Thoughts on Model 19 target grips. Too big?

[aterry33]

My 19 wears its original target grips:

They are absolutely gorgeous and I would never ever get rid of them. However, I feel as though they're a bit too big for my hands. I think some other people have mentioned having similar problems with this?

Does anyone have any recommendations for some other grips that might work a little better for me? Part of me feels like if I even take these grips off the gun, a bolt of lightning will strike me down immediately, but like I said, they feel SO big in my hands.. I have no problem with the standard magnas on my Model 10, others, etc.

 

[29aholic]

FWIW I usually take the factory grips off my guns too for shooting. The older cokes on N-frame guns are actually smaller than later ones and fit my hand very nicely, but the thought of damaging a $350 pair of grips still makes me change them.

 

[aterry33]

So what do you put on yours in place, 29?

 

[cgt4570]

For shooting my 29s, 19s, 66s, etc, I like Hogue or Pach. rubber grips. Slimmer prifile than factory targets and much easier on the hand under heavy recoil. I tried factory N magnas and a Tyler's T-grip one time with full magnum loads in my 629. I'll never make that mistake again!
Chris

 

[29aholic]

Originally posted by aterry33:
So what do you put on yours in place, 29?

Herrett's Shooting Stars or Hogue wood grips and sometimes Pachmayr presentation grips

 

[wraco]

I find that factory target stocks fit my hands perfect and I'm on target every time. The rubber Houges are too slim and when I pull the gun up, holding it normally, I'm off target until I correct.

You may find that a factory set of magnas will fit your hands better. The early magnas work for me as well, just that targets are better.

I have a brand new set of Herrett Targets that may work for you. Also have an older set of palm swell targets that would work nice with smaller hands.

Both these sets are too small for me. If your interested send me an email.

Rod

 

[DGNY]

I agree that K targets are bigger than ideal for my hand. I substitute a pair of later K magnas that have a few miles on them - and like them. YMMV.

Best,

Dyson

 

[Beaver]

My all time favorite K frame, square butt grips are the boot grips made by Uncle Mike's. I have five sets on five K frames. You might give them a try.

 

[Iggy]

You might want to look at the "Retro Target" grips from Ahrends Grips.

http://ahrendsgripsusa.com/

 

[rburg]

I'm going to toss out a suggestion, all the while knowing if you use it, you'll be a pain in the ass to some vendor.

Get thee to a gun show. Use proper manners and ask first, always. Then try a variety of grips that are already on guns. Don't dry fire the poor guys guns. He may crown you with them.

What it does is allow you a venue with literally thousands (at big shows) of guns to test fondle. S&W K frame guns probably are one of the most widely distributed guns ever. Grips cover a huge area, from the early sliver types up to the target models you feel are too large. If you can't find factory or aftermarket models to suit your fancy, you'll have to become a woodworker.

Big advantages to doing that, too. Everyone's hands are shaped and sized differently, with different muscle structure. In the past, some custom grip makers attempted to compensate by requiring a tracing of your hand.

The best suggestion I can make is find the ugliest set of target grips you can locate, preferably at a very low price. Then start sanding. Files, rasps, and power tools can be your friend. You can thin them, you can remove some material from the front over the grip frame. Basically, you can take them down to the point where they're not much larger than factory Magna's. If you don't like the results, you're only out the price of a set of junk grips. I see them at almost every show for $15 or so. Yes, they're ugly to start, maybe even chipped or cracked. Nothing some putty or epoxy won't solve.

And if you find a formula you really like, you can probably duplicate it on a better set.

 

[jbouwens]

I replace all my grips with Houge rubber. That gives me consistancy between different handguns and save my shooters from dings and scratches. The hands love the feel of the Houge, But try as many as you can at shows like the fellas said above.

 

[Nightowl]

I have small hands and N frames. I like the rubber Hogues for shooting as well. Not much to look at, but function well for me. Sometimes I try to go back to wood Hogues, but they just don't give the same stability.

 

[mikepriwer]

Dicks suggestion of going to a gun show, and trying them on, is the best .
In addition to all the well-known grip makers, there were, over the decades,
lots of lesser-to-unknown makers. People like Farrant and Stark, who were
LAPD officers, made lots of grips, but didn't sem to put their name on them.
Both of those men were on the LAPD shooting team, and knew what they were doing.

Modern-day makers like Craig Spegel, and others, do a fine job of making
grips that look and feel different from S&W factory grips. Any/all of these
are likely to be at a gun show.

And there are always grips that someone made for himself, that may fit your
hand perfectly, and put the gun in the best position for your hand and arm.

Later, Mike Priwer

 

[aterry33]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions--it is appreciated.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Originally posted by aterry33:
My 19 wears its original target grips:

They are absolutely gorgeous and I would never ever get rid of them. However, I feel as though they're a bit too big for my hands. I think some other people have mentioned having similar problems with this?

Does anyone have any recommendations for some other grips that might work a little better for me? Part of me feels like if I even take these grips off the gun, a bolt of lightning will strike me down immediately, but like I said, they feel SO big in my hands.. I have no problem with the standard magnas on my Model 10, others, etc.

For shooting, I use ordinary rubber Hogues.

 

[pred]

Targets look nice, I have smallish hands, And I do well with factory Magna's
Peter

 

[j38]

I find K frame targets uncomfortable to shoot with. The shape is just wrong.

Below is a photo of a 19 no-dash wearing Craig Spegel's target grips. They are a bit thinner than factory targets and have a very pleasing shape to them. Good for shooting and good for looking, too!

Jerry

 

[HAWKEYE10]

Originally posted by aterry33:
My 19 wears its original target grips:

They are absolutely gorgeous and I would never ever get rid of them. However, I feel as though they're a bit too big for my hands. I think some other people have mentioned having similar problems with this?

Does anyone have any recommendations for some other grips that might work a little better for me? Part of me feels like if I even take these grips off the gun, a bolt of lightning will strike me down immediately, but like I said, they feel SO big in my hands.. I have no problem with the standard magnas on my Model 10, others, etc.

try craig spegel custom grips-google this-they are nice don

 

[buckeyeshooter]

The targets fit me perfectly, so--- I'm generally buying a set to add to any smith I get.