Thickness of the Grip of S&W Model 59 Series

[legelegel]

I have never liked the look or the feel of S&W Model 59, because of the wide grips.

I have two S&W Model 910S and one S&W 915 which have narrower factory grips and better looking design lines.

I have concluded that the thickness of the grip on these pistols is felt between the thumb and the trigger finger only. Has anyone carved out grooves on a grip to make these parts of the hand come closer together?

 

[S&W Fan]

From what I remember of the 59s I'd owned in the past the original grips were pretty darned thin, not sure there's much room to work with. The frame is pretty chunky itself. You might be happier with a 39 if you like the older pistols (I do, lol) as the single stack grip frame is considerably narrower than a 59.

 

[eyegots2no]

What S&W fan said

The 59 grips were very thin since the 59 was the widest grip gun when it came out---wider than the high powers which still felt good in most peoples hands.

I thick the older 59 still feel better than later generation smith auto series---something about the plastic just did not feel right.

 

[legelegel]

I have had a S&W Model 39-2 since 1971 and I bought a S&W Model 639 last year. I also have a S&W Model 915 and two 910S. I just would like make these 3rd generation 59 series feel more like single stacks.

For show:

For carving on:

 

[S&W Fan]

Sorry I misunderstood and thought you were talking about the original version of the 59 with the plastic black grip, you obviously know your pistols well.

I'm really bad with wood working lol but I think those grips you posted offer some real possibilities if you have the skills (I don't and am extremely jealous of those that do). If you undertake this task please do a thread on it with photos, you may just encourage a few of us to try something new.

 

[legelegel]

Curved or Straight

Which do you prefer the curved or straight grips of the 3rd generation Smith and Wessons?

I am still trying to find the closest feel of a Model 39 grip in the 3rd generation S&W staggered-column grip. I have not held a curved grip yet, but I'm looking for one to buy. I have the factory straight grips, the Hogue wood and rubber grips and the Uncle Mike's grips. The factory grips beat out the other three for having the least fat feel.

My carving and sanding adventure on my wood Hogue grips should be starting soon.

Does anyone make an ivory or bone or solid colored 3rd generation grip?

What are the exact dimensions for A, B, C and D?

 

[one eye joe]

I HAVE NEVER BEEN A FAN OF 9MM SEMI-AUTO PISTOLS. IT'S REALLY THE CALIBER THAT TURNS ME OFF. THE WW II GERMAN 9MM PISTOLES WERE ALL BEAUTIFUL. THE ONE COMMERCIAL 9MM PISTOL THAT EVER HELD ME IN A TRANCE, WAS A MODEL 39 IN NICKEL. ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS ! ! ! I CAME CLOSE, BUT I NEVER BOUGHT ONE…..

 

[legelegel]

I HAVE NEVER BEEN A FAN OF 9MM SEMI-AUTO PISTOLS. IT'S REALLY THE CALIBER THAT TURNS ME OFF. THE WW II GERMAN 9MM PISTOLES WERE ALL BEAUTIFUL. THE ONE COMMERCIAL 9MM PISTOL THAT EVER HELD ME IN A TRANCE, WAS A MODEL 39 IN NICKEL. ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS ! ! ! I CAME CLOSE, BUT I NEVER BOUGHT ONE…..

If you like the Model 39 in nickel, you should really like the Model 639. I have a blued Model 39-2 (hole in the hammer) and Model 639 which I am going to put a refinished hole in the hammer on.

The thing about a Model 5906 is that it can hold twice as many and more (1+17, 19 and 20) rounds as my Model 39-2, and it can hold an extended 30 round magazine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRbWNT55xa4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlP8KktoKjM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuQw7wFdTIc

 

[Jaymo]

I prefer the straight grip. My fingers are medium length and the curved grip makes trigger reach difficult on a 5906.
On a 5946, it doesn't matter.

 

[one eye joe]

YOU DID A GREAT JOB MODIFYING THOSE MAGAZINES, LEGELEGEL…..

 

[legelegel]

YOU DID A GREAT JOB MODIFYING THOSE MAGAZINES, LEGELEGEL…..

I had nothing to do with any magazine modifications that you saw in the above video.

 

[TTSH]

I prefer the straight grip. My fingers are medium length and the curved grip makes trigger reach difficult on a 5906.
On a 5946, it doesn't matter.

Funny but I like straights on some and curved on others. But either way, I prefer the stock plastic 3rd Gen wrap-around grips to anything else I've tried so far.

One of these days, I'll do a blindfold test and then maybe it will help me to understand why there has been no consistent answer on that. Up until now, I've just not attempted to analyze it out.

 

[legelegel]

Again, does anyone make an ivory, stag, bone or solid colored 3rd generation grip?

 

[Jaymo]

Again, does anyone make an ivory, stag, bone or solid colored 3rd generation grip?

Dunno. Sure would like to have some, though.

 

[Jaymo]

Funny but I like straights on some and curved on others. But either way, I prefer the stock plastic 3rd Gen wrap-around grips to anything else I've tried so far.

I agree on both counts.
I prefer straight on TDA and I like curved just fine on DAO.
The much shorter trigger reach of the DAO more than makes up for the grip size.
One-a deez days, I'll swap grips between my 5906 and 5946 and see how well I like the straight grip on the DAO.

