I really hate the factory grips on my 442 Airweight. What do you folks recommend for grips. CCW combat grips, rubber grips etc.

Burch

Hand size and recoil tolerance are variables that effect different people's decision on this subject. I use Altamont boot grips on my 360 PD, and they work quite well for my small hands when pocket carrying. I hated the stock Hogues that came on that gun. I don't like rubber grips and, not getting the stupid grip remover widget with the gun, found them almost impossible to remove for cleaning. I don't like grips that are longer than the grip frame on any of my revolvers. I think that the pinky having a full grip is unnecessary. I really hate the stock Uncle Mike's grips that came on my wife's model 60 3". Those are about the last grips in the world I would ever use for CCW.

I have no problem with the recoil thing. I have several 45`s so the 38`s aren`t really that bad. I also hated the factory stocks too. You`d think as much as S&W charges for thier firearms they would not put such a cheap grip on one their pistola`s. I don`t mind the rubber grips too bad but would like to see some nice wood on mine. Who makes wood grips for carry guns that won`t print but still give you something to hang on to ?

quote:

Originally posted by burch:
. Who makes wood grips for carry guns that won`t print but still give you something to hang on to ?

Eagle and Ahrends make concealment wood grips. You can also go to Midway USA and and browse the grips selection. There are many options for J frames.

cdnninvestments.com has some nice cocobolo Herret's for $29.95.
Regards,Mike

quote:

Originally posted by GatorFarmer:

quote:

Originally posted by burch:
. Who makes wood grips for carry guns that won`t print but still give you something to hang on to ?

Eagle and Ahrends make concealment wood grips. You can also go to Midway USA and and browse the grips selection. There are many options for J frames.

+1, also Altamont. I got mine from www.handgungrips.com . Tony is a great guy. He's service oriented and honest. I think Smith are smart to put inexpensive grips on their guns, as much as I hate them because most people hate factory grips and change them out for something they prefer anyway. Cheap grips keep the cost down.

might give the grips from precision gun specialities a try. I put them on a M65 that I sometimes CCW. I got the smooth ones. They fit like boot grips for a fraction of the price. You can order them from Brownells. I will probably order them for my new-to-me M49.

I tried them all and decided on stag...clothes don't stick them but the scarring makes for a nice firm hold, especially if your palms are sweating. The original checkered wood panels were almost perfect but too thin for a good hold...as you cna see, these stags from spresser are thicker and for me, make for a perfect grip...and they would look even better on a blued gun...

I was wonderin` when you guys we`re gonna post some pics. Those stags are right handsome.

My J-snubbies mostly wear one of two designs: Craig Spegel Boot Grips, or Crimson Trace LG-405 Lasergrips. I have one 342 with Eagle Secret Service grips, which I like a lot, but I've had to return 3 of the last 4 sets of Eagle grips I've bought due to BAD fit problems. Therefore, I've given up on Eagle until someone can convince me that their QC has improved of late.

I have a stupid question since i`m a newbie to the S&W game. I`ve noticed the grip option is square butt and round butt. Is the difference on the gun itself or just grip difference ?

Burch

The grip itself has two different shapes, round butt (like mine pictured) and square butt (which is flared out a bit more and has a sharper edge at the bottom)...so when buying grips, you have to specify if it's for a round butt or a square butt.

There are two types of frames. The grip frame, which is steel, is one configuration or the other.

Anyone know a grip for the 442 that will permit reloading with speedloaders?

O.K. I think I have the round butt. Someone please verify that. I have the 442 Centennial