Shooting with wood grips

[greasybore]

I recently bought a J Frame 642, and took the black factory rubber grips off and replaced the with wood grips.

I shot a box of 50rds today, and realized that the wood grips make it a fair amount more difficult to shoot...Being a snubby, I expected it to be jumpy, and with the wood grips its much more difficult to handle... especially with follow up shots.

Aesthetically speaking, I think the grips look beautiful and really make the gun. But performance wise (especially as a CC gun), I think the rubber grips make much more sense.

What are your thoughts and experiences?

 

[BlackStallion]

I haven't shot a j frame with wood grips yet. I took my rubber grips off my 640 and put on some vz grips. I like them much better than the factory rubber grips.


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[beemerphile]

Tyler T grips. Problem solved.

 

[Wheel Fan]

I thought it may happen with my 3 inch 686 (L frame) but even with magnums there wasn't an issue. I agree the wood looks beautiful on your 642. I'd hate to remove them. Maybe switch grips for range day and leave the wood on the rest of the time?

 

[357-RevolverGuy]

Depending on the wood I could see how that could be a problem. But those boot grips are usually pretty good. I currently carry mine in rubber Crimson Trace grips. They feel amazing. Better than any Hogue, Uncle Mike, or Pachamyer grips I've tried in the past, but the CT are pricey.

 

[Harrison]

I carry my 642 because it might one day save my life, so looks is not a concern. Besides it is always concealed so no one is going to remark that it has ugly black rubber grips that make it more accurate to shoot, instead of pleasing to the eye woodies that make it hard to hold on to for quick follow up shots.

 

[snubbyfan]

I like the Pachmayr Compact grips. I carry my 442 owb. They're not as pretty as your grips but for a ccw gun I consider function above form.

 

[SJshooter]

Tyler T grips. Problem solved.

^^^^ This.

 

[S&W627]

I hate shooting any gun where my pinky finger can't grasp the grip.

 

[photoman]

Try a three finger wood grip. You'll notice a big difference.

 

[old&slow]

I love the looks of wood, bone, ivory, etc. grips. But on my shootin' guns I have ugly old rubber grips.

 

[duppie]

I have wood on all my pistols but swap out to Hogues in anticipation of a range trip. It really doesn't take that long with the correct screwdriver and not only is it more comfortable to shoot in most cases,but do you really want your some times very expensive and rare wood grips getting banged up or scuffed in the process?
Mine are not that expensive or rare but you get attached and accustomed to a set and I would hate to beat them up.

 

[Davidnssbm]

The problem with the rubber I find is that my shirt hangs on the grip, so I need to constantly fluff my shirt out over my holster.

But the downside of switching to the wood is, if I need to defend myself, will the wood make it more difficult to shoot, and to hold since it's smoother (even with checkers let's say).

I've yet to make a decision.

 

[S&W Fan]

In my extemely biased opinion there's no bigger issue pertaining to revolvers than grips. It's a personal thing that impacts directly how well we handle the gun. Each of us have the set-up that works best, doesn't mean it'll work for every one.

Of the 3 revolvers I shoot (I've been shooting for over 40 years) here's what I have that work for my medium sized hands:
66-2 2.5" for looks, it's service stocks w/Tyler-for the real world I use Pachmyr Compac Pro
686 no dash 4" for looks & if I'm only shooting .38s it's the standard wood targets, for magnums Hogue rubber
29-3 4" standard football targets.

When I had a J frame 36 snub the best grips were Spegels with checkering.

These grips work for me with loads I like to shoot in them, we all seem to end up with boxes of grips & holsters that we thought would work & didn't, don't we? Have fun finding what works best for you, then you can put up the rest on the classifieds lol.

 

[qballwill]

I practice and carry my 342 ti with old fashioned wood service grips. I dont have a difficult time at all. Larger rubber grips are more comfortable, but I manage pretty well with the wood. I guess you just have to find the grip that works for you.

 

[OLDSTER]

J Frame grips.

I like the Pachmayr Compact grips. I carry my 442 owb. They're not as pretty as your grips but for a ccw gun I consider function above form.

I agree with the Pachmayr Compacts. I have them on both my 642 and 637. For me they're perfect.

 

[gkitch]

-My scores are better on the range with wood grips. I believe this is because the grip more readily sets in one's hand as it is drawn and presented. Rubber tends to stop one's grip once contact is made.
-In carry, rubber "prints" while wood tends to remain less visible
-Wood looks better

Of course, a proper fitting grip is the more important aspect than grip material. I have wood grips an all guns that are actually used.

 

[Mike McLellan]

I've always like Pachmayr grips, but I don't use them. My hand, for whatever reason, feels most comfortable wrapped around an old set of factory diamond, football, target stocks. Looks might have a little to do with it, but the comfort of well-made wooden stocks is tough to beat.

 

[hotrod150]

.....I shot a box of 50rds today, and realized that the wood grips make it a fair amount more difficult to shoot...Being a snubby, I expected it to be jumpy, and with the wood grips its much more difficult to handle... especially with follow up shots.....

Did you buy it to shoot or to look at? If it's for self-defense use-- whether you're gonna carry it on your person, pack it in the car, or keep it on the nightstand-- I would choose the grips which allow you to best utilize it for it's intended purpose.

 

[M&P Freak]

Pachmayr Compact on my 642. Waaaay better for shooting.