Which grips for a S&W N-frame

[chaim]

I am thinking about using my S&W 625 Mountain Gun as a winter CCW gun. I'm trying to decide which style grips would be best. The Hogues that came with the gun are just too big for CCW.

Usually on a revolver I am going to use for CCW I would go with boot grips of some kind. I really love the checkered Eagle Secret Service grips: Gun Grips | S&W Rosewood Secret Service N Fr - Secret Service Rosewood N Frame Round Butt Checkered #SS10R | Gun Grips

However, on such a big revolver I am not sure that I shouldn't just go with a combat grip since it is not a small hideout gun anyway. Maybe something like these from S&W:
Product: N RD Combat Grip Walnut

If this was a magnum revolver, I'd probably want the combat grip for a full hand grip. However, .45LC is a fairly soft recoiling caliber and it is a big and heavy gun, so the boot grips should be comfortable enough. But again, it is a big gun so I'm not sure the extra size of the combat grips would make a big difference in concealment, and it might make a difference for comfortable shooting. Either way, I would still have my Hogue monogrip which could be put back on the gun whenever I wanted to shoot some stouter .45LC loads at the range, or take it camping in the woods (it is part of my defense should I encounter an angry black bear when camping: not likely, but a possibility).

 

[StatesRightist]

If you can handle a 45LC MG with boot grips loaded with proper SD ammo well enough to get accurate and quick follow-up shots of using boot grips, you are unusual. I like combats myself.

I've carried in the past a 629 4" with Tamer grips as a CCW, so I can't see where Hogues would be a no go. Granted I'm a pretty big guy, but still, it was no issue in the winter. Now under a T-shirt, I see your point.

 

[bsms]

I've got a Model 29. Using 44 specials or light loaded 44 Mags, the Ahrends boot grips I used to use were great. Good enough for 1 hand shooting and a smile. To shoot full power 44 mag loads, I need all the grip I can get my hand on. Make that both hands. For normal 45 factory loads, I'd go with a boot grip.

 

[saemetric]

Ahrends Tactical non finger groove on my 4" 629 are only slightly longer than boot grips

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I recommend going to a gun store with a good selection of grips and trying some on. Although body shapes vary, my experience has been that in carrying an N frame, grips are not the issue for concealment, at least not narrow ones like Hogues.

If you like the Hogues for shooting, I can't imagine giving them up for carry. What, exactly, is the problem that they create? What is your cover garment? I'd be worrying more about the 4" barrel than the grips, although I have carried my 520 in a Kramer belt holster under a "photographer's vest."

 

[Realzebub45]

I have the Ahrends Combat finger grooves on my new 625. It just fills the hand with not a hair to spare.

 

[StatesRightist]

I've got a Model 29. Using 44 specials or light loaded 44 Mags, the Ahrends boot grips I used to use were great. Good enough for 1 hand shooting and a smile. To shoot full power 44 mag loads, I need all the grip I can get my hand on. Make that both hands. For normal 45 factory loads, I'd go with a boot grip.

That I can see, using boots and specials. I salute the man who control a .44 with boots grips firing a 240gr slug at 1400 fps, but it won't be me.

 

[chaim]

I recommend going to a gun store with a good selection of grips and trying some on. Although body shapes vary, my experience has been that in carrying an N frame, grips are not the issue for concealment, at least not narrow ones like Hogues.

If you like the Hogues for shooting, I can't imagine giving them up for carry. What, exactly, is the problem that they create? What is your cover garment? I'd be worrying more about the 4" barrel than the grips, although I have carried my 520 in a Kramer belt holster under a "photographer's vest."

I don't yet have the holster I'm going to use to carry it (I just ordered it last night). While I usually love boot grips, one reason I'm thinking larger grips may be in order is this idea that with this large a gun boot grips v. combats won't really make much difference towards concealment, in which case the larger grip might be nice.

I have that style combat grips on my S&W 65LS and they are quite comfortable to shoot. Even with some pretty nasty magnum rounds, it is manageable. Though, the 3" K-frame is small enough that boot grips could make a real difference on that gun, so I often consider getting smaller profile grips. I can see them as being welcome on the N-frame though, even forgetting recoil, just the weight of the gun would make a full grip nice. On the other hand, most of my snubs wear boot grips. On most of my carry guns (and guns I've tried and given up on carry), I've found the grip profile to be the biggest aid or obstacle to concealment.

As for the Hogues, they are big rubber grips. Rubber is a fairly tacky material and it can grab the cover garment which can complicate the draw. The big Hogue monogrips that come on the N-frames are also pretty bulky. Not yet having my CCW holster for this gun I don't know if they'd really cause any problems for CCW. However, I've never been a big fan of rubber on revolvers anyway, a nice revolver should wear a nice set of wood, ivory, or bone grips (though some of my small framed snubs wear rubber, recoil control winning over style on those guns).

