J frame grips on I frame .32?

[jameslovesjammie]

I just won a .32 I frame Hand Ejector online and I was wondering if anyone has put J frame grips on their I frame? I would imagine some internal trimming may need to be done on the grips, but I would like to put more of a "boot" style grip on the gun. I believe it is the leaf spring version, not coil. The serial number is 160,XXXish, according to the listing.

The reason that I want to replace the grips is that I want to shoot the gun, yet want to save the original wood grips and not worry about damaging them. I believe the original are referred to as the target grips, but I am not sure.

The gun is a 32 Long Hand Ejector 1903, 5th version. It is nickel finished with a 4 1/4" barrel.

Here is the gun:

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c129/jameslovesjammie/gun%20stuff/32%20Hand%20Ejector/pix122772311.jpg

These are the grips I was thinking about, the single finger groove:

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c129/jameslovesjammie/gun%20stuff/517.jpg

[EMC45]

They will hang over a little, but not too bad. I have some J Frame grips on an I Frame Model 30. They look almost like those.

[jameslovesjammie]

The hang over would actually be good, as I have some big meaty hands.

[jameslovesjammie]

Did you have to modify the grips at all to fit? Did the mounting holes in the grips work or did you have to drill new one?

[Wheeler]

I have an old .32 HE with a set of J frame grips that came with it. As best I can tell, there was no altering done to the grips. There's a picture or two of it in the thread showing off .32's.

[MtGun44]

Those grips are target grips from a Bekheart .22/.32 target gun. Probably worth a LOT to the
guy with a Bekeart with the wrong grips on it.

.22/.32 Target Bekheart would be the correct designation, I think. Here is a pic of
mine - see post #5.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=37255

Bill

[9.3X62AL]

J-frame round-butt grips fit my I-frame S&Ws very well. Pachmayr Compacs would be a good match to that 4.25" 32 HE, for certain. If I land another one, that's the route I will go. The original grips just don't work for me, and the Pach Comps make even a Chief Special workable in my big ol' paws.

[jameslovesjammie]

Thanks for all the help guys! I think I am going to get my gun lettered when it arrives.

I bought a pair of "full size" J frame grips for it instead of the ones pictured. I have big hands and this is a little gun! I am excited to get it and put some rounds down range!

[jameslovesjammie]

Those grips are target grips from a Bekheart .22/.32 target gun. Probably worth a LOT to the
guy with a Bekeart with the wrong grips on it.

Bill

Bill,

The description when I purchased it does mention that the grips are not numbered to the gun. I am sure I paid too much for it, but I really enjoy these old guns and I wanted one in good mechanical condition.

Here is the description when I bought it:

"This S & W 32 Hand Ejector, Model of 1903, 5th Change revolver in cal. 32 Long with Nickel finish wears a 4-1/4" barrel with SN#160XXX, shows use but is still a good serviceable gun. Mechanics are good with barrel showing minor frost and pitting but still shiny with strong rifling and a good muzzle. The Nickel finish is showing some rust/flaking on edges of crane, sides of top strap & front of cylinder with some fading along left side of barrel. A little pitting under the grip panels along the front section of grip frame. The wood grip panels are in very good condition (not numbered to gun) The gun could have been ordered with these grip panels as they are not "usual" for this model. They do fit very nicely tho. Numbers on metal match. Nice case color on hammer & trigger. A nice addition to a S & W collection."

I think with a little polish and some elbow grease, this old gun will sure come to life! Here are some more pics:

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c129/jameslovesjammie/gun%20stuff/32%20Hand%20Ejector/pix328376082.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c129/jameslovesjammie/gun%20stuff/32%20Hand%20Ejector/pix746138287.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c129/jameslovesjammie/gun%20stuff/32%20Hand%20Ejector/pix263870686.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c129/jameslovesjammie/gun%20stuff/32%20Hand%20Ejector/pix051991391.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c129/jameslovesjammie/gun%20stuff/32%20Hand%20Ejector/pix134015786.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c129/jameslovesjammie/gun%20stuff/32%20Hand%20Ejector/pix892393017.jpg

[MT Gianni]

Nice looking gun. My I frame likes 2.5 gr of Red Dot under the RCBS 98 swc. Glen recommended this in an article and I like it.

[EMC45]

No mods to the grips at all. They screwed right on. There is a pic of them in the .32 handguns thread.

[NoZombies]

When I installed J-frame grips on a similar vintage I-frame, I had to peck new alignment pin holes. otherwise, no changes were needed.