I know this has probably been discussed but I couldn't find an answer. I have a new 642 airweight and I understand it's light and recoil is what it is. I have the stock grips on it and was thinking altamont bateleur grips will help since they are slightly larger and cover the back strap but I want it to be concealable. Anyone recommend the bateleur or should I just stick with the wood boot grips? I don't want to order the bateleur grips and regret it because they are to large. ..thanks for the advice


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Welcome to the Forum! Always great to have new members who appreciate J-frame guns (I'm the chief J-hound! .

Concealable how? Pocket? IWB? Appendix carry? Belt carry under a garment? The original UM rubber boot grips are out-of-print, I understand. S&W made a 3-finger grooved rubber grip that still appears on some of it's guns. Perhaps the 'store' on the S&W website still carries these. Comfy to fire +Ps with these.

I know next to nothing about custom wood grips. The Pachmayr Compac rubber grips, size RB-J, are a good compromise. Some savvy folks on this forum use them. Maybe give them or the S&Ws above a pop. Hope this helps.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

Sorry, probably iwb, I have a lcp for Pocket.

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IWB: Then the 2 rubber grips I suggested will work well. Gotta go! Late for work.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

I have had success with four different sets of grips for J-frame RB steel-cylinder Airweights. The first, and perhaps the best compromise, was a set of Mustang finger-groove birdhead grips that I used on a Bodyguard. They are probably not widely available today. At present I use RB wooden Magnas as used to be supplied standard on Chiefs and Bodyguards. I grip them very tightly, and use NO TYLER. With a Tyler, the knuckle of my middle finger gets rapped; YMMV. I used to use a set of Precision Specialties grips from Brownells (modified) on my Model 42. They worked, and were small. At that time they had finger grooves, and I believe that they were called Secret Service grips. Last, several of the larger Pachmayr grips were very usable (Compacs, NOT Professional, and Presentations). Great for shooting and probably belt wear. Not so great for pocket carry.

Good luck.

I have had several different grips on my 642 and have always come back to the factory rubber boot grips for concealability and control when shooting 125 gr.+p ammo which is my carry load. I usually pocket carry my 642 and these grips work the best for that type of carry. They also work well when IWB carry if a BUG is required.

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Nyclads give me a warm and fuzzy feeling!

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I use Pachmayr Compact grips on my daily carry 442. They work well with my xl hands.
I carry concealed either on my belt owb or in my pocket.

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Keep on Chooglin'

My 642-1 came with the Uncle Mike Boot Grips. I took them off and
replaced with full size finger groove combat stocks. Finally decided it
was better to have the concealability of the boot grips than the shooting
comfort of the full size grips. Unfortunately we can't have both.

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In Omnia Paratus

I've tried a few different Hogue grips (Bantam and a Monogrip I think), the older Uncle Mikes, Crimson Trace 405s, DeSantis Clip, and the newer factory grips and the most comfortable grip for me is the Pachmayr Compact... They are a little bulkier and add a couple of ounces of weight but all worth it for the positive control and confidence they bring.

They currently reside on my 642 for IWB, pocket (when pants/pocket depth allow), and car backup duty. My 442 is equipped with the Crimson Trace 405s for pocket carry as well. The 405s are considerably thinner and shorter (very much the same size as the factory grips) but do cover the back strap with a rubber pad which absorbs recoil a bit.

I don't know if you have or not, but if you haven't... shoot your gun a few times. You'll get an idea of whether the recoil is actually an issue for you. Many find the recoil on a 442/642 is not as bad as is made out on internet forums, other find it unacceptable. Won't know till you try, and from there you can figure out how much more/less grip you might want.

I shot it today for the second time, 35 rounds and my hand was sore but not a deal breaker by any means. I wouldn't mind altamont boot grips but I know the back strap would help with recoil. I'm starting to think that the pachmyr compact grips might be a good compromise for iwb, owb. The altamont bateleur grips are beautiful but it is not a show piece it's there for protection

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Custom grips make all the difference in the world.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

The Compacs are a little bulky, but they make a big difference with recoil. For .38s, I find the rubber boot grips to be the best compromise.

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Because of the metric system?

The Hogue Bantam is a great choice. Good price, concealable, and more controllable than stock. Though I like recoil.

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I purchased a 442 with boot grips. Those don't work for me. I put on a pair of Pachmayr grips and they work great. For my hands there is a world of difference, my hands are not huge but they are too big for the boot type grips. Just my $.02

I like the boot grips for pocket carry. They are ok for limited shooting. For a lot of shooting I have Pachmyer Compact, Houge Tamer and S&W Combats. The Combats aren't that soft but I put them on my 36. It's a little heavier so I hope it will feel ok when shooting.



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Two Handguns every day

[quote=haywood;139315476]I like the boot grips for pocket carry. They are ok for limited shooting. For a lot of shooting I have Pachmyer Compact, Houge Tamer and S&W Combats. The Combats aren't that soft but I put them on my 36. It's a little heavier so I hope it will feel ok when shooting. The Pachmyer's are not shown.



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Two Handguns every day

I much prefer the factory rubber boot grips over anything else, especially wood.

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