AT1984
Member
If I'm not mistaken, the Tamers are made for the "Centennial" style frame. They look "right" on a 642.
Hogue tamer Grip for J-Frame 642-442
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Gearhead Jim
Member
How do the Tamers attach to the gun?
They would make the gun too tall for my pocket carry in stock size, but if I could cut them off level with the bottom of the frame, that could be nice.
I'm suspecting that they screw on from the bottom, like the Monogrips, and couldn't easily be shortened.
They would make the gun too tall for my pocket carry in stock size, but if I could cut them off level with the bottom of the frame, that could be nice.
I'm suspecting that they screw on from the bottom, like the Monogrips, and couldn't easily be shortened.
My thoughts as well. IMO the Hogues are UGLY, but if they can be had in a length that matches the length of the frame I would be interested in a set.
The extra length allowing three fingers to wrap around the grip - rather than just two with the stock length grips - isn't an issue for me. My other fingers are strong enough that the pinky doesn't add much additional grip or control.
I'm thinking of trying some of their "Bantam" grips, but since they don't cover the backstrap, they probably wouldn't be much different than Uncle Mike's boots...
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Gearhead Jim
Member
I've tried various other "slightly longer" grips on my J-frames, and the slight extra length does indeed cause problems for ME, on MY guns, in MY clothes. Someone else might be very different.
Anyway, can someone tell us how the Tamers attach to the gun? Is there an easy way to attach them if the bottom of the grip is cut off, level with the bottom of the grip frame?
Anyway, can someone tell us how the Tamers attach to the gun? Is there an easy way to attach them if the bottom of the grip is cut off, level with the bottom of the grip frame?
^^THIS^^
Enquiring minds want to know.....
PA Guns & Ammo
Member
They slip on like any other Hogue rubber grip but instead use a locking block on the end to secure it into place. It is very secure and it is not popping off. The grips also have some silicone recoil insulator inside the backstrap to reduce the feel off the recoil. The whole purpose of these grips were to give you a more comfortable and controlling feel of a small hand gun. I carry mine IWB with a holster and it really does not add any more printing than with the factory grips but as for pocket carry it will probably make a difference. These grips allow you to get an extra finger on the grip so you can control it. If you have average sized hands or large hands these will benefit you.
James
And the locking block is spread by inserting the bottom of a 38 special or 357 magnum case, very convenient.
I put a set on my wife's 638 and she could not be happier, even when shooting +P 38 special.
I put a set on my wife's 638 and she could not be happier, even when shooting +P 38 special.
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My Tamer grips came today and I put then on a Scandium 342PD. They made shooting wad cutters almost pleasant in the hard kicking little beast. I didn't have to put a band aid on my thumb to shoot it. 
They are a little longer than boot type grips. They are small enough to pocket carry but they hang up in my pocket more than boot grips. It might be possible to trim a very little off the length.
Both Safariland and HKS speed loaders work OK with the grips.
I'm leaving the grips on the 342.
I didn't have to put a band aid on my thumb to shoot it. They are a little longer than boot type grips. They are small enough to pocket carry but they hang up in my pocket more than boot grips. It might be possible to trim a very little off the length.
Both Safariland and HKS speed loaders work OK with the grips.
I'm leaving the grips on the 342.
bassgunner
US Veteran
I got a set and put them on my 642. It did make recoil better but I did not like the double texture of the grip. The main grip itself is nice "tacky" rubber that affords a secure grip, however the endcap is a slick plastic that my pinky kept sliding off of. I ended up getting a set of S&W extended finger grooved rubber grips and that has worked well for me.
Are these significantly better than Pachmayr Compacs? The Compac grip has backstrap cushioning and a place for the pinky, but don't look quite as bulky as the Hogues. They also "wear" down to a fairly non-sticky surface after using 'em for a while - probably just from hand oils and firing residue.
The Tamers are much more "compact" than the Compacs.
The Tamers weigh 2.05 oz. and the Pachmayr weighs 4.45 oz. The Tamers have backstrap cushioning and a place for the pinkie. Both Safari land and HKS speedloaders work with the Tamers but the Pachmayr grips need to be ground down for speedloaders to work.
