642 + Pachmayr Compac = Perfection

[M&P Freak]

Had the grips for a while but only recently was able to thoroughly give them a good go. For the first time I was able to shoot as many +P rounds as I wanted without cussing or bleeding or both. The best part is I could control the gun so much better than with a boot grip. Night & day difference. Pocket carry is out of the question now, at least with jeans, but that's okay I'm happy going OWB.

 

[kaaskop49]

M&P Freak, meet 'J-hound.' Understand your need to go to the Pachs. I had scar tissue removed from the web of my shooting hand years back; am trying not to have it done again.

If only the Pachs weren't so heavy! 4 oz doesn't sound like much but it's a lot on a little gun. My favorites, long out-of-print, are the Siles, flatter and lighter with a fiberglass insert, not metal like the Pachs. UM boots for me now, my 2 Siles are already occupied on .357 Js.

Good luck with OWB. Great holster, by the way. I'm an IWB/pocket guy. Good shooting!

Kaaskop49
J-hound extraordinaire

 

[Maximumbob54]

This one also does away with pocket carry but makes a heck of a grip on my 640:

S&W J Frame Round Butt Centennial/Polymer Bodyguard Rubber Tamer Grip [60020] - $24.95 : Hogue Inc., The Best Value In Handgun Grips, Rifle Stocks and Accessories - Bar None!

 

[OIF2]

Love the Compacs on my 649. These have been on the gun for quite awhile.
Bob

 

[Zippo Guy]

Love wood grips but could not find a pair that would allow me to shoot comfortably. When the same way you did and now can shoot my 36 as much as I want to.

 

[M&P Freak]

Good luck with OWB. Great holster, by the way. I'm an IWB/pocket guy. Good shooting!

Thanks. For those interested, the holster is a Ritchie VSS. It rides high & tight, conceals great with superb retention. Very pleased with the whole setup.

 

[hotrod150]

I don't see any photos of the Pachmayr Compac Professional posted. Anybody use these? They have approx the same shape as a Compac (but without the "pinky notch" as I recall), but with an open back strap which make it a bit smaller. Probably not as good at absorbing recoil as a regular Compac, but more to hang onto than a boot grip.

 

[snubbyfan]

Pachmayr Compacts on my 442 work for me either in my pocket or on my belt.

 

[M&P Freak]

I don't see any photos of the Pachmayr Compac Professional posted. Anybody use these? They have approx the same shape as a Compac (but without the "pinky notch" as I recall), but with an open back strap which make it a bit smaller. Probably not as good at absorbing recoil as a regular Compac, but more to hang onto than a boot grip.

Never seen them in person but I would think the open backstrap would make practicing with SD ammo a bit less "enjoyable". Could be a great compromise, however.

 

[pesty3782]

Pachmayr Compac Professional I put these on my 640-1 and love them...i just bought a pair for my 2.5 inch 686...

Tony P.

 

[bonjorno2]

glad you can enjoy the gun a little better! Nice looking carry piece!

 

[shouldazagged]

I first saw Pachmayr Compacs on a DS2 and loved the way they fit my hand and the solid grip they gave me. Bought a 640 no-dash thirteen years or so ago, put Compacs on it, and have pocket carried it daily ever since. I have no trouble concealing it. With one or two pairs of rarely-worn jeans the butt of the grips may peek out just a tad, but an untucked shirt takes care of that. Most pants I wear, the gun in a DeSantis Nemesis disappears nicely.

 

[Black_Sheep]

Every J-Frame that I shoot regularly wears Compaqs. I prefer the Pacs without a medallion and buy them whenever I find a reasonably priced set.

 

[MikeyB]

The Packmayr Compac really help tame the recoil shooting .357 mag rounds out of my M&P 360. May install a set on my wife's 642.

 

[66Park]

Do you Compac guys use speed loaders? Any issues?

 

[shouldazagged]

Do you Compac guys use speed loaders? Any issues?

I carry Bianchi Speed Strips, but I know some Compac users like to relieve the left side a little for easier speedloader use. Simple to do.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Pachmayr Compaq

I have the Pachmayr Compaq grips on my 642-1. Adds some weight but gun presents itself in hand same way each time (for me) when drawn.

Speedloader works fine with the Pachmayer grips.

The old Buck 307 works fine too.

 

[66Park]

I have the Pachmayr Compaq grips on my 642-1. Adds some weight but gun presents itself in hand same way each time (for me) when drawn.

Speedloader works fine with the Pachmayer grips.

You know, I find it really funny that I asked the question about speed loaders. I had Compacs on a M60 that I carried all through the 80s. I used Safariland speed loaders with it, and I don't recall having any trouble whatsoever, but it was over a quarter century ago. Then I read somewhere on the net that Compacs didn't work with speed loaders. I didn't remember that to be the case, but just thought I'd check with guys that are using the current Compacs, thinking maybe they had changed. I guess you can't believe everything you read on the net.

 

[MikeyB]

Only issue I have with HKS and Safariland speed loaders for my M&P 360 with the Compac grip is with the longer .357 magnum rounds. Not an issue with .38 Specials.

For .357 mag I use speed strips.

 

[66Park]

Only issue I have with HKS and Safariland speed loaders for my M&P 360 with the Compac grip is with the longer .357 magnum rounds. Not an issue with .38 Specials.

For .357 mag I use speed strips.

Aha! That may be the difference. My M60 was a .38.