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Old 12-20-2016, 01:12 AM
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Default Carrying a 'J' frame.....

I have two J frames for carry, an all steel mod 36 square butt and an alloy model 38 Airweight. The mod 38 is a bear to shoot. I was easily able to find a Hogue Monogrip for that model and I like it a lot. For some reason the Hogue site doesn't give a grip for the square butt J frame. I can see that a 'Monogrip' wouldn't do well in the larger square butt, so I'm looking for a soft grip for the mod 36. So far I have found Pachmayrs SJ-GS Gripper model for square butt J frames. Does anybody know about these or any really cushy grips for the J frame square butt?
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Old 12-20-2016, 01:56 AM
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I don't know the Gripper, but on round-butt J's I've used thr Pachmayr Compacs for years. They make a quality product. The Compacs give a secure grip with a high hold, cover the backstrp, and absorb recail very well indeed.
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Old 12-20-2016, 08:53 AM
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For me, a Tyler T-grip or a "boot-style" rubber grip (Uncle Mike's used to make a good one -- maybe still does?) solve the comfort/control problem without sacrificing compactness.
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Old 12-20-2016, 08:56 AM
Double-O-Dave Double-O-Dave is offline
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My EDC consists of a Model 38-0 and a Model 638-1. Both are equipped with CT LG-405 laser grips which have an air chamber built in over the back strap that helps cushion the recoil:

Laser Sight for Smith & Wesson J Frame Compact | Official Crimson Trace

I've unfortunately been blessed with arthritis in my hands and wrists, so shooting these little Airweights can be, uh, stimulating. The LG-405 grips help make this manageable, as does my use of standard velocity ammo. Plus, they are a boot grip size, which helps with concealment.

Good luck,

Dave

PS: here is a link to a previous thread showing my CT LG-405 J-frames: http://smith-wessonforum.com/139361693-post6.html

Dave

Last edited by Double-O-Dave; 12-20-2016 at 08:58 AM. Reason: added link
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Old 12-20-2016, 09:40 AM
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I've used Pachmyer Grippers on a 65 and 629. It works well and feels good in the hand.
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Old 12-26-2016, 11:17 PM
Triggernosis Triggernosis is offline
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Pachmayr Compacs are my favorite.
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Old 12-27-2016, 06:17 AM
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I have those Sq Butt Grippers on M 36 , previously used them on various guns.

Good news - Hand filling, geat for comfortable, accurate shooting.

Bad news - Opposite of concealment. They are essentially as large as K frame grips.

Depending on your usage and needs, you will either love them or hate them, but probably not middle ground.

If the implied question is ' what grips provided pretty good control, while still being conceable? " , the best answer is Boot Grips from any grip maker still cataloging for J Square. Second best is Magna's with grip adapter.
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Old 12-28-2016, 06:46 PM
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Default THE RESULTS ARE IN!

Took my wife, a model 36 and a model 38 with a Hogue Monogrip, along with various test loads, starting with wadcutter target loads.

I'll cut to the chase. With the model 38, equipped with a Hogue Monogrip, my wife was able to handle stiff defense loads with minimum difficulty and said 'No problem'.

With the model 36, all steel, we shot the same loads as with the mod 38. I've got some Pachmayrs coming in soon that I hope will tame it down a bit.

With the original wooden grips the 36 felt worse to both of us than the mod 38 with the monogrip. I was really surprised because I didn't like shooting the model 38 at ALL with any load before adding the new grips.
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Old 12-28-2016, 07:49 PM
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When I carry a revolver, it's a M 38 with a tyler t grip and original wood stocks.

Keeps the revolver slim and usable for pocket carry and pleasant to shoot.

