I use to always swap out my factory slab side grips on my S&W revolvers with a set of rubber grips or at least the Target Magna style factory grips but once I got a feel for the older Magna style (I call them slab grips because they're just two slabs of wood that don't rap around the gun's grip frame) I actually like em'.
I just picked up a nice little 642 and those factory rubber grips just don't feel right. I've ordered a set of Hip Grips to get the right "feel" for this gun and it'll give me a carry option.
Anyway, I kind of like the old style factory grips that S&W puts on their guns. Sure they're not fancy and they won't "fill" your hand up like more modern rubber grips but they do look "old school" to my eye and I think they help the revolver conceal better for those of us with CCW's that still carry revolvers.

Here's an example of the "slab side" grips that I'm talking about.

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S&W M642-2,
ATI 1911a1, 4.25"

I prefer Magna's to most other styles, for both appearance and shooting. Back in the day, you could buy them by the box full in nearly any gun store in the land....cheap. Today is a different story.

Cheers;
Lefty

I like 'em. Sometimes you can find some pretty fancy ones, too.

I've seen a lot of em' over the years in the "junk" bin at the local Pawn Shop.
Also, funny this thread should be moved to the "1961 to 1980" area, I was born in '61, LOL.
Anyway, back on topic, I really like the Barami Hip Grips since they let you get that nice, compact slab side look and feel AND you get a great optional carry method for your gun.

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S&W M642-2,
ATI 1911a1, 4.25"

I thought about those with a grip adapter. Would be a cool combo I think.

I've had Hip Grips on a couple small frame revolvers that I've owned over the years and I love em'. No need for an IWB holster, just slip the gun into your waste band and it disappears. I've got a set on order from Midway USA as we speak, should be here Tuesday. Also getting a SOF Tuck IWB holster too for when I slip the gun into my jacket pocket or want to tuck in my shirt.
http://www.desantisholster.com/store...py12_of_cw9-k9
Midway USA has em' for $19 bucks.

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S&W M642-2,
ATI 1911a1, 4.25"

Add a Tyler T-Grip or a BK grip and you are good to go. I have a Tyler on my ruger security six and my Colt lawman. I have a BK on my model 10. They fit my hand and feel great.

Can you use a grip adapter with the hip grip?

I imagine. There's no reason it wouldn't work. They are dimensionally similar to magnas.

The hip grips work good when you really need to conceal. Back in the old days before I knew about hip grips I would tape a popsicle stick on the grip to do the same thing. I think magnas feel and look better even on N frames.

If you meant magnas with a T-grip it is a great combo, I've changed all my revolvers, except my 6" M-27 to stag magnas with either a T- grip or the new BK grip, which I prefer.

I like magnas with the T-grip on both my carry pieces:





I haven't found another option that beats the look and feel for me yet, and I don't think I will.

If you are going to pack your sidearm sans a holster, AKA: "Mexican Carry", and you like the Magnas / Tyler-T combo as I do, what you need is a "ClipDraw"...



These are made by Skyline Toolworks of Malvern, PA. 610-296-7501. Clipdraw… For Secure Carry Without a Holster.



I've tried the Bariami "Hip Grip" and am less than impressed. To me they affect my hold, aren't very secure and mating them with a grip adaptor can be a challenge.

For me the jury's still out on Mexican Carry. I don't consider it very secure or professional, but I have to confess that there are times it's tempting rather than putting on the correct holster if I'm only running down to town for a pack of smokes.

Drew

I'll keep factory magnas on all mine and any new ones that come my way with aftermarket grips get treated to a correct factory pair.

An exception being the 1998 Model 642 that was purchased new. It's factory Uncle Mike's rubber immediately came off for a set of round butt J-Frame checkered walnut panels.

I agree that the Tyler T-grip is a boon to shooting a revolver with factory stocks. I hate their looks but several of my revolvers wear 'em now.

During my first 30 years of shooting I tried every style and manner of aftermarket stock on my revolvers. In the end I realized that nothing was perfect and that the factory stocks are as good as any and actually better than most. Now I use factory stocks on the vast majority of my revolvers although I do look for factory wood with nice color and grain.




I have definite preferences in revolver stocks. I don't like the target stocks on guns with barrels shorter than 4" in length. Just makes the gun look butt heavy.

I can't use finger groove stocks. I have fat fingers and they never fit the grooves comfortably.

I detest ribber grips. I don't like the feel or appearance and they smell awful. The stench remains on my hands for days after handling them.

I need checkering on anything over 38 Special. I can't hang onto smooth stocks with heavy recoil.

I have five DA revolvers with smooth stocks. All are in 38 Special. Three are ivory, one is factory original wood (M40 Centennial) and one is polished stag.

That about sums it up for me as well. Plus rubber grips on a revolver(especially a single action) always left blisters in my hand.

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S&W M642-2,
ATI 1911a1, 4.25"

I've been known to put Pachmayer "Open Back Professionals" on guns that are going outside to face the worst of the elements.

