

 

[Cardboard_killer]

I am going to say something heretical, too: I do not like full lug revolvers. I don't like the balance. That's one reason I don't have any 617s or 625s anymore. Stainless steel also adds to the problem due to the extra weight, so I prefer blued guns (and think they look better, too). JMO.

 

[therealsmithfan]

Hey Killer,
Nothing heretical about personal preference! I'm an open minded guy and always appreciate opinions and the perspective of others (even if I don't agree ). So...what's your favorite caliber/frame/barrel length for some range fun?

This is my first real wheel gun. I've got a safe full of autos and a huge fan and owner of 2nd, 3rd gen smith bottom feeders. Honestly, I just wanted a big bad-*** N frame with big bore caliber . Love moon clips too. I've shot several revolvers of friends and such, but no N frame 5" guns. Didn't really know what to expect. Got this 625-6 in like new condition this christmas with original box and papers, for $575 in GB buy it now. So price was right. I was also looking at model 25's. I like the weight, and love the way it shoots. I think some grip changes will make a huge difference, to only make it better. I've got the revolver bug now, and already stopping buy the local stores and filling my "watch" list with other models and calibers (don't tell my wife) on GB. Uh oh. Even if this one gets replaced by a new range fave...I'll still keep and shoot it. Part of the collection now

 

[GunarSailors]

Nothing feels better to me than these Culina Cokes.

 

[Cardboard_killer]

Hey Killer,
Nothing heretical about personal preference! I'm an open minded guy and always appreciate opinions and the perspective of others (even if I don't agree ). So...what's your favorite caliber/frame/barrel length for some range fun?

Model 27 5" or 6" (either m27 or m28). I do like the Model 25, too, although I don't have one right now.

 

[bananaman]

I normally don't use anything with finger grooves. They just don't feel right to me. I have tried round to square conversions on my 625 JM. Currently use & like these. Bob

 

[Pizza Bob]

OP: You have misidentified the grips in your pic in the first post of this thread. They are not Hogue combat grips, they are Nills grips. They also make an extended, "big butt" version.

Nills is a German company and their grips are very nice and also expensive. There is a Turkish company called KSD that makes knock-offs of the Nills designs plus original designs. The knock-offs seem to be diminishing - so there may have been some legal action on Nills part.

I have KSD grips on my 27-4 PC and love them...

Unfortunately, these are no longer available from KSD - at least they are no longer on their website (KSD's like this still available for K, L & X frames). But you can get these from Nills, if you are willing to spend the money.

Good luck in your quest.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[gwpercle]

On a stailess gun I like blonde grips. You can get unstained maple or the Osage Orange from Ahrend Grips. Here's a pair I finished in Tung oil myself. They are Retro Combats, the maple are N-frame the Osage are k-frame (round to square conversion).

If you don't care for finger grooves Ahrends has Retro Target's that do not have them. Nice grips.

 

[therealsmithfan]

Super! Great ideas and pictures guys. Many drool worthy! I'm leaning towards the Ahrends retro combats, as I do like finger grips (providing they are a good fit) and because they are reported to be a bit slimmer than the Ahrends tactical round to square. I'm definitely going to move towards a square butt look, I just don't like the "little" look of the round butt grips like Ahrends N frame round combats, or even the round retro combats. Those type just look like they belong on a snubby, or at most a 3incher (to me, I realize it's a personal thing). Target/trail gun, so not worried about concealment or printing...more interested in control and comfort. Some of the suggestions are just a bit out of my range (some way out) right now, after Christmas and all. Beauty stuff, and I'm sure worth every penny...but I've spent less on some guns than some of those shoes. Also, considering the altamont baleteur (over sized combat) as they have several wood choices and very reasonable, at around $65. Just VERY little info or reviews on those, and I know the Ahrends will be top notch. Hmmmm.

Thanks for good info on makes and such Pizza Bob! Great looking setup btw!

 

[gumpys]

Nothing feels better to me than these Culina Cokes.

Absolutely love the gun and the Culinas. That is one hell of a awesome set up there buddy.

Eric

Sent from my LG-H910 using Tapatalk

 

[steelslaver]

I am going to say something heretical, too: I do not like full lug revolvers. I don't like the balance. That's one reason I don't have any 617s or 625s anymore. Stainless steel also adds to the problem due to the extra weight, so I prefer blued guns (and think they look better, too). JMO.

While I am not a big fan of the full under lug, except for maybe a pure target gun. Got a couple just because they came that way.

But, stainless steel (416) is actual sightly lighter than carbon steel (4140) . But, the weight difference is slight. 100 cu inches of 4140 weighs 28.2 # and 100 cu inches of 416 28#. 99.29% So is 2 guns were 100% identical and the blued gun weight 50 oz the stainless one would weight 49.6 oz. This is because 416 has 16% chrome which is slightly lighter than iron.

I have never measured 2 identical models like a 25 and a 625 to if they are diamentionly identical.

 

[Daimler1989]

over the last 35 years this is what I discovered: The larger and heavier the gun, the more surface you should have for contact of your hand on the grip. On my N-Frames 4" with lighter loads it makes less difference if the panels are smaller, p.e. I use a set of Ahrends Retro Banana on my 624 with .44 Spl target loads - for stouter loads the Hogue wooden grip w/o finger grooves or the Ahrends Retro Target give more control. On my 27-2 5" with .38 Spl. ammo the Ahrends Retro Target is fine, but when shooting .357 full house loads, I like the Hogue wooden grip w/o finger grooves and striped cap better (because it is longer at the bottom). I recently tried my neighbour's 629 5" with a Hogue rubber monogrip and then temporarily swapped the rubber grip for an old original S&W target grip (with a gap at the rear) - result was a far better control of the gun.

 

[bananaman]

Absolutely love the gun and the Culinas. That is one hell of a awesome set up there buddy.

Eric

Sent from my LG-H910 using Tapatalk

Beautiful outstanding stocks! What more can I say? Bob