I have a 4" tapered barrel version of the title coming...it has the DAO hammer from the factory. There are k-frame hammers galore on ebay. Will I have a tough time getting an acceptable result swapping one in?

Another question...grip is an old poorly-shaped rubber abomination. I'm not averse to rubber at all...is there a preferred grip from hogue or pachmayr for a square butt k-frame? Or a target-type wood grip? I'm not a huge fan of the frame-size wood grips as I find them a big spindly. I also have no need to have a factory wood grip on there if aftermarket is cheap, shape-able and serviceable.

I was a S&W revolver armorer for my department back in the Dark Ages (which seemed much brighter than today), and I have installed a fair number of hammers in K-Frames over the years. The vast majority of the time there was no fitting required other than usually swapping the sear from the old hammer to the new one. We never dealt with the S&W DAO revolvers, so I am not sure, but I assume the trigger in your revolver is a standard unit.

Of course, your mileage may vary, but there is a really good chance the new hammer will work. If it comes with a sear, give it a try, and if it doesn't work, swap sears with the old hammer and see if that works. If it doesn't, a decent gunsmith can fit it for you for a moderate cost.

I agree, your hammer swap should be no problem.

Personally, I like the Hogue Monogrip. I have put them (wood) on everything. I prefer the hard nylon Monogrip over the rubber, which is tacky and I don't like that.

My geezerly hands no longer appreciate square butt K-Frame S&Ws. So, I used a bench grinder and mill file to turn ‘em into round butts and redid the back strap serrations with a checkering file:



Hogue K-Frame Bantam round butt grips completed the deal.

Please do not do this.

Thanks.

Those are wonderful if one has round butt frame. Another well designed products were Uncle Mike's rubber grips for either round butt or square butt K or L frames.