J frame Delta Grip review

The Delta Grip is a very unusual looking grip to put on any gun, let alone a classically styled S&W revolver. Purists will cry, yet those who are daring enough, may be in for quite a nice surprise.

I first encountered one of these grips at a local shooting range. I used to work at a LGS and got to know quite a few people in the firearms community this way. One of my old customers happened to be shooting in the lane next to me and we got to talking and trying out each others equipment when he whipped out a S&W 642 with a delta grip. He told me to try it out with the hand loaded +p full wadcutters he had and I ran it with some factory +p hollowpoints I had with me. I was hesitant because of how off the grip felt in my hand, but I did notice one thing right off the bat. I have an issue with my trigger finger hitting the tip of my thumb while pulling the trigger on most small frame revolvers (which is why I like sp101's, they don't do that to me) but with this grip, I did not experience that. So my hopes rose a bit. Then I actually pulled the trigger... The design of this grip finally made sense to me. Obviously, the extra rubber around the grip frame made a difference in felt recoil, but the magic seems to happen in the odd were shaped grip. And I do mean "magic".

The way the grip sits in the hand makes the hand stretch more around the top of the grip, making the muscles more tense in the wrist and strengthening the tightness in the wrist, while the bottom of the grip gets smaller to prevent the fun from rolling back or slipping back in the hand. This also seems to make it easier to keep an even amount of pressure from both sides of the grip and the front. I often times find with small framed revolvers with full sized grips that my pinky pulls my shots low if I don't concentrate because of how used to boot grips I have become. Again, this is something I didn't have to concentrate on with this grip.

Forward to present

I received the Delta grip I ordered from Amazon yesterday and I immediately threw them on my new 642-1 I bought for armed security duty when I'm just sitting in the guard truck and for executive protection as another backup gun to my 3" Ruger Sp101. I was finding the exposed grip frame was really slamming the bones in the web of my hand which I why I ordered a different grip.





I only had the time to run 50 rounds of range ammo and 5 rounds of my duty ammo through my 642 with Delta Grip. I didn't really feel any difference with the standard .38 LSWC reloads I make, but shooting the super hot S&W brand 90gr .38+p jacketed lead soft points I carry on duty was a while different story. These rounds are some of the hottest loaded and snappiest .38 special round I have EVER fired, and feel more like +P+ or factory .357 mag ammo. These grips really took away the shock to the bones in the web of my hand that this ammo always gives me. The extra rubber on top of the grip frame is a big help but the lack of motion in my wrist and the tight grip the Delta Grip provides really changes the way recoil is felt. I didn't notice any real change in accuracy but 50 rounds is hardly a full evaluation coming from a accuracy standpoint.

I also expected to have problems with speed loaders just basked in the picture of the grip on the internet. Again, my worries were put to test, and in case nobody wants to believe me, here is the proof that a safariland speed loader works:



One of the main things I was worried about with this grip was being able to pocket carry it or conceal it in general. Pocket carry seemed like it was going to be impossible, but the shape of the grip actually makes it quite easy. The somewhat naturally round wedge shape somewhat hides the shape of the revolver in the pocket and if it prints, it does not look like a gun, but more of a cell phone, and with an actual pocket holster, the best way I can describe how it looks is that it looks like nothing and anything. Nobody is going to think " that guy has a gun in his pocket" if they are on the bus with you or pass you by on the street because it is such a funky shape. Tyre it in my pocket and asked my dad and my wife where my gun was on me and they actually thought it was in the pocket my wallet was in. My old gunstore co-worker also couldn't tell me where it was and overlooked it, assuming that I had it IWB. When trying it out in various holsters and positions, I found that this grip really doesn't print at all. This unusually shaped grip seems to make no real shape unless it's owb with a tight t shirt.

One of my favorite ways to conceal hammerless and bobbed hammer revolvers is crossdraw. I love serpa holsters but there really aren't any for small framed revolvers except J frames. So I jumped on the chance to get one at a good price. I decided to set it up for crossdraw belt carry for when I'm just sitting in the stationary guard truck all day. Makes for a very comfy and safe rig. While carrying on duty yesterday, it got quite cold so I threw on a zip up hoodie. The first thing I noticed is that my 642-1 just disappeared under the hoodie and literally didn't print at all except for a small crease where the barrel was... Even the boot grip printed more than that! I have NEVER had that kind of luck with using a serpa holster in a concealment role. This is because of the round and scheme as shape the Delta Grip is designed with.

