The Best...

[Whit]

Yep, I know, best is very subjective no matter what is being evaluated. Best for me may stink for you and vice versa. With that in mind what, in your estimation and experience, is the best grip for a J frame round butt utilized for concealed carry, with thoughts in mind of how well they perform in shooting. In my little finite mind grips must conceal well, but you must be able to control the revolver well when burning up ammo. Both aspects are important. So, brand or maker, material, smooth, checkered, size (magna or target style) and your rationale for coming your conclusion.

Thanks for your thoughts and knowledge. We can all learn from the experience of others. Who knows, after reading thoughtful conclusions, some of us might form a new opinions or at least be challenged to try something outside our comfort zone. Y’all be blessed and virus safe out there!

[blues7]

I've been completely happy with the OEM Hogue (rubber) grips that came with the 642-1 I picked up a few years ago. Perfect for appendix or pocket carry...by my lights.

Haven't even considered replacing them.

(I have an old pair of Magna grips (and Tyler T-Grip) from my early 80's Model 36 I had thought I might try out, but decided it was unnecessary.)

[AlHunt]

Magnas and a Tyler-T grip on my old Model 38. I don't have a pic handy but the Tyler lets the grip fill the hand while the checkering gives a little bite.

[Mike, SC Hunter]

OEM rubber boot grips or wood boot grips.

[31FordA]

I prefer the old Uncle Mikes boot grip on the J frames I carry. There must be a lot of others who like them too, they’re getting hard to find.

[6GUNSONLY]

I have some Altamont checkered boot grips in a cherry colored laminate that feel good, conceal well, and look great on my Model 60 no dash. On my 60-4 I have factory J targets that I like very much.

[STCM(SW)]

The grips on my M638 CC in my front pocket and shoot great for me.

[SquarePizza]

+1 for hogue rubber boot grips

I find them to be the best for my needs, and I like the way that the palm swell fills my hands.

[lawandorder]

.............of the secrets of being able to shoot a J frame, or any revolver for that matter, well.

After many years of searching I still am given to trying a different grip if a good one come along.

Have a few that I use regularly on the Js I carry. Others have mentioned magna style paired with a Tyler T grip. A very good choice in most instances. Enjoy shooting with the Unkle Mike Rubber boots but do not use them for carry because pocket carry is my most common method and the tacky surface slows down removal for me .

Found Craig Spegel, the man who made boot grips famous years ago and really love his products especially on Js. Use checkered and non checkered.

I always look for unique and custom grips,have found some that work very well. I enjoy the grip surface of Sambar Stag and found a set of boot grip style probably made by Eagle. They are my most used grip.

Recently found a set of Js made by the LAPD school of Instructors/ Competitors/ Stock Makers. Believed to be by John Hurst they have a pronounced plam swell on both sides in a boot style.

One of this group of shooters believed Smith stocks were reversed, that most were small at the top and tapered down to big at the bottom. He felt by making a fist you could tell grips need to be bigger at the top and tapered down to small at the bottom.


The silhouette of a set of magnas with a T grip in place is near perfect.

Now if some one would trace that silhouette and make grips in that shape with palm swells I think the eternal search for the best grip would be over.

Jmho

[BAM-BAM]

Craig Spegel got it right with his Boot grips almost 40 years ago.

I also like the Hogue's wood Bantam grips for the J-frame......

[crazyphil]

I think Hogue calls these Blue Lava. I have tried several different sizes
and brands over the years. I had settled on Spegel designed Butler Creek
from Uncle Mike boot grips that the 642-1 came with, but I've been using
these for about a year now and kinda like them.

[ContinentalOp]

For me, I've found the Spegel boot grips to be the best. They're compact, so they help with concealment. But because of their shape, they do a good job of filling the hand (for me, at least), without being bulky, so that helps with shooting. I have the Centennial version, where the "ears" go higher up on the frame than the non-Centennial versions, and mine are the smooth variety as they were the only type available when I bought them (this was over 9 years ago when Novak's had a bunch of them in stock). I think I would prefer the checkered version for a little more traction, though.



However, I currently use PGS Hideout grips. They're much slimmer and made from plastic. And inexpensive, typically around $20 (IIRC, my cocobolo Spegel's were around $145). As a result, they're not as comfortable to shoot, but they do suprisingly well in that regard. I'd say they're similar to magnas, but with a little material added to cover the front of the grip frame. Definitely not the prettiest grips around. Mine are the non-finger-groove, non-textured version. They're smooth, but not quite slick. The biggest downside is that they won't work with speedloaders unless you modify them. But the reason I switched was ankle carry. After doing a lot of practice drawing, I found that the PGS grips allowed me to get a more consistent grip on the gun than the Spegels. I'm also not a fan of finger grooves, though the ones on the Spegels aren't too bad. I have thought about reconsidering that given how well the gun handles for me with the Spegels.



Just about everything to do with carry guns is about compromise, finding that balance between shootablility, power, concealability, and comfort.

Just my opinion.

[Amp]

Well I have carried a j frame for many years and the rubber grip works. However I recently bought a K6S that came with smooth G10 grips and they grew on me real fast.

[mikerjf]

Pachmayr Compac's are my favorite shooters.

[uncleted327]

Rubber is hard to beat for pure comfort at the range, though I have had some rubber grips twist painfully in my hand and they have a tendency to snag on clothing. I like the look of wood the best but it can be painful at times and slippery depending on the style. But for overall carry I prefer G10 grips. VZs are my favorite but Hogues are good too. I have the VZ wraparound Operator IIs on my 360.

[dave1918a2]

Originally Posted by AlHunt

Magnas and a Tyler-T grip on my old Model 38. I don't have a pic handy but the Tyler lets the grip fill the hand while the checkering gives a little bite.

What He says.

[snubbyfan]

I have big hands and wear an extra large glove. I wanted something on my carry snubby that filled my hand without being too big for concealment. So, I got myself Pachmayr Compac grips.
I trimmed one side for speed loaders.


And the other side fits around a Laserlyte laser.


Just right for me. Conceals well, can be pocket carried and works well with my big hands.

[delcrossv]

I replaced the Uncle Mike's with Hogue on the 940- they're a little bigger, but I don't like the dangling pinky.

[Donn]

Another vote for Pachmyr Compac.