Register
Log In
Home
December 20, 2021
Offline
I just traded for a 14-2, 2 1/2”. I have been carrying a five shot LCR and sometimes a 7 shoot Smith 686. I like both of those revolvers, but the 686 is not a very comfortable carry and the LCR not much fun to shoot. I was looking to pick up a Smith 66 as it was between the two sizes, hold 6 rounds and should be easier to shoot than the LCR with 357s. In my hunt I ran across a 14-2 with beautiful wood grips.
My first outing at the range today. The gun has a great trigger, handles 357 recoil very well and I shot it well!
On the negative- The beautiful wood grips are really slippery! I hadn’t given that much thought. My 686 came with wood grips but I didn’t like the size and I got some Hogue Bantum grips and like them very much. But with the DW grips aren’t so easy to come by. I’ve looked on EBay and there are some Pachmayer right now but they have the squared butt - I want to conceal carry this and I already have a little difficulty concealing the handle. Need the rounded. I actually would like to keep the wood on them but then I need to figure out how to overcome the slickness. Has anyone found an easy way to refinish the wood without making them ugly? If I’m patient I suppose the right grip will come on sale? What should I look for, they are not in plentiful supply and not cheap.
I bought a leather holster off of EBay to carry Appendix IWB. The handle really sticks out, I’ll find a cushion wedge to tilt the handle into my body. But if anyone has any ideas or experience carrying this way I’d love to hear from you.
SO…… I like the revolver. I’m just trying to find a way to love it. I guess the bigger challenge that I didn’t think much about before trading for it was the lack of availability to grips and holsters.
Thanks for putting up with this newbie!
DWF Supporters
July 12, 2020
Offline
Congrats on your new DW! Welcome to the forum.
Dans Club
February 24, 2013
Offline
Sorry, I cannot help on your conceal issue, I carry a Sig P365 9mm and with a Mag update it can hold 13+1 and is easy to conceal. I have huge hands and the extended Mag makes it easier for me to control.
I’m sure someone here will be able to help.
To the 
!!!
December 20, 2021
Offline
Update. I found an old cheap leather IWB holster and it really helped with concealment. As far as slipping, I’m going to check EBay every few days to see if something comes up. But in the meantime I ordered a sheet of Talon Grip material which I plan to put on the front and back of the grips. Hopefully that will help won’t be too ugly and won’t ruin the finish!
Supporter
Dans Club
March 25, 2013
Offline
EBay is your best bet. Keep checking. Prices have soared recently but Pachmyer grippers are affordable as are DW Sacramento and combat grips. They are smooth but finger groove. The base of the Sacramento grip is slanted down front to back. It sticks out less. Designed for the Sacramento PD in 1970.
December 20, 2021
Offline
Ole Dog said
EBay is your best bet. Keep checking. Prices have soared recently but Pachmyer grippers are affordable as are DW Sacramento and combat grips. They are smooth but finger groove. The base of the Sacramento grip is slanted down front to back. It sticks out less. Designed for the Sacramento PD in 1970.
That is great information, thanks! I’ll be on the lookout for those versions on EBay. Hopefully my experiment with talon grip material on the front and back will get me by for awhile.
August 20, 2019
Offline
Welcome to the forum, Doug. I recently put a 2.5" barrel on my 15-2 which basically is your gun with adjustable sights. Like you I shoot it so much better than my other short barreled revolvers I wanted to carry it. It wears a Pachmayr gripper and fits perfectly in an Azula IWB holster that I bought new for under $50. That rig AIWB, the grip does protrude some but for access while driving it's very good. When in public I wear it IWB at 3-4 o'clock and the grip is close enough to my body to conceal well. I prefer the look of wood but for CC the Gripper works best for me. BTW, post a photo. 
December 20, 2021
Offline
Perfect! Love the experience you have and you have convinced me to search for those exact grips. Thank you! I tried to post pictures but its asking for a source? Never had that before. I’ll learn an be back
December 20, 2021
Offline
I figured it out! I think its beautiful! Haha
Dans Club
February 24, 2013
Offline
Wow that thing is gorgeous!!
January 18, 2021
Offline
December 20, 2021
Offline
I’m looking at EBay everyday to find the Pachmyer grips. But I’m also trying something that seems like no one has done, at least according to my internet searches. I just installed Talon patches on the front and back of my wood grips. Seems to feel better. I was honestly really surprised at how har it was to firmly hold the wood. And of course I’ve shot revolvers with WG and it was a different experience. Here are the pictures. It feels “ok” I won’t know till I take it to the range. I’ll report when that happens, hopefully soon. 
Dans Club
February 24, 2013
Offline
Those are really small grips, with my huge hands I’d have a really hard time holding that steady too. I’ve never heard of Talon patches before. From memory, I think I saw several Pachmeyer grips on eBay today. Not sure if they were were for large or small frame.
Supporter
Dans Club
March 25, 2013
Offline
Grippers were only made for small frame guns, as far as I know. Grippers with DW medallions came with the IFP pack. Presentation grips were made for small and large frame guns. However there are two types. They look the same but the Decelerator has two holes inside. One for the round tang and one in front of the tang's hole to make the grip a little softer.
Large frame target grips were not generally checkered. They were smooth to allow the gun to slip in the hand a little to mitigate recoil.
Dans Club
February 24, 2013
Offline
Ole Dog is my HERO!! He’s a valued treasure of DW historical information. And the best part is he’s not the only one on this forum with this level of historical knowledge, this is truly a great forum for all Dan fans!
Supporter
Dans Club
March 25, 2013
Offline
There are very many members who know as much and more than me. We sometimes get tired of responding to the same questions from new members. Some haven't retired yet and have a REAL LIFE and are busy with job, business and family. There are also those with HUGE collections of extraordinary Dans.
No one has written the definitive book on Dan Wessons yet. The BATF never allowed a researcher to peruse pre digital records. The accumulated knowledge of the forum will have to do.
Dans Club
February 24, 2013
Offline
It’s a shame the search function doesn’t work better. I tried searching for information about the Model 740 a few days ago and no matter what/how I did my search I got 3K+ results. That’s way too much to read thru to find an answer. I then posted my question and you and snake-eye answered (thanks again!). I wonder if a better search engine could be implemented?
December 3, 2021
Offline
I have a matching ebony/ivory pair of 15's with 4" VH barrels. One with Hogues, and the other with Pach Grippers. I think the edge in comfort under recoil goes ever-so-slightly to the Pachs. However, more comparison time is certainly needed, LOL.
Dans Club
December 5, 2008
Offline
KurtB said
It’s a shame the search function doesn’t work better. I tried searching for information about the Model 740 a few days ago and no matter what/how I did my search I got 3K+ results. That’s way too much to read thru to find an answer. I then posted my question and you and snake-eye answered (thanks again!). I wonder if a better search engine could be implemented?
Kurt,
Try using the Advanced Search Function. I searched for 740 in Topics only and got only 2 pages of posts.
December 20, 2021
Offline
KurtB said
Those are really small grips, with my huge hands I’d have a really hard time holding that steady too. I’ve never heard of Talon patches before. From memory, I think I saw several Pachmeyer grips on eBay today. Not sure if they were were for large or small frame.
Kurt, I actually think you are onto it. The grips are slippery and I think more importantly they are so small I can’t get a grip! Looking at EBay everyday hoping for the Grippers! Thanks
1 Guest(s)
