442 w/Wood Combat Grips

mgriffin · Apr 24, 2021

I have a 442 with factory rubber boot grips. Have been thinking about a set of Altamont combat grips. Today I took the boot grips off and replaced them with some rubber Uncle Mikes combat grips I have. I almost always front pocket carry in my loose fitting jeans. I tried drawing with the Uncle Mikes and found I had plenty of room and no issues drawing. I like the extra little bit of length.
So, my question is, does anyone pocket carry their J frame with wooden combat grips? I'm not recoil sensitive as I'm sure I would feel a little more recoil with the wood. Plus I think the Altamont's would look really nice too.

S&W Fan · Apr 24, 2021

Not a 442 but when I had a 640 (.38spl version) I really liked the Hogue wood Bantam grips I added. I used an inside the pocket holster with it, never had a carry/draw issue though the only time I actually drew it