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Which S&W grips ?

Molter
I just inherited a K frame square butt target revolver made 1921, in 32-20 cal. Need new grips, which type is best if I have a large hand for informal shooting? I want real S&W wood. Seems there are target, service and combat styles. Any advice ? I only had autos till now
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  • icdux1
    sir, replacing your original grips on that classic would be like putting recap mudgrips on a 57 chevy convertible.dont do it. if you must, any grip made for a k-sq butt should interchange. regards

    icdux1 and kathy
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  • Wheelgun
    If the gun still has its original grips, they're the ones that are known as the "service" type grips. The best thing is that you really have a lot of choices as the basic dimensions of the K frame grip-frame have remained essentially the same since it was introduced in 1899. During the time when your gun was made, grips were fitted to each gun then had the serial number of that gun pencilled on the inside of the right panel. Sadly, that practice had gone away by the late 50's or early 60's, especially on target stocks.

    A major consideration is deciding how much you want to invest in a set of grips. The most common S&W factory target stocks can be found for maybe as little as $20 if you're a smart shopper. The earliest style can exceed the $100 mark in the upper end of the condition range.

    Target stocks were first offered by the factory beginning in the early 50's. Notice in the pic below, that that first style had no extractor relief cut. Bad thing about those is they usually got dinged up near the top of the left panel if the gun got fired much.

    standard.jpg

    Thte second style was very similar to those, except that they had a dished out area to allow room for the extractor and spent cases to clear the grip upon extraction. In the 70's they changed again slightly with the addition of a speed-loader cut-out on the left panel. These are the ones that are most often seen and usually are the most affordable of the factory traget stocks.

    Being a bit of a purist in these matters, I personally wouldn't feel quite right installing a set of 70's or 80's vintage grips on a 1920's vintage revolver, but if forced into it, I might consider a set of factory smooth/un-checkered target stocks. Those are often found for under $50, but some (in rosewood, for example) can be quite a bit higher. Here's a set in rosewood....

    standard.jpg

    There are also several aftermarket grip makers that might have something you'd like. Herrett's (http://herrettstocks.com/) is the first that comes to mind. Eagle (http://eaglegrips.com) is another.

    Tough choice, huh? [:0]

    Mark

    WHEELGUNS..... is REAL GUNS!!! [;)]
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  • Molter
    Thanks guys. The original grips are worn so much you can see inside the frame. My grandfather had a habit of resting his hand on gun and rubbing his thumb. I just want to interchange grips to shoot at range. It really is a great shooter.
    He bought it in 1921 to match calibers to his Winchster. He was shot & killed in 1928 by a 30-30 thru the neck during a close range night shoot-out on a whiskey still in Tennessee
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