Magna Grip?

[Sgt911]

Are there different size Magna grips? I bought a new set awhile back from the SW webpage and they are narrower than the original sets on my K frames. Is there a vendor that sells grips with the earlier dimensions? These are SQ butt grip panels. I thought all factory SW magna grips were the same size. I'm pretty sure SW didn't make the grips anyway. I bought a 15-3 that had pachmayr grips so I bought new Magna grips. I didn't like the new look so I switched with a 10-7 that had the original grips and that's when I noticed the size difference. Sorry for the ramble.

I also just noticed this is my first post ever after lurking four years!

 

[Art Doc]

The contour and thickness can vary from year to year. For an older model gun I would seek a set of stocks the same age.

 

[Babysitr]

Well, welcome....time to get started

 

[ACORN]

I was wondering when you were finally going to make your first post.

 

[Gene L]

Should fit...K frame is a common frame size. When you say narrow, do you mean thinner, side to side?

 

[UncleEd]

The magna sold by Smith these days and puts on
its Model 10 Classic are a far cry from the original
ones which were thicker and had very decent
checkering.

The new ones are, I think, of the laminate variety
and about as cheap as could be provided.

Still, some might prefer the thinner newer ones to
the older ones.

To get something that looks decent, if still laminate,
go to Altamont Grips and find something else.

 

[Sgt911]

Should fit...K frame is a common frame size. When you say narrow, do you mean thinner, side to side?

Yes, thinner side to side

 

[Sgt911]

The magna sold by Smith these days and puts on
its Model 10 Classic are a far cry from the original
ones which were thicker and had very decent
checkering.

The new ones are, I think, of the laminate variety
and about as cheap as could be provided.

Still, some might prefer the thinner newer ones to
the older ones.

To get something that looks decent, if still laminate,
go to Altamont Grips and find something else.

True, these almost look like camo laminate

 

[Jack Flash]

No one came right out and said it so I will - S&W quit making stocks (grips) in house some time back. Now they outsource that work.

 

[murphydog]

The contour and thickness can vary from year to year. For an older model gun I would seek a set of stocks the same age.

By far, this is the best option. The appropriate set would be checkered walnut, flat bottoms (many were rounded), no "diamond" around the stock screw, and black stock washers (the metal discs that hold the upper panel into the frame). These should be easy to find and not too expensive.

 

[UncleEd]

The square butt magnas with the "rounded" bottoms
were, I believe, called PCs, for plain clothes. They
would be found more often on fixed sighted Smiths.

The very squared bottom grips were usually on
adjustable sighted models.

 

[Sgt911]

Thanks for the flat bottom/round bottom info. I found a nice flat bottom set for the 15-3. The set I took off the 10 were rounded and the 10 is a 3" version. Those rounded ones should stay on the 10.

 

[Pizza Bob]

The new ones are, I think, of the laminate variety and about as cheap as could be provided.

Still, some might prefer the thinner newer ones to
the older ones.

To get something that looks decent, if still laminate,
go to Altamont Grips and find something else.

I believe that the new ones (the ones the OP bought and the ones on the Classic Model 10's ARE made by Altamont.

Ebay can be a good source for the old(er) S&W manufactured grips.

Good hunting.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[UncleEd]

The magnas supplied by Smith are Altamont
which calls them "service" panels.

But Altamont makes all sorts of magnas though
none is like the true originals; the Alamonts are
fancier.

 

[GerSan69]

One other tidbit of info: S&W used to fit grip panels to each gun individually. If your gun is from that era, there may be a chance that the current, mass-produced panels from Altamont (the present-day factory supplier) might not be exact.
Just a thought from the bleachers.
And glad to see you "out and about" on the forum.

 

[Sgt911]

OK, got my flat bottom magna grips off of eBay. They look fine, they are the thicker version too. These grips didn't come with a screw. The screw off the new factory grips wont work and the screw from the older round bottom grips works but seems short. Also the router line on the left grip looks like the operator had the hiccups. looks like it came from the factory that way. That being said, I am very pleased with the tips you guys gave me, just need to find a longer screw.

The screw that is in there now is 1.25". it works but seems short. Is there longer version?