I recently purchased my first smith. Its a 442-2. It came with hard plastic grips which cover the backstrap and extends beyond the base of the metal grip so i can get 3 fingers on it. The grip seems just fine for standard load 38. I am going to qualify on it as my secondary carry gun. In order to qualify with it i need to shoot around 200 rounds of 38 +p federal hst. I was looking to put a grip on there which would let me qualify without any loss of blood. I was looking at the hogue tamer grips. What else do people put on there for shooting lots of +p ammo?
I dont care how big the grips are these wont be my carry grips.
Thanks

Consider Pachmayr Diamond Pro grips.

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Foster Positivity.

I use an Uncle Mikes/Butler Creek rubber combat grip on my 442-1. Grip completely covers the grip frame and provides for a full 3-finger hold. Much more comfortable to shoot than anything else I have tried. Unfortunatly, Uncle Mikes and Buttler Creek no longer make this grip, but you can occasionally find them on eBay.

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Lorin

I've used the Hogue Monogrip on my 637. It works well for mitigating the recoil from the +p's. The backstrap is covered with the grips. Chances are that you won't be able to pocket carry with them though.

I use the same grip and it is the best I have found.

I believe Pachmayr still makes their Compac with the designation RB-J for this gun. Heavy, but it will mitigate recoil pain and allow you to maintain a solid grip in rapid fire.

Is it an agency requirement that you must qualify with +P?

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

+1 for the Hogue monogrip. Can be had with a two finger or three finger full grip.

Yes the only ammo we are supplied with is our carry ammo federal hst.

I probably should have also said we need to use speedloaders and im reading the pachmayr grips dont work well with speed loaders. Do the hogue grips work well with speedloaders?

+1 on the Pachmayr Compacs. Just take them off occasionally to check for rust or corrosion under the grips. These grips make my new Model 60-14 quite tolerable with .357 rounds.

The easy solution is also the hardest to find. A 2" K-frame.

If just for when you qualify/re-qualify, just get the rubber grip you want and razor knife it to work with a speed loader. It doesn't have to be pretty.

Ergo Delta



Adios,

Pizza Bob

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NRA Benefactor Member

I agree on the Delta

I'm another Hogue Monogrip fan.

It does a little better job in my opinion than the Uncle Mikes or Pachmayr grips on the J-frame.



On a K-frame however, I reverse opinions and prefer the Pachmayr grips, in large part because the Hogue grips don't offer enough clearance for a speed loader on a K-frame. And, as noted above the ideal recoil solution if you're shooting .357 magnum is a 2.5" K-frame or 2.5" L-frame.

Plus one on the Delta Ergo Grip.

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The 60-15 has Pachmayr Diamond Pro grips
Matched set.JPG

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Foster Positivity.

I really like the Uncle Mike's that came new on my Md 649-3 in .357. As already stated, they give a full 3 finger grip and I've shot lots of .357 without any issues or discomfort. I'm going to buy a back-up set when I see them.

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I'm gonna grow fins.

My 642 has Pachmayr Diamond Pro grips I carry in a Desantis pocket holster everyday. It hides well in a blue jean pocket.

Ditto. I have those on my 638.

Plus 3 on the Delta Ergo

I prefer the pachmyar gripper with finger grooves. It's big enough to get a good grip and handle the +p recoil

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Shot placement is key!!

Not the cheapest option, but crimson Trace makes a grip with a gel pad or air pocket that soaks up recoil. Moxel 405. Even without the laser, it is the best grip I've tried. My gun is lighter than yours, and I shoot .357's out of it.

It works fine with my 5star speed loaders.

Hogue Monogrips will work with HKS speedloaders, at least mine will.

The Delta Ergo grip is ugly but it really gives you a good hold. Everyone who has handled mine loves it. Have it on my 640 357 and fired a 5rd group with 38spl @7yds that you can cover with a quarter.

I agree. They work great on the J-frame revolvers when using HKS speed loaders.

However, on the K-frame, I found the Hogue grips don't offer quite enough clearance.

Another vote for Uncle Mike's J-frame combat grips. They're out of production but you can often find them for sale on Ebay.

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Your first thought is probably the best choice. I have used Tamers on
my LCR and Uncle Mike's on my 642. The Tamers do a far better job
of absorbing recoil.

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In Omnia Paratus

I use the Hogue Nylon Monogrip. See picture. I have taken the laser off. Using an IWB holster it is still very concealable.

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handlebar-proud to be American

I've carried Pachmayr Compacs for a good many years and like them very much for recoil absorption, control, and purchase for the little finger. A little judicious carving would improve clearance for speedloaders.

The Compacs are also very good about keeping out moisture that could cause rust. I carry my J-frame every day the year around, and have never found a speck of rust or crud under the grips.

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Oh well, what the hell.

For concealment, I like the stock S&W grips. If your want larger, get a model 19 K Frame.

Pachmayr Decelerator on 60-10 .357 Mag works for me.
Pachmayr&reg Pachmayr your primary source for quality handgun grips and recoil pads

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60-10,640-1,G30,G41MOS,1911

Another vote for Delta Grips. Unconventional, non traditional, and butt ugly. But they work.