 

[Snapping Twig]

Neither grip the OP mentioned fits my hands.

I'm a Hogue guy.

As to bulky - not unless you buy the bulky ones.

Here's a couple N frame 44 Spl's.

Those grips are not bulky.

Hogue finger, smooth, butt cap.

I have other N frames with aforementioned bulky Hogues, but they're range and hunting specific revolvers. The carry stuff gets the slim stuff.

 

[Cpo1944]

I just bought a 657 and it came with Eagle combat grips.
I don`t know anything about them except that they are really nice and fit my hand well .In fact I am going to google them right now.

 

[JJEH]

I really love the checkered Eagle Secret Service grips...

I voted for them because of the looks, they are really nice. But I don't know about the fit...

 

[chaim]

I voted for them because of the looks, they are really nice. But I don't know about the fit...

I've always loved the looks of the checkered Eagle Secret Service grips, but yeah...they've been on my radar for years, but I've only really been researching them for the past few days (other than drooling at their website). The more I read about fit issues that so many owners seem to have, the more I think I may get Hogue Bantams (wood, not rubber) if I go the boot grip route. Then again, I could buy from a reputable seller (like Midway) and just exchange them if I have an issue. I also have my eye on some on Ebay from a seller in Thailand, but they are made by the seller so I'm not sure. He seems to have a decent rating (98.5%, many, many ratings), the photos look really good, and they are relatively inexpensive (~$45), but you never really know what you are getting (I'd hate to have the finish wear off in a year and/or find it was made with toxic chemicals or a rare wood that would be illegal here).

As for combat or boot grips, my original preference was boot grips, but I see they are losing hands down here. Either way, I am really liking the looks of several sets of combat grips with medallions. Two are rosewood with checkering, one is polymer imitation ivory, one is silverwood without checkering and one is silverwood with checkering. Maybe I'll just have to get both types and have them alternate time on the gun

 

[Maximumbob54]

For wood, I prefer these Ahrends finger groove combats:

But I must confess that recoil is much better with a set of Pach's:

Goodyears of course don't look nice but they sure give a good hold and absorb the recoil really well. No, .45 ACP or Colt doesn't recoil much but an afternoon worth of shooting and the rubber grips really leave your hand feeling better.

 

[CWH44300]

For wood, I prefer these Ahrends finger groove combats:

But I must confess that recoil is much better with a set of Pach's:

Goodyears of course don't look nice but they sure give a good hold and absorb the recoil really well. No, .45 ACP or Colt doesn't recoil much but an afternoon worth of shooting and the rubber grips really leave your hand feeling better.

They look good, I'm expecting a set in cordia this week, going to try them on a 329

 

[Qball]

I bought these NILL's for my 629 that i realy like.

Nill Griffe - Replacement grips with open back for revolvers

 

[larry8]

I bought a set of grips for my 657 from that guy in Thailand and they are really nice looking and fit perfect. Since then I got another set for a M15. They are cheaper and the rosewoods really look good.

 

[Smee78]

I use Ahrends on my 625MG & 629MG (Round Butt Finger Groove Tactical) provides a solid grip and control. Here is a pick of my 629MG (maple Ahrends)

 

[chaim]

I bought these NILL's for my 629 that i realy like.

Nill Griffe - Replacement grips with open back for revolvers

Nill grips caught my eye a few years ago. I am a Taurus fan as well as a S&W fan. I had my eye on the Taurus Tracker and some of their other "compact" frame revolvers, and Nills was the only maker other than Hogue (and then only their rubber grips) making grips for the compact frame Taurus revolvers (the compact frame is sized about halfway between the S&W J and K frames). They make a nice looking grip, a bit pricey, but I will buy some eventually.

I bought a set of grips for my 657 from that guy in Thailand and they are really nice looking and fit perfect. Since then I got another set for a M15. They are cheaper and the rosewoods really look good.

Reports like that are good to hear. Those grips do look good, and at those prices I can more easily do one of each type (boot and combat grips) since they are pretty reasonably priced.

 

[chaim]

All those with the Ahrends pictures, I definitely am a fan of Ahrends' grips, they look terrific. I especially like them in the oiled maple finish. Whether I go with combat or boot grips, they are on this list (and the price off the website isn't half bad).

 

[Neumann]

It's all a matter of proportion, mixed with purpose. Round butt grips are definitely easier to conceal than square butt, but require a firmer grip with longer barrels. I prefer square butt grips with a 6" barrel. Round or square work with a 4" barrel, and round or boot grips with a 3" barrel or shorter.

It's a tossup about which handles recoil better. Recoil is mostly directed to the fleshy part of your thumb, and two fingers around the grip are sufficient. A heavy bullet, like a .45 or .44 causes a lot of torque, which is easier to control with more fingers. I like Nill grips, but Ahrends fit my hands well, and are easier to come by.