My new 686 plus and stocks quandary

[American1776]

I've owned many 686 models over the years. Bought and sold over and over.

Recently I got the itch for a 2.5 inch 686. I like buying new if I can, but all my local shops were out of them and could t even get any.

So I found one of the last ones available (NIB) on auction. Paid too much for it, but it was worth it.

Fit and finish are very good. Barrel is indexed fine, and BC gap and endshake are perfect. Just a little cylinder-wink in full lock up, which I now prefer.

I really like the mean-looking snubbys like this one.

Here's a quandary I'm in. I put these Herrets wood combat style grips on. They fit perfectly and feel great. But I'm thinking about spending ~200 bucks for the NC Ordnace reproduction combat stocks with the medalions. Anyone have any experience with these? I'm not sure about spending so much for grips that might not fit correctly.

Thanks.

 

[CH4]

A 2.5" 686 is always a good choice, I have a few including a no dash LH and dash 4+, the 7th round is a real bonus. I prefer combat grips on my 2.5" snubs. Here are examples from Ahrends, Altamont and OEM.

 

[HorizontalMike]

I have always been a fan of 686NDs, purchasing my first 4in 686ND back in mid-1986. Always thought that I would eventually acquire a 2.5in 686 at some point... However, when I found the 2.625in 627PC in an 8-shot... I bought it!

My original 4in 686ND, 6x loaded, weighs in at 43.0oz while my 2.625in 627PC, 8x loaded, weighs in at 42.4oz... That is 0.6oz lighter WITH 8rd loaded!

Yup, this rocked my World view and skewed my view going forward...! I hate to be a convert, BUT!... 8rd moon-clips in .357 is/are World Changing Events!

FYI, I did eventually replace those great looking grips with Hogue Rubber, because of drawing blood after an entire box of .357 using those great looking wooden grips... 8-(
* NOT worth the blood drawn no matter how much fun...

Oh, and I forgot to mention, my .357 reloads are ~1,400fps, even in the 627PC ;-)

 

[jbtrucker]

Ahrends grips fit great but for firing .357 mags prefer O.E grips that cover the backstrap.

 

[Pine_Worker]

Don't have any NC Ordnance grips but they sure look good.

 

[Sgt911]

"BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED REPRODUCTION GRIPS
HAND MADE IN THAILAND OF NATIVE WOODS"
Those NC grips the same Thailand grips sold on ebay?

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Somebody recently told me that these rosewood stocks were S&W OE. They don't cover the backstrap but they're very comfortable. It has been a while since I shot this but I used to carry it in an El Paso Saddlery shoulder rig when I was hunting feral hogs down by the Rio Grande.

For balance I actually like the 3" 686+ better but this will do to ride the river with.

 

[CH4]

Somebody recently told me that these rosewood stocks were S&W OE. They don't cover the backstrap but they're very comfortable. It has been a while since I shot this but I used to carry it in an El Paso Saddlery shoulder rig when I was hunting feral hogs down by the Rio Grande.

For balance I actually like the 3" 686+ better but this will do to ride the river with.

You're correct, those grips were made by ACE. I believe S&W bought ACE grips in the late 80s or 90s and started using them as OEM. Here's a set of rose wood that came on a 2.5" 19-4 I found at a local pawn shop. I've also seen them in laminated walnut. They sure look like Altamonts.

 

[Old_Cop]

Buy Culinas, expensive, but worth it.

 

[joe44va]

I didn't like the fit on mine so I took a die grinder to them:

 

[august1410]

I just ordered some Herrett's RB to SB conversion grips for mine on eBay tonight. I have a set of Herrett's on my Ruger Security Six and they are wonderful. I'm certain they will make the 686 Plus look a little blocky and "butt heavy", but I am sure they will be comfortable.

 

[SLT223]

I would contact the Culina's. Jennifer goes by Grip Makers Wife and John goes by Kurac on this forum. I have several sets from them at this point. Good value for the money IMO.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

You're correct, those grips were made by ACE. I believe S&W bought ACE grips in the late 80s or 90s and started using them as OEM

Fascinating. A new thread on this subject is coming.