Thin grips for K/L frame

[rbmorse]

I am having more fun that the law allows while getting used to my first revolver, a new 986. I love the gun, but my hands are a little on the small side and the standard Houge grip feels like it is a little on the large side.

Any recommendations about a thinner grip that would be appropriate for my new baby? I'll go with wood if it's well done, or rubber. The spousal unit likes finger recesses.

TIA.

 

[murphydog]

I foresee a set of custom stocks in your future... for most factory or aftermarket stocks, thin side to side often means too short in the fore and aft dimension (think Magna or typical concealment stocks). Herrett's will make stocks to your hand dimensions; might as well order a set for your wife while you're at it .

 

[bigfatty]

Altamont AH conversion target grips or their combat grips. Very slim ... especially the former.

 

[thadheth]

My 686+ has Jim Miculek smooth wood grips that are just right for my small hands.

 

[Road Rat]

My 686+ has Jim Miculek smooth wood grips that are just right for my small hands.

Pssst......................that is Jerry!!

 

[thadheth]

Pssst......................that is Jerry!!

OK....that's it.....I promise never to post again before my second cup of coffee!

 

[samwood]

Spegel grips Craig Spegel - Custom Pistol Grips or the Uncle Mike's copies work well for my small hands.

 

[raylan007]

Ahrends/Herretts for smaller hands.

I got hooked on Ahrends for the very reason you expressed. Not only do they have a beautiful fit and finish but Kim Ahrend is a great craftsman who can be very helpful. I have seen photos of both Ahrends and Herretts having a slimmer profile than a pair of S&W Target stocks but don't seem to remember where. In the case of Herretts for their custom stocks you send in a tracing of your hand print. I have found the Ahrends at about half the price to be a excellent fit for a small to medium hand size and are beautifully crafted. I prefer both the Retro and Tactical with finger grooves on my 4" revolvers and have used the Retro Boot grip on a 2" M15. If you buy from grippseller on ebay she photographs each pair individually so you know precisely what you will be receiving. Good Luck

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Rogers or Safariland/Rogers. Maybe service (not Magna) grips, possibly with a Tyler. Pachmayr SK-S Presntation (Small) grips.

 

[jtcarm]

My 686+ has Jim Miculek smooth wood grips that are just right for my small hands.

Pssst......................that is Jerry!!

Maybe Jim his less-famous cousin.

I have very stubby fingers and run a model 66 with the Hogue JMs in IDPA. With a high grip (hammer is bobbed) they work very well.

IDK if they make them for N-frames, but the best-feeling grips for DA shooting to me are the Pachmayr Compac Professionals. I've been working on a home-made wood version, but inletting them is a bear!

I have Hogue wood FG RBs on a 24-3 that I had the grip frame reshaped to K-frame round-butt, and they're pretty suited for stubby digits. But I don't like FGs or palm swells for DA shooting.

If I ever get the inletting figured out, I'll make a set for it, too.

I like the shape of the JM grips but it would be nice if they were a bit thinner.

The Model 24:

 

[gwpercle]

Ahrends , Retro Combat (finger grooves) or Retro Target.
I ordered Retro combats ( I like groovey grips too) unfinished expecting to thin them down for my not large hands. Didn't have to do any thinning at all, they fit my hand perfectly. ordered a Matching set for model 64 , 38 special , and model 58, 41 Magnum (my avatar). Kim Ahrend knows a thing or two about grip shape...love both of them, great fit right out of the box.
If you order a set, tell him exactly what you want, he will make it happen.
Gary

 

[SparkyAZ]

Agree with raylan007 & gwpercle on the Ahrends Grips recommendations. Thinner than factory and very well made...

 

[birdshooter]

And another vote for Ahrends. They are thinner than factory stocks. I really like the finger groove tacticals but also have retro combat and retro targets. The retro combats seem thinnest of all.

 

[ofnsaz]

For both my 686+ & 29, I started with Ahrends and then sanded them down for a custom fit. Then finished them with linseed oil.

 

[raylan007]

Ahlrend, Reto vs Tactical Profile

And another vote for Ahrends. They are thinner than factory stocks. I really like the finger groove tacticals but also have retro combat and retro targets. The retro combats seem thinnest of all.

I also thought the tactical were slimmer but when placing a special order took the opportunity to ask kim and he stated they were identical. Even his square butt "K" FRAME Boot grips which are difficult to come by look bulky but when I installed them on a m15 2" I was presently surprised. By far superior in every regard to other boot grips. I do wish they were available in the Tactical cut for better concealment on a 2" snubbie, but for the time being I will get along with the Retro Boot which I just purchased the last one of online.

 

[ContinentalOp]

I'm a fan of Spegel boot grips, as well as Ahrends grips, but I'm going to suggest an additional option.

First, I have to admit that I'm not that familiar with L-frames and don't know how similar/different they are to K-frames in terms of the grip frame, but when I had K-frames one of my favorite grips was PGS Hideout grips. I have somewhat small hands and the PGS grips fit me very well. Very slim with good control, even when firing Buffalo Bore +P loads.

They're plastic grips and are available with either a smooth or textured finish; I preferred the smooth finish. As far as I know the K-frame model isn't available with finger grooves.

One plus is that they're available from Brownell's for ~$20.

I don't own the gun anymore, but here's a picture of my 3" 65 with a set of PGS Hideout grips.

They're not the prettiest grips but they work very well. Also, speedloaders work with the K-frame models.

 

[TAROMAN]

Found these cheap Thai grips on a popular online auction.
Thinnest I've seen save for the old gutta percha ones.
Have them on my 986 for fast DA shooting (steel challenge)

Unwrapped, they look like this:

 

[retiredbadge8091]

I agree with bigfatty, I have Altamont Combats with the finger grooves and stylish checkering on my N frames and K frames. They appear from the back strap to have a palm swell reminiscent of the fabled cokes. I have samples of both the walnut and rosewood versions. I have purhased a couple of guns recently wearing their factory rubbers and found rust under them when I removed the grips for cleaning. The only way I'd use these rubber grips is if I took them off after each use like an old pair of galoshes.

 

[rbmorse]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I'm going to try the Ahrends, in oiled walnut. They're organic and all natural, so that makes them good, right? In addition to beautiful, of course. I'll post a pic when I get them.

 

[loeman]

Welcome to the forum from a fellow New Mexican.

Another vote for Ahrends. I'm confidant you will be pleased with yours. I too have average size hands and the factory targets on my Md 681 were just too big. I also prefer wood. So I bought Ahrends Tactical Smooth with no finger grooves. They are just perfect! I bought them in Moradillo wood but I didn't like the color so I have refinished them with Watco Danish Natural oil finish followed by several coats of Johnson's Paste Wax and now I'm totally happy.