Thailand made S&W grips

JonB

Halcyon member
Some years back, I seen a few Thailand ebay sellers of "handmade by craftsman" S&W grips.
Back then, I wanted some K frame grips for 3 guns I had, that came with rubber grips.
Before I ordered any, I posted about these Thailand grips on the other site and subsequently
another bullet caster offered me some sweet NOS factory grips in a swap, so I never ordered any.

A year ago, I just missed out on a set of lightly used Altamont "Round Butt conversion" grips for N frame.
I didn't even think something like that existed. While I am not a big fan of Altamont grips, I was thinking
the Conversion grips would be just the thing for my 625JM, as I am not happy with the original JM grips
it came with, or the RB Nframe Rubber Pachmayrs that I scored at a gunshow. I'd really prefer the Sq butt feel.

Today, I wondered down the ebay rabbit hole and found the Thailand ebayers have not only came out with
the conversion, they are also making some grips that are universal RB/SB. I'm a little leery of the universal ones,
but I am liking my options for a RB conversion.

I made an offer on these fishscale checkered cokebottle-like Target grips.
well it's not really fish scale, but it's somewhat like that,
maybe even better, as they look less aggressive than the fishscale Altamont's that I have on a Ruger.

I stole these photos from ebay.
500px out sides N frame Rd butt conversion 1735 May2021.jpg

This seller seeming is posting photos of a specific set of grips on each of
his listings. I am hoping I get these specific grips, as I like the color shade
and grain and knots.
500px In sides N frame Rd butt conversion 5735 May2021.jpg

all the Altamont grips I handled that were mounted on S&W guns have been
a bit more loose than I like. I had a newer Mod 29 that was loose enough
that I shimmed the grips. Looking as this photos, I suspect I may be doing the same.
but at least these are about half the price of Altamonts, so a little work
is no biggie...like buying a Lee 2 cav mold, LOL.
500px In sides II N frame Rd butt conversion 5735 May2021.jpg

Also, these seem to have some palm swell, which I like. The Altamont
target grips do not have that.
500px Mounted N frame Rd butt conversion 5735 May2021.jpg

Lastly, I am reasonably sure I will need to mod these grips for use of Moon
clips on my 625JM...the area just below the S&W logo...but there looks to be
plenty of wood to work with.
500px Mounted IIII N frame Rd butt conversion 5735 May2021.jpg
 

JonB

Halcyon member
Whoopie-doo !
It's 5am in Bangkok and they just gave me a decent counteroffer, which I accepted, now I just gotta wait 3 weeks and hope it doesn't get held up in Customs.
 

JWFilips

Well-Known Member
I'm waiting on a Nice Pair I ordered a few weeks ago from The Thai Guy on Esty!
I see they just arrived in the USA!
 
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CZ93X62

Official forum enigma
One has to wonder about S&W's revolver grip choices on a few of their models. Few matters in handgunning are more subjective than The Correct Grip Set for your pet roller-gun, but the S&W 625-series had some real odd selections. Those pink/blue/white panels on my 625 from a couple years back HAD TO GO--I ordered a set of Hogue neoprenes before the DROS cleared, and those gender-fluid Castro District OEM panels got relegated to the bottom of my grip box on the garage shelf.
 

JWFilips

Well-Known Member
Got My Grips today for My S&W Model 15 38 Special....A long wait of about a month but man they are worth it! At $58 plus shipping I'm not going to complain! They fit perfect and tight ...the wood is nicer than the originals that came with the gun!
These Thai Guys are artist in wood!
The only thing that I can see is they do not have the metal Bolster washer...They cut the wood inside to a Circular wood washer that replaces the metal traditional one but the darn wood is so hard I'm not even worried about it!
All in all it was a great deal and they fit my hand better because they are the larger target grips.....I will get you guys a photo later or tomorrow...I'm pretty beat now.IMG_1429.jpg
 
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JWFilips

Well-Known Member
I wish they would make The older style (before speed loaders) Like on my model 19! The top cut out on the frame is Convex ( not concave)
Much more attractive
 

JWFilips

Well-Known Member
I will tell you what: these guys have it down right even to the emblem inlay...Just wish it was brass not silver!
But they did keep the brass screw!
 

Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
I have to say that I think a 4" K-frame in 38 Special is one of the most iconic and useful handguns to have ever stepped on the world stage.

That Model 15 that JWFilips displayed is a fine example of the 4" K-frame. I see a trigger stop protruding from the frame and it looks like it has a target hammer. While not exactly a K-38 with a 4" barrel attached,....that's about as close as you can get. Those early model 15's really were essentially target guns equipped with practical barrels for carry. Those new grips are not only beautiful, but they are also practical.

