[Maricopa Smitty]

I picked up a 617-6 a couple of years ago and started using it in my club's monthly rimfire steel matches. The action has been lightly worked over and it's a great shooter, but the factory finger-groove grips are just too short (front-to-back) for me. If I get the web of my hand high on the backstrap of the gun, my trigger finger is too far forward for a comfortable position which allows me to work the trigger quickly.

In a revolver-specific training I took a while back, the instructor commented that I needed a larger grip on my M64 to get my hand higher on the backstrap. I got a set of Pachmayr Presentation grips which were perfect - except they didn't offer enough clearance for speedloaders on the port side. Not good for a defensive handgun, so I reverted back to the factory grips.

Not being tuned into square vs round frame specifics, I tried the Pachmayrs on the 617. As both the 617 and 64 are K-frames, the grip was just what I needed size-wise, but alas, the Presentation grips are only intended for square frame guns. Although they physically fit, they are not clamped tightly in place and swim around a bit unless I hold the gun with a death grip. So, close but no cigar.

Comparing the Presentation with the 617's factory Hogue grips, the major dimensional difference is that the Presentations cover the gun's backstrap while the Hogues do not. The difference amounts to maybe a little less than a quarter of an inch, but it's significant in terms of feel. None of the aftermarket Hogue K-frame grips cover the backstrap, and Pachmayr does not offer the Presentation grips for round-frame models.

I'm not a fan of finger grooves, either, but that's a compromise I'd be willing to try if I could find a grip with some material over the backstrap.

Any suggestions?

 

['ol shooter]

A few years ago I picked up a used set of K frame Herrett grips from the Trading Post. I refinished them and am very happy with the way they fit my hand.

 

[AzShooter]

Hogue Big Butt Grips should work for you. I found them to be large and there is plenty of room for your hands. They come in rubber or wood.

 

[carbine]

I picked up a set of S&W wood grips at a gun show and prefer these over the rubber grips that came with the gun originally.

 

[sicumj]

I have not had a problem finding grips for round k frame Smiths. Try this link: https://www.altamontco.com/pistol-grips/smith-and-wesson/k-round/ .
https://www.amazon.com/Wesson-Revol...Hardwood-Checkered-Handmade/dp/B01E10ARRA/ref=pd_lpo_3?pd_rd_i=B01E10ARRA&psc=1

 

[flangster]

I like Altamont and Hogue. But I think my hands are on the small side of large, or the large size of medium. I take an L on nitrile gloves, for instance, but some L winter gloves have fingers a bit too long for me. I make sure that the backstrap is flush with the frame.

 

[Maricopa Smitty]

Those are really nice! They have material past the backstrap, which is exactly what I'm looking for. None of the Hogues cover the back strap, although its possible the width of the grip near the top may push the web of my hand further back.

 

[motovita]

I picked up a 617-6 a couple of years ago and started using it in my club's monthly rimfire steel matches. The action has been lightly worked over and it's a great shooter, but the factory finger-groove grips are just too short (front-to-back) for me. If I get the web of my hand high on the backstrap of the gun, my trigger finger is too far forward for a comfortable position which allows me to work the trigger quickly.

In a revolver-specific training I took a while back, the instructor commented that I needed a larger grip on my M64 to get my hand higher on the backstrap. I got a set of Pachmayr Presentation grips which were perfect - except they didn't offer enough clearance for speedloaders on the port side. Not good for a defensive handgun, so I reverted back to the factory grips.

Not being tuned into square vs round frame specifics, I tried the Pachmayrs on the 617. As both the 617 and 64 are K-frames, the grip was just what I needed size-wise, but alas, the Presentation grips are only intended for square frame guns. Although they physically fit, they are not clamped tightly in place and swim around a bit unless I hold the gun with a death grip. So, close but no cigar.

Comparing the Presentation with the 617's factory Hogue grips, the major dimensional difference is that the Presentations cover the gun's backstrap while the Hogues do not. The difference amounts to maybe a little less than a quarter of an inch, but it's significant in terms of feel. None of the aftermarket Hogue K-frame grips cover the backstrap, and Pachmayr does not offer the Presentation grips for round-frame models.

I'm not a fan of finger grooves, either, but that's a compromise I'd be willing to try if I could find a grip with some material over the backstrap.

Any suggestions?

Go back to the Hogue catalog and look again. They have a rubber conversion grip that may interest you.

 

[TrblShtr]

Go back to the Hogue catalog and look again. They have a rubber conversion grip that may interest you.

Here's a rubber Hogue round butt conversion that appears to cover the backstrap, available on Amazon (also on the Hogue site). Hogue 19022

 

[541MD]

I hate rubber grips. There are lots of round butt to square grips availed. I haven’t had experience with K or L frame. I traded the two 617s off and never messed with them. But have be buying Alemont rd to square for late 29s and 629s. Got 317 the other day. If I keep it will be grip shopping.

 

[prairieviper]

These are Ahrends Retro Combat grips, round butt to square butt conversion, in Goncalo Alves. You cannot tell in the photo but they do not cover the backstrap. I wear a large glove but like another poster said, I too am on the smaller side of large.

As far as rubber, I like rubber fine but do not care for the S&W OEM, round butt grips that came with my 617. I have Pachmayr Presentation grips on my model 29 that I have used in some bowling pin competitions and like them ok, but they could be just a bit smaller and I would like them more. I have never had any problems with speedloader clearance with them.

 

[Maricopa Smitty]

Go back to the Hogue catalog and look again. They have a rubber conversion grip that may interest you.

Will do - thanks for the suggestion!

 

[Camster]

I had Nills on mine. Expensive but worth it.

 

[lscocoa]

I used to have these originally on my 986 , then put them on my 617-6 . K & L frames are the same size in grips . Would these be something you would like to try ? If so pm me . You can see where I penciled marks from my square frame but changed my mind and left it round butt .

 

[AzShooter]

If you want to try my Hogue Big Butt grips let me know. I'll be at Shooter's World Wednesday at 10 a.m. and at Ben Avery at 9 a.m. on Friday.

 

[RawDog]

Does anybody know if the Hogue wood grips that have the striped cap on the butt, add any length to the grip?
I have large hands and on the rubber Hogue K-Frame square butt conversion grips that come installed on the 617, my pinky hangs off a little bit.

 

[AzShooter]

Yes, the wood grips have plenty of extra room for your pinky.

 

[RawDog]

Thank you for the reply.
I was actually wondering if the wood grips with the ‘striped cap’ were longer than the rubbers, not the big butt version

 

[BKS]

VZ conversion grips are what I use. They cover the backstrap.