K22 grip choice dilemma

[Patrick L]

Well, I told you all I'd have a dilemma coming up. I don't know which set of grips to use on my recently acquired 17-6.

This picture shows the 50s era diamond magnas I picked up at a LGS a week or so ago. They were on the odds and ends table priced at $30. Also note the BK adapter. I really love the way this setup looks.

This picture shows the Ahrends Retro Targets I ordered at the same time I got the gun. I ordered them in unfinished walnut, and I did my own tung oil/wax finish. I must be honest, I was not too pleased with the looks of these (I'm talking about their shape/dimensions, not my finish.) After looking at the photos on the website, I didn't think they were as "flat" as his other grips.

My heart likes the magnas/adapter better. They just look cool. But my head must be honest; I definitely shoot the Retro Targets better. My groups are rounder and smaller, probably due to the better control they give me.

What do you all think?

 

[redbos]

Did you 17-6 come with the factory combats? Mine did and I love them. But, I do really like the Ahrends Retro Targets, they pretty nice and I have big hands, they look like they would work for me.....

Nice gun

 

[fyimo]

I'd go with the Ahrends if you shoot better groups with them.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Somebody once said, "Form follows function." If the Ahrends fit your hand (it sounds like they do), then they are the answer. They LOOK fine. My favorite grips for my K22 are not Ahrends, but that is probably because I use MY hand, not yours. You're lucky - good grips for you are respectable-looking grips. Mine are P&R - Pachmayr and rubber.

I can sympathize with your appreciation of the appearance of the diamond magnas and grip adapter - I kind of like it myself - but you should be glad that GOOD grips for you are Ahrends rather than Goodyears.

 

[Patrick L]

Model520Fan,

I agree, Pachmayrs feel great. For years I had them on all my guns. I am on a quest to find wood that is as comfortable as they are/were. These Ahrends are comfortable, just not as good looking as I hoped they'd be.

redbos, I actually got the gun with NO grips. It was a private sale from a friend. The gun had Hogues on it, and I hate the way they fit my hand, so I let him keep them for his 586.

 

[Shooting4life]

I would try factory combats, my 17-6 came with them

 

[Tslepebull]

My 1947 model K-22 came with diamond magnas similar to the set you have. However, I stumbled into a nice set of K-frame stags so the diamond magnas are wrapped up carefully in the box with the K-22. I did add a Pachmayr grip adapter to the stags. As pretty as the Tyler's/BK grip adapters are the finger grooves just don't fit where my fingers go.

Exellent buy on the diamond magnas by the way and they really look great with the BK's; I just wish my fingers were different.

 

[DRYHEAT]

Well not to throw a curve ball into this discussion, but I have another suggestion. I am waiting (almost 18 months now) to get my '47 K-22 that has the 98%, numbered to the gun, diamond magnas on it. As soon as I get it I will carefully remove the original stocks, and install these diamond K-frame targets that DWFAN re-habbed for me.

 

[Smithhound]

You've answered your own question actually, the Diamond Centers for so, the Ahrends to go. You can always strip off your finish, take a half round file and sandpaper and customize them to your hand specifically, that way you'd have the best of both worlds.
RD

 

[Smithhound]

Dang DryHeat, talk about a waiting period. Did you fill out the 4473 in crayon or something?
RD

 

[jughed440]

I had to buy something to replace some hideous home made grips that came with this K22. Chose the same style Ahrends you have. They are reshaped for a better fit, and coated with Tru Oil.

 

[lebomm]

Like 520fan, I'm a firm believer in "Form should follow function". If you get better results with the "less attractive" grips, then those are the ones you should shoot with.

Larry

 

[Kavinsky]

I would try the factory combats or the Pachmayr gripper grips for the best control since the magnas it came with which were just like yours hurt to shoot because I needed more area around the back of the trigger guard for the grips and the gun to fit my hand.

it was banging up the lower three fingers of my hand since my middle finger was right behind the trigger guard.

 

[PMRet]

I prefer the older diamond targets on my K frames, they fit my hand well and I like the look. As others have said, I'd go with what fits you best.

 

[Patrick L]

PMRet and DRYHEAT,

Your grips make me swoon!

An older set of diamond targets would be ideal, but unless I stumble across another deal its not likely, since I'd never pay what the collectors are charging for them.

Thanks for all the replies. I guess I will go with the Ahrends, as many of you suggest. They do shoot better for me.

 

[sceva]

Those great K-22's just look right with the diamond magnas. But for shooting; go with what feels and shoots best.

Mine has Herrett Jordan Troopers that feel much better to me than the stock magna's. Hang onto the Magnas though, mine are stored away.

 

[Shooting4life]

Herret Jordan style grips are one of my favorites as well. between them, nills and kuracs I am more than happy with aftermarket grip options.

 

[Kavinsky]

Thing is with those Ahrends grips something looks off about them, I would gladly buy a pair for the M29 if they looked like the normal old smith and wesson grips.

with this kind of look to them, minus the checkering:

http://www.imfdb.org/w/images/4/4e/S&WModel29_Enforcer.jpg

but they just seem like their missing the finish and texture of the old grips that I like when the light shines on them like in the bottom photo.

 

[sonora]

I think you did a great job on those Ahrends. If you shoot better with the Ahrends grips shoot with them and save the Magnas. Sonora

 

[Patrick L]

Sonora,

Thanks for the compliment!

Kavinsky,

Just FYI, that is not an Ahrends finish on my grips. I specifically ordered them unfinished, and i did my own tung oil/wax finish that I happen to like, but is definitely a dull finish. A different finish could easily be shinier. Also, those are walnut, wheras most of the others shown are some of his fancier woods. I take no offense to your comment, I just don't want my finish to influence your opinion of his product.

My visual objection to his grips are that, at least on the K frames, they are just a bit thin in cross section. I would like them just a bit fatter, or maybe "rounder" that they are. As I get more knowlegable about grips, I find I prefer the older Smith Targets. I have a set of real Cokes on my pre 29, and they are sublime. The later Smith Targets got too blocky and square for my tastes.