Rubber N-frame grips for short(ish) fingers

M

mj246

New member
Hi all,

I've been pondering about getting some new shooting grips for my S&W 1917. I have the original wood panel grips, but cannot shoot more than a cylinder full through the revolver with them on without getting a really painful blister on the webbing of my hand between my thumb and index finger. So right now I shoot it with some cheap used rubber N-Frame grips (SQ butt) that I got at a pawn shop. The problem is I find the trigger reach just a tad longer than I would like it to be. I can fire the gun properly and relatively accurately (for me = about 4" groups @ 10-15yds double action:o), but it is slightly uncomfortable.

So the question is: Are there any rubber N-frame grips out there that do cover the top portion of the backstrap, but only barely so as to keep the trigger reach more comfortable?

I just need a thin layer of relatively soft material (wood doesn't work) between my hand and the metal to keep the blisters away, the recoil isn't a serious problem (although the rubber grips do help). I guess I could always try a shooting glove (and maybe be able to use the original grip panels) but was wondering if there are any grips around that fit my description.

Any suggestions? Grips, gloves, or other remedies?

As always, thanks in advance for any input.
 
Mj246:

Try a patch of duct tape on the web between your thumb and fore finger. It doesn't take much to prevent a bllister. How often do you shoot? Enough shooting will callous over the blister spot.

Semper Fi.

Gunnery sergeant
Clifford L. Hughes
USMC Retired
 
Hogue rubber grips sound like your best option. They are on the narrow side and they do not cover the backstrap, which makes them ideal for those with shorter fingers. Do not go with Pachmayrs, as they cover the backstrap and will increase your trigger reach.
 
If you can't shoot more than six rounds out of a large frame .45ACP revolver then maybe the grips are not the issue. Rubber grips are more likely to remove your hide than any other smooth (uncheckered) material. It is a myth that oversized rubber grips absorb recoil.
 
Auto426, the OP specifically asked for smaller grips that still cover the backstrap.

newfrontier45, I have a Colt 1917. I find its recoil more unpleasant than that of my N-frame Smiths. Since it's only .45acp, this surprised me, but there's something about the gun that seems to distribute recoil poorly.

With regard to rubber grips being more grabby, they can be. Hogues are more grabby than Pachmayrs (I have both). With regard to oversized rubber grips not absorbing recoil... we disagree. I put X-frame Hogues on a .44 magnum Mountain Gun, and they are much less punishing then woods or smaller grips.

Of course, X-frame Hogues are way too big for what the OP desires; just making a point that sometimes rubber does have a specific purpose.
 
Wood grips properly fitted to both the shooter's hand and to the sixgun are vastly superior to off the shelf rubbers every day of the week. Problem is that most shooters are comfortable with paying $20 rubber grips and are afraid to spend $150-$300 on a set of good custom stocks. If that's the case, you don't know what you're missing.
 
Auto426, the OP specifically asked for smaller grips that still cover the backstrap.
Click to expand...

Ah, for some reason I read that as small grip's that do not cover the backstrap. Been staring at the computer too long I guess.

But, if the OP is worried about trigger reach then grips that cover the back strap are only going to increase that reach. Maybe he should look into his grip or maybe a pair of shooting gloves.
 
newfrontier45,

The reason I am looking for rubber grips is through experience. I had the exact same problem with my model 36 in 38special. Even firing standard pressure rounds, I would start to develop a blister from rubbing after only 50 rounds or so. I switched from the wood panel grips to wood target grips that had an exposed backstrap and the problem didn't cease. I then switched to another set of wood grips that DID cover the backstrap and the problem didn't go away. Then I got myself a set of Pachmayr Compac grips for the j-frame round butt, and what do you know, no more blisters. It's not a recoil issue (although I DO find that rubber grips help reduce it a little), rather it is just an issue of me apparently having very soft skin in that one specific area.

Like I said in the original post. I do currently own a rubber combat grip for the N-frame that I cut the bottom out of to go around the lanyard loop and it completely solved the blister problem. The issue is it covers so much of the backstrap that the trigger reach is now a little uncomfortable for my stubby fingers (obviously not a problem when firing SA, but I like to use it DA too since it was designed that way). Hence my idea of trying to find a rubber grip that just barely covers the backstrap so I can reduce blistering with the least addition to trigger reach possible. Again, it is not entirely an issue with recoil, but of soft skin.

The more I think about it, the more a pair of shooting gloves sounds nice, because then I could use the original grip panels on it. Does anybody know of any decent gloves for shooting that are less than $40-$50 and won't bust apart at the seams after only a couple range trips? I was looking at some on Midway's and Cabelas' respective websites, but found that nearly all of the models in my price range would get split seams after only a couple months. Maybe those that reviewed them were the exceptions and not the norm?

Sorry to all that made it this far for the very long winded post:)
 
newfrontier45, I ended up with first the Hogue X-grips, then Pachmayr presentations on my Mountain Gun because the custom Herrett's I had made for my hand still tore up my thumb when shooting magnums.

Some of us have owned custom grips (I actually have customs on several of my guns) yet still find use for rubber in some circumstances.

I have to tell you your attitude comes off as very condescending.
 
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