I have a model 642 Airweight and overall I like the stock grip - could be a bit larger maybe but it's easy to pocket carry and not so grippy that it snags on everything. However, I like to grip high on the back strap and the stock grip doesn't cover it. Can someone point me towards some grip models that are close to stock but cover the entire back strap? Thanks in advance.

Grips (stocks) are usually compromises in one area or another, not to mention the variety of hands they have to fit. There are other stocks that cover the backstrap of a J frame with an exposed hammer (Pachmayr Compacs, factory J frame Targets and Combats (not the "banana", but the fingergroove type)) but they will not extend to the top of the taller 642 frame. Also, they will make the trigger reach longer, which may or may not bother you.

A custom stock maker may get you closer to what you seek. Hope this is helpful.

Edit to add: a kind Forum member noted the J Target stocks do not cover the upper backstrap but do cover the lower part. I don't have a set of J Combats but I recall they also cover the lower section.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

i think combats are hard to beat. The Hogue nylon is only moderate in palm swell. I have no issues with trigger reach with my smallish hands.

Here is an example on my 60 Pro, J-magnum frame.

Note that the nylon material option over rubber removes the objection about tackiness against clothing.

A good choice by at-liberty but probably not much recoil relief from
from the .357 magnum ctg. Perhaps the Hogue rubber grip with some
type of silicone coating to negate the stickiness. Just a thought.

I don't need much relief and only shooting up to 38 +P. It really only bothers me when training if I start into the third box of shells.

I use Pachmayr Compact grips on my 442. I haven't found tackiness to be an issue and regularly carry it either on my belt or in my pocket.

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Keep on Chooglin'

Take a look at the Crimson Trace LG-405's. I have these on my Jframe. The cushioned backstrap definitely makes a difference in felt recoil.

Best inexpensive non-sticky grips I know of that cover the backstrap is a set of stock rubber grips off a Taurus J-frame (M85/M605 etc.).
They cover both the front and back of the grip frame, they don't hang down below the bottom of the grip frame at all.

The S&W full size J-frame grips cover the backstrap and are made of the same material as your boot grips, so pretty much the same feel just a little longer. It probably wouldn't be all that difficult to cut the bottom of them off if you really wanted them shorter.
Product: J Synthetic Full Size Grip with S&W Logo

+1 for Pachmayr Compacs:

I have these on my 642 and I really like them. They allow a full grip and I like the grip angle. They are ugly...but they are comfortable. I think there are also a couple of threads on here about them.

DELTA GRIP? - HANDGUN GRIPS - Products

Fox

In my experience, these are the best at covering a centennial's backstrap--since they go all the way to the top allowing the highest possible hold. Hogue Tamers:

Pachmayr compacts. Both my 36s and 49 have them. Great feel, great control, no knuckle bite. Ugly as sin.

I've used the Pachmayr Compacs for over 16 years on a 640 carried every day. Give a high grip, cushion the recoil, cover the back strap and fill the space behind the trigger guard, and give purchase for the little finger unless you have really huge paws.

I've never had a problem with them gripping clothing.

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Oh well, what the hell.

I have Hoques, Crimson Trace, and Pachmayr's. I have a 642 and 640. I have CC'd all these on both guns a lot. Nothing wrong with any of them. The Pachmayrs are just a teence thicker they really reduce recoil the best of them all easpecially the .357.

The Pachmayrs conceal very nicely, even though they are just a bit thicker.

Dan

Thanks all, really great info and some good candidates to look at.

Do a search for Herrett Ace grips. I really like mine. I carried mine quite a few years on a S&W 49. When I get time I'll post a picture.

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183rd FBINA

Altamont makes some with the same general profile as the Pachmayr Compacs, possibly a touch thinner. This is my 317, (not the best photo to show the grips/stocks), hopefully enough to give you an idea.

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Taurus "j" frame size grips offer a 2 finger grip and cover the back strap. They're cheap and only require you to drill out a new hole in them for the frame pin on your 642 as taurus has them in a different spot. I also popped out the taurus emblems and filled them with some 38 special case heads I cut down.

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Jim

If you go for the Taurus rubber boot grips, get a set from eBay making sure they have the grip screw.

I will never buy a Taurus after having a terrible experience buying a new set of these grips from them which came without the grips screw. Trying to purchase the grip screw was an incredible waste of energy and time.

I do like the grips though. They cover the full backstrap but do not extend below the grip frame. They manage to set my hand back far enough that trigger pinch is much less of a problem than it is with the Crimson Trace 405s. They are much fatter though, making front pocket carry a little more visible.

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--Rick

I put a Hogue mono grip on my 442. Made a big difference in shooting a and I can still pocket carry with no problems.

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Bud

+2 for the Pachmayr compacts.
Frank.

My pistol is away getting some work done but as soon as it comes back I will probably take advantage of Amazon and order a couple different grips to see how they feel. Altamont has some nice looking grips; I'm waiting to hear back from them.

Thanks again everyone!

Yup, those are the exact ones I was talking about. I like the idea of replacing the Taurus medallions with 38 case heads. A customization that is virtually free! That's my kind of deal!

Sorry I missed your post up there or I would have "x2" ya. Great grips for the money. I will admit that I normally use magna grips on j frames but decided to try out something different and these are actually pretty nice.

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Jim

When I went thru this same quandry in 1986 (and there were fewer choices) I modified this set of Pachys to do what I needed. Never saw a need to change them out.

The Pachmayr Compacs work well but IMO there's just nothing better than the Uncle Mikes Combat grip.

I am a huge fan of the Uncle Mike's that came OEM on my 649. Not sure if they still make them but they fit my medium size hand perfectly. I should try to get a back-up pair.

Very cool. Is that an Ashland Model 60?

It is. Saw a half-page ad in Shotgun News when Ashland put them on the market. Still carry it around the place.

No problem man, you did me one better by posting a good picture and giving me a neat idea on how to replace those sacrilegious Taurus medallions!

I'm another who likes the Hogue recoil tamer grips. I got them off e-bay pretty cheap.

added ****** cell phone picture.

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John 3:16 .

+3 for the Pachmayer compacts !

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Joshua 1:9
82nd Airborne

Are these Pachmayr Grippers with the bottom cut off? Please share how you did this.

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--Rick

I'm sorry, I can't remember the model name of the grips but yes, I cut off the grips with a hack saw and and kinda refinished them with a disk sander. The Pachys have steel inserts that allow this to work.

Nice job you did on them. Is it still pocketable?

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--Rick

It'll fit in a pocket; but really never was a good pocket revolver. Too heavy and adj sights that catch/wear your pocket lining. I bought it as a "Canoeing Gun" when I lived in Alabama. It was holstered and tied to a thwart where it was handy for Cottonmouths or whatever else. Worked better for this duty than the Model 19 it replaced.

I keep an all nylon belt/holster/ammo carrier rig for it ready to go and it now serves me on a tractor or 4 wheeler instead of a canoe.