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

+! for the Pachmayr Gripper. When I decided to fire my first (and only) 357 round out of a 640, that's what I put on the gun - I think it's the cushiest grip you can (easily) get for a J frame. It's effectively the same size as the ones for K frames. Makes for a somewhat silly looking J frame, but if you have to shoot a lot of shots, especially out of an airweight, it's the thing to have between the gun and your hand. Beauty is as beauty does, in this case.

Speedloaders work just fine with these grips. I was going to post a picture, but can't find the one for J frames, just the two - round and square butt - versions for my K frames. (The Gripper is what I put on my 3" 65 when I shoot it in IDPA. I'll carry it sometimes with Magnas and a BK grip adapter, but I tried that combo in an IDPA match once and was practically crippled by the end of the second stage. Had to find the safe area and switch to the Gripper, which was just fine for the rest of the match. No speedloader problems, BTW.)

As was said in an earlier post, they're not cheap, and not particularly concealable, but at least for my hand size, the Crimson Trace overmold 405's offer by far the most solid, comfortable grip I've tried, regardless of the laser. And there is plenty of room for speedloaders.

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My current vote is for the factory grip on the Mod 431PD and 432PD. I never liked any rubber/plastic grips, but these are just soft enough to absorb any recoil, but not tacky and don't drag coming out of your pocket. They aren't necessarily pretty, but they do work.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Or, you could go old school...

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Here I go again, veering off the reservation - Like the poster above, the plain old wooden S&W grips on my model 38 work great. Mine has an old Tyler T-Grip and I love it. It looks like something Dick Tracy would carry.

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I don't know the maker ( Hogue ? or Uncle Mikes ? ) but this grip that comes on the scandium 14oz. 360J tames even .38+P to the point that shooting a box at the range is actually fun

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John

I'm a Hogue guy. Monogrip on exposed hammer J's and Tamer on the Centennials. I don't use speed loaders so can't address that with the Tamer. The moon clips worked fine when I tried the Tamer on my 640 Pro.

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

I prefer the Tamer grips also. Works with my speed loaders, but as mentioned you can take a razor to them for just quals. Good luck with whatever you choose!


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but...

Okay. Here's my luxury car answer to that: Karl Nill for the Centennial.

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

I've tried quite a few and my favorite is the Pachmayr Compact.




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I've tried Uncle Mikes, Hogue and others, but Compaqs work best for me...

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"Shall not be infringed"

I'll cast another vote for the Delta Ergo stocks. What they lack in looks, they more than make up for in recoil control and concealability.

I'm pretty sure they're made by Smith themselves. I bought these grips for my 360 m&p (same gun as yours except rated for 357) from Smith and Wesson.com. I think they make the gun not only look better, but also make it considerably more enjoyable to shoot.

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The OP asked about Hogue Tamers but I have to agree with this. If you don't mind the extra bulk and weight, Pachmayr Compacs are hard to beat, IMO. I've used them on my Model 36 since they first came along and nothing really has improved on them.

But getting back to the Tamers, I have been wanting to try them on the 340PD. I finally found them in a local shop. Handy, since I've been forgetting to include them in my last couple of mail orders. Anyway, the Tamers made it onto the 340 today and were given a quick test fire. They are big, but not overly thin, which is what I usually dislike in Hogue rubber grips. They seem a bit lighter weight than Compacs, which is good.

They do a very good job of absorbing recoil. I've always considered the 340 more or less unmanageable with 158 gr. .357 loads. I could fire 3 shots without having to adjust my hold on the gun - something I've never been able to do with the factory boot-grip. It would be hard to say so for sure until more rounds are fired, but the Tamers may just end up on the 340 permanently.

My only complaint about the Tamer design is the threaded rod and nuts that retain the "butt cap," as Hogue calls it. I am pretty patient when it comes to assembling things that don't just fall together. In spite of that, I had to give up on the two retaining nuts and just use the screw by itself. I suppose Hogue wouldn't recommend that but so far the Tamer is working just fine without the nuts, and I was able to avoid throwing Tamers, butt cap, and revolver out the nearest window, which is where I was heading with the nuts.

The Tamers seem to have sufficient clearance for speedloaders, but since I don't use them, someone who does might disagree. If the butt cap design proves trouble-free, and it probably will, I think the grip will be a winner. It's the only thing I have seen that gives the Compacs a good run for their money.

Some weights of various J-frames lying around:

340PD, empty, with Tamers - 12.10 ounces
same, with 5 Winchester .357 Silvertips - 14.93 ounces

M442 electroless nickel, empty, with Hogue Bantams - 14.57 ounces
same, with 5 Federal .38+P 139gr. Hydra-shoks - 16.87 ounces

M640, empty, T-grip, and smooth S&W magnas - 21.28 ounces
same, with 5 Federal .38+P 139gr. Hydra-shoks - 23.58 ounces

Model 36, empty, with Pach. Compacs - 22.45 ounces
same, with 5 Winchester FBI loads - 25.18 ounces

I really like the S&W Banana grips om my 642...... and the Pac's on my 640.

Yep - a set of these went on my M-60 about an hour after buying it. Literally the best revolver grips I have ever had.

I have these on my 638...it made a noticeable, favorable
difference.