Help me pick some ahernds

[SBRAR15]

I have never owned a pair of ahernds and i hear im missing out so heres my question S&W guys. I have a Model 66 2 inch and 4 inch round butt and also a Model 64 round butt. I was looking at Ahernds Conceal Carry Boot grips with the finger grooves for the 4 inch and I thought I could swap them out on the Model 64 and 66 2" if I took a notion. I was wondering how the conceal carry boot grips compared to the normal round butt finger groove grips offered by Aherns? Open back grips would fit my hand better and I do not shoot full magnum loads that often, usually just 38+P's. Ahernds owners input would be appreciated. Pics would be a bonus.
Thanks

 

[Tunachaser]

I bought his combat retro round but, for my 19-4 2.5, probably the best fealing grip I could've bought.

 

[ladder13]

I have some cc bootgrip Ahrends but like the look of those Retro Combats displayed by Tunachaser. Waiting for Brownells to get some Goncalo Alves RC's in stock.

 

[Jeff45]

These are the cocobolo round butt grips on a model 19 with a 2 1/2" bbl. I have medium - small hands and prefer the non-grooved ones because I can get all my fingers on the grips. They work great for me.

 

[calapooia]

I have retro combat FG on a 4" 686 . They feel much better that Hogue or the factory rubbers when I shoot mag's.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Same as above but in moradillo:

and Tactical sqaure butt smooth: (also made in a square to round)

I will be buying another one of those for a K round option.

 

[Bullseye Smith]

 

[jjgi5150]

Hi SBR,

Just as Bullseye has shown with his photos, I too like the Ahrends Tactical Combats with finger groves. I have larger, thicker fingers, though, so I do a bit of sanding on the leading edges of the finger grooves.

They come from Ahrends with a very sharp leading edge and it was too sharp for me. The leading edges are also squared off perpendicular to the plane of the weapon. So there, on the outer edges, I also sand them down a bit. Once those minor changes are done, they are about perfect for me, especially on the 2.5" K's.

When I'm done with the minor sanding described, I merely rub in a few drops of Watco Marine teakwood finish and it blends perfectly with the wood...for me, Cocobolo. You cannot tell even on extreme close exam that they were ever touched.

I love them. They are very affordable...and they are very well made.

[/IMG]

 

[ladder13]

Spegels ain't too shabby either

 

[Nemo288]

Speaking of Ahrends, I am looking at them too and would like some opinion
comparing their "tactical" and "retro combat" styles.
I am not a big fan of the half moon cut-out. The combats that came with
my LH 624 3" don't fit me well at all. I have big hands and the lower half
of those grips seems too big for me. The half moon cut out is uncomfortable
as well.

This is what got me looking at the "tactical" style as their cut outs resemble
the Hogues and Herretts and are not nearly as sharp.
Anyone out there have both and an idea as to their relative merit?

Pach presentation RB fits me much better but doesn't cut it for
close carry. Something Skeeter pointed out years ago.

BTW anyone into 44's who hasn't read Taffin's "Gun Digest Book
Of The 44" is missing out on hundreds of cool photos and intelligent
text detailing everything 44. Many of the stocks are amazing.
Sadly many of the makers are deceased or retired.

Thanks,

---
Nemo

 

[.357magger]

Have both finger groove and non. For me, the nons are the best "feeling" grips I have EVER placed on a revolver. And oddly enough, the finger groove variety are the only fingergrooves that fit my hands properly. But I still like the grooveless ones better and will be replacing those pictured below on the 627PC with a non grooved set shortly. Sorry about the pic quality, I'm still "a lernin" how to do gun pics and have a crummy camera to boot.

Below are the "nons" on a 686-5 Plus 7 shooter. This gun feels GREAT in the hand, as opposed to merely awesome on the 627

One additional thought here, regarding finish. The set on the 686 were purchased through Gun Broker and have the Tung Oil finish as opposed to the poly finish on the 627's grips. There is a BIG difference imo on how they look and how they feel. The 686's are very dark with a subtle brown grain, was sold to me as moradillo but could be ebony for all I know. Looks like it and the tung oil seems to be a much grippier (if that's a word) surface than the poly finish. When I replace on the 627 I'm going with the tung.

Hope this helps.

 

[Nemo288]

.357Magger:

That's exactly the kind of infopinion I was looking for
Appreciate your time very much.

Switch your camera to manual focus (if you can). Many
(including my Olympus E-20) don't auto-focus well in the
dark. The cool thing about digital cameras is you can just take
a pile of shots until you figure out what works. I grew up on
film and a lot more thinking was involved before the shot as
every one cost money.

I could never have gotten this shot without manual focus.
My camera also has a short focus (macro) mode that adjusts
the flash and focus (if you are on auto). I used it with this shot but went manual focus.
It's an extremely short depth of field with not a lot of light.

---
Nemo

 

[.357magger]

Thanks Nemo.

High on my list this year is a new camera. Mine was a gift and does not have a manual focus. Great for a day at the beach with the grandkids, not so great for detail work. Only bad thing is that the "list" keeps changing and guns keep taking precedence. What a problem to have.

That shot above is amazing and just confirms my wanting another camera. Hmmmmmm?

Gun/camera, gun/camera, gun/camera, gun/camera...damn, here I go again.

 

[Coastie762]

Here are my Model 66s, all wearing Ahrends GA Retro Combats.

 

[Broker50]

I have one set of Cocobolo Tactical's, Easily the best fitting, best looking aftermarket grips I've seen. That said, I don't like them, too slick without checkering, & the flat front finger gooves (say that three times quickly), feel like grabbing a 2 x 4. My opinion only!

 

[SBRAR15]

Grips

So the non finger groove models are smaller overall? I do not have meat hook hands so the smaller size would be better for me...

 

[.357magger]

So the non finger groove models are smaller overall? I do not have meat hook hands so the smaller size would be better for me...

Yes they are smaller. Only variation of that perhaps is the "bananna" grips which seem to be the same except the grooves are only larger at the extended part themselves. But the non fingergrooved tacticals are definately smaller than the fingergrooved ones. The bananna's are imo the smallest grips Ahrends sells. Open backed and just slightly thicker than the gripframe itself. Think of them as a standard RB grip with a grip adapter, all rendered in wood. BUt...they are also slightly longer than the RB non fingergrooved tacticals.

Hope this helps.

 

[R Kern]

I love my retro combats in Cocobolo.

 

[Rodentman]

Ahrends grips:

I like the retro combat finger groove style.

 

[Tunachaser]

I can't go back to Ahrends, mine didn't fit and when I contacted him about it he copped an atitude, got all pissy,said they were fitted three differant times, all but called me a liar, it is a shame cause he does excellant work. I use Boone exclusively now, and recommend them every chance I get.