UPDATE w/pics & OEM vs. UM -- Just ordered S&W OEM grips for 686.

[olivehead1]

Hi all. This past weekend I picked up a NIB 686 Plus Deluxe 3" from a LGS, and for the same price as a standard 686 Plus 3" at another LGS. The grips are very pretty but, frankly, just handling the gun I don't find them all that comfortable, and probably won't be very comfortable to shoot with (just for me; I know others love them or wood in general to shoot). Anyway, after searching all over and thinking I had the SKU for the current production factory rubber grips (which as of this morning still weren't on the Smith store website), I called S&W customer service and they advised they didn't recognize that SKU. But based on the model number of the gun (164300 I think), they easily identified the grips and are sending me a pair for $35 shipped (from Kentucky he said) in 7-10 days. When I get these, and assuming they're the one's I wanted and if there's a packing slip with an actual item number or SKU, I'll post that info. Those Deluxe grips may end up in the classifieds; I'm not really for sure yet. They are pretty and I tend to like to keep stuff like that, but I know they'll probably never be on the gun again.

 

[Tom S.]

Grips go by frame size, and your 686 is a "L" frame. Any grips advertised for an "L" frame will fit, depending on the butt. Frames come in 'round butt' and 'square butt' configuration.

In addition, "N" frame grips will also fit, again depending on the type of butt. And if you want maximum recoil reduction, get a set of "X" frame grips from S&W 460/500 models, which also fit.

Rubber is great for grip and recoil reduction, but it's hard to beat a nice set of wood grips for looks. BTW: S&W refers to them as 'stocks', but the terms are pretty interchangeable. Just don't refer to a magazine as a clip or some folks around here will start foaming at the mouth.

 

[StakeOut]

This is the one I bought from the S&W store for a 2 1/2" 686-4

Product: Hogue K/L Round (With Logo) Square Conversion

I found new N frame Hogue rubber conversion grips with S&W logo on ebay for $15 but no K/L frame.

 

[olivehead1]

Update

Based on the credit card charge this morning, these grips should be shipping soon, maybe today. The total charge was 35.64, and as I recall the actual grip price was $27.

 

[RV4driver]

"terms are pretty interchangeable. Just don't refer to a magazine as a clip or some folks around here will start foaming at the mouth. "

I just finished a Robert Ludlum novel last night, at one point the hero referred to "verifying that the clip was full in his revolver".

Ugh, that was painful.

And I can gaurantee that you'll love that 686!

 

[Tom S.]

"terms are pretty interchangeable. Just don't refer to a magazine as a clip or some folks around here will start foaming at the mouth. "

I just finished a Robert Ludlum novel last night, at one point the hero referred to "verifying that the clip was full in his revolver".

Ugh, that was painful.

And I can gaurantee that you'll love that 686!

Maybe he had moon clips?

 

[Kenneth07ex]

Those factory wood grips don't take up much space. They also help to increase the resale value, as well as the desirability. So keeping them is best, but if they're round butt, and you still want to sell them...I'd sure be interested, and so would many others, I'm sure.

 

[revolver_ph]

Definitely keep the wood stocks in case you decide to sell the 686 -- not likely but one never knows.

I have two sets of the original rubbers that came with my 617 and 686. I replaced them with Thailand woodies that are a bit thicker -- I like the woodies better and I shoot a bit better with them due to filling the hand better.

Here is the set on the 686:

BTW, fit was near perfect -- not bad for $30 shipped.

 

[olivehead1]

Received those OEM rubber round butt grips from Smith yesterday and put them on the 686 P!us. IMHO these current production grips from S&W are the most comfortable rubber grips available right now, for what that's worth given the limited choices. Nicer and more comfortable than the Hogue Monogrip. I just picked up a set of LNIB Uncle Mike's round butt grips so I'll try those next.

A side note: I sold two sets of wood grips to two different members in the last week, bubble wrapped and boxed, and each shipped with tracking for $3.23. Each arrived within 48 hours or so. It took 9 days to get the grips from Smith, they charged almost $9 shipping, and they arrived in a soft bubble pack. Something doesn't add up there.

 

[tominboise]

BTW, fit was near perfect -- not bad for $30 shipped.

Got a link to the woodies from Thailand?

BTW, I just ordered a set of Xframe grips direct from S&W in Paducah, KY. My experience mirrors yours regarding shipping times.

The Xframe grips went on my 396 Mountain Lite 44 special.

 

[g8rb8]

....OEM rubber round butt grips from Smith ....... IMHO these current production grips from S&W are the most comfortable rubber grips available right now,.........

olivehead,
I'll come out of the closet too. Admitting you like rubber grips on this forum is a brave statement.

We're probably the only two guys on this forum, or maybe the U.S., that actually like the new production OEM S&W black rubber grips. I like the factory grips on a 617-6 and 686-6 I shoot frequently.

I recently obtained a 625-8 and the factory tri-color wood grips are uncomfortable. I love the 625-8 but hate the grips. I too looked for replacement grips similar to those on the 617-6 and 686-6 but was surprised they weren't available at the S&W website. Fortunately a call to S&W solved my problem and soon I'll have new N-frame black rubber grips.

 

[Old cop]

Someone please help me, what is OEM?

 

[arroyoshark]

OEM is short for "Original Equipment Manufacture". Means factory original.

 

[arroyoshark]

I have and enjoy an L-frame Mountain Gun. It came with Hogue made soft grips, which I didn't care for aesthetically or to hold. I had an opportunity to trade for current set of soft grips that were/are standard on the S&W Governor. I think it suits the Mountain Gun amazingly well.

 

[olivehead1]

Here are my 686-4 with the LNIB Uncle Mike's grips I picked up, along with the 686 Plus with the OEM grips. I would have to give the slight nod to the OEM grips for comfort FOR ME. YMMV. I think I prefer the slightly lesser palm swell of the OEM grips. They fit very nicely, while the UM grips have just a tiny gap at the top of the back strap and at the front strap. I can pretty much eliminate the gaps by tightening the screw, but to get it right requires about 1- 2 mm of screw poking out from being flush. I may try to find the right size screw, but just a couple millimeters shorter. The OEM grips do not have a screw hole showing on the right side panel. I do like that the UM grips on this particular gun are presumably "period correct" since the gun is circa 1994 and the UM package shows a copyright date of 1993. And I think they just look good.

Side note: Looking at these two side by side, Smith never should have done away with the engraved logo in favor of the cheaper etched logo. I'd happily have paid a few extra bucks for the 686 Plus just to get a roll mark. At least "S&W" and the caliber aren't etched on the barrel. The two new production Model 66 with 4.25" barrels I've handled had the etched logo, but interestingly the two 2.75" barrel guns had roll marks.