Question on new vs. old revolver grips

[TacticalBacon]

I see a lot of used revolver grips selling in the classified section for prices that exceed those of factory new grips from S&W. I'm not talking about hard to find coke bottles, etc. Just regular magna, target and combat grips. It seems that S&W has many of these still available for sale, all listed on their website. Is there a a difference between the old and current production? I would think that used grips would be selling for 50-75% of the cost of new ones. Thoughts?

 

[arjay]

The new grips are made from plywood,the old ones are solid wood.

 

[reddog81]

IMO the new ones look too perfect. They look like they were made by a machine while the old ones look like they were made by a person. Also the quality of the wood.

It's kind of like the difference between a case hardened trigger and an MIM trigger. Every MIM trigger looks exactly the same. The case hardened triggers all look slightly different.

 

[qballwill]

There are slight differences in the design. I have also heard a few too many stories of I'll fitting new grips.

 

[TacticalBacon]

Thanks for your responses. Makes sense.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Some (many?) are looking for grips that are a match for the time of manufacture of the revolver. Some of those grips are getting harder to find than new grips. In other words, supply vs. demand.

 

[kaaskop49]

On many new-era guns, I've found that the grip pin at the base of the grip is of slightly larger diameter. In order for some of the older factory grips to fit, the corresponding hole has to be widened a smidge. I note this especially on my J-frames.

Also, and this is purely subjective, the modern mfg of these older grips seems to be a bit less full, some not reaching the edge of the frame at the backstrap. YMMV.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[Inusuit]

My opinion based a limited sample. I purchased a used 15-6 that dates from about 1990. The gun had lots of holster wear and evidence of poor maintenance. And the grips were chipped. A forum member sold me K frame "diamond" center grips dated to the early 60's. The older grips are slightly contoured front to back while the grips that came with the gun are more blocky and squared. The difference is subtle and not readily apparent to the eye, but the older grips feel much better in the hand. My 1970 15-3 also has contoured grips, but not as comfortable as the 60's version.

 

[kaaskop49]

Poster "Inusuit" is correct. I replaced the UM rubber grips on one of my casino 64s with a ratty, dark colored Magna service grip that has the flat bottom (a la M-15) and a T-grip adapter. Nothing feels better in my hand.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[F75gunslinger]

With very few exceptions, the new grips Smith and Wesson offers are laminated. Nice wood cut into thin sheets and built up like plywood. Not as nice as real wood, since the grain lines are symmetrical and not the natural flowing lines like natural wood. And like an earlier post said, many here are trying to find an era correct set of grips for their gun, that's in mint shape.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

I sure wish that S&W would get their wood shop back! With the cost of the new revolvers I'm quite sure we would pay a bit extra for good stocks. My new M-42 stocks are made out of some sort of compressed "wood" they sorta "chip and chunk". The medallions fell out whilst shooting, they were glued in.