|
|
11-11-2011, 10:19 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 402
Likes: 7
Liked 13 Times in 9 Posts
|
|
What after market grips are you using on your 642?
Bought one Wednesday and shot it for the first time today. It is definitely a kick in the pants as they say, but a real neat gun.
I've been told by others here that after market grips may help as I get used to the gun.
What are you guys using?? Bud
|
11-11-2011, 10:44 PM
|
US Veteran Absent Comrade
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Central Indiana
Posts: 1,172
Likes: 463
Liked 130 Times in 64 Posts
|
|
Hi Bud.
I've tried well over a dozen different grips on various J-Frames and always come back to these Uncle Mikes, as shown on a 360PD.
A tad longer than some prefer, but with the right holster cant, they work very well for me.
Discontinued, but can often be found on e-Bay. Similiar, if not identical grips can be found on the Smith & Wesson Mfg. site, as well.
|
11-11-2011, 10:53 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: AZ
Posts: 2,339
Likes: 53
Liked 4,623 Times in 864 Posts
|
|
I like the Pachmyr Compac grips, but I've got big hands. I also relieve the side to make sure it doesn't interfere with speedloaders.
__________________
Watch & Pray
|
11-11-2011, 10:54 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
|
Indiana George,
I believe that is the holster I've been looking for for my m-36 s&w. Can you tell me the manufacturer?
Thanks,
Bill
|
11-12-2011, 01:26 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: MA - Where the 2nd Amendment is under seige
Posts: 726
Likes: 30
Liked 92 Times in 43 Posts
|
|
CT lasers. The model is LG-305.
|
11-12-2011, 01:52 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Crescent City, CA USA
Posts: 97
Likes: 379
Liked 80 Times in 38 Posts
|
|
642 grips
After trying about everything in wood and synthetic, I went to factory J-Frame wood "service" grips and a Tyler T-Grip.
This setup seems to fit my meaty palm/short pudgy finger hand configuration better than any other grip setup I've tried.
The wood grip also seems easier to draw from a pocket than any of the rubber ones I tried. Also, this setup seems to distribute recoil as well as any.
YMMV.
|
11-12-2011, 02:12 AM
|
SWCA Member Absent Comrade
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: SLC, Utah
Posts: 5,060
Likes: 739
Liked 3,275 Times in 1,282 Posts
|
|
"Indiana George,
I believe that is the holster I've been looking for for my m-36 s&w. Can you tell me the manufacturer?"
Not George, but I have one like that made by Bianchi.
I have used the standard grips that came with all 3 of the 642's I have owned. They are a pretty good compromise between concealability and control for me.
|
11-12-2011, 07:46 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Pinson, AL
Posts: 2,106
Likes: 57
Liked 656 Times in 307 Posts
|
|
While the OEM boots are about the least comfortable grips, they do promote pocket carry in a Mika pocket holster in any of my pants' front pockets. My 642 is a horrible plinker, but that isn't it's forte - it has a single function here - to protect my life. Shoot it enough to keep 'current' with it - adrenalin will make you forget about the recoil, should you need it.
Now - if you have a belt holster for it, you can choose your grips more freely. You can go overboard - witness my 642's 'big brother', my L-frame 296, first in a CCW mode, with OEM boots and a Mika pocket holster:
It's a lot more comfortable to shoot, however... with S&W/Hogue .500 Magnum grips!
Yeah, that takes a real holster! I prefer to leave it's boots on for CC use, too.
Stainz
|
11-12-2011, 08:59 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: The Great State of Texas
Posts: 5,057
Likes: 524
Liked 1,909 Times in 788 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlueDotBill
Indiana George,
I believe that is the holster I've been looking for for my m-36 s&w. Can you tell me the manufacturer?
Thanks,
Bill
|
I believe that is a Bianchi Black Widow.
__________________
Centennial Every Day
|
11-12-2011, 09:01 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: The Great State of Texas
Posts: 5,057
Likes: 524
Liked 1,909 Times in 788 Posts
|
|
For range work and concealed carry in certain circumstances, Indiana George has it right. The Uncle Mike's combat grips are the ones to try. They are a Craig Spegel design and he still makes them in wood.
__________________
Centennial Every Day
|
11-12-2011, 09:47 AM
|
US Veteran Absent Comrade
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Central Indiana
Posts: 1,172
Likes: 463
Liked 130 Times in 64 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlueDotBill
Indiana George,
I believe that is the holster I've been looking for for my m-36 s&w. Can you tell me the manufacturer?
Thanks,
Bill
|
Hi Bill.
Buff and Photoman are correct; Bianchi Black Widow.
Same as the grips; I've tried many and this quickly became one of my favorites for J-Frame concealed carry.
Last edited by Indiana George; 11-12-2011 at 09:52 AM.
|
11-12-2011, 01:11 PM
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 4,162
Likes: 341
Liked 3,944 Times in 1,494 Posts
|
|
Crimson Trace LG-405 laser grips on mine. This is the one with the air pocket on the back strap of the grip.
Best regards,
Dave
|
11-12-2011, 01:37 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
Liked 110 Times in 44 Posts
|
|
Safariland. No longer made.
Composite, so they don't grab fabric.
Came in black or wood grain.
These were cut down by King's Gunworks, Glendale, CA.
Shaped like a Spegel, but slimmer.
Pachmayr Compacs if something bigger.
Mika Pocket Holsters are simply THE BEST.
|
11-12-2011, 01:44 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 6,315
Likes: 13,115
Liked 12,802 Times in 4,228 Posts
|
|
Spegel boot grips. They're small but they have a palm swell that fills the hand without being bulky. I think it helps distribute recoil over a wider area and helps with controllability.
|
11-12-2011, 02:00 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
Liked 28 Times in 14 Posts
|
|
Uncle mike boot grips, available from S&W.
Need to get another pair for my new 442, they are better than the stock logo grips, IMO.
|
11-12-2011, 02:25 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 251
Likes: 66
Liked 42 Times in 19 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by RHINOWSO
Uncle mike boot grips, available from S&W.
Need to get another pair for my new 442, they are better than the stock logo grips, IMO.
|
Hey, Rhinowso,
I agree, if you mean what I think you mean. The newer S&W copies of the Uncle Mike's (Craig Spegal) boot grips, does not seem to work well with the HKS speedloaders that I've used for years, whilst the original Uncle Mike's do just fine. I will be removing the S&W boot grips from my new 642 as soon as I find another pair of Uncle Mike's boot grips. I have no idea why the UM's work better than the S&W. But, I have had two pairs of the Smith version, and both of them did not work well with the HKS. For what it's worth.... Take care, and God Bless!
Every Good Wish,
Doc
__________________
Honor God, above all.
|
11-12-2011, 03:24 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
Liked 28 Times in 14 Posts
|
|
Yes. The S&W logo grips like this are close but not as good as Uncle Mikes.
S&W still sells Uncle Mike no logo grips on their website, for both J and K frame guns (Uncle Mike Logo on both sets inside). In fact I just ordered a set for the 442 today...
|
11-12-2011, 03:37 PM
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,808
Likes: 4,240
Liked 15,206 Times in 4,162 Posts
|
|
Like many others I've tried almost everything and wound up with the (previous) standard wood small grips w/a Tyler T. Not the best for range comfort but I can hit w/i 7 yards accurately and they conceal just right.
BTW my glove size is XL and I have long thin fingers.
|
11-12-2011, 05:17 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
Liked 28 Times in 14 Posts
|
|
My biggest problem with wood & Ts was they prevented the use of speed loaders.
|
11-12-2011, 05:45 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times in 6 Posts
|
|
After tiring of having the snot beat out of my thumb joint I switched the stock s&w grips for a Hogue mono grip. Some don't like the mono grip because its larger, but the whole package still fits easily in my pocket.
Good Shooting -
Shooter686
|
11-12-2011, 11:56 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 223
Likes: 11
Liked 18 Times in 13 Posts
|
|
with 1 being the most comfortable to shoot, and 10 like having a baseball bat hit your barrel when pulling the trigger:
01 hogue bantam grips, midwayusa.com/
03 stock s&w boot
09 any wood grips
but seriously, if you shop based on looks you'll suffer at the range. the hogue bantams slip right on with no screws to rust during 12 plus hours of carry. i can shoot all day with them. comfortable to shoot +P speer gold dot 135 gr .38 spl and 148 gr full wadcutters.
|
11-13-2011, 08:22 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Granger, IN
Posts: 83
Likes: 5
Liked 6 Times in 6 Posts
|
|
Taurus rubber boot grips. You either have to drill them for the cross-pin or take the pin out to use them. Around $14 shipped.
They are rubber, two fingers (so they pocket carry well), and cover the back strap. So far, they are the only grips that make shooting DoubleTap 158 grain SWC hardcast +P remotely comfortable for me.
No picture but there's one on a previous thread for j-frame grips somewhere.
|
11-14-2011, 06:35 PM
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,808
Likes: 4,240
Liked 15,206 Times in 4,162 Posts
|
|
My stock [small] wood grips w/Tyler T's work great with speed loaders as well as speed strips. Almost nothing else does absent some degree of customizing (e.g.; removal of wood or plastic material on the left grip panel).
I also practice with the small grips (w/an occasional change to the oversized combat wood grip for comfort) at the range. This gives me the ability to know how the gun will handle under stress.
|
11-14-2011, 06:53 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains
Posts: 434
Likes: 63
Liked 46 Times in 18 Posts
|
|
I tried several aftermarket, the one liked best was a Hogue that was only like .5-.75" longer but let my little finger grip gun, it improved my shooting. Then put CT grips on and that is the end of my grip looking. The worst part of the laser is you better like (or learn to like) the grip cause you only have one choice. But the laser is so much fun to shoot it doesn't bother me.
|
11-14-2011, 06:55 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Cranston, RI, US
Posts: 153
Likes: 1
Liked 10 Times in 9 Posts
|
|
I like the Pachmayr Compac Pro. Good grip, not too sticky, and I'm able to get a good grip. And the grip conceals well. I've never tried the Hogue Bantams; that grip looks good as well. A real pro recommended the Pachmayrs to me. The banana grips that came from Smith on my 60-15 and 60 Pro are very comfortable as well, but are harder to conceal and with the covered back strap cause the revolvers to naturally point down.
HiCap
__________________
HiCap
|
11-14-2011, 07:07 PM
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 2,601
Likes: 8,743
Liked 1,813 Times in 797 Posts
|
|
I carry mine in a pants pocket and pocket holster. For that, the factory grips are perfect. They conceal well, don't hurt my hand, and I can keep 10 rounds inside of 6" at ten yards. That is good enough for social work. My 642 isn't something I go out and plink with. I have other pistols for that. I put 10-15 rounds through the 642 once a month. The rest of the time it stays in its holster in my pocket.
If I want to shoot a stubby very much, I have a Ruger 101, or my all steel 2.5" model 60, or a 2.5" model 66 that are better for plinking and target shooting than is a 642.
|
11-14-2011, 07:13 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: North Georgia
Posts: 1,955
Likes: 1,315
Liked 1,832 Times in 701 Posts
|
|
I've got Eagle Secret Service grips on mine--I think rosewood, not checkered. Very similar to the "Boot" grip.
Nice and comfortable, and draw out of the pocket easily.
At some point I'll probably get a set of Magnas and a T grip or BK--I have that setup on a model 36 and like it a lot.
|
11-14-2011, 07:47 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: S.W. PA
Posts: 74
Likes: 2
Liked 16 Times in 8 Posts
|
|
Crimson Trace
Here's another vote for Crimson Trace. I have the LG-405 and they do give you a sense of confidence.
-=BDD=-
|
11-29-2011, 06:26 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 402
Likes: 7
Liked 13 Times in 9 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by f2
with 1 being the most comfortable to shoot, and 10 like having a baseball bat hit your barrel when pulling the trigger:
01 hogue bantam grips, midwayusa.com/
03 stock s&w boot
09 any wood grips
but seriously, if you shop based on looks you'll suffer at the range. the hogue bantams slip right on with no screws to rust during 12 plus hours of carry. i can shoot all day with them. comfortable to shoot +P speer gold dot 135 gr .38 spl and 148 gr full wadcutters.
|
Got my Hogue Bantam grips today and looking forward to trying them out. (Snap caps in the gun, not cartridges) Bud
|
11-30-2011, 02:01 AM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Arizona
Posts: 1,196
Likes: 1,918
Liked 5,680 Times in 675 Posts
|
|
Another vote for the CT-405 grips:
CC in a Galco inside the pocket holster:
and sometimes a SERPA paddle OWB:
__________________
Bill - SWCA #2327
Last edited by DRYHEAT; 11-30-2011 at 02:07 AM.
|
11-30-2011, 01:19 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Nevada
Posts: 404
Likes: 0
Liked 14 Times in 7 Posts
|
|
Were the factory wood/magna-style grips ever made in black?
I'm imagining a set of those with a flat black T grip on my 442. . .
__________________
This...is my BOOMSTICK
|
11-30-2011, 05:16 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Sunny Central Florida
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 334
Liked 993 Times in 378 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Then put CT grips on and that is the end of my grip looking. The worst part of the laser is you better like (or learn to like) the grip cause you only have one choice. But the laser is so much fun to shoot it doesn't bother me.
|
Actually, CT makes 3 versions for the J frame.
__________________
NRA Benefactor
|
11-30-2011, 07:33 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 377
Likes: 489
Liked 168 Times in 67 Posts
|
|
I also tried many grips and the best for me was standard stocks w/ a Tyler T Grip.
|
12-01-2011, 12:48 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
|
So you've been flooded with personal preferences but not that much objective info. Here is the skinny:
1. Size of grip--the smaller the grip, the more concealable it is. Conversely, the smaller the grip, the more it beats up your hand. And the harder it is to shoot accurately. That is why a lot of the guys here have basically full-size grips, same size as on a K-frame or L-frame, on their J-frames. Because they are a hell of a lot easier to shoot well and a hell of a lot more comfortable to shoot on top of that.
But--if you are carrying--that's another story.
2. Grip material--softer and more grippy is more comfortable/less punishing to shoot. But, it's much harder to conceal if you are actually walking around in public. Rubber grips grab clothing, hike it up in odd ways, make very noticeable prints. Wood grips don't, obviously, because they are smooth and fabric rides over them very naturally.
So you will have to find a balance depending on your use. Mostly a range gun, maybe it lives in your glove box or center console or maybe an answer-the-door-gun once in a while? A full-size rubber grip might be perfect.
But if you are going to carry this thing in public? That changes everything.
The best compromise I've found for concealed carry is a larger wooden grip. Something that allows you to get all three fingers on (rather than leaving your pinky with nothing to grab on) but that is wood so it doesn't grab your clothes.
I've gone with the badgers grips, 3 fingers, which fit this bill pretty well. The design is not perfect, the screw comes loose every couple hundred rounds, but they conceal well and they shoot well.
Spegel makes a slightly extended (3 finger) J-frame grip as well. He's sort of looked at as being the bees knees. If you order direct from him, you wait a while but it's half the price. If you buy his grips from someone else, you get them quick but you pay 2x as much.
Good luck. In my experience, it usually takes a bit of messing around and actually owning various grips before you find your favorite, esp on a compact gun where you are balancing two completely different goals against each other--shootability vs conceability.
|
|
Tags
|
360pd, 442, 642, bianchi, ccw, concealed, crimson, galco, hogue, j frame, k frame, k-frame, model 60, model 66, pachmayr, rosewood, ruger, safariland, spegel, taurus |
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|