Laser grips on a 627 for home defense?

[UDR2]

Right now I keep a 6-shot Ruger Alaskan at my bedside, loaded with .44 Spl DPX. I'm probably going to replace it as the home defense gun with my 627 8-shot snub nose. So I was toying around with the idea of suiting up the 627 in CT laser grips... uh... especially for the wife, you understand... after all, under extreme duress, especially at night, I am a crack shot.

Ordinarily, I don't care for laser grips but I was thinking about them for a specific use: on a home defense gun that could be used either by me or my wife. In that context, I'd appreciate your thoughts... and especially if any of you have photos of large snubs with CT laser grips I'd sure like to see 'em.

Thanks in advance...

[TNFrank]

Sounds like it'd be a good way to go. 8 shots, 357Mag power level, revolver reliability(even though 99% of semis are reliable today) so I'd say it'd be a good choice.

[UDR2]

Anyone have a photo of a CT laser grip on an N-frame snubby?

[cougar14]

Picture in the AM. I had a little problem with the install, though. The lower grip screw became fairly difficult to turn while there was a significant gap left. I slowly and carefully tightened the screw as much as I felt safe doing. There's about a 2-3 thousandths left. I'm going to let it "rest" awhile and see if it will close up, probably just a slight mismatch somewhere in the casting. Hope you're not left-handed like me. The button is offset a little to the left for better access from the right middle finger.

[627 city hunter]

I also have though about this for my 4" Model 627 8 shot. Seems great. Maybe costs $350. Hope you like rubber grips. They seem a little thinner and less grippy than Hogue Monogrips.

[UDR2]

Cougar14 - Thank you. I look forward to seeing the photo.

City hunter - I'm OK with rubber grips even though I like the look of wood grips better. My guns come in two flavors: toys and tools, and I do not care how the tools look - only how they function.

BTW, round butt N-frame CT laser grips are "only" $249 at Optics Planet, and if you use the coupon code OPIV5OF you save 5%, bringing the price down to $236.55 (and shipping is free).

[627 city hunter]

I have the stock Monogrip Hougue's on mine. I find the 4" 627 PS 8 shot to be large to conceal carry. I either open carry, keep it it in my nightstand, under my pillow, or in my Jeep Wrangler in the door sill/between the seats (when I ride solo). Always where I can reach it. Really want a 'U.D.R.' for concealment. Maybe after I pay this one off as I am student.

Thanks for the price notice, UDR2. Saw them much more expensive elsewhere.

[cougar14]

Seam line on backstrap, still a little apart.


Starboard side.

It's part # LG-207

Port side.


Activation button offset.

[UDR2]

Thank you, Sir. Much appreciated.

[Fishinfool]

I think you will like a well designed laser on your handgun. I was always raised to shoot by watching the front sight, and never really had any interest in a laser equipped handgun. Then several years ago, I got a good deal on a Kimber Ultra with the CT laser grips.

Well buddy, my opinion was wrong. At closer ranges, in subdued light, they work great. Fast on target, and accurate. They allow you to shoot from awkward positions you couldn't do accurately otherwise. Mine have been on the gun for about 1500 rounds, and have held up fine, with no POI change.

Pic below. Its not a revolver, but IS a big bore snubby...

Larry

[UDR2]

Thanks, Larry. One thing Crimson Trace can do to boost sales is to make as nice a looking grip for revolvers like they do for the semi-autos - like yours.

While function is more important to me than form, I still wonder what in the world are those designers thinking about when they come up with such drab, ugly, poorly contoured grips. Rubber will never look as good as wood - but surely rubber grips can be made to look a whole lot better than the current designs they produce. - Just my $.02

[cougar14]

CT has a lot of irons in the fire, and I don't think they really need to boost sales. I also think these grips are rather unattractive, but they do what they were intended to do. Put the electronics into a nice set of wood grips, and you're double the price. I got them because as a result of some eye problems, I have limited night vision. The revolver would be useless to me otherwise. So I take the technology with the appearance.

[TDC]

I have CT's on both a 629-6 Classic 5 inch and a 66-1 2.5 inch that is my wife's nightstand gun. They are a very useful items to have for home protection and provide exactly the sighting dependability needed in low or no light situations.

The model chosen for both guns was the 207. It can be used with any K, L, N and X frame, Square or round butt guns with the included adapters.

These are not the cushioned rubber models but the harder composite type and that should be considered if used on a hard recoiling gun. They are also ugly, IMO, but their function and usefulness far out-shadows the "coyote ugly" aesthetics.

The attractiveness of this CT model to me is I can use them on almost any S&W firearm in my possession except a J frame. That and the much lower price when compared to the "Hog Hunter" type models sold me on the 207's...

