Help IDing N frame combat grips

[ring3]

These grips came to me on an early 625 (m1988). I'd like to know if they are factory or aftermarket and what type of wood they are? Anyone have thoughts they might share? Thanks.

Rob

 

[murphydog]

Welcome (8 1/2 years from registering)!

They are factory and are the later (flat sided) variation of the RB Combat stocks. At that time they were likely Goncalo Alves but these are more brown in color than typical for that wood species. (Edit to remove reference to 1988 - see below.)

 

[ring3]

Welcome (8 1/2 years from registering)!

They are factory and are the later (flat sided) variation of the RB Combat stocks. At that time they were likely Goncalo Alves but these are more brown in color than typical for that wood species. The model of 1988 was made for several years so these might be original to the gun.

Thanks for the "welcome". Guess it just takes me awhile to warm up to a new place. Honestly though I do visit here quite often. Enjoy this forum very much. Find answers to my questions already provided in posts and lots of information. Never really felt I had much to contribute I suppose.

Thanks too for such a quick and informative reply. I bought the pistol used with those grips and a leather holster that leaves most of the barrel exposed. Assumed the gun had been used in some sort of competition and that the grips we added for that purpose. My only other recollection of 625's were from "bowling pin shoots" in the early 90's. Those all had black rubber or plastic type grips as I recall. Guess I just thought all 625's came with that type grip. Never would have considered they were original to the 625.

I put Houge's on shortly after buying the pistol. These have just sat with other "accumulations" since. We moved recently and I ran across them while trying to sort. While I like the Houge replacements I may have to put these back on and try them out.

Rob

 

[Pizza Bob]

The model of 1988 was made for several years so these might be original to the gun.

MD: I was under the impression that the 625-2's marked Model of 1988 were short-lived before they changed the barrel marking to Model of 1989, even though they were still marked 625-2.

I bought an early 625-2 - ordered toward the end of 1988 and it was delivered in 1989. I believe the change to the 1989 marking took place during 1989, so the 1988 marked guns were available for less than a year.

Also the original equipment stocks on the 625-2's, and I believe later guns - into at least the dash 3's, were Pachmayr Grippers.

One last nit-pick: Didn't the factory combat stocks use metal washers behind the medallions?

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[s&wchad]

Didn't the factory combat stocks use metal washers behind the medallions?

Adios,

Pizza Bob

They discontinued the washers at some point. I believe it was sometime in the mid-1980's. S&W later supplied Combat stocks like these without medallions.

 

[22hipower]

Here is an excellent earlier thread on N frame stocks, one's just like yours are shown towards the middle of it.

Smith & Wesson N Frame Stocks / Grips - A Reference Guide



Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[murphydog]

Ah, read "1988" and saw "1989"...a model of 1988 usually did come with Pachmayrs, so probably replacement stocks.

 

[ring3]

Wow! Thanks for all the information and links. Thought I'd throw up a pic of the grips in better light to help determine the type of wood.

Had some fun this evening switching them out. Here is how I like to shoot it:


Really fun pistol to play and plink with when I have a chance. Sadly the "Bowling Pin" matches are no longer offered here. I have however got to shoot some informally on a couple occasions.

Here's a pic of how it arrived. I like the look, just not the feel. Too small for my hands to be comfortable.



Now I must find a suitable mate for these originals. I'm proud to have them and need an excuse for another N frame. Thanks again all!

Rob

 

[pharman]

Morado

I'm late getting to the party here, but I believe the grips are light colored morado wood...Roger

 

[Lou_the_welder]

Those look like 629 DX morado grips.