I just purchased a new 642. Looking at replacing the factory grips. Hoping to get some advice. I like the old style grips. Would the old round butt style grips fit properly on a new 642? Would I be better off buying a new set rather than "vintage"? Might also want to add a Tyler T grip later also. Do they tend to do any damage to the finish of the frame? Like to see photos if you have them on what you went with.

Thanks,
Keith

Looks very nice. That is what I'm thinking of exactly. How does she feel now compared to the original grips?

Here is mine. It is actually a -2 model. I have been thinking about adding a T-grip to it.

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Miss My Buddy crsides!!

Hmmm. I was thinking walnut but those stag grips do look nice.

I have the original "combat" stocks on my M60 with a a T-grip. I like the set up. I found that the current standard issue rubber boot grips are harder to get out of the front pants pocket. The T-grip will mar the finish on the 642 some (the metal band that wraps around the grip frame is not coated) but any marks will be located under the stock panels. Every day carry guns are going to get marks and scratches. I think it gives them caracter. By the way,orders from Tyler are kind of slow from what I see posted on this forum.

Good point palmetto99. Forgot about the originals wrapping around the front. That would hide any issues with maring the finish. Not a big issue as it is a carry gun like you said. So from what I'm seeing the older grips will indeed work, right? Might try to pick up a pair used.

any of the jframe rb will work fine.

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ASA/NSA 67-71
NRA Benefactor

Thanks Pilgrim.

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Enter through the narrow gate

I did exactly the same. Feels right and slides easily in and out of the pocket. I've had some fun with mine at I.D.P.A. snubby scenarios.

PC

I have done the same thing with my m638. Found a black macarta grip on ebay and put a tyler t grip with it. It's perfect in every way. You won't be sorry if you make the change from the boot grip to a magna and a tyler t grip. Picture added on 01/14/2013. My M642 and M442
.

Leave the rubber grips on so I don't have to bid against so many folks on EBay for factory magna grips.


Best Regards,
ADP3

If you have small or medium size hands then the RB grips with a Tyler T works quite well. However, I have rather large hands (or long fingers) and I MUCH prefer a covered back strap to improve trigger position.

I went with the #305 Crimson Trace grips. They give full hand contact (no little finger in the breeze) absorb recoil quite well and are perfectly concealable in my front pocket with a Mika pocket holster. Plus the benefits of a Crimson Trace laser in poor light.

It's not for everyone, but it works quite well for me...

Dale53

For some time now, I've been a big fan of the magna grips on the J-frames. Although I have large hands, they give me just a little more pinkie room than the boot grips that come stock on the guns these days. The magnas also are excellent for concealment, especially pocket carry--my main method of carrying the J-frames. Unfortunately, I'm an old fart with some arthritis that has been developing in my hands with a tender nodule at the base of my right thumb. I've found that the bigger rubber grips from Hogue and Pachmayr fit my hands better and cushion the recoil of +P ammo in Airweight revolvers. I still like the small grips for concealment but I've decided I'll just have to adjust my carry methods to fit the larger grips. Of those I've been using, the Pachmayr Compacs fit me best and, being somewhat shorter than the Hogues, also conceal decently in a deep pocket.

Well at least I know one of the people I'm bidding against.

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Enter through the narrow gate

I can see the benefit of larger grips or those that cover the back strap. However, I can see the older style grips hiding in my pocket easier. That and they look pretty cool too.

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Enter through the narrow gate

All mine have been converted like this. These grips point-shoot more accurate than rubber in tests, and are more concealable, and don't print or hang up on clothing like rubber.

You can buy j-frame magna grips online from S&W for $30.00

Well, decided to make the switch. Here is my 642-1 with new S&W Dymondwood grips. She is laying on my new pocket carry RKBA holster.

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Enter through the narrow gate

I found an older set of grips and an original Tyler T-grip for my 37-2. Later I added the old style thumb piece from the Classics line. It's great how a few things can give an new gun an old soul.

I also am not a fan of rubber grips on my pocket gun. Here is my setup. Found the grips on ebay. These "banana" hold similar to magnas but give room for the extra finger.


Here is my attempt at putting older magnas on newer j frames. Note not the best fit.

Those are very nice looking grips...where did you get them?

Looking good Arrowhd! Just did the same thing to a 649, put a set of old diamond center's on it. Luckily I get along with that size grip.

Attached Images

649 grips right.jpg (67.3 KB, 175 views)

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Stay safe people!

Ordering from Tyler is slow only because they make the T-adapters to order. Everyone working at Tyler is full or part time LEO. The founder died years back and instead of shutting down, they went to as needed production.

I have order many adapters over the years and I am glad that they are still in business. We have lost many gun related businesses when the founder retires or dies.

Nice looking setups everyone. Especially like the 37-2! Keep the photos coming.

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Enter through the narrow gate

Yes, the Tyler grip is an excellent option for pocket (and any other) carry!

However, just so y'all don't think this is a new idea , here is my very early production Model 60 with Tyler T-Grip. The gun was purchased used around 1970 and wore the Tyler along with its original grips (serial numbered to frame) throughout my law enforcement career and was carried in every conceivable way.

As others have mentioned, I too suffer from old age and disease which has made shooting my beloved Model 60 a bit uncomfortable and he now mostly serves as a safe king. My current pocket carry 642-1 sports older S&W Uncle Mikes boot grips. I don't find these rubber grips to interfere with pocket carry and/or draw.

Please excuse the very old, scanned picture taken around the time of our retirement.

dan

Attached Images

S&W Mod 60.jpg (89.6 KB, 258 views)

When I tried the old stringbean grips to replace the Hogue Bantams on my 340PD, the gun was easier to draw from my pocket (because my hand was higher up the frame) but hot loads made it squirm a lot in my hand, and even mild loads hurt the web of my hand. Back to the Bantams.

Love the looks of this one!

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Centennial Every Day

i de-locked mine and put on some don collins service grips on my 642. i find the j-frame jmagna/service type stocks point better, conceal better and look better to me. i have them on all my j-frames.

I, too, prefer the original style. After trying about everything else over the years, I settled on a set of S&W's "retro" stocks and a T-Grip.

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

Some "high-horn" grips would be the ultimate but are nearly impossible to find (except on Forum members' original revolvers).

I also like the non-cling, conceal-ability, and look of original grips. The Tyler T-Grip? Well I'm not keen on its looks but it helps immensely with the shoot-ability of these revolvers with the older style grips.

Here's my Model 642 with "the treatment."

I am a huge fan of the magna grips coupled with a Tyler-T, and the magna grip that is well wrth the money are the Heritage Classic grips sold by S&W for $65.00, and are solid walnut, as opposed to "dymandwood" laminates. These grips came standard on my M40 and M42 "lemon squeezer" Classics, and are made by Altamont. That said, you may want to consider the solid English Black Walnut grips made and sold by www.vintagegungrips.net ...they are not stained, but oiled, and are simply terrific.

Attachment 95743

642-1
[IMG][/IMG]

342 with older grips

940 with current service grips

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Centennial Every Day

new 642, classice service grips.