Although a square butt M 36 is pleasant to shoot, its clumsy for pocket carry: the exposed hammer catches on everything and the square butt makes it too large to be useful for my purposes.
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Old 12-28-2016, 08:53 PM
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Both the 36 and Airweight are great carry guns. . .my wife carries one. Since you are not going to start a war with either of these little guns, you carry wadcutters in them. Around 600 fps and maybe 140 ft lbs. Just as much fun and as easy to shoot (with follow-up shots) as any. If you are paranoid about the effectiveness of this round, carry a bigger gun and load it heavy.
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Old 12-28-2016, 10:26 PM
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Originally Posted by DocB View Post
Both the 36 and Airweight are great carry guns. . .my wife carries one. Since you are not going to start a war with either of these little guns, you carry wadcutters in them. Around 600 fps and maybe 140 ft lbs. Just as much fun and as easy to shoot (with follow-up shots) as any. If you are paranoid about the effectiveness of this round, carry a bigger gun and load it heavy.
36 and a Airweight. That's what I'm carrying today.
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Old 12-29-2016, 10:46 AM
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My Chiefs Special with original stocks work just fine.
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Old 01-01-2017, 02:54 PM
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Default Air Channel CT grips ...

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Originally Posted by Double-O-Dave View Post
My EDC consists of a Model 38-0 and a Model 638-1. Both are equipped with CT LG-405 laser grips which have an air chamber built in over the back strap that helps cushion the recoil...
Here's a shot of my 360PD with CT grips showing air channel:



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Old 01-02-2017, 10:45 AM
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I think I'm going to get a Smith 340PD for a backup gun and carry .357 rounds in it. The stats show that you're not gaining much velocity when carrying .357's over .38's in a 2" revolver, BUT.... If I have to use my backup gun, chances are I'm going to be rolling around fighting someone for control of my duty gun. That means I'll be in contact range. Even if the .357 doesn't fly out of the barrel much faster than a .38 round, it still has a lot more burning gas behind it and that gas has to go somewhere when you stick the barrel into someone's chest and pull the trigger.....
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Old 01-02-2017, 11:28 AM
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I would think in that situation the least of your problems and thoughts would be on recoil . I hope you never have that problem stay safe.
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Old 01-02-2017, 11:41 AM
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I have a 637 with the stock boot grip and I don't find it bad to shoot even with +p. Maybe find the modern stock boot grip?
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Old 01-02-2017, 02:10 PM
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Default Hot Lead and Burning Fire ...

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Originally Posted by RSanch111 View Post
I think I'm going to get a Smith 340PD for a backup gun and carry .357 rounds in it... Even if the .357 doesn't fly out of the barrel much faster than a .38 round, it still has a lot more burning gas behind it ...
Shoot .38's and carry .357's was my plan as well ~ until I capped of a cylinder of my "carry" rounds just to get the feel of it. The feel of a mule with a good wind-up. My wrist was sore for two weeks and I haven't tried it since.

The AirLite .357 makes my model 69 with 240 grain magnums feel like a *****cat (small kitten).

The sub 2" barrel on the 340/360PD Airlites is like a flash bang going off in an indoor setting. Especially effective in a dark room.

I agree though, in a contact fight even firing blanks would settle things. Sort of like a bang-stick for sharks.

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Old 01-07-2017, 08:09 PM
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@rwsmith,

I have a 36-6 that came with the Hogue dimpled rubber Monogrip, and I could not wait to swap it out. With the wood Monogrip, I was able to shoot the little Chief's Target Special much better. I actually have a wood Monogrip on not only my 36-6, but also on my 4 screw K38. With the exception of the heart attack inducing price, I would consider looking at a wooden square frame Monogrip for your 36.
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Old 01-10-2017, 11:03 PM
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Shoot at some steel flip targets out of a snub barrel and you can see the enormous practical energy difference. 357 sends the plates flying, 38+p, not so much. That said, I don't feel unarmed with the +Ps.

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Old 01-11-2017, 11:58 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Biggfoot44 View Post
I have those Sq Butt Grippers on M 36 , previously used them on various guns.

Good news - Hand filling, geat for comfortable, accurate shooting.

Bad news - Opposite of concealment. They are essentially as large as K frame grips.

Depending on your usage and needs, you will either love them or hate them, but probably not middle ground.

If the implied question is ' what grips provided pretty good control, while still being conceable? " , the best answer is Boot Grips from any grip maker still cataloging for J Square. Second best is Magna's with grip adapter.

When I'm carrying a revolver, I usually carry a 2" Model 10 round butt with a Tyler T grip adapter. I find it just about as easy to carry as J frame and much easier to shoot especially with +P loads.
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