Pachmayr Compac Grips vs Pachmayr Diamond Pro (Formerly Pachmayr Grips - WTH???)

Pdxrealtor · Dec 5, 2015

I just got my Pachmayr Compac grips. Like them and how they make gun feel compared to my modified stockers, but gosh darn..... what's with the weight?

They come in at 4.3 ounces.

Does that actually help with recoil when compared to something like the Houge monogrips, which by the way weigh 1.8 ounces but look tons uglier IMO.

mscampbell2734 · Dec 5, 2015

That's just the way Pacs are. They use softer rubber making them easier to grip and more comfortable BUT to make them stable they use metal inserts to hold everything together. Its a trade off.

Pdxrealtor · Dec 5, 2015

Is there a better grip that covers the backstrap that doesn't ruin concealability?

dfariswheel · Dec 5, 2015

Pachmayr grips are made of real rubber, not synthetics like others. Rubber is heavier.

Also, the Pachmayr's have a steel shell molded inside the grips to strengthen them.
Other brands have a plastic liner molded in if they even have a liner.

bigfatty · Dec 5, 2015

I've got a brand new set of the same grips sitting put away for a range set someday. I took them out and put my hands around them, and just couldn't stand how thick they are. I just put a new set of Hogue Bantams on my 686+ PC, instead. Ugly? Yes. But, they grip well, conceal well and I gotta believe will tame the recoil a bit more than the stock wood grips it came with.

Pdxrealtor · Dec 5, 2015

Yes yes! It's almost more of a problem being as thick as they are. I mean, I can carry my Rami with 10+1 at the same thickness and a +3 oz weight gain.

I really like the Pachmayr grip, but it just defeats the purpose of not carrying the semi-auto. At least IMO.

Kind of bummed....

5Wire · Dec 6, 2015

Plus one on the Hogue Bantams. Much more comfortable to me.

On a 686P

On a 547 3"

Pretty much a standard for me on K & L frames. Originals kept and sold with the gun.

Wee Hooker · Dec 6, 2015

Diamond Pro

Take a look at the new Pachmayr Diamond Pro series. It's a totally new grip. Lighter than the older presentation/gripper style but still uses a soft rubber. It also seems to fill the hand better. Lots of material up high on the backstrap helps control recoil nicely. I like the way the screw just disapears as well. I recently got them in K and N frame size and am not going back.
Pachmayr&reg Pachmayr your primary source for quality handgun grips and recoil pads

Pdxrealtor · Dec 6, 2015

Are they as thick as the compacs?

Pdxrealtor · Dec 6, 2015

I just ordered a pair....

Wee Hooker · Dec 6, 2015

Pdxrealtor said:
Are they as thick as the compacs?

A bit thicker in the palm section actually. Hand filling but not what I'd call bulky.
Hope they work out for you!

Pdxrealtor · Dec 6, 2015

Thanks. Weight problem first, then will test for conceal-ability. Will report back when they arrive and I can play with them.

Texas Star · Dec 6, 2015

I use Pachmayr Presentation Compacs on round butt J-frames with great satisfaction. Also prefer their Presentation and Gripper models on larger Ruger and S&W revolvers.

I've never noticed the weight, but I hunt and buy the older two-piece style.

The Gripper fit my Ruger GP-100 frame, which other grips didn't, and the gun feels really good in my hand

I do think the rubber grip absorbs recoil better than other materials.

When not using Pachmayr, I prefer Uncle Mike's for K-frame guns. No longer made, but you can often find a set.

HarrishMasher · Dec 7, 2015

They are absurdly heavy. I wrote several threads about this in the past. Never made any sense to me that S&W would put these grips on their Night Guard series, the point of which was to be a lightweight revolver???

What gun did you put them on? If it is an alloy or Scadium/Titanium gun, it makes no sense to put the Compacs on it. Totally defeats the purpose of having a light gun in the first place.

My thread about the absurd weight of the Compac grips
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/394715-received-my-new-386-night-guard-dont-get.html

How I dealt with the Grips situation
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/399503-new-grips-my-386-night-guard.html

bananaman · Dec 7, 2015

Pach Compacs are the most comfortable to me. (rubber) All of my Smith Revolvers are wearing wood! ( oh except a 64 wearing C.T. Laser) Bob

Old Corp · Dec 7, 2015

Pachs - the symbol of a 'real shooter' years ago. Had a BUNCH of'em. Great, if not homely grip.
Another good service grip not seen much anymore was the 'Uncle Mike's' grips. Not quite as soft as Pachs, but a good performer.

Pdxrealtor · Dec 7, 2015

These are for my new 649 J-Frame. So far, with the holster I've been using (appendix IWB Galco) I've not had a problem carrying the gun in workout shorts, sweat pants, or PJs (yes I wear my PJs and UGGs to the store!).

Loaded the gun is 24.30 ounces, and my next best choice for CC is my CZ RAMI weighing in @ 30.50 ounces and a thicker all around package, bigger holster, etc. Overall the RAMI is not ideal when being held up by a draw string or in skimpy clothes, but the 24 ounce J-Frame is just fine.

In this case, adding over four ounces just in grips is, for lack of a better word, retarded.

That said, it was really hard to send those compacs back. They are a nice grip with a great feel.

Pdxrealtor · Dec 7, 2015

HarrishMasher said:
They are absurdly heavy. I wrote several threads about this in the past. Never made any sense to me that S&W would put these grips on their Night Guard series, the point of which was to be a lightweight revolver???

What gun did you put them on? If it is an alloy or Scadium/Titanium gun, it makes no sense to put the Compacs on it. Totally defeats the purpose of having a light gun in the first place.

My thread about the absurd weight of the Compac grips
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/394715-received-my-new-386-night-guard-dont-get.html

How I dealt with the Grips situation
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/399503-new-grips-my-386-night-guard.html

You seem to really praise that 386NG, even going as far to say it's the perfect summer gun. Since picking up this J-Frame I've got the bug, and the .357 magnum isn't helping tame it any.

I was looking at the 327PC, but would really like some more barrel length such is offered in the 386NG.

Do you still feel the same about the 386NG?

MR.G · Dec 7, 2015

Bought a set of the Pachmayr Compac grips for my EDC J frame. Found them to be too thick and switched back to the UM boot grips.

Pdxrealtor · Dec 8, 2015

Wee Hooker said:
Take a look at the new Pachmayr Diamond Pro series. It's a totally new grip. Lighter than the older presentation/gripper style but still uses a soft rubber. It also seems to fill the hand better. Lots of material up high on the backstrap helps control recoil nicely. I like the way the screw just disapears as well. I recently got them in K and N frame size and am not going back.
Pachmayr&reg Pachmayr your primary source for quality handgun grips and recoil pads

Stage 1 = total winner! Thx for suggesting these.

I had the original grips that came with the 649 modified to be even with the butt of the gun.

Empty gun
Modified OEM Grips - 21.60
Pachmayr Diamond Pro- 22.90

A total win @ just 1.3 ounces extra weight added to the gun. The benefits in comfort/recoil absorption will be huge with these.

The Pachs bare weight was 2.8 ounces if I remember right.

One thing I'm not please about is the grips have a little looseness to them. If I keep them, I'll use a bit of contact cement around the upper most portion of the grip. This should allow for easy removal, yet keep them firm. Open to suggestions on that issues though.

Pachmayr Compac Grips vs Pachmayr Diamond Pro (Formerly Pachmayr Grips - WTH???)

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