I have used Barami Hip Grip and Tyler T grip since 1971, never a problem.

I do have one confession to make, there was one aftermarket grip that I do like, the Hogue Nylon Mono-Grip. I can't stand their rubber grips but the brown nylon ones with finger grooves DO actually fit my hand pretty well. I had a set on a M13 and I loved them. Other then that the slab side factory grips work fine.

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S&W M642-2,
ATI 1911a1, 4.25"

I just rescued these from the gun store junk bin
I Was refinishing them when you started this thread

I noticed on the Midway USA site that the price for factory grips have gone up quite a bit. It's good to be able to pull something out of a "Junk" bin at a gun shop or pawn shop and refinish it to get what you're wanting. I've seen stock grips in the junk bins selling for $5 bucks, such a deal.

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S&W M642-2,
ATI 1911a1, 4.25"

How did you know how much they were?

Are those still available? They look like they would be an improvement over the old "Compac" model, which I still have on a Chief Special that I shoot a bit.

That's what I normally see em' selling for. I guess they don't know that they're $27 bucks new from Midway USA now days.LOL

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S&W M642-2,
ATI 1911a1, 4.25"

Yes they are still being made... Pachmayr&reg Pachmayr your primary source for quality handgun grips and recoil pads.

Open Back "Professionals" are about the best compromise in rubber...

Drew

I prefer wood on blue steel, and as near to original grips for the 'classic' look. I used to have a nickel 442 that came with rubber 'boot' grips, and I lusted over the wood grips in the Eagle brochure that came with the gun, especially some of the eye-popping laminates!!
I swapped it for my 49, which also wore rubber when I got it. Against the blueing, the black rubber was an eyesore. A set of used, old-style 'lemon peel' grips gave it that classic look for which it's so famous. A black T-Grip detracts little from appearance, but vastly improves shootability.

Have carried this one for 35 years. Tried every imaginable grip. Finally settled on the simplest:


After adding a new 442, it didn't take long to figure out what worked best on it:

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

[QUOTE=krehmkej;136307369]Have carried this one for 35 years. Tried every imaginable grip. Finally settled on the simplest:

[SIZE="4"]
You must have carried it in a satin-lined gun rug!
It's really beautiful.

Pocket carry only. Never mix it with keys, tools, or other junk. Many years naked, now lives in a pocket holster.

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

In my best Clint Eastwood imitation: "Firin' 'magnas' on a magnum will tear a man's hand clear off!"

It took me years to discover that S&W knew just what they were doing when making the magnas!!! Gripped properly with a high grip (and especially with a Tyler T-grip) these are very comfortable to shoot. Sometimes it is the 'rubbers' that slap your hand worth on the metal backstrap due to compression of the rubber!!!

Yep . . . Magnas (original wood or stag)? I love 'em and they work for me!

I never did like the factory "slab sided" grips that came on the guns of the seventies and upward. I could never make them feel right. I recently got two Smith revolvers, a model 10, no dash, from 1960, and a model 36, no dash, I have not dated yet and they both have an earlier version of the "slab side" grips that are rounded and feel very good in the hand.

As a collector of factory S&W grips l am shocked by the dramatic price increase of service and magnas over the past year. They are more comfortable than targets for me. Esp the older ones w/black washers

I’m another fan of the service/magna/slab stocks. I find shooting with them more comfortable now than I did years ago.

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Bill - SWCA #2327

Do you use the same ammo for pan fish?

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Endeavor to persevere. <><

I thought there was something fishy about that photo...

Now that just looks too cool right there.

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S&W M642-2,
ATI 1911a1, 4.25"

Here's my 19-3 with original Magnas. Funny story about this gun. Over the years I'd developed a case of "shooter's thumb" caused by edges of grips slamming into the base of my shooting hand thumb. Particularly painful for me were target grips. About the only grips that I could shoot with comfort were rubber grips like Pachmayrs or Uncle Mikes that completely covered the grip frame. So, when I bought this gun I assumed I'd be swapping out the grips. However, I took it to the range for an initial session, still equipped with the original grips. I was delighted to learn that these grips did not engage the base of my thumb. So, I've left the gun exactly as you see it, it's one of my most comfortable handguns to shoot.

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i just purchased a model 60 with the wooden grips. I like the looks of the gun though i'll admit this is my first revolver. Do you have a preference as to ammunition? I have yet to shoot this weapon and sure where to start.

I prefer K frame SB magnas w/a Tyler grip adapter. Fit me like a golve.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

I like Altamont’s current production service grips... they can give a modern gun a more classic look, and on J frames they allow a fuller grip without extending the grip past the frame of the gun.

5 year old thread. Let’s hope op is still here.

I happen to like zombies. :-)

Me too! How else would I know what "slab-side" grips are?

Seriously, this was a good thread to review the interest in Magnas which I happen to like very much. Too bad so many pics went away.

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I'm gonna grow fins.

When I went to school 2018-2012= 6 not 5.