scooter123
Member
Just picked up a new model 620 at my dealer that has been eyeing me for about 2 months. BTW, they had 3 in stock and I checked all 3 with feeler gages. Cylinder gap on one was 0.007 inch loose, one was 0.006 inch medium, and mine was a slightly snug 0.005 inch. Those who think that S&W's current quality is poor should re-think that attitude.
First, I had forgotten how much snap the 357 Magnum has, last time I shot one was over 30 years ago. For those who don't already know, the factory Hogue grips are TOO DAMN SMALL. While they are fine for 38 spl. and 38 +P they will punish anyone using a 357 Magnum round.
So, I am looking for a recomendation for some nice FAT grips to mount on it. However, and this is what I was unaware of, the new model 620's are built using a ROUND BUTT FRAME. Yeah, my 620 is a 4 inch round butt 357. The mount is also new to me, being a single screw that threads into a saddle clip mounted to the pins for locating the grip in the frame. It's somewhat similar to the heel mount that Dan Wesson used on his revolvers. However, it's a standard round butt frame and I could attach side screw grips by removing that saddle clip.
So, I am soliciting suggestions for a new grip or grip set. Just for reference, I find the Rosewood grips on my Sig Sauer P229 Elite Stainless to be nearly perfect. They felt HUGE when I got the gun but I now know better, fat grips not only work well for me, they make me a better shooter because they won't permit me to use too much finger on the trigger.
As for a range report, it's a bit too early for a full evaluation. Sighting was low out of the box but 1 full turn on the rear sight brought it to perfection. The trigger is smooth but does require a higher starting effort to initiate than my model 67, probably in the range of 11 to 12 lbs. for the first 1/16 inch, after that it's probably about 9 lbs. and not the least bit stagey. That's probably a result of it being a 7 shooter instead of 6, the total pull length is a bit shorter than my 67. Currently I have no plans on changing it, learning how to shoot it well will just make my finger stronger and me a better shooter. BTW, I did a bit of bench shooting in signle action while dialing in the sights, like my model 67 it's absolutely perfect. My only real issue is the factory grips are just too small for 357 Magnum loads, after 21 rounds of that I'd had enough.
PS, sorry guys, no pictures. One of these days I'll get around to getting an image host but right now my budget is shot.
First, I had forgotten how much snap the 357 Magnum has, last time I shot one was over 30 years ago. For those who don't already know, the factory Hogue grips are TOO DAMN SMALL. While they are fine for 38 spl. and 38 +P they will punish anyone using a 357 Magnum round.
So, I am looking for a recomendation for some nice FAT grips to mount on it. However, and this is what I was unaware of, the new model 620's are built using a ROUND BUTT FRAME. Yeah, my 620 is a 4 inch round butt 357. The mount is also new to me, being a single screw that threads into a saddle clip mounted to the pins for locating the grip in the frame. It's somewhat similar to the heel mount that Dan Wesson used on his revolvers. However, it's a standard round butt frame and I could attach side screw grips by removing that saddle clip.
So, I am soliciting suggestions for a new grip or grip set. Just for reference, I find the Rosewood grips on my Sig Sauer P229 Elite Stainless to be nearly perfect. They felt HUGE when I got the gun but I now know better, fat grips not only work well for me, they make me a better shooter because they won't permit me to use too much finger on the trigger.
As for a range report, it's a bit too early for a full evaluation. Sighting was low out of the box but 1 full turn on the rear sight brought it to perfection. The trigger is smooth but does require a higher starting effort to initiate than my model 67, probably in the range of 11 to 12 lbs. for the first 1/16 inch, after that it's probably about 9 lbs. and not the least bit stagey. That's probably a result of it being a 7 shooter instead of 6, the total pull length is a bit shorter than my 67. Currently I have no plans on changing it, learning how to shoot it well will just make my finger stronger and me a better shooter. BTW, I did a bit of bench shooting in signle action while dialing in the sights, like my model 67 it's absolutely perfect. My only real issue is the factory grips are just too small for 357 Magnum loads, after 21 rounds of that I'd had enough.
PS, sorry guys, no pictures. One of these days I'll get around to getting an image host but right now my budget is shot.