Gearhead Jim
Member
The Tamers work something like the Bantam grips, but after they are slid into position, the bottom cap is spread slightly with an (empty) .38 case and then snaps in place to hold the entire grip securely.
The .38 case method worked poorly for me, the empty case kept being strongly pushed out of the bottom cap before it was in position. I finally used a large screwdriver to spread the bottom cap in the little slot at the bottom. That slightly distorted the inside of the cap (barely visible) but otherwise worked well.
It looked to me like one could cut off the bottom of the grip and about half of the bottom cap together, carefully, with the grips installed on the gun. That would make the bottom of the grip only about 1/8" longer than the bottom of the frame. I plan to try that when I have time.
The bigger issue for me, when I test fired it last night, was that the increase in hand comfort (especially in the web of my hand) and control, was rather modest. Despite most of the grip's surface being the same as the Bantam grips, the gun tended to twist and climb in my hand at least as much as with the Bantams, maybe even a bit more. I have medium size hands (wear a medium or large glove), and can really engulf the Bantams and squeeze 'em tight. The Tamers seemed a little to large for me, and I shoot Glocks without finding them to be too large. I tested the guns using everything from powder-puff wimp loads to +P, using identical 340PD's, one with the Tamers and one with the factory Bantams.
I'll post further when I learn more, which might be tomorrow or not until summer...
ridgewalker
Member
Okay, I got my Hogue J frame Tamers yesterday and used them at the range today. Here are my first impressions.
I put them on my 640 Pro last night. Comes with directions. Used a 38 special case to spread the locking piece apart. Used a hex head tool which fit into the 38 case to give me a little more control. First time was a little awkward but seems not too hard and will get easier with practice. A little concerned could possibly bend pin but probably not.
At the range the grips fit my hand much better than the Uncle Mike boot grips I replaced. With the UM boots my trigger finger encounters my thumb which can cause a flinch unless I consciously keep my thumb out of the way. Not an issue at all with the Tamers.
The Tamers feel a little hard. They don't have much give that you would expect with a rubber grip. I shot 90 rounds of standard pressure 38 special cartridges. It seemed the muzzle flipped up a bit with each shot. I felt overall that I wasn't shooting my 640 as accurately as I had with the UM boots or the rubber banana shaped S&W grips that it was outfitted with new. I thought the recoil reduction provided by the Tamers was modest at best but I didn't cut my thumb like I did with the UM boots. The Tamers worked pretty well with my 5 Star brand speed loaders.
The Tamers are a bit bigger than the UM boots. A bit longer and definitely wider around. More to hold onto but may compromise concealability.
I removed the grips after shooting for cleaning the gun. It seemed removing and then replacing the grips after cleaning was easier than the first time I did it. By the way, the Hogue directions say the grip material is resistant to oils and solvents and you don't have to remove for cleaning but I generally remove grips for cleaning anyway.
Remember this is my first impression after only one range session. Sometimes it takes me a little getting used to something new. I'll try to post an update after I shoot it again.
I put them on my 640 Pro last night. Comes with directions. Used a 38 special case to spread the locking piece apart. Used a hex head tool which fit into the 38 case to give me a little more control. First time was a little awkward but seems not too hard and will get easier with practice. A little concerned could possibly bend pin but probably not.
At the range the grips fit my hand much better than the Uncle Mike boot grips I replaced. With the UM boots my trigger finger encounters my thumb which can cause a flinch unless I consciously keep my thumb out of the way. Not an issue at all with the Tamers.
The Tamers feel a little hard. They don't have much give that you would expect with a rubber grip. I shot 90 rounds of standard pressure 38 special cartridges. It seemed the muzzle flipped up a bit with each shot. I felt overall that I wasn't shooting my 640 as accurately as I had with the UM boots or the rubber banana shaped S&W grips that it was outfitted with new. I thought the recoil reduction provided by the Tamers was modest at best but I didn't cut my thumb like I did with the UM boots. The Tamers worked pretty well with my 5 Star brand speed loaders.
The Tamers are a bit bigger than the UM boots. A bit longer and definitely wider around. More to hold onto but may compromise concealability.
