Grips for S&W 686

MR.G · June 15, 2013, 10:25 PM

I want to replace my factory grips on my S&W 4" 686 RB and need some suggestions. Want something with a good feel, and looks good too. any recommendations?

hAkron · June 16, 2013, 07:51 AM

What don't you like about the grip you have?

Target grips are great on L-Frames if you have med-large hands.

Service/magna grips are nice too and can be further enhanced with a grip adapter (like a Tyler T-grip).

Uncle Mike's rubber boot grips are nice on snubies, but rubber grips are troublesome if you want to conceal the gun. Some people find they will stick to cover garments.

Fake pearl or fake ivory grips can be nice if you are looking for a little bit of eye candy.

Stag/bone grips provide both function & eye candy but do shop around for a decent price as they can go from very expensive to seriously over priced.

I recommend browsing eBay to get an idea what's out there.

L frames (like your 686) and k frames take the same sized grips. As long as you make sure they are for a round butt, you should be good to go.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trks...at=0&_from=R40

Genepix · June 16, 2013, 08:04 AM

I have two 686 4" revolvers. One wears Hogue monogrips- very comfortable, nothing to look at. And the other wears these checkered rosewoods- feels good and looks fantastic. I know there are hundreds of dealers out there, but I think I saw these on gungripssupply.com for $70.....

James K · June 16, 2013, 06:52 PM

FWIW, the L frame differs from the K frame in the upper part of the frame; the grips are the same as the K frame and any K frame grips should fit.

Jim

**Tom Servo** · June 16, 2013, 07:51 PM

I've got Ahrends on almost all my Smiths. Perfect balance of aesthetics and ergonomics.

Salmoneye · June 16, 2013, 08:29 PM

I hated the finger groove set that came on my 686:

So I tried the Magnas that came off my father's old K22 when he 'upgraded' to some custom Herrett's...

I liked the shape, but not the thickness, so I cut my own from some White Ash that I had in my wood pile...

I am very happy, and it is not that hard to do...I recommend anyone that is even remotely handy to make their own grips to suit themselves...

Sparrowbird · June 16, 2013, 10:38 PM

I've had good luck shaping grips to fit me by using my drimmel tool. Wood or rubber have fallen victim and became much more user friendly for me.

texagun · June 17, 2013, 09:52 AM

I like Ahrends for the 686. I buy them from Gripseller on Ebay so I can see what I am buying. Terri is great to deal with.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=..._dmd=1&_ipg=50

Here's another pair, also from Gripseller.

June 15, 2013, 10:25 PM	#1
MR.G Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2001 Posts: 641	Grips for S&W 686 I want to replace my factory grips on my S&W 4" 686 RB and need some suggestions. Want something with a good feel, and looks good too. any recommendations?

June 16, 2013, 07:51 PM	#5
Tom Servo Staff Join Date: September 27, 2008 Location: Foothills of the Appalachians Posts: 13,095	I've got Ahrends on almost all my Smiths. Perfect balance of aesthetics and ergonomics. __________________ Sometimes it’s nice not to destroy the world for a change. --Randall Munroe

June 17, 2013, 09:52 AM	#8
texagun Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2004 Posts: 230	I like Ahrends for the 686. I buy them from Gripseller on Ebay so I can see what I am buying. Terri is great to deal with. http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=..._dmd=1&_ipg=50 Here's another pair, also from Gripseller. Last edited by texagun; June 17, 2013 at 09:58 AM.

June 16, 2013, 07:51 AM	#2
hAkron Senior Member Join Date: March 31, 2011 Location: Akron, Ohio Posts: 318	What don't you like about the grip you have? Target grips are great on L-Frames if you have med-large hands. Service/magna grips are nice too and can be further enhanced with a grip adapter (like a Tyler T-grip). Uncle Mike's rubber boot grips are nice on snubies, but rubber grips are troublesome if you want to conceal the gun. Some people find they will stick to cover garments. Fake pearl or fake ivory grips can be nice if you are looking for a little bit of eye candy. Stag/bone grips provide both function & eye candy but do shop around for a decent price as they can go from very expensive to seriously over priced. I recommend browsing eBay to get an idea what's out there. L frames (like your 686) and k frames take the same sized grips. As long as you make sure they are for a round butt, you should be good to go. http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trks...at=0&_from=R40

June 16, 2013, 06:52 PM	#4
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	FWIW, the L frame differs from the K frame in the upper part of the frame; the grips are the same as the K frame and any K frame grips should fit. Jim

June 16, 2013, 08:29 PM	#6
Salmoneye Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 2011 Location: Vermont Posts: 2,076	I hated the finger groove set that came on my 686: So I tried the Magnas that came off my father's old K22 when he 'upgraded' to some custom Herrett's... I liked the shape, but not the thickness, so I cut my own from some White Ash that I had in my wood pile... I am very happy, and it is not that hard to do...I recommend anyone that is even remotely handy to make their own grips to suit themselves...

June 16, 2013, 10:38 PM	#7
Sparrowbird Junior Member Join Date: May 30, 2013 Posts: 2	I've had good luck shaping grips to fit me by using my drimmel tool. Wood or rubber have fallen victim and became much more user friendly for me.