K frame grips and speedloaders

[Caliper_Mi]

Recently purchased a S&W 66-3. My first Smith, just couldn't turn down the half lug barrel and shininess. It's got a nice set of Pachmayr Presentation grips. I love how they fit and feel, but they get in the way of using speedloaders. HKS mostly work if I release the rounds when they are only half way in the cylinder. The Safariland Comp1 won't get in far enough to hit the release to dump the rounds...

So, what to do? I've searched on this and can't find a good answer. Are there any other grips with a similar shape to the Pachmayrs that have a cutout for speedloaders? Or is grip modification a better option? Who makes a revolver grip that interferes with speedloaders anyways?

 

[MrBorland]

Are you sure it's the grips, and not the cylinder release latch? If it's the latch, changing it out for a new style latch will give you more room.

If it is the grips, and you otherwise like them, I'd suggest using a razor to remove the offending rubber.

My Uncle Mike's grips work well with speedloaders, but they're made any longer. You can find them used on ebay and gunbroker, though.

 

[gamestalker]

You might try the Hogue one piece grip. I just put one on my 66-5, I actually like it a lot, and the speed loaders function just fine with it. The only thing that's taking some getting used to, is the hollow sound when handling it, which kind of takes away from the solid feel of an M66. But other than that, it's not a bad set up, especially when I bang away with full throttle loads.

Right now I have the original wood furniture on the 66-2. They aren't really the most comfortable when shooting full house 296 loads, that's an understatement, but they work well for CC. I don't carry full throttle magnum loads when I have those grips on it.

But I do have a pair of those Presentation grips. I thought I would like them, but I don't. They don't fit my hands right, I really have to have finger grooves cause my hands are so small. But as far as using the speed loaders with them, I haven't had any issues.

I think one of the most comfortable grips I've ever had though are the Uncle Mikes 59006 grips. From what I've been told, my 66-5 came with them from S&W. I don't think they make them any more, I tried to find a pair for the -2, but they don't appear to be in business any more, sure would like a pair for that -2 though.

GS

 

[gotboostvr]

I'm a big fan of Magnas and T grips for a reason!
Practical and good looking. My idpa guns wear them for a reason.

I am a big fan of the uncle mikes for rubber grips though.

 

[PJSprog]

You might try the Hogue one piece grip. I just put one on my 66-5, I actually like it a lot, and the speed loaders function just fine with it. The only thing that's taking some getting used to, is the hollow sound when handling it, which kind of takes away from the solid feel of an M66.

I recently put a Hogue Monogrip on my M64. Glad I'm not the only one who noticed that "hollow" sound. Haven't yet tried my HKS speedloaders with it.

 

[gamestalker]

The Mono grip is a close fit with speed loaders, but they do clear the grip completely.

I'm so annoyed by the hollow sound, that I'm gonna try filling the empty space with something, I just haven't decided what to use yet. I'm thinking maybe epoxy?

On another note, I'm still working on my walnut grips, I can't wait to get them finished. I'm thinking of shaping them like the Uncle Mike's, I love that fit to my hands. Glad this thread came up, I had forgotten about that project, I need to get back to it.

GS

 

[Zaydok Allen]

You could also try some 5 Star Speed Loaders. The rounds sit more loosely in the loader and you turn the release knob away from the gun, rather than towards it like with HKS speed loaders. The greater amount of movement of the cartridges on 5 Stars may give you just enough wiggle room that you need not modify or replace anything on the grip.

No guarantee of course.

 

[Caliper_Mi]

Well, I carved down the grip on the left side. Turns out there is a metal frame inside the Pachmayr grips so I couldn't carve it all the way back to the revolvers frame. Speedloaders "work" now, but still hit the grip slightly, just not as much as before. Actually, the rim of a case will just bump the grip if I pull it straight back with the cylinder indexed just so. Maybe I'll have to come back with a cutoff wheel and get more aggressive.

Unfortunately, the monogrip just doesn't fit my hand between the finger grooves and being so skinny. I had one on a Redhawk and the Pachmayr was a huge upgrade there.