And the speedloader cut is a necessary feature if you want to use a speedloader and not a hinderance if you don't use speedloaders.

JW, that's a fine revolver.
 
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CZ93X62

Official forum enigma
That looks like a wide target trigger as well. NICE EXAMPLE.

The speed-loader cutaway on this grip set follows the lines of the 1980-forward target grips installed first on the 586/686 series revolvers. Previous designs have an indented contour to the speed-loader relief radiusing, sometimes called "Football" target grips. Like grip sets, speed-loader preferences are subjective and personal, and were almost as intense as the Ford/Chevy/Mopar-type Colt/S&W/Ruger wars that raged when I entered law enforcement in the late 1970s.

Only dump boxes on the Sam Browne were authorized at my shop when I started in Nov. '77. When I started at Indio Jail in March '78, speed-loaders had just been authorized for use--Bianchi Speed Strips and HKS loaders. (Reading back over this as I proof-read, I am struck by what lengths my agency went to in order to appear 'less militant').
 

JWFilips

Well-Known Member
Thank You P&P!
Well I got up early, sore as all heck from loading and placing rock yesterday and my hands were paining me most of the night ( arthritis and strain of shoveling) but I gave it a shot and Shot 50 rounds of the Lyman 358495 wadcutter! Smoke Clear PC (with the buffer coat of BLL which sure makes a big difference to tighten groups!)
Nice light load of 2.4 gr American Select...only shot at 10 yards off hand (too shaky for 25 yds)
These new grips felt great & filled my hands better then the original small combat grips I had on the 15 And I can see A big improvement in grouping
Bottom line is I love them! Got 36 shots in the bull ( the 44 marked on the target is incorrect)
I probably ended up helping to sell 3 pair of these grips from the guys at the range this morning !
They also loved the feel of them
Jim
After new Grips.jpg
 

CZ93X62

Official forum enigma
No flies on that group.

At the time I started in LE, LAPD's issue sidearm was the S&W Model 15 x 4". LAPD armorers disabled the single-action function, they were DAO as-issued. They were +P-capable, and there were few better 38 Special duty revolvers than the M-15/Combat Masterpiece. The M-15/M-67 is a bit of a hole in my collection, and lacking a 4" 38 Special at present--I would love to find one of these with the right mix of condition and price.
 

Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
A few years ago I was forced to pass on a really nice Model 15 that was priced way below what it was worth. Despite the more than fair price, it came along during a particularly bad month, expense wise.

When the market returns to normal (and it will) I'll go back on the hunt for a model 15 or 67. I was looking for a model 67 a few years back and the prices were insane. The 15's were still good deals but in waiting for the "right" one, I waited too long.

I don't NEED a Model 15 (I have plenty of K-frames in 38 Special) but I would really LIKE to have a nice Model 15.
 

abj

Active Member
We have several of those ebay import grips. Mostly finger groove and thumb rest. I like them, good color, good price and very minor fitting. All on K frames and one set on a Colt trooper. All the fit issues were on the inside of the grip where it contacts the grip frame. very minor.
Tony
 

JonB

Halcyon member
The grips arrived last week.
Goodbye to the slippery JM grips.
1 they arrived Jul2021 550px.jpg

The wood to metal fit is perfect where it's critical, but not so much where it doesn't
matter. They fit is very tight, not loosey goosey like the several Altamont's I've handled.
3 installation Jul2021 550px.jpg


While moon clips feed if slightly angled, there is slight obstruction of the wood grip.
It could be worked down a bit, but I think I'll leave 'em alone until it becomes bothersome.
4 moon clip I Jul2021 550px.jpg

5 moon clip II Jul2021 550px.jpg

6 wood to metal fit Jul2021 550px.jpg

7 wood to metal fit Jul2021 550px.jpg

8 wood to metal fit Jul2021 550px.jpg

I haven't shot the gun yet, with these grips installed...been too hot to go to the range.
but I sure love the feel and the look of these grips. I'm not sure what kind of wood it is?
"Bobby" (from shipping address) just advertised them as exotic hardwood. They do have
some heft to them, compared to walnut grips, obviously a very dense wood.
 

JWFilips

Well-Known Member
Will also be shopping for target grips from Thailand for my Pre-27 S&W! It only has the service grips right now!
 

Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
If the color goes all the way through those grips (very likey and you can test on the inside panel) you can relive a little material to make room for the moon clips.

I have Rosewood grips that I modified with a file, dremel sanding drum and sandpaper. After removing the extra wood and polishing with fine sandpaper, the new surface is undetectable from the original.

A lot of those tropical hardwoods have the same color all the way through. The color is natural and not imparted by stain.