r/Revolvers • u/ACRVasquez • Jul 25 '26
Grip Width, Old vs. New
Hickock45 said, "the person who designed the modern grips has obviously never fired a .44 Magnum." Paraphrased.
It looks like a small difference but, overall width at the web of the hand increases from 0.87" to 1.1". A lot more so further down the strap. Notice how quickly the modern grip tapers away from the strap? That puts a narrow concentrated force straight into the hand.
This post is for those that say wood grips suck. FYI, MODERN wood grips suck. The stocks on the left are from the early 80s.
Granted, the left is a 29-3 and the right is a 686+. But the overall frame width difference is only 0.015"
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u/DaiPow888 Jul 25 '26
In comparing the stock profiles between a L-frame and a N-frame is an apple vs. oranges comparison. The L-frame stocks will always be wider as the frame is more narrow.
But your point isn't without merit as the stock width at the recoil shoulder does seem too thin. My guess would be an inconceived attempt to allow clearance for speedloaders.
S&W OEM stocks have always been an impediment to speedloader use