Anyone using the Pachmayr Gripper-Decelerator grip on a J frame? I have a 638 which I shot for the first time and was surprised at the recoil. Also, the stock grip is a bit small for my hand. Will a Pachmayr be too bulky for pocket carry?

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S&W 439,638, CS 40

hawkeyhep;
That is a matter of personal opinion. I have a 638 with Pachmayr compacs and I like the grips very much. My 642 has Crimson Trace #305 grips. Some would call them too big but I carry them in my front pocket without issue. I am 5'10" tall and weigh 230 so am not a little guy. My pockets maybe larger that someone smaller. The best thing is to try a friends grips (if you have someone close to you) before you buy. If not, then good luck.

Here is a picture of my bodyguard with Packmayr Compacs:



I find the Bodyguard quite comfortable with the Pachmayrs (and quite uncomfortable with the old issue grips).

Dale53

Although the Pachmayrs are fine grips, they are too bulky for my tastes. I have grown fond of the Hogue Bantam grips. They give me just enough added grip surface without excessive weight or bulk.

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Pisgah

I like the Pachmayr Compact for shooting my 60LS, but I normally carry in my jeans pocket and they are too bulky for that. I've ordered a pair of service stocks from S&W, but for now am using the standard LadySmith grips.

I have the same setup as Dale53, a Bodyguard with a Pachmayr Compac. It made a huge difference for me...still small enough to pocket carry, but now I've got something to hold on to and I can actually hit the target. The only thing I'd like to do now is get something in wood that would actually slip in and out of the pocket a little easier.

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"I'm your huckleberry."

Thanks for the info. How does a Crimson Trace grip compare size-wise to the Hogue Bantam or Pachmayr Compac grips?

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S&W 439,638, CS 40

The Compac grip seems to fit my hand better than anything else I've tried. I pocket carry in the summer and IWB the remainder of the year, the extra bulk is a non-issue...

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"Shall not be infringed"

Put 405 CT on my 642. Look at the website and compare the different configurations. I likethem because of the extra pad at the top of the back strap.

Bill

I have a set of Grippers on my Model 63-4, but they're much too big for anything other than belt carry for me. I have a set of Compacs on my 60-4, but I don't have a trouser pocket big enough to accommodate those grips, even if the gun itself would fit (which it won't--at least not comfortably). All my pocketable J frames have grips that don't extend below the butt.

My 642 wears CT405s, but I also like the current S&W rubber boot grips.

What are standard LadySmith grips? Can you get those from S&W?

I have a set of Pachmayr Compac grips for my J frame. They are very good grips for shooting, but I find them too big for pocket carry. For pocket carry I use the smaller boot grips.

+1 on the CT LG405 with the extra pad. Well worth it in my opinion.

OK, had a credit at a local gun store and they had a Crimson Trace 305 in stock. Tried it on my 638 and it felt really good so I bought it. Feels much better than the stock grip and still fits well into my pants pocket. Can't wait to shoot it tommorrow! Here is a picture of my 638 - 2.5" barrel with the CT grip installed:

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S&W 439,638, CS 40

Other than when I use an old pair of factory service stocks in smooth rosewood with a Tyler adaptor, I like the Pachmayr Compac better than any other grip I've used on small revolvers.

I think the Gripper is too large for J-frames, except perhaps for a .22 Kit Gun, carried openly.

T-Star

I put decelerators on my S&W 340 PD. The increased length makes pocket carry harder but I usually carry IWB. Overall, I am happy with them.

+1 on this comment. In my case I would be referring to the Compacs on a 36. Sold the 36 then went with the Bantams when I got my 60. Compacs do have a place for your pinky - which is nice, and they cover the back of the frame - unlike the Bantams.

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But then, what do I know?

From my perspective, the S&W full size synthetic grips go a long way in taming recoil, especially since it covers the back strap. That said, I notice no difference in pocket carry with the larger grip over the factory boot grip.

The factory boot grips were too small for my extra large hands. They did pocket carry well but I figured that'd be of little use if I had troubles holding the gun properly.
I found that Pachmayr Compacts fit my hand better and I can carry my snubby in my pocket or on my belt with no problems.

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Hi, the Ladysmith J grips are made of a wooden-ish material, or perhaps it is wood. You can see them on the Smith website mountd on the Ladysmith model more easily than I can describe them.

Go to the Store button on the site and hit Accessories. There is a rubber facsimile for these grips that is especially nice as it cushions the backstrap. Perhaps the wooden-ish original is listed, am not sure. The rubber grips are about $28 + tax and shipping. Hope this helps.

The Ladysmith grips are made by Altamont...go to them for a better price, and alternative models.

I've got the Pachmayr compacts on my 638 and they carry in the pocket and on the belt well. I just bought a set of herretts shooting ace grips today for a 36 no dash they work really well.

I like the compacs, too. This was pocket-carried in my right-front uniform pocket (in a pocket holster) for several years.
Bob

I've pocket-carried a 640 no-dash with Compacs every day for around thirteen years. I find them no problem to conceal and not given to hanging up on fabric. But mostly I like them for the high, secure grip and recoil absorption--much better for arthritic hands.

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Oh well, what the hell.