Ahrends Tactical vs Retro Grips

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Sharps '63

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I just acquired a S&W M66 snubby. I have a smaller than average hand. Which grips am I going to be happier with?

The front of the grips on the Retro type are rounded and said to be quite comfortable. The front of the Tactical type has flat surfaces said to aid control.

I intend to shoot the gun in IDPA, so while control is important, comfort will also be a factor.

If you'd care to post pics of what you have and any comments ..... much appreciated.
 
I don't own any Ahrends right now but I generally liked the ones I did—they fit my smaller hands much better than factory. I didn't care for the flat front of the Tactical grips to be honest...maybe if I'd shot with them more I'd adapt but the corners felt odd to me. Here was the only set I owned, on my old 25-2—you can see the flat front.

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I liked the "Retro Target" grips much better—these had a more classic look but were a bit better shaped. They were my all-time favourite wood grips—here's a set on my 28-2:

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My favourite rounds butt grips were the "Retro Banana" grips—although they may be a smidge small for optimal control. The fit my hands fine—here's a set on a 3" Model 10-10.

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I'm guessing that your M66 is round butt so you'll go for the square-round conversion grips if you go for the Retro Target or Tactical.

For me, if I was looking for top-notch comfort and control I'd go for what my Model 66 wears—Pachmayr Compacs.
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Not glamorous (although I like the look) but very functional. I prefer them to Hogues, as the finger grooves don't line up very well for me.
 
Got a set of Retro's for my 29. Not quite as rounded as you think. Had to do some sanding to remove an annoying ridge that ran along the outside front edge of the grip. I have really small hands

M
 
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Yes, my snubby 66 is a RB. If I recall from their web site, the Ahrends grips have a single finger groove. I like the look of the Retro Banana, but it does look a little small. Same for the Pachmayr.

I won't be shooting anything over a +P load and likely not much over a standard .38 Spl. load. If I want more of a power factor, I'll shoot my 4" 66.
 
I have retro combat and retro target on K frames and tactical finger groove on an N frame. By far my favourite is the retro target but I have fairly large hands.
 
The seller just sent me pics of the snubby 66. It has grips that resemble the Ahrends retro banana, but longer. No finger groove(s). Definitely longer than the grip frame.

I think they will work for me. If not, a set of Ahrends grips will be ordered.

I have Miculek smooth grips on my 4" M29 and like them a lot. Your hand seems to find the right place regardless of size. A set of Miculek K frame are also a possibility.
 
Not necessarily ....

I've got a variety of grip types for my S&Ws - plastic Safariland (shot with them on my 4" M66 last night in IDPA), black rubber Pachmayr on my 4" M17 .22, Safariland plastic on another, S&W banana type on my M60, Miculek on my M29 4". All of them wound up where they are after doing a lot of mixing and matching.

A beautiful set of Craig Spiegel K sized (won as a prize) go unused. Just too much wood for my small paw.

Back to the 4" M66 I mentioned .... haven't shot it much for a while, but a newbie came out last night with his 5" S&W MP, so I gave him company. Most of the group are fairly new shooters whereas the two of us shooting revolvers are old hands. We handily outshot our 'bottom feeder' friends. Shooting fast and missing doesn't work in any shooting sport. Accuracy first - speed second.

The Rule of Applied Firepower:

"It isn't the first round fired or the number of rounds fired that settles the matter. It is the first round that finds the intended mark." Jeff Cooper
 
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