Grips on a Mountain Backpacker?

[Retired W4]

I acquired this 3" monster yesterday and it came with what appears to be S&W Diamondwood w/S&W emblem RB grips. The serial number indicates a likely 2001 date which seems to be a little late for these grips. I'm wondering what the Mountain Backpacker came with out of the factory. This is a completely different question of what the gun NEEDS on it when shooting it. I formerly owned a 629-5 Defensive (2 5/8" Performance Center gun) and it was pretty hard to handle as supplied.

Any way, how was it supplier out of the factory? I will get pictures up after breakfast and more coffee.

 

[Retired W4]

Photos of the beast.

 

[Bald1]

Probably came with rubber Hogue grips. I think it looks great with current grips. What is the numbers or letters engraved on left side below cylinder?

 

[Retired W4]

Probably came with rubber Hogue grips. I think it looks great with current grips. What is the numbers or letters engraved on left side below cylinder?

That is the serial number. CET0872.

 

[CH4]

I concur with rubber Hogues.

 

[Retired W4]

OK. I'm betting the rubber Hogues will feel a lot better when I touch off some 240 gr. JHPs.

 

[toad67]

OK. I'm betting the rubber Hogues will feel a lot better when I touch off some 240 gr. JHPs.

Try the Pachmayer Presentation grips. They are closed on the backside and split on the front. They cover the back strap, giving you a bit more padding, and also don't pinch your hand between the back strap and grip.

 

[Bald1]

I have a 3" 629 classic hunter. It came stock with Pach grips. I went the extreme opposite with a set of Grasshorn Stags. I don't see a huge difference in felt recoil. I bet the grips that are on there will be just fine. I'm waiting on a T Grip that I ordered in February. But it's purely cosmetic.

 

[Retired W4]

The finger grooves on the current grips fit my hand pretty well. That's more than I can say about S&W combats. Speaking of personal experience.

 

[Nightowl]

Love those short barrel .44 Mags!! I have a 629-4 Backpacker, 3 inch that is great fun to shoot! It came with Hogue round to square butt grips. I don't often shoot it with full loads, but mostly with a load of 6.1 grains of Trail Boss and 200 grain RNFP. Not much recoil, just enough!!

 

[Retired W4]

I have some Kim Ahrends N combats coming from 35 to put on it. I think they will work just fine. Will report.

 

[Redsoxfan]

Mountain Backpacker

my Mountain Backpacker, which I purchased from the S&W shooting sports center store NIB at the main plant in Springfield came with factory wooden grips. I ordered Hogue rubber grips to use on fishing trips.