Oh boy... now what?

[BurtonRider]

Hello!

A few weeks ago I came across a nice little .44Spl in my local gun store. While I am not a fan of what the previous owner did to the grips, I decided that overall I liked the gun enough buy it and figured I'd just get a new set of grips.
Once I did a little research, I was delighted/ horrified to learn that this is a Lew Horton 624 and is loosely considered a collectable. It's upsetting that the previous owner would destroy the grips in this manner but I figured new-old stock factory grips shouldn't be too hard to acquire. Boy was I wrong. The closest thing I could find was an eBay listing for $399. While my offer for a lower price was accepted, it was still a very expensive purchase.

Fast forward to tonight- I finally had a chance to sit down to swap the grips and as my luck would have it, they do not fit. The eBay listing was scarce on details but from the photos I (mistakenly) assumed I would be okay.

Here are some photos on Imgur

What would you all do at this point?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[lihpster]

Welcome to the forum. The new grips are K-frame grips. Your gun is an N-frame, slightly bigger in size. I would look for some N-frame grips and see if I could work some sort of deal, either selling the Ks and the original grips to pay for it, or maybe make a trade. Good luck!

 

[BurtonRider]

Thank you, it's nice to be back on message boards again.

Oof... how embarrassing. When I was filling out my 4473 I commented that it might be easier to carry this small N-frame but the clerk said that this is an L-frame. I looked again and was doubtful that 44spl was able to fit into an L-frame but he went on and I guess I decided not to think about it any harder because I still wanted the gun.

Rookie mistake, but oh well. I do have several L-frames that the grips would look nice on, so it's not a total loss.

 

[Chubbs103]

Were these stocks advertised as N or K. At least once before, I have bought stocks listed as N frame on e-bay and received K frame.

The seller took them back for a refund without issue. Contacting the seller would be step on in my book.

Edited:
Disregard. You answered while I was typing.

 

[rwadley1]

Welcome to the forum. You're 624 is beautiful. While it's unfortunate that a previous owner added those medallions, they help tell the guns story. There may be a forum member that will swap your Ks for Ns, but they will never be the ones you found it with.

The 696 is an iconic L frame in 44 special that those stocks would look great on...just saying.

 

[Martyk]

Welcome aboard from the land of Cheese Heads. Nice find. I have a 24-3 Lew Horton and it is a tad too much to carry around all day. It looks like the P/O did a nice job on the presidential seals. Maybe keep the originals for range days, I'm sure you could get some conversation mileage about the revolver being a gift from the Donald for campaign work in your state, or some other plausible ghost story.....Enjoy!!!

 

[BurtonRider]

Welcome to the forum. You're 624 is beautiful. While it's unfortunate that a previous owner added those medallions, they help tell the guns story. There may be a forum member that will swap your Ks for Ns, but they will never be the ones you found it with.

The 696 is an iconic L frame in 44 special that those stocks would look great on...just saying.

Thank you, that is a nice way of looking at it.
If there is a forum member who would be willing to swap I'd certainly be open to a conversation.

Haha, noted.

 

[Aukula1062]

Don't beat yourself self up too bad. That's nothing that most of us haven't done. And... now you have a nice set of grips to put on your K/L frame your gonna buy in the future. It's an addiction after all!

 

[stansdds]

Welcome to the S&W Forums. That's a nice and very desirable Model 624 you have. It is unfortunate that the previous owner modified the stocks, but when firearms are purchased, they are generally not purchased with the idea of preserving them, but for using and even customizing them. As previously stated, the replacement stocks you purchased are K/L-frame stocks and the 624 is an N-frame.

Given that your Lew Horton 624 came without its box and documents and the original stocks have been altered, I'd say take good care of it, be on the lookout for correct replacement stocks, but enjoy it as an excellent condition shooter grade S&W revolver.

 

[BurtonRider]

Don't beat yourself self up too bad. That's nothing that most of us haven't done. And... now you have a nice set of grips to put on your K/L frame your gonna buy in the future. It's an addiction after all!

Haha, pretty much. I'm assuming these stocks will fit any other L / K frame?

Welcome to the S&W Forums. That's a nice and very desirable Model 624 you have. It is unfortunate that the previous owner modified the stocks, but when firearms are purchased, they are generally not purchased with the idea of preserving them, but for using and even customizing them. As previously stated, the replacement stocks you purchased are K/L-frame stocks and the 624 is an N-frame.

Given that your Lew Horton 624 came without its box and documents and the original stocks have been altered, I'd say take good care of it, be on the lookout for correct replacement stocks, but enjoy it as an excellent condition shooter grade S&W revolver.

Thank you, that was what my plan is. It's a very nice gun regardless and I had intended to use it regularly. I generally do not buy a gun just to let it sit around, I like to use them all (even collectable ones).

It sounds like I'm in for an uphill battle to get replacement stocks for this 624. Would any of you be able to point me in the right direction?

 

[Doug M.]

Grips are a personal preference/comfort issue. When I started, the general rule was to pitch the wood and go with rubber, and I did. The one reason I bemoan that is not being able to sell them to a collector. To me, most factory grips border on junk.

 

[BurtonRider]

Hi everyone, I'm bringing this thread back from the dead to ask for a little help. Last night I posted a WTB for the correct grips, so if you know someone who might be able to help I kindly ask that you send them my way. Thanks in advance!!

https://smith-wessonforum.com/wante...es-round-butt-combat-grips.html#post142159673

 

[SAFireman]

Hi everyone, I'm bringing this thread back from the dead to ask for a little help. Last night I posted a WTB for the correct grips, so if you know someone who might be able to help I kindly ask that you send them my way. Thanks in advance!!

https://smith-wessonforum.com/wante...es-round-butt-combat-grips.html#post142159673

Get ready for some sticker shock. Those 1986 era N Frame Combat stocks bring a premium

 

[jem102]

John Culina is your friend. Not factory but nicer.

 

[PALADIN85020]

I have a Horton 624 that matches this one. I detest the factory stocks simply because they are too bulky for discreet carry. I replaced them with some Ahrends grips that don't print as much.

I have chosen to keep the factory stocks just in case a future buyer (probably after I die - sorry OP) might want them to keep the gun original. I think the Ahrends grips look more business-like and they fit perfectly.

John

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

There is someone on here that repairs grips.......I can't remember his name...he could remove those ugly medallions and make that area disappear.