Tyler T grip

[lawman445]

Very interesting. I`ve been collecting and using T-grips (and throwing away trigger shoes) for years and I knew Tyler was out of OKC but I don`t think I`d ever seen a picture of the man himself. I like the picture of him at the buffing wheel with the rack of guns up above but that one in his hands is especially cool. Is it just me or does anyone else think it looks like a customized .44 Triple Lock with the barrel cut down to just under 3 1/4"?

 

[Rodan]

FWIW, their old web site address t-grips dot com now (7/13/23) comes up as expired.

Website is working this morning (8/3/23)...

BK adapters are excellent, but not available in metal. The eBay copies are OK, but don't fit as well as the Tylers.

So, if you want the original, you pay the money for a vintage adapter, or you pay the money and wait for current production. Just like you would for Spiegel, Kramer or any number of custom gunsmith jobs.

Some folks are good at customer service, some aren't. I would prefer that they were all good, but I've dealt with some really good craftsmen that were incredibly surly. If you don't like it, don't buy from them. Simple enough.

 

[lawman445]

Is it just me or does anyone else think it looks like a customized .44 Triple Lock with the barrel cut down to just under 3 1/4"?

Reminds me of this one I picked up several years ago walking around at a show in OKC.

 

[Kansasgunner]

I see the similarities between those two. I like them both!

 

[lawman445]

The seller had said at the time that this Triple Lock had once belonged to Melvin Tyler, but without any documentation I made him throw in the story for free and didn't pay any extra for it.

 

[yanici]

I'd love to try the BK on my J Frame but when I went to their web page it looked like all they have is ivory colored. I want shiny black. If anyone has a pair they want to sell, I'm game.

 

[Sandman4delta]

The listings on the "E" site are running 70-90.
There were two that showed up but are not "Tyler".
Someone appears to be making copies that are going around 20.
However they don't look as finished and the "rivet" holding the brass to the adapter looks a bit rough to put against nice bluing or nickel.
Just my $0.02

 

[PeteC]

The rivets do not actually come in contact with the metal on the gun. The metal strip looks like copper on mine. They will leave marks on the inside of the wood grips, and they may leave rub marks on the wood, if you actually use the gun, because the adapter is only held by the copper strip which is near the top. The bottom can move a little.

The BK adapter has two strips, so it is a little more stable. They fit about the same on a K-frame with factory Magna grips.

 

[.357magger]

I started a thread a couple of years ago (probably not the only one) just seeking information about contacting Tyler.

It turned into a multi page fuss fest...but not without reason.

Irregardless, if imo you want the best, particularly if you're outfitting a vintage wheelgun, you either pay a premium or you wait usually.

There is however one often overlooked resource and that is the WTB Section right here on the S&W Forum. I secured my last two vintage Tyler's right here from members and didn't pay an outrageous premium. One, for the below 2020 Python 3", was literally new in the box with the tissue paper wrap used by Tyler back in the day. The other was for my 66 No Dash 4".

Just saying that our members here can help you out...if you ask them.

(Python Service Stocks are OEM from Colt Custom Shop )

 

[PeteC]

No gripes from me, life's too short - too little time, too much to learn. I'm either looking for more information or sharing what I have learned, like a recent Q about dating the adapters and the engraving, here:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...05979-dating-tyler-t-grips.html#post141793113

Not all vintage grip adapters were Tyler's. I've seen guns online with S&W branded plastic adapters that occasionally show up on Ebay or on GB, Mershon, Pachmayr etc. For all I know, they may be more period-authentic on some guns, but date/model information is hard to come by for many of them.

 

[chief38]

As of the last few decades, Tyler is a real P.I.T.A. to deal with - to say the least! While that is the case, they still make the best version of the T grip to date - at least IMO. Even though they are frustrating to order from, I have eventually gotten every one I have ordered.

I am certainly not defending their terrible work ethics and the deplorable way they run their company, but at least they do eventually ship.

 

[majick47]

PeteC re the Tyler Pachmayer Mershon S&W grip adapters actually there is a fair amount of info on this site but it can take some digging to find it. Fortunately members have posted fit charts, photos of packaging and revolvers with adapters installed. I purchased adapters at gun shows more or less as Christmas stocking stuffers for myself when they were real cheap years ago for the common S&W and Colt revolvers. As for the present Tyler company I wouldn't want to place much hope they will be around much longer. Only way for the T grip to survive is a much larger company buying them out.

 

[majick47]

Mershon who was bought by Pachmayr I was checking old advertising info and as best I can tell the difference in sizes they offered was for the thickness of the grip adapter and not the length, they came in small medium and large sizes.

 

[PeteC]

Mershon who was bought by Pachmayr I was checking old advertising info and as best I can tell the difference in sizes they offered was for the thickness of the grip adapter and not the length, they came in small medium and large sizes.

That makes sense. there are embossed codes in the form of a single digit number like 3 and 5, followed by a letter like M or L. Before that Mershon and Pachmayr sued each other and created a landmark US Supreme Court Case in the process, which is still studied today (a dubious distinction IMO). Who knew grip adapters can be that exciting. I wonder how many adapters one has to sell to pay for that

 

[paladin42]

I've ordered the grip adapters twice recently for Ruger Redhawks and I got them about 4-5 weeks later.

 

[GaryinOKC]

Mershon

If I remember correctly from my book on Pachmayr, Mershon sued Pachmayr over their grips. Rather than fight Pachmayr bought Mershon out. The book is available on Amazon. Frank Pachmayr: the story of americas master gunsmith and his guns.

Mershon who was bought by Pachmayr I was checking old advertising info and as best I can tell the difference in sizes they offered was for the thickness of the grip adapter and not the length, they came in small medium and large sizes.

 

[lawman445]

I was digging through my stash the other day to see if I had any extra T-grips for a round butt K frame left and found some of these old FIE T-grip knockoffs I`d forgot they ever made- and that I`d forgot I had.

In other news I finally found a use for that black and white feature on my camera...

 

[DARE]

My family used to have a gun store. We sold Tyler's T-grips.
Found one for a J frame new in the box in some stuff from the store. Price tag says $7.95 from about 1990. Says "Tyler's T-grip Okla City 73114" on the item. The illustration on the box reads "Melvin Tyler's T-grip OklaCity14" I figure that is what the early ones said.
My dad liked the T-grip and was acquainted with Melvin Tyler.
The gun he carried in the store everyday was a Model 37 3" Sq butt with a T-grip.
Have included a few pics.

 

[DGT]

I just re-visited this thread and realized OFT II is absolutely correct. The shop was on Britton Rd., not Wilshire. Don't know what I was thinking.

 

[CH4]

Therein lies the rub. It's the lying that causes the trouble, not the product or its quality. Although I would say 12-18 months is a more realistic delivery time. Give folks full disclosure and let them decide if they are going to order. I would bet it wouldn't reduce orders enough to matter.

Yep, better to give a long ETA rather than vice versa. Mine took about 14 months. The lack of communication is inexcusable. I am sure the local heat gets tired of all the fraud complaints.