Why did S&W even bother with Magna Grips for N-Frames?

[bushmaster1313]

Just replaced the magna's on my 27-2 with target grips.
The difference is amazing. With the magnas I could barely reach the trigger properly but with the target grips the pad of my finger fits squarely on the wide target trigger.

Does anyone like Magna grips on a 27-2 (or any other N-frame)?

 

[ditrina]

Just replaced the magna's on my 27-2 with target grips.
The difference is amazing. With the magnas I could barely reach the trigger properly but with the target grips the pad of my finger fits squarely on the wide target trigger.

Does anyone like Magna grips on a 27-2 (or any other N-frame)?

I refuse to answer that on the grounds that no matter what I reply .. I would be accused of " Ruining You"

 

[OldW]

I can't stand magnas on any size frame. They just feel weird in my hand.

 

[RussellD]

While correct for the collector and very attractive-they never fit my hand either. The hogue monogrip fits much better and a set of pacmayrs work well too.

I save the factory grips for my kids to enjoy..

 

[Art Doc]

Well, first of all, while you dismiss the Magnas as too small you should know that many shooters find the Targets too big. It's a matter of personal preference. Some (OK, apparently it's just me) think that Targets on the 3.5" guns look ugly. Way too much wood for the short barrel and the gun looks *** heavy.

You have GOT to be kidding me. The word *** is being filtered? OK, in case you can't figure out what I wrote think of a Biblical donkey.

Bear in mind that when the Magnas were introduced in 1935 they were a step up from what was previously used. The older "Service" stocks can be truly punishing with hard kicking guns.

Does anyone use Magnas on N frames? Yes. Here are a few of mine.

 

[old bear]

Some (OK, apparently it's just me) think that Targets on the 3.5" guns look ugly. Way too much wood for the short barrel and the gun looks *** heavy.

S.P., you are not alone in your feelings. IMHO the target grips look out of balance on any 3' - 4" revolver.

 

[bushmaster1313]

Saxon
Me thinks I see a grip adapter on your 58

 

[needsmostuff]

I for one cannot ever find enough magna's for N frame.

 

[computeruser]

I prefer the magnas and service stocks on n-frames. The others are just too big for my taste.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

I replace all my N frame targets with magnas cause they fit my hand better. I'll go one step further and state that I can't stand targets on ANY frame except a Square butt J. I'll go another step by stating that the best grip combo for me is a set of modified magnas and a tyler on an N, L or K frame.

 

[bmcgilvray]

I have large hands with long fingers and I still like Magnas on most N-Frames.

 

[Ironhand]

I think magnas look goofy on 6" barreled N-frames, but just right on 4" and shorter barrels.

 

[stiab]

Some (OK, apparently it's just me) think that Targets on the 3.5" guns look ugly. Way too much wood for the short barrel and the gun looks *** heavy.

I'm in SP's camp on this one, although I would not go so far as to say "ugly". As to the OP's question, don't forget that many N frames were intended for police work, and the magna grips were probably better suited than the targets.

 

[jbcap]

I to, like the magnas on my N-frame guns. The targets are way to big and the magnas fit me much better, besides I like the way the magnas look. I take off every pair of targets I get on any of my guns, including my K&L frames. Joe

 

[Ron H.]

Just replaced the magna's on my 27-2 with target grips.
The difference is amazing. With the magnas I could barely reach the trigger properly but with the target grips the pad of my finger fits squarely on the wide target trigger.

Does anyone like Magna grips on a 27-2 (or any other N-frame)?

Sir, people's hands and purposes differ. FWIW, I like magnas on short-barreled N-frames. They conceal easier than targets and point better for me in double-action shooting.

Targets are fine on long-barreled guns used mainly for slow single-action shooting, as in target shooting or hunting. The bigger grip provides better leverage for holding up that long, heavy tube. With these big guns, concealment usually isn't an issue, so targets are fine for the application.

Regarding aesthetics, IMHO the big target stocks require a lot of barrel to make the gun look balanced. That can be length, as in a 6-inch tube, or weight, as in a full-lugged 5-inch tube. I have to agree with Mr. Saxon Pig that targets visually unbalance a 3-1/2 inch Model 27.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[stantheman86]

I must be the oddball of the S&W world, but I can't stand N-Frame target grips......I think using the barrel of a Louisville Slugger as a grip would feel better.

It's Magnas all the way for me.

I'm not a huge fan of target grips on anything, for that fact. The only S&W I have that wears Targets is my 8 3/8" Model 14.

 

[snowman]

Well we sure can differ significantly in these matters. Some have made excellent points re the practicality of one grip or the other; e.g. the concealability of magnas, and so on. Though I acknowledge that that example and others are indisputable, I still don't like magnas, period. They don't look good to me on any gun of any size frame or barrel length, nor do they fit my hand at all. I only have smooth targets on all my Smiths.

Andy

 

[Photog]

29-3 6"
29 4"
25-2 6"
24-3 4" x2
24-3 6.5"
pre 27 3.5"
58 4"
All wear magnas, preferably "diamond" magnas. I really like them. The only 4 frames I have that don't have them are a pre 29 5 screw, (cokes), my 6.5" 29-2 (Kuracs) another 29-2 6.5" (Kuracs also), and a 29-2 8 3/8" that has a reshaped set of target grips.

 

[Dave T]

With the addition of a grip adapter a set of Magna stocks actually fit my hand better than S&W target stocks, and I have fairly large hands. In some cases they look better too:

The Magnas on this 5" pre-M27 are numbered to the gun and look just fine to my eye.

The Grashorn Gunworks elk antler Magnas on this 4th Model 44 Hand Ejector fit perfectly and look better than any other stocks I've tried on this gun.

The look and feel of stocks is such a personal thing it's kind of pointless to make statements like the title of this thread implies.

Dave

 

[WyoStillhunter]

My M28 looks like Dave T's M27.