S&W 29-5 Classic .44 Mag. "Grip Change?"

[HHank]

I have a S&W 29-5 Classic .44 magnum with pachymar rubber grips. (5"barrel, fully underlugged). I'd like to change the grips to maybe a Hogue conversion set. The gun has a round butt with some kind of "bracket" attached to the bottom with a hole in it for the screw to fit into. Do wood grips fit into this bracket or does it have to be taken off (somehow)? Thanks.

 

[SJshooter]

The bracket (which is just on the alignment pin) is for Hogue mono-grips (probably the maker of your rubber grip). Most wood grips don't use this system, so take it off and keep it with the rubber grips. If you buy Hogue wood grips, you will need it but then again they would just send you another one.

 

[jt1]

I have a model 29 with both wood and rubber grips from Hogue. They both use the bracket to mount but each is a different size and do not interchange. You can remove the bracket by spreading one side and then pulling it off. It is made of spring steel and will not break. If you do remove it keep it together with the grips it fits.

 

[Sunray]

That clip that Hogue grips require comes off easily. It literally clips onto the frame. A screw driver should pop it off. However, changing from Pachmayr to Hogue rubber grips is a lateral move. Rubber grips are rubber grips, unless the current set doesn't fit your hand. As far as recoil absorbtion goes, they're mostly the same.
Most aftermarket wooden grips are made for a stock frame.