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

[DGNY]

N-Frame Magnas.

In answer to the posted question, because they met the needs and expectations of most 1935-1955+/- shooters. And the March to Magnums of the '50s-60's made hands hurt, so they enlarged the grips.

Oversimplified? Probably, but close. Plus, Magnas fit a lot of hands, witness this thread. They sure fit mine. Though I love the look of targets on 5"-6" barrels and up.

Long live variety!.

Regards,

Dyson

 

[tshooter]

I don't like targets. I am unable to palm a basketball either.

 

[GLL]

The key is to select the right magnas !
These from Don Collins are "fatter" than factory versions and fit my small hand very well !

Jerry

 

[senecaap]

I like both Magnas and Targets, any N frame any barrel length. For concealment, you have to go magna or look like you have an Alien popping out of you. I love a 29 (or anything really) with the old cokes on them, they just fit the hand and handle better than the later Targets.
I like Magnas that are a little fatter. Some made by Smith and other suppliers were so thin they feel like the old Service stocks (which, for some reason I'm seeing more of), which are just plain painful to me.
I can't use the grip adapters or the finger groove stocks. WIth the adapters, my hand is pushed to far down and I can't get a good hold. With the finger grooves, my hand is totally uncomfortable, my fingers never lining up with the grooves.

 

[WyoStillhunter]

I am seeing two approaches to this issue:
1. What looks right.
2. What feels right.

Maybe there is a third but no one has presented it in a quantifiable format:
3. What functions right.

For me the answer lies in a blend of all three with weight given to feel and function over look.

I have a M10 getting all slicked up at Sand Burr Gun Ranch. When I get it back I will see how it shoots in our local pistol league: magnas + Tyler-T. I know this isn't an N-frame but function will be a big factor in determining the final grip configuration for this sidearm.

 

[keith44spl]

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.

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.

C'on now SP,,,,

Now, ya got me confus'd

Su Amigo,
Dave

BTW, Keith Brown made the 'Cokes' below to my requested specifications and are about a 1/4" thinner than standard.

The Ivory stocks on the middle revolver are thinner by that much as well, custom built by Ajax in Dallas years ago.

Of course the diamond magnas on my 45 Long Colt conv. are just fine the way they are.

 

[rburg]

A lot of individuals up here also like 3rd party grips on there S&W revolvers like Kurac, Ahrends, Hogue, and etc and that's fine with me too as you paid your money and you should get what you like.

Fine for you to say. But in my collecting life I've only managed to find one set of Kearsarge N's. I kind of solved the problem by loaning it out to Keith so he could make others.

I like magna's, just fine. I even like old style service grips.. On my guns that shipped with them. I even like originals on my T/Ls. They work just fine.

What I'm not real fond of are the targets that are big chunks of 2x4 and won't fit all holsters, nor will they conceal.

 

[j38]

While N frame magnas aren't perfect, I generally prefer them to N frame targets, and, the older service stocks. I have large hands and long fingers. N frame targets aren't too big, ... they are just plain uncomfortable and awkward to shoot. Mr. Burg was being kind comparing them to 2x4's. I would rather put a set of Pachmayr presentation grips on my N frames before I would use standard targets. I've never had the opportunity to try cokes, but, if anyone wants an unbiased opinion, please send me a set and I'll give them a go and report back promptly.

Regards,

Jerry

 

[Tex_1968]

I like the Magna grips. My 27 and 28 both had target grips when I bought them. I put Magnas on both guns as quick as possible.

 

[dogngun]

I like tha Magnas, especially on N frames...don't like the Targets

on any size frame. They just don't feel "right" in my hand.


mark

 

[feralmerril]

I went the full circle. When I started out many years ago I thought I needed targets. Now I seem to like the smaller magnas or similar. I also prefer a smooth grip with no checkering.

 

[.357magger]

Put me firmly in the magna camp for barrels of 5" or less. Either one fits my hand okay and I've used both variety over the years but I like the look/balance/feel of the targets on 6" or longer.

 

[rjgnwdc]

Like Commander Cody always said, "one mans meat is another mans poison"

 

[stevieboy]

To each his/her own I say. If targets work for you, then go for it. If something else works better, then do that.

I have hands that resemble catcher's mitts and yes, I can palm a basketball. Targets and I do not get along, not even a little bit. The shape of the grip in combination with the way that I grasp a handgun means that the top of the left side grip will be driven into the base of my right thumb with every round. In years past I've sustained fairly serious bruising and torn skin from firing .357s out of my 27 when there were targets on the gun.

For whatever reason, the thinner the grip the better the gun feels in my hand. Magnas work well for me, although Pachmayr Grippers work even better. Although the Pachs are rubber they actually present an extremely thin profile.

 

[J-FRAME]

I believe Elmer Keith liked ivory magnas with steer heads on to fatten them up a bit on his Model 29. I think he had small hands. I like Herritt Jordan Troopers for my size 12 hand. Nobody else likes them way to big.

 

[Waywatcher]

Old thread, I know, but it has valuable info that I learned from and would like to add my experience.

On my K-Frame, I can tolerate magnas, but the gun shifts in my hand requiring me to regrip the gun after every shot. Target grips keep the gun in my hand and don't require any adjustment after shots. On my N-Frame, I don't really like magnas. Targets are much better here in my opinion.

I noticed that on both guns, target grips hold my hand in a more natural, anatomical arrangement of knuckles, when viewed from the side. They also allow me to continue shooting the gun without adjusting my grip, especially advantageous when shooting double action. I've tried both magnas and Targets, as well as Ahrends, and I like Targets best. I also have noted cleaner ejection of empty shells with target grips. None of the grips actually caused me any pain, but the targets were most comfortable.

Oh, and for the record, I can palm a basketball.

 

[smokey04]

O.K. Ladies,Let's get on the right track. Some of you boutique babies think the " look" is the deal. Well, whatever. We have a lot of pretenders and wanna be's on the net so, whatever puts your panties in a wad is O.K. by me.However, please remember Elmer Keith used carved ivories on his 4" .44Mags., that were ,for all intents and purposes, magna shaped grips.Now, I was never able to afford bulls head carved ivory grips, but I did go to magnas [actually N frame P.C.s] with a T-grip and found the recoil was not as bad or objectionable as previously experienced.So, maybe less is more,rather than more is better to cushion recoil.Weight and size is not necessarlly the answer. Maybe, the grip is the bottom line. Try it,you'll probably like the results.Nick

 

[para82frame]

I have put magnas/service stocks (Alimont composite ivorys) on all my S&Ws, from my J-frame to my model 28-2 and 1917. They just look and feel right to me. I bought BK grip adapters because all the "experts" said magnas are worthless and uncontrollable without them...I hate the grip adapters, they just are not for me.

 

[STCM(SW)]

Target grips always felt like trying to hold a 2" X 4" to me.
Magnas on any size frame I shoot, for looks, well targets are on several "N" frame revolvers....

 

[NE450No2]

I cannot stand the Magna grips. And I will say the Target Grips are not the right shape either.

Magnas with a Tyler feel much better, and I have slimmed down several sets of Target grips, and used ojnesuch set on my 44 Mag duty revolver for several years.

Back in the Day, IF I would have been the Boss of S&W, I would have designed a set of grips, that felt like a set of Service Magnas, with a Tyler T Grip... They would have been the Standard grips for the J frame up to the N frame...