grips for a 686

Jeff,

The only 7-round speed loaders are HKS available for about $6 to $7 in most shops (I just threw the last of mine out--good ridance), the Maxfire for about $10 for a pack of 2 at Midway or Dillon and SL Variants for about $30 last time I checked.

Just did a quick check and found Dillon no longer carries the SL Variant. May not be in production?

Personally, I prefer moonclips; cheaper, lighter, smaller, simpler and the choice of competition shooters. For the standard 686+ you would need to have one of the vendors listed by TK Custom at moonclips.com machine the cylinder face. With the conversion you can shoot individual rounds, load with a speedloader or use moonclips with no problems.

here are some you might want to check out for grips:
www.hogueauction.com
www.gungear.com
www.gunaccessories.com
www.pistolgrips.com

or contact Kim Ahrends - his info is in this thread:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=126437
you can also see his grips pictured on DHart's gun there

I had quite a few more sites saved in favorites until our hard drive crashed, if I remember more I'll list them. Hope that helps!

On my 686 I had Cherry wood laminate finger groove target conversion grips with the S&W medallion (WD 20TFG-CONV) from Ajax Grips. Different wood, but same design as in the upper right hand picture on the page.

S&W offers a large array of aftermarket grips for their revolvers on their website: www.smith-wesson.com

Clemson

I bought some Ajax grips for a J frame. You can see their stuff here:

http://www.ajaxgrips.com/

Another vote for Hogue. Mine are fancy chekered Kingwood. Give Hogue a call and ask what's in-stock for the 686. You'll have them within the week.

If you want a "high axis" grip, take a look at the Jerry Miculek smooth grips that are out now.

Take care,
Rich

My favorite grips for amazing fit in the hand and beauty are Ahrends... here are a few:







Kim Ahrends grips are available from S&W's website and, better yet, directly from Kim:

Kim Ahrends Grips
(515) 532-3449

I prefer to finish my grips with a hand rubbed teak oil finish. Kim can easily accomodate this by providing his grips unfinished.

My 686 is wearing Miculek grips. Got them from and online auction, but Brownells and Dillion also carry them. They're not particularly good looking, but they feel great. Price is right about the same as Hogue w/o checkering.

K and L frames take the same grips.

Clemson

I have the Miculek grips on my 686. Yes, they feel great. And, IMO, they look great too. JMO.

If you decide to go with speedloaders, I have 5 barely used HKS ones I'll let you have for $25 shipped, just let me know if you're interested. Personally, I'd go the moonclip route though.


Chris

Jeff... nice "little" hot rod ya got there! Enjoy it buddy.