I removed the grips after shooting for cleaning the gun. It seemed removing and then replacing the grips after cleaning was easier than the first time I did it. By the way, the Hogue directions say the grip material is resistant to oils and solvents and you don't have to remove for cleaning but I generally remove grips for cleaning anyway.
Remember this is my first impression after only one range session. Sometimes it takes me a little getting used to something new. I'll try to post an update after I shoot it again.
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Gearhead Jim
Member
Today I tried the Tamers again, with std velocity and +P loads.
They still feel awkward to me, but I have noticed one thing they improve- with the original Bantam grips, my 340PD stings the web of my hand with each shot, even with mild factory or reloads. With hot +P, the "sting" becomes "hurt". When the Tamers are installed, the sting or hurt happens in the palm of my hand. That's probably an area that can better take the pounding.
But the Tamers also seem to change the position of my hand in relation to the trigger, causing my finger to be pressing the trigger up higher, which makes the trigger pull seem heavier. That's not so good.
Right now, I don't feel like the Tamers are enough of an improvement to warrant cutting off their bottom to make them more pocketable. But I may change my mind.
They still feel awkward to me, but I have noticed one thing they improve- with the original Bantam grips, my 340PD stings the web of my hand with each shot, even with mild factory or reloads. With hot +P, the "sting" becomes "hurt". When the Tamers are installed, the sting or hurt happens in the palm of my hand. That's probably an area that can better take the pounding.
But the Tamers also seem to change the position of my hand in relation to the trigger, causing my finger to be pressing the trigger up higher, which makes the trigger pull seem heavier. That's not so good.
Right now, I don't feel like the Tamers are enough of an improvement to warrant cutting off their bottom to make them more pocketable. But I may change my mind.
442 and Hogue Tamer Grip
I was just having a heck of a time installing the hogue Tamer Grip on my hammerless 442. I was replacing a Hogue Monogrip. This Tamer gripsays grip states it fits a bodyguard on the box but in fine print, it says it also fits the 442. I am usually very good at these kinds of things. Am I missing something? I was going to call Hogue on Monday.
Thoughts? Thanks
I was just having a heck of a time installing the hogue Tamer Grip on my hammerless 442. I was replacing a Hogue Monogrip. This Tamer gripsays grip states it fits a bodyguard on the box but in fine print, it says it also fits the 442. I am usually very good at these kinds of things. Am I missing something? I was going to call Hogue on Monday.
Thoughts? Thanks
If you have removed the bottom cap by inserting a .38 special or 357 magnum cartridge to spread the part that snaps on, you are most of the way home. I had to use a large screwdriver inserted into an empty shell to allow me to provide enough force to get it to snap in and keep the cap spread properly.
I am guessing that sliding the grip up over the frame of the revolver is not your challenge. That's pretty easy and does not require much force, but you do have to push.
Make sure you have the grip in the configuration to fit a standard J-frame. As I recall, there is an extra plastic piece intended for the polymer revolver that you will not need for a J-frame. In fact, it would prevent the grip from slipping up a standard frame.
Best of luck. You will probably find a YouTube video on Hogue web site that makes it all more clear.
I am guessing that sliding the grip up over the frame of the revolver is not your challenge. That's pretty easy and does not require much force, but you do have to push.
Make sure you have the grip in the configuration to fit a standard J-frame. As I recall, there is an extra plastic piece intended for the polymer revolver that you will not need for a J-frame. In fact, it would prevent the grip from slipping up a standard frame.
Best of luck. You will probably find a YouTube video on Hogue web site that makes it all more clear.
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Hogue Tamer on 442
Thanks for the feedback. I did Google for more installation information at The Hogue site and then across the net. Hmm
I like to figure these challenges out on my own. I may have to call Hogue tomorrow. If anyone sees an installation video for Tamers on a 442, please let me know. Thanks
Thanks for the feedback. I did Google for more installation information at The Hogue site and then across the net. Hmm
I like to figure these challenges out on my own. I may have to call Hogue tomorrow. If anyone sees an installation video for Tamers on a 442, please let me know. Thanks
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