One more big gripe about carrying crossroad is that I always find that whatever gun I am carrying is easier to get to while standing, mostly because of the angle and shape of 99% of handgun grips out there. Again, the Delta Grip knocked it out of the park with this one. Having such an extreme angle on the front strap of the grip puts the grip nearly horizontal when the 642 is carried crossdraw and can be drawn easily while standing or seated. I find the extreme angle and wedged shape of the grip keeps the grip in what I call the "comfort zone" in nearly any position as long as the holster is on a good, stiff belt. I really gotta say, the Delta Grip paired with a serpa holster set up for crossdraw carry is a very comfortable say to carry if you spend a lot of time in vehicles, or just like carrying crossdraw. What turned into an expierament for me to assess and review my firearm and grip turned into finding a very sensible rig for light vehicle duty (i do this 5 days a week).

Here is a picture of my 642-1 on top of my 3" sp101 with bobbed hammer for a size comparison:



Conclusion:
My father always taught me that if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. I never really listened, and this just kills his point, except in the looks department... For the money, the Ergo Delta Grip is one of the best grips on the market for the J frame S&W revolvers, and probably the most functional grip designed to date. It allows the user to have a small gun with a full size grip, that can be carried In any manner, works well for casual pocket carry, IWB, and especially owb crossdraw. It prints less than any grip I have ever seen and when it does print, it does not look like the grip of a gun, or much of anything else for that matter. This is a product that was very well thought out and executed. I especially recommend this grip for the Airweight S&W J frames for anybody who is serious about shooting snubbies or carries their gun in more than one position in any given day.

I am going to try to hit the range later today to run at least another 200 rounds through my 642-1 so I can get a better idea of the recoil reduction the Delta Grip actually gives. I will post some pix of my 5, 7, 15, and MAYBE a group from 25 yard if I feel daring.more to come...

Here is a picture of what the grip looks like in my hand.it's very cofortable.

Thanks for the excellent review!

__________________
Centennial Every Day

Thank you for the compliment! I love writing about and reviewing firearms/accessories! There is always so much to learn...

Excellent review, I agree with everything you say.
FWIW - I got a pair of Delta Grips on my 340PD and am very happy with them but Remington HTP 125 gr. .357 mag. rounds are painful to shoot out of it.
In the lightweight j-frame the Speer Gold Dot HP 125gr. .38+P ammo is about my best choice of carry ammo.

__________________
"Life is short, hunt hard"

I also have gold dots loaded up in my speedloaders

Spencer 4006,

Good job! Your experience mirrors my impressions tooo. I had contemplated making a set of stocks very similar to these for years but never got around to it, Ergo beat me to it! The only change I would like to see them make is to make a "Centennial" style too, where the "horn" of the stocks would reach up to the "knuckle" of the frame.

Sure a lot different than all the virulent "I hate these and wouldn't be caught dead with them on my gun" style posts that were made when these were first introduced!

__________________
Gunsmithing since 1961

I am glad you found a grip that works for you. I saw the Ergo Grip in my LGS and bought a pair about a year ago. I put it on one of my J frames and shot it on several range trips. I felt I gave it a fair trial but I never found it comfortable or any help with accuracy. I only mention this because although I have seen some people are enthusiastic about the Ergo Delta's, they are not necessarily perfect for everyone. I would recommend trying it out before buying if possible.

Yes I have experienced this with standard small J frame grips. I noticed that the tip of my index finger contacted my thumb while firing the trigger and this produced an unconscious flinch. I discovered that my thumb was folded down at the first knuckle and the index finger was contacting the back of the thumb. I solved this by extending my thumb straight forward along the frame. The index finger comes through below the thumb without any contact. Be careful to keep the thumb below the cylinder release or the cylinder release will cut you. With a little thought when first adopting this, it is easy to make this your natural J frame firing position.

__________________
Accuracy supercedes Speed

If they made one specifically for the centennial I frames I would be all over it. I was thinking the same thing when I was writing my review

Excellent review, but I doubt those things would be very ergonomic for those with small hands/short fingers.

I agree with that completely. My wife can't grip it at all because of how small her hands are.

Some have said it looks like a gun Batman would carry.

Attached Images

DSC_0029.jpg (116.4 KB, 3136 views)

I have to admit, 442's look better than 642's. I plan on getting mine cerakoted burnt bronze and black. Haha

Thank you for the excellent review. My 649-3 wears a set of these very same stocks, and they seem to have been made just for the "Magnum Humpback."

One thing you forgot to mention was how the Ergo makes a J-frame a natural and instinctive pointer. Try it sometime, and you'll see what I mean. You may be surprised.

Honestly, being a 1911 guy, it took a bit of acclamation but was well worth it. I love how this carries on my cargo pants pocket... Itdoesny bounce on my knee and prints less than in my front pocket

I carry a 640 with Pachmayr Compacs. I'll watch for one made for the design.

Excellent and interesting review--thanks.