They are a quality product and well worth anyone's consideration on this board.... Once you try them you will understand the enthusiasm of their big fan club.....

[Stainz]

My 2 5/8" PC627 UDR's orange ramp is huge and more easily discernible in extremely low light than either my 60 Pro or Governor tritium Night Sights are. In no light, I am still responsible for what I shoot at and beyond, whether I can put a red laser dot on it or not. I love electronics - from days of riding a bus to Lafayette Radio in Jamaica, LI from Bayside - to spend my saved lunch money - in the late 50's/early 60's - to teaching it in the post secondary system in Alabama from '75-'95. I am intimately familiar with Murphy's Laws - especially concerning batteries being depleted when needed (And Murphy was an optimist!). I won't have anything electronic on my self defense firearms.

Now, if you just want a laser to fiddle with at the range, heck yeah - they are fun! In the heat of a defensive situation, I won't depend on a battery! YMMV.

Stainz

[OldBlood]

I have laser on a CZ P01. Where you put the dot, the bullet goes. At first it was weird to just look at the target with the red dot on it and fire the gun, being so used to front sight stuff. For home defense, if in the stress of the moment you can remember to turn it on,it would be a big help to put your rounds on target. Very quick to place the dot. Try one, you will be amazed.

[ibewbull]

My wife has a CT on her SP 101.
I still need to do more night practice with it. I don't like the feel of the grips to start off my on my negative's.
Now to the tactical points. I have a CT on my CAR.
Using it at night in a high stress defense scenario in my opinion is not the best for me. Yes I see the dot , what I do not see is what the target is. A red dot on black background stinks. regardless if it is a coat or fur. Maybe the new green ones are better.
I for one prefer night sights and a Streamlight in my support hand.
The possibility of setting the laser off before needed is too great for my choosing also. I would not want to flag my position.
As for the .357 in the house at night.I have 38Xpd Winchester LHP +P loaded.The noise and flash plus over penetration of a .357 are not what I want to do.
I have a coach gun with some extra rounds on the butt as my primary house gun.
If you could borrow someone's CT equipped gun it would be ideal.
Our grips were on the SP 101 when I bought it and the CAR wears a $100 cat toy. Just my opinion and operator experience.

[BobR1]

The LG207 is not the best way to go in your application in my opinion.

Check out the LG314. This is an Rubber Overmolded grip. If you were ordering wood this would be what you would call a round to square butt conversion grip. Your Round butt 627 will have a longer square butt grip. Not as good for concealed carry, probably better for the wife to hang on to in the house.
For Info Only: The Square Butt version is # LG313.

If you had a 686Plus the choices are even better.
LG306 is a rubber overmolded compact grip for the round butt K & L Frames. Great for concealed carry at night as well as indoor home defense.
LG308 Hog Hunter. This is a round to square butt conversion grip designed to provide a better firing grip. Not a good choice for a compact concealed carry grip, but not a bad choice at all for a house gun grip. Again a rubber overmolded grip.
The Square K&L Grip is a # LG307.

Crimson Trace Lasergrips

Looks like the cheap hard plastic LG207 can be rounded up for around $183.
The Rubber Overmolded grips run around $229, and are well worth the extra $46 price to me.

I do not like the Laser Grips for outdoor day time use. I find the laser to be a distraction when I can see my open sights well. This is no problem at all, The rubber overmolded grips have an Off/On Switch. Just turn them off for day time open sight shooting, and save the batteries.
Where they really shine is in low light situations where the open sights are hard to pick up, and indoors. I find the open sights hard to pick up indoors in hallways and other areas that are not well lighted even in daylight. In a high stress situation your attention will be focused on the problem. With a laser grip this works out fine as that is where the Red Dot will be. You can stay focused on the problem and the Red Dot aiming point also on the problem at the same time.

Bob

[Pote]

I think even the "wood" flavored CT grips you see on 1911s are still plastic, they are just wood knockoffs...I could be wrong but am fairly certain, its just a wood look copy in synthetic. I have known a guy or two who have taken those and filled off plastic to make them fit their bobtails prior to the intro to bobtail laser grips.

[roundgunner]

I keep CT grips on my and my wife’s carry guns. The people who say “the battery will fail” OK if the battery fails you are right back to the original sites, no problem.

Most nay sayers are the same people who wouldn’t get a cordless drill or digital camera either. CT grips are proven technology and very helpful to those who will practice with them.

I know I personally have held a gun on a person without the dot and keeping BG hands and eyes in sight while lining up front, rear and center mass would be much easier with a dot. To each his own.




