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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


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Old 01-11-2017, 01:26 PM
Jim PHL Jim PHL is offline
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Default J-frame "boot" grips

I just got this 60-9. It came without grips. (There was some staining/minor pitting where the old grips used to be.). I had these Uncle Mikes "Combats" and just slapped them on there temporarily. I really like the feel of the combats but to me they do take away slightly from the concealbility ("pocket ability") of the j-frame. I've always been a fan of UM boots grips and have them on my 342. My first thought was to buy an identical pair for the 60. Seems to make sense from a continuity standpoint and I already know they 'fit' me and I like them. I'm curious how they compare with the boot-style grips that S&W sells for their current j-frames (which they sell online). Who has a preference for one or the other and why?

I think I will always keep the grips the same on these two pieces so I'll either be buying one pair of UM's or two new sets of S&W or possibly another brand. I would consider nice wood grips also as long as they're not too expensive and the profile is similar to the UM boots. The 342 gets carried a lot. I expect the 60 will, too. When they do get carried it will almost always be in a pocket. I'm not interested in "BBQ" grips.

I do typically carry an HKS speed loader when packing a j-frame so if you suggest another brand, please make it one I will not have to modify to accommodate that.

Thanks in advance and apologies for the picture quality.
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Old 01-11-2017, 01:47 PM
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S&W Rover S&W Rover is offline
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The old Uncle Mike's boot grips seem to be a favorite, but are hard to find these days. You can find them from time to time on eBay.

The S&W "factory" boot grips are not expensive, at $27.75. They are made from a hard rubber. S&W reportedly used very similar Uncle Mike's grips for a while -- I can't verify that -- but now uses their own supplier and furnishes these boot grips with the small logo on many new J frames. They look good and work well, as a basic rubber grip. Product: J Synthetic Boot Grip with S&W Logo

The ideal for boot grips for a long time was the ones made by Craig Spegel, and at $55 for black walnut, they are a bargain (prices go up for higher quality woods). I've read that Mr. Spegel invented boot grips! There reportedly is a waiting list for new ones. Craig Spegel - Custom Pistol Grips

I recommend looking at the VZ grips made out of G-10, if you want grips that are hard but grippy. They are precision-made and fit perfectly. But I only have them (two sets) in the K frame size, so cannot say they are relieved enough on the J frame/boot grip model to allow speedloaders or moonclips to work easily. VZ Grips | VZ Grips - Smith & Wesson J-Frame

I think the Altamonts look great, too. I had a pair once that suffered a broken screw boss, and they sent me a new pair at no cost. Smith & Wesson J Frame (Small) Round Butt Revolver Grips | Altamont Company

There are other good companies out there making J frame boot grips, such as Badger, Eagle, etc., but I have no experience with their products.

Finally, some people report success finding inexpensive wooden grips -- many made in Thailand or the Philippines -- on eBay. I can't vouch for the fit and finish on those, and prefer "made in America" to go on my "made in America" S&W revolvers.
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Old 01-11-2017, 02:27 PM
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My 640-1 currently wears a set of Spegel walnut boot grips. When the gun was new in box it had the longer UM 'banana' grips. I switched to the shorter UM boot grip and carried it that way for years, until I found a set of Spegel walnut stocks here in the Forum. I have a Hogue Bantam grip which is slightly larger and grippy-er, but I prefer the smooth Spegel stocks. The K frame 13-2 is wearing older Pachmayr "Presentation" grips that fit better than Uncle Mike's 59006.
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File Type: jpg Model 13 3 in and 640-1.jpg (89.9 KB, 118 views)
File Type: jpg Uncle Mikes K round_b.jpg (58.1 KB, 66 views)
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Old 01-11-2017, 03:28 PM
kaaskop49 kaaskop49 is offline
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The S&W "knock-offs" of the UM Boot Grip are more than acceptable, IMO. I have left them in place on every one of my Js that came equipped with them. They are a smidge lighter in weight than the UMs (1.64oz v. 2.1oz on a jeweler's scale) but will have to be slightly relieved with an X-acto knife to allow the HKS loaders to function.

The UM boots (w/o UM markings) used to be available on the S&W website "Store" for 1/2 the price of the knock-offs. Can never have enough J-frames. Or Boot Grips.

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Old 01-11-2017, 03:38 PM
BAM-BAM BAM-BAM is offline
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I am a great fan of Spegel's Boot grips and have been using them since the mid-80s on K,L and J frames..... more recently on an N-frame.

Because of his current back-log;I hear it's over a year now ..... I got a set of Hogue wood Batam Grips for another J-frame about 3/4years ago...... I like them almost as much as my Spegel's.
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Old 01-11-2017, 04:50 PM
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I didn't know the "boot grip" was hard to find these days.
I keep a little box of rubber grips, I'll have to see if there are anymore in it.
Mod 337


Here's another good grip, Pachmayr Compac (Pachmayr&reg Pachmayr your primary source for quality handgun grips and recoil pads)

The older ones look a little different and I'm always on the hunt for them.
Bought these here in the classifieds.

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These fill in well behind the trigger and are shorter than other Pachmayr grips.

GF
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Old 01-12-2017, 12:26 AM
Jim PHL Jim PHL is offline
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I really like the looks of those VZs but not a good time for me to spend $150+ for two sets!
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Old 01-14-2017, 02:16 PM
Bill In Texas Bill In Texas is offline
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+1 for Altamont boots! I've got a pair on my 637 that feel great in my hand! I bought the Super Rosewood with a Fleur De Lis design!
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