__________________
Oh well, what the hell.

Spenser4006:

Very nice review on the Ergo Grip. Here's a link to an entry I posted earlier on my experience, and a very brief test I did with the Ergo grip vs. the CT-405 laser grips:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/138754275-post27.html

I almost exclusively pocket carry, and the CT laser grips fit my pocket better than the Ergo grips - so the Ergo grips are no longer on my Model 38-0.

Regards,

Dave

Thanks for the review. I was just looking into o e for my 642

on the other 642 thread, i had mentioned 'J' grips. i meant Delta grips and called them the wrong name. great write up. i have had mine on for about a year and they are the difference between night and day with +P .38 in my 642. I got another set for my 'baby' Ruger and the same thing. it really puts my hands in a 'Glock" style point due to the angle, but that just may be my brain hitting the muscle memory mode from shooting the dreaded black polymer SA's! i really like them and for the money i would def buy again if i pick up another snubby! but they are ugly.....well no one would want to steal an ugly gun would they?????

Great review with well executed descriptions and dialogue. Guess I'll give them a try to see how much better they fit. Anyone using iwb carry with these? I don't pocket carry.

I also do iwb with them. They print way less than a normal grip and seem to disappear under a t shirt better than normal grips. Because of the grip angle, it's like carrying a gun in the 3 o'clock position with a cant and really seems to make carry very easy. My concealment belly doesn't even get poked by these grips iwb or AIWB.

Added a picture of how the grip sits in the hand.

Darn, I like it. I shot my girlfriend's M 36 and did not like the grip ( original) and the kick. This may be just the ticket, thanks.

These grips give a full 3 finger purchase while being smaller than traditionally shaped grips. Their almost organic shape seems to make the gun conceal better than a traditional grip or even the stock boot grips. The gun can conceal in any manner of carry that I have tried it on.

thanks guys....especially the detailed explanation.....ordered Delta grips by Ergo through Amazon

Wish they made them for the Round Butt K Frame.

Thanks for these reviews, especially the one by the OP. I may just have to break down and get a set to see for myself. Sure sounds like there might be a place for the Delta grips.

__________________
So long ... Ken

I just did so also based on this thread.
Thanks creekman for bringing this two year old thread back to the top.

Mine toured various J-frames I own before coming to rest on the 640-1 I got from Centerfire a while back. It works so well for me (points, absorbs recoil) on this gun that I believe it'll stay there.

__________________
Now go make God proud...

Definitely a function over looks grip. One won't confuse this with any elegant hardwood grips.


.

Nope, but one's hand won't be sore and hurting after using this grip either.......

Mine just came in the mail today for my 642 - but one problem - I need either a Torx/Hex/Allen key. Can someone tell me which one and size I need?

Why the heck couldn't S&W continue using a slotted screw for their grip screws.....

.

Ok - a fellow member informed me that S&W uses a 3/32 allen screw on their j-frame grips from the factory. Now have to find the right size allen key.

Grips on today. Does feel different but fits your hand well. Will definitely need some range time to adjust.

Attached Images

642 Delta Grip (1).jpg (97.8 KB, 78 views)

Thank goodness we have choices.

__________________
S&W Accumulator

LOL - yeah, it won't win any beauty contests.

Just ordered for my J Frame thru Amazon. We will see!

I have 2 of those grips. Going to order 3 more.

I think they are the ugliest addition to a J-frame I have ever seen. I may have to order a set just to give them a try.

Just got mine. What a great and positive difference! My wife, who has only shot the pistol twice (2 rounds) thinks it points automatically.

I can’t get by the fact that they’re just butt ugly. But hey, just my opinion.

__________________
Pass it on.
Mark

Have them on my 638. What a difference! I have used them over a year now and they do what they are supposed to.. Yeah they are the ugliest grips out there

But ugly is the new beautiful, right?

Maybe if you have Andre the Giant hands, this would work well.

I believe that the idea is that it mimmicks the feel of an auto in your hand. I eschewed these grips at first based on looks. I tried a set, and overll I liked the concept. They were a little wide for my hands. I wish they made the finger grooves a little deeper. They would then be a better fit for those of us with small hands. The frame of the J frame revolver might prevent that though. But I could see where they could customize different sizes to fit an SP101 due to the SP101's grip stud.

__________________
otis

I was going to say too “Science Fiction-ish” but I guess Batman would like them too. Maybe this really is form following function, but I’m having trouble adjusting. Thanks to all for the reports and first hand observations. If my cheap Thai grips on my Model 60-4 didn’t feel so great and point so naturally I might try a set; in fact, I may try a set anyway, since they seem to have so much to recommend them... but they really are ugly!

Froggie

Great review! I purchased a set for my S&W 60 bobbed hammer but have yet to try it with live ammo. I have always liked the whole idea of reverse taper grips for most revolvers. When I saw this, I thought "why not" and got them. Hopefully soon I'll be able to go shoot it. Again, thank you for the great review!