if not combats, whats a close second

[SW CQB 45]

when talking about wood stocks and pricing....

Combats are desirable but high $$$.

So what alternatives are desirable but not in the high $$$ that would still add value, shoot-ability and style to your blued SW revolvers? (also durable)

I just never kept up with other manufactures.

Ahrends look cool but I just dont know anything about them. if there are others.... please chime in with experiences.

I am looking for both L and N frame SQ Butt. Dark woods appeal to me.

thanks in advance

 

[cremaley]

Have you seen these. Smith and Wesson American Legend by Pachmayr. Only $69.98 and they help disperse and control recoil.

 

[jbtrucker]

Ahrends feel good in hand haven't had a change to try them out

 

[SAFireman]

I don't know how affordable they are, but I really like Fuzzy Farrant's work.

If I had to buy new, I would look for some Ahrend's, but rumor has it that he may be going out....

I think that finding a manufacturer that has a shape compatible with your hands is the first battle....

Good luck in your search.

 

[hkcavalier]

Ahrends are great but they recently went bankrupt. So new examples are going to be tough to find. As to "add value" they certainly will over rubber grips but not whatever wood came on the gun.

I also like the Altamont Roper style grips. I don't care for their combat-style grip as it's huge. If you have large hands it will probably feel great.

 

[HamHands]

Honestly CQB 45... There are not many good quality grips that are close enough nor comparable for true Goncalo Alves "Combats" in dimension nor profile. There are better wood grade choices but from small time manufacturers... but they have a different idea of what "Combat" dimensions, cut, fit, and profile are... And they aren't very close at all to actual 80's or 90's OEM Smith combats are for said "Combat" spec's... I've been there and done that and the feel isn't very close. To each his/her own but know and feel what you are buying before you do. Pic below of my favorite "Combats" that fit and fire and carry the most comfortably for me. YMMV of course... A few pics below of my favorite "Combats" below.

80's Combats in pic above...
90's Combats in pic below...

Pic of my favorite M24 with "Combats" below atop...

Pic of the "Combats" on my M29-3...

 

[ContinentalOp]

I will admit that I may not be up on my terminology when it comes to S&W revolver grips, but I'm presuming "combat" grips refer to finger-grooved grips. I'll also add that I'm not a fan of finger-grooved grips, but I'll share my thoughts, FWIW.

Ahrends were my first thought. They are excellent quality grips, and I believe they're used on some of S&W's higher-end, limited-edition models. Unfortunately, as was previously mentioned, they did file for bankruptcy and Kim Ahrends won't be making them anymore. It's unknown if the company will continue making grips under new ownership, or that they'll be of the same quality if they do. So your best bet would be to look for used ones on auction sites and in classified ads.

You may also want to check out Culinas. I've had no personal experience with them, but pictures I've seen look very nice and they consistently get rave reviews from members here.

They may be a bit pricey, but you can also check out Blu Magnum grips. Again, no personal experience, but from what I've seen they look like a good option.

Altamonts are probably your best bet for less expensive, more readily available, but still good quality grips.

There's also Eagle Grips, though I'm more familiar with their Secret Service boot grips than their full-size models.

Good luck with your grip hunt.

 

[Green Frog]

You have two somewhat contrasting needs here, the desire for shoot ability and the desire to enhance the gun’s value. I would maintain that very few if any grips will do both. This is not a real concern though... if you want to sell the gun, it’s easy enough to put the originals back on.

I’ve said several times that I like the combats sold on e-Bay by a couple of Thai vendors... I especially like the dark ones I got for these two stainless guns that are two of the ones I shoot most often.

You may need to do a little final fitting, but you won’t be able to beat the price.
Froggie

 

[Pizza Bob]

PM incoming

 

[OLDSTER]

These very reasonably priced Altamonts have worked well for me on my 686-4.

 

[Gas tube]

Altamonts S&W 610

 

[Speedo2]

How about Eagle Grips? See "No.2" in the attached photo. I haven't bought from them in a few years, but as I recall, they were only around $80 at that time. However, it took about 4 weeks to get them.

ETA: Here's a link:
S&W N Frame Square Butt Combat Rosewood Grips

 

[SLT223]

John and Jennifer Culina make better S&W combats than S&W ever did.

 

[38SPL HV]

You may want to check out Altamont grips. Great grips. They provide grips to S&W on some models, and offer many types for sale. Great customer service as well.

 

[SW CQB 45]

here is one of my pieces that needs some wood

Model 29 5"

I really liked the looks of Ahrends, thats a shame he had to file.

there are plenty other options provided here.... thanks to all.

 

[colt_saa]

When we see the word Combats, most of us automatically think of round butts. When it comes to round butts Factory Combats (and their clones) are on the top of my list.

