I-frame grip

[Petrol & Powder]

A while back I picked up a S&W 32 Hand Ejector (pre-model 30). Fun little revolver but I just can't live with the factory grips.
The grips are original and numbered to the frame, so my first thought was a Tyler T-grip adaptor. They still list them for I-frames.
Tyler is a family run business and one of their members suffered some severe illness a little while back. They had a hard time. I think they are up and running again.
My second thought was to find something similar to a J-frame "boot grip". The J-frame grips will fit the frame but they are a bit too long. Not sure how I feel about that.
I put a set of Pachmayr Compacts on the gun just to see what that would look like and they fit......However I feel like I'm violating some law on history and good taste.
Any ideas?

 

[Winelover]

My guess, based on your information, would be the J-frame Tyler adaptor would fit the I-frame. My J-frame adaptor fits on my Bulldog, just fine. That or modify/cut a J-frame grip to fit.

My choice for J-frame grips are CT laser grips. They are available in at least three different sizes/grip lengths. I prefer the one listed as compact, over the boot or the extended. Possibly, other manufactures offer the same choices.

BTW, just this AM on CB Swapping and Selling, One Gun Andy has the extended one listed at a very good price. I was tempted but CC pocket carry, would suffer. IMO

 

[hporter]

P&P,

Until you posted this thread, I hadn't thought about a t-grip on my hand ejectors. So out of curiosity, I put a #1 t-grip on both of my .32 hand ejectors to see how they fit.

Not perfect, but good enough I suppose.

 

[Charles Graff]

I have a nice one. It wears and old pair of Mustang grips for J frame, but made to fit the I frame.

 

[hporter]

BTW,

I picked up the round to square butt grips in the first photo on eBay a decade or so ago to try and get a better fit to my hand. They do feel better than the originals I had on it, that were similar to the set Charles posted except they have the S&W medallions on them.

Looking through my S&W grip tote, I found a cheesy set of plastic ones that are the same size as the round to square butt grips in the photo above. Looking at them side by side, you can see how much bigger they are.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

Tyler lists a #2 adaptor for "J-frame made prior to 1955". I can't say for certain that would fit an I-frame, but I suspect it would, based on the models listed.

I think I could tolerate the T-grip adaptor a little better than the ugly rubber grips. Or, maybe I should just get a set of smooth J-frame grips and modify them a little.

 

[Rick H]

You could always find a piece of fancy walnut, maple or myrtle and make your own. That way you get the size and shape you want.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

You could always find a piece of fancy walnut, maple or myrtle and make your own. That way you get the size and shape you want.

I am not even remotely that talented.
I have a fair number of skills, but artful shaping of wooden items is beyond my abilities. I can cut reasonably straight lines on a table saw (most days) but carving grips, ...nope

 

[fiver]

wrap it with some gription tape and no one will ever know.

 

[Thumbcocker]

I have Altamont grips on my 31 ans 30-1. Good fit at an ok price.

 

[Missionary]

You can start with a piece of soft box wood. 2x4 or whatever scrap and give it a whirl.
Watch a you tube. Make a spoon, Then a fork.
Anything one man can do another can also. Maybe not as artistic but functional.

 

[CZ93X62]

Pachmayr Com-Pacs go on my I- and J-frame S&Ws, and the D-frame Colts get the Tyler T-Grips. OEM grips are nice to look at and collectors insist upon them, but if shooting the arm is planned I need more grip to run the bitty little wheelguns.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

The Pachmayr Compacs fit the gun and me, but they sure are ugly.

The factory grips look a bit better but I can't live with them in terms of shooting the gun.

 

[CZ93X62]

Yessir. Pachmayr and Hogue neoprene grip sets are the Glocks of revolver grips--ugly as a mud fence, but hell for practicality. I have yet to own anything like a "Barbecue Gun", but that pending 6" Python could conceivably find a grip set adorning its receiver that combines beauty with practicality.

 

[Winelover]

My 6" Python wears the Signature Pac's, most of the time. It's a working grip. Little smaller than the standard walnut target grips that came with the piece. Don't have to fret about scratching them, nor removing them when cleaning the firearm. Covers the backstrap and mitigates recoil.



For sheer beauty, there are the Eagle stag grips.



Functionally, they don't work for me. However, they do for Cindy's smaller hands. That is her favorite revolver, to shoot. So much so, she wanted to hunt with it when Michigan opened up the shotgun only area to straight walled hand gun cartridges. Unfortunately, Michigan laws required the firearm had to be registered to the original owner. The solution was to register a 45 LC BH, my FFL was holding for me, to Cindy.

BTW, the last time I shot the Python, I took the stags off and installed the walnut factory grips. They now seemed a little larger for my arthritic hands, than they did in my younger days.

Recently, read the article in the May issue of G&A and It seems the new Python's walnut grips have been slightly modified to make them more user friendly. I'll never know.............unless they reintroduce the Anaconda in 45 LH with a short tube.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

I have lots of revolvers with rubber grips, mostly Pachmayr. They are practical and for a "working gun" perhaps the best choice.
I also have some wooden grips that are both practical and decent looking (at least to me)

That little 32 is entirely a toy, and I suppose I was hoping for something a bit more balanced between attractive & functional.
The compact Pachmayr's work fine. I don't carry the gun concealed, so the added bulk is a non-issue. I probably should just stop whining and enjoy the gun.

 

[Winelover]

The compacs look fine to me. Fills up the area the Tyler adaptor would. The standard grip, just as the j-frames, are just too small for my hands. Who sees the grip, anyway, when its covered by your hand?

 

[Petrol & Powder]

...... Who sees the grip, anyway, when its covered by your hand?

Good point

 

[Rick]

A lot of guys get all wrapped around the axle with good looking grips but the grip fitting your hand correctly is critical to good revolver shooting. All of my match revolvers wear the Pach's, butt ugly they are but it boils down to . . . Do you want to shoot good or look good?

 

[Charles Graff]

The compacs look fine to me. Fills up the area the Tyler adaptor would. The standard grip, just as the j-frames, are just too small for my hands. Who sees the grip, anyway, when its covered by your hand?

True dat! J-frames require more gripping surface to be "truly shootable". Here is my answer, a pair of out of print Mustang Combat grips on my Chief Special. I have another pair on my 3" Model 36 and the little 32 I-Frame popper.