Round butt N Magnas

[CherryRiver]

I'm embarrassed to admit I don't know if there ever was such a thing as round-butt N-frame Magnas.
And I'm interested because I'm giving some thought to round-butting my 1973 Highway Patrolman that was my very-second gun purchase ever, and which I still have. And which I still shoot better than any other revolver I've ever owned.
So, after only 52 years, I might want to get around to making into a round-butt, which would fit my hand much better than the square.
I already switched out the six-inch original barrel for a four-incher since I have never been able to get right with a six-inch.
That was about twenty years ago so it might be time for a second customization.

Bill

 

[Truckman]

Would you consider a pair of N-frame RB Combat Grips?...The kind such as found on the three inch 24-3's once distributed by Lew Horton Distributor......Ben

 

[CherryRiver]

I've seen them, and if I'm thinking of the right thing, the finger grooves are not something I've ever gotten along with, by any maker.
Guess my anatomy doesn't agree with theirs.

 

[Kansasgunner]

S&W has offered a variety of styles and shapes for N frame round butt guns. I do not recall ever seeing a true N frame round butt magna grip. As Truckman said the most common variety is some type of “Combat” grip. For example these VZ N round butts.

 

[rbmac52]

Altamont makes round butt magna style grips for N-frame revolvers, with or without medallions in a few different stock materials, including walnut, rosewood, and silverblack. Also bonded ivory and aged ivory, and a few others. The woods are laminated

Here's a link to the Altamont website showing the various S&W N-round grips. Scroll down to see the Classic panels:

Smith & Wesson N Frame Round Butt | Altamont Company

 

[CherryRiver]

I should have mentioned I've seen some good-looking round Magnas on Ebay by independent makers and should the need arise, I'll go that route.
In the case of this gun, I'm stuck on the Magna's appearance.
I find it pretty comforting still owning my first two guns after more than a half-century, this HP and my #1, a Colt Combat Commander.
Not that those VZs illustrated above aren't attractive and very functional-looking. But if I was after function above all, it would be rubbers anyway as the aging mitts aren't too happy with a large diet of hardwood with standard-power loads, even in the big 28.

 

[Kansasgunner]

Here’s a couple pair of Grashorn Elk Magnas, both square and round butt.

 

[CherryRiver]

Nice!
But having been a carpenter and cabinetmaker for four decades, I do love me some wood.

 

[Muley Gil]

I'm embarrassed to admit I don't know if there ever was such a thing as round-butt N-frame Magnas.
And I'm interested because I'm giving some thought to round-butting my 1973 Highway Patrolman that was my very-second gun purchase ever, and which I still have. And which I still shoot better than any other revolver I've ever owned.
So, after only 52 years, I might want to get around to making into a round-butt, which would fit my hand much better than the square.
I already switched out the six-inch original barrel for a four-incher since I have never been able to get right with a six-inch.
That was about twenty years ago so it might be time for a second customization.

Bill

I have round butted several 1980s N frame revolvers. Just remember, check the position of the serial number FIRST! You don't want to mess with that SN at all.

 

[murphydog]

By the time many N frames went to round butt grip frames, the era of walnut Magna stocks was over. These later guns usually had rubber or laminate Target sized stocks.

A few later RB Classic N frames came with checkered service style stocks, not a lot of gripping surface.

 

[.455_Hunter]

When things get to a N-frame's bulk and weight, especially with any barrel length over 3", I definitely prefer a square-butt grip frame. I have a 4" .44 Special 624 and a 4" .45 Colt 625 Mountain Gun- essentially the same revolver excepting the grip frame. With the magna style grips, the SB feels way more "controlled" than the RB. This also seems to extend to the Pachmyar Presentation series too. Fortunately, the fully-enclosed SB Presentation Grips will drop onto a RB frame with zero issues. S&W deciding the RB was the "way of the future" was rather shortsighted in my opinion.

 

[bananaman]

I have converted square butt grips into round butt. It takes some time and patience. 1 example is a set of checkered square butt Herrett that I turned into smooth round butt. Hogue has round butt N Target stocks. ( my 625) Bob

 

[PatriotX]

I guess you could always start with some rare smooth Magnas, so the checkering wouldn’t be an issue….

 

[AudieMurphy]

Nice!
But having been a carpenter and cabinetmaker for four decades, I do love me some wood.

then why not make your own? with a little patience and hey, if you mess them up...then you can buy a pair just my opinion

 

[Truckman]

I guess you could always start with some rare smooth Magnas, so the checkering wouldn’t be an issue….

That reminds me, I have a pair of those...I need to look through my guns and see which one deserves a treat......Ben

 

[Chuck Edwards]

IIRC, my Thunder Ranch 21-4 came with round butt Magnas. I traded them off soon after I got the gun. It's now wearing Spegel checkered round-to-square conversion grips.