What frame is it?

[kimbercdp]

Im looking on ebay for some grips for my S&W 357, but I dont know what frame it is. The owners manual says where it is supose to be, but I dont see it. Its a model 686, 7 shot revolver. It has the rubber hogue grips, I'm thinking some wood or even white pearl would look really sweet. Thanks in advance.

[TonyF]

Originally Posted by kimbercdp

Im looking on ebay for some grips for my S&W 357, but I dont know what frame it is. The owners manual says where it is supose to be, but I dont see it. Its a model 686, 7 shot revolver. It has the rubber hogue grips, I'm thinking some wood or even white pearl would look really sweet. Thanks in advance.

686's are L frames. However, the grip size is the same as the K frame so any grip that fits a K will fit an L. What you need to be aware of is whether or not it is a square butt or round butt as they are not interchangeable.

[Rule10b5]

Originally Posted by TonyF

686's are L frames. However, the grip size is the same as the K frame so any grip that fits a K will fit an L. What you need to be aware of is whether or not it is a square butt or round butt as they are not interchangeable.

If it's a 7-shot, then it is a 686P.

I don't think the 686P (introduced in 1996) was ever produced in square butt configuration, so as long as he gets round butt grips (for K or L) he's good to go. Anyway, click on the below picture to see which you have.

[kimbercdp]

686P, yes. I guess I need to remove the grip to see if its round or square. There is a screw in the bottom, which I supose comes out. Is the grip just pressed on, do I just slid a screwdriver inbetween the frame and grip to remove it?

[Rule10b5]

Originally Posted by kimbercdp

686P, yes. I guess I need to remove the grip to see if its round or square. There is a screw in the bottom, which I supose comes out. Is the grip just pressed on, do I just slid a screwdriver inbetween the frame and grip to remove it?

If the grips are the ones that were on it when you bought the gun, they are Hogue Monogrips -- they're one piece, so they don't pull apart, they slide down and off.

To remove:

Remove the screw from the bottom of the grips.

Slid the grip down and off the frame.

You'll see a little metal bracket with a rubber "washer" hanging loose on the frame pin (the screw inserts in to this). Just leave it alone, you don't need to take it off. If you switch to grips that are two piece grips, you'll need to remove the bracket and washer. Leave the frame pin in place.

Check the frame shape, and slide the grips back up and on to the frame. Reinsert screw.

Just a tip: If anything you're trying to do seems to require any force, you're doing it wrong. Don't push hard or hit anything with a hammer.



If you get new two piece grips, they'll go on using a screw that runs through the middle of the two grip panels, not through the bracket thingy like the Hogues do (unless you get hogue one piece wood grips).

[kimbercdp]

No hammer, got it. LOL. Yes, I got it new about 3-4 years ago. Thanks for all the help, its a very nice gun and I would hate to damage it in any way.

[kimbercdp]

Wow, that was easy, its a round butt. Thanks again!

[Rule10b5]

Originally Posted by kimbercdp

Wow, that was easy, its a round butt. Thanks again!

No problem. I'm an unabashed S&W revolver geek. My favorite gun of all time.