Question time. Did Smith ever make a straight grip for the 6906, or one that will fit the 6906?
I'd love to have a straight one on mine.

Smith made a smart move by using one piece grips on the 3rd gens. By switching out the straight/curved grips, you can fit a lot more peoples hands.
They were ahead of the game. Now, nearly everyone has copied that idea with the replacable backstraps.

And, why didn't you geezers smack some sense into me, back when the 3rd gens were in production?
I feel like I wasted 24 years by not owning any.

Also, ETA I can't believe the Smith DAO 3rd gen pistols weren't/aren't their most popular autos.
I never had any use for a DAO auto, until I fondled a 5946(which I ended up buying) at my local fun store. Smith really hit a home run with those.
I'd love to have a 6946 and a 4586. Excellent SD/HD guns.

 

[JohnHL]

Question time. Did Smith ever make a straight grip for the 6906, or one that will fit the 6906?

I've never seen a straight grip from S&W that will fit a 6906 size frame.

I do believe the straight grip for the 5906 size frame could be modified "Big Dog style" to work on the 6906 size frame.

I'll have to try that one of these days with an old set of straight grips. (Albert Dremel, do you hear me calling your name?)

John

 

[timn8er]

Funny but I like straights on some and curved on others. But either way, I prefer the stock plastic 3rd Gen wrap-around grips to anything else I've tried so far.

I agree on both counts.
I prefer straight on TDA and I like curved just fine on DAO.
The much shorter trigger reach of the DAO more than makes up for the grip size.
One-a deez days, I'll swap grips between my 5906 and 5946 and see how well I like the straight grip on the DAO.

Question time. Did Smith ever make a straight grip for the 6906, or one that will fit the 6906?
I'd love to have a straight one on mine.

Smith made a smart move by using one piece grips on the 3rd gens. By switching out the straight/curved grips, you can fit a lot more peoples hands.
They were ahead of the game. Now, nearly everyone has copied that idea with the replacable backstraps.

And, why didn't you geezers smack some sense into me, back when the 3rd gens were in production?
I feel like I wasted 24 years by not owning any.

Also, ETA I can't believe the Smith DAO 3rd gen pistols weren't/aren't their most popular autos.
I never had any use for a DAO auto, until I fondled a 5946(which I ended up buying) at my local fun store. Smith really hit a home run with those.
I'd love to have a 6946 and a 4586. Excellent SD/HD guns.

From what I could deduce by looking at a parts fiche, the 4513TSW, The 4013TSW, & the 6906 take the same grip. If you could find a straight grip for one of those(part# 203600000) it should work. I hope this helps!

 

[JohnHL]

From what I could deduce by looking at a parts fiche, the 4513TSW, The 4013TSW, & the 6906 take the same grip. If you could find a straight grip for one of those(part# 203600000) it should work. I hope this helps!

Tim, you are correct about the 4013TSW and 6906 taking the same grip (curved) but the 4513TSW uses a shortened 45 frame grip. The same grip as the 4516 and 457.

John

 

[BAM-BAM]

Skim'ed the thread........... for me

Stright back grip for the 915 or any 59xx series....to me they feel smaller....Hogue makes great looking grips for the 59xx guns but all are too thick for my medium size hands......... on single stack 9mm or .45s for me the Hogue's are the way to go............ they "add" just enough thickness ...

If you want a 3rd gen to feel like your 39s......... my only suggestion is a;
3913/14 with a 59xx hammer, flush fit 7rd steel base plate magazine and Hogue wood checkered grips....... will get you a 3/4 sized 39 !!!!! perfect for concealed carry!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ask me how I Know.............. since 1990!!!!!!

PS envy you your 639.... would love to have one but have not seen one in decades!!! Want an early one with round trigger guard...... must shoot like a .22!

 

[legelegel]

Skim'ed the thread........... for me

Stright back grip for the 915 or any 59xx series....to me they feel smaller....Hogue makes great looking grips for the 59xx guns but all are too thick for my medium size hands......... on single stack 9mm or .45s for me the Hogue's are the way to go............ they "add" just enough thickness ...

If you want a 3rd gen to feel like your 39s......... my only suggestion is a;
3913/14 with a 59xx hammer, flush fit 7rd steel base plate magazine and Hogue wood checkered grips....... will get you a 3/4 sized 39 !!!!! perfect for concealed carry!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ask me how I Know.............. since 1990!!!!!!

PS envy you your 639.... would love to have one but have not seen one in decades!!! Want an early one with round trigger guard...... must shoot like a .22!

I have a S&W Model 3913, but I do not have wood grips for it. I bought my S&W Model 639 less than a year ago. Paid I premium for it, but I just had to have it. It is as close to new as it can get. I have not shot it yet.

I prefer the straight grip. My fingers are medium length and the curved grip makes trigger reach difficult on a 5906.
On a 5946, it doesn't matter.

So, if I understand this right the curved grips will take your trigger finger farther away from the trigger than the straight grips.

I just wished wood was a bit stronger and we would have had some narrower wood grips for the stair-stacked 3rd generation S&Ws.

My plan is still to carve and sand the pressure points (primarily the thumb and index finger) on the Hogue wood grips on my S&W 915 until I get a narrower grip.