I had this post all finished (pictures and everything) when I realized I was not sure if were talking around round butts or square. So I went back and read it a second time . . . . Darn, I had to start over

You will notice all the examples and advice given in other posts are for round butts. Most of your Forum buddies did the same speed read and made the same mistake that I did

I have large hands and I have found very few square butt grips with finger grooves that feel good to me

If this is a gun I plan on shooting, comfort is number one, style is number two and adding value is not part of the equation

I only consider if the grips will add value if they are for a gun that I do not shoot or one that I am planning on selling

So instead of buying a set of $65-$125 grips that are not exactly want I want (but can afford today), I will wait/save for a bit longer and get the grips that I REALLY want even of they fall into the $150-$300 category

Five or ten years down the road, I will be much happier that I laid out that extra $100 or so

The bulk of my square butt guns wear factory targets because they feel good in my hand.

When I look for non-factory wood, I turn to Hogue. Because of finger groove spacing I order my grips with no finger groove. Sometimes I will get them with the white line spacer and contrasting but cap to add to the style

Sorry that these examples are not all blue revolvers. Heck, they are not even all S&Ws

Brazilian Rosewood
I know I need to re-shoot this old image

Kingwood

Goncalco Alves
on the 6 1/2"

Checkeed Tulipwood
These are round butt conversion grips on the 610
The square butt look almost identical is shape
I just do t have any photographed

Coco Bolo
I know it is not a S&W

Goncalco Alves
I know it is not a S&W

Goncalco Alves
I know it is not a S&W

​

 

[jdlii]

Combat grips not only look great but, they feel great when shooting a revolver that is wearing them.

A fairly recent acquisition had a set of Altamont combat grips but, they just didn't look right on the gun and the color was not what I would have selected.

A review of the "for sale" section for accessories turned up and opportunity to buy my second set of Gashorn elk stag grips. I was able to find the right Tyler t grip and everything came together.

Here are the before and after photographs of my Mod. 624.

 

[SW CQB 45]

After reading all the posts, I worded my original post wrong. Adding value in the sense of making it more of a desirable piece if I were to ever sell it.

Rubber hogues or pacs maybe great for rough carry and overall shooting comfort, but in my opinion wood removes the "cheaper" look when selling a piece. Of course factory combats add value but I am trying to avoid the big $$$ for a set.

thanks for the info, I got WAY more info than anticipated. keep it coming if there are more.

 

[HamHands]

John and Jennifer Culina make better S&W combats than S&W ever did.

The Culina's work with very nice grades of wood (nicer than the Goncalo Alve's than the OEM's)... and Jennifer is extremely nice to work with from first hand experience.

However, Culina's grips are the ones (unmentioned by name above) that I was speaking about having a "Different-Idea" of what the OEM Smith 80's "Combats" are in overall profile, feel, handling/recoil, and most importantly, their length characteristics. The ring finger grove "peak" on the Culina's I've owned as well has been far too long and make for: "wonky and awkward" dimensions/feel especially under recoil for when compared to true 80's Smith Combats. Lastly, the length of Culina's grips are easily a half inch longer in the bottom grip area and it's profile is pointy... unlike the OEM's are. The above mentioned attributes of Culina Profile Grips changed my gun's profile(s) too much for my liking and the printing under a shirt when concealing became far more noticeable than my OEM Smith Combat equipped Revolvers.

Again, Culina's are beautiful and they are great people to work with John and Jennifer are. However, if one is used to 80's or 90's OEM Smith grips in feel, carry, handling, and recoil characteristics... they are very different in the aforementioned attributes of true 80's and 90's profile OEM Smith "Combats." I've heard that Culina uses a profile that closely compares to
the 60's or 70's "Combat" profile of that era it's worth noting. So I suggest handling some before making your order if possible to anyone considering using Culina's as a substitute for OEM "Combats".

 

[THEmodelof1989]

"Big money" is a very subjective term. It's best not to try and play keeping up with the Jones' on this forum, as some forum members have done increadibly well financially speaking.

I agree that $300 for some wood panels is more than ridiculous when they add zero functionability to the firearm, so why not consider standard ol' Smith & Wesson factory grips? Everything you need, and nothing you don't. Checks all your boxes and will (kind of) hold value while being much easier on the pocket than combats.

If you've got to have combats check out the Thailand grip makers on ebay. They are spitting out the same product for a third of the price U.S. grip makers are charging. Even if the quality isn't the EXACT same, nobody can convince me that there is over a $200 dollar difference in quality, but people paying an extra $200 for brand recognition is nothing new.

Keep in mind also that as the older generations of revolver collectors move on to the next life, prices will come tumbling back down. So as an investment, I would be concerned with the longevity of it. Add to that issue the fact that you'd be buying in several years too late. I'd find another form of firearm investment... searching for and reading my thread on why investing in firearms is a terrible idea financially wouldt be a bad idea either.