I tried the smaller K/L frame grips but really like the feel of the hoghunter better so I cut the back down to CCW better.

[DAdams]

Round gunner and I thought I was a CT fan. Nice stable!

[Hart]

Roadgunner, Hello! Where did you get the CT laser grip w/ the S&W logo for the 627 PC BloodWork revolver? Oh, and are they rubberized or hard plastic? Thank you!

[Hawg Rider]

I've got a PC 627, 2-5/8" bbl, with CT grips. Great revolver, and I'm happy with the CTs, except...when shooting full power .357s (158 gr), the laser housing tends to recoil into my R/H index finger's first joint. After 20+ rounds, it's a little painful. I dropped my grip down a little from a high grip, but it didn't help much. I switched to 125 gr. self-defense loads and the problem disappeared. I like the 125 gr. rounds anyway, so I'm a happy camper.

[everReady Rob]

I can't add much to what has been said. Stories abound of BG's stumbling all over themselves (and the furniture) when they see that red dot starring at them out of the darkness. Someone said its almost as effective as the BG hearing a shotgun being cocked.

[idarbc]

Hey Roundgunner. What model is the one with the unexposed hammer?

[roundgunner]

The little J frame is a 340 SC. nice with +P wicked with full power 158 JHP.



I got the grips a few years ago at the IDPA Winter Nationals at the S&W Shooting Sports Center. They are rubberized and fit my XL hand better than any other grip I have ever had. I wish I had a truck load of money, I would put them on all my N frames.

[Hart]

RoundGunner, Are the grips on your 627 BloodWork the ones at the S&W store? You can't see logo in the picture on the S&W site... Thanks much! Product: Crimson Trace N/G Frame Round Butt Hoghunter Laser Grip

[idarbc]

Originally Posted by idarbc

Hey Roundgunner. What model is the one with the unexposed hammer?

Can anyone help me with the model number for the pistol with the unexposed hammer? I am interested in one like it that I saw at the lgs but I forget the model number. I wanted to do a little research on it.

[Hart]

Looks like the 640? Product: Model 640 or maybe 649? Product: Model 649 ???

[wrangler5]

The gun pictured is a 5 shot steel 357 with a bobbed hammer, so is probably a model 60 that has had the hammer spur removed. (The 640 has an internal hammer and a different frame contour behind the cylinder, and the 649 is a humpback with a shrouded hammer, again with a different contour than the gun pictured.)

[Hart]

Thx. Looked older. Roundrunner has some nice pieces.

[wrangler5]

For those of you with 2 laser gripped guns in the house - have you ever tried training with both of you going at the same time? I've heard trainers talk about how more than one red dot floating around a room can adversely affect the capabilities of BOTH shooters, although they may have been talking more about multi-member tactical teams than pairs. Might be worth experimenting with, though, if you can work out a way to do it.

[roundgunner]

Yes Wrangler5 is right. I thought you were asking about the other one. The 60-9 is 357 with a bobbed hammer. It gets shot a lot.




The grips are from the S&W store but the store is now closed.

[Doug M.]

The folks at 10-8 have done a lot of work on training with laser grips on J frames for BUGs. They highly recommend them for that use, and I had a set of the 405s on a J frame I had to sell during a short period. I will get another set, for good reasons. Within the right niche, they are a great product, and "priceless", to quote the TV ads.

[dannix]

I have a S&W 629-8 and I also have large hands. Which of the Crimson Trace Laser Grips provide the longest grip length? I'm just not comfortable firing my 44 mag with only 2 fingers on the grip.
The primary use is for walking through the woods at night while Bow hunting. I have'nt had to shoot this gun at night, but would think it would be much easier to pull the trigger when the dot is on fir instead of imagining where the sites are.

[JohnK]

Roundgunner brought up, a VERY important advantage to these grips.

You can sight the gun, from a low ready position, while still seeing THE BAD GUYS HANDS, and whatever else he is doing. I REALLY want to know this.

Heck, he may be holding a twinkie, instead of a knife, or a gun.http://smith-wessonforum.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Rather important information.

[Hart]

Lucky enough to find an S&W logo'd CT grip for my 627PC. Very happy with them.

[Hart]

Originally Posted by roundgunner

The little J frame is a 340 SC. nice with +P wicked with full power 158 JHP.



I got the grips a few years ago at the IDPA Winter Nationals at the S&W Shooting Sports Center. They are rubberized and fit my XL hand better than any other grip I have ever had. I wish I had a truck load of money, I would put them on all my N frames.

On your bottom pic of the 627PC, looks like you cut off square edge of back, bottom of grip to round it off. Is that the case? If so, what did you do to "plug" the hole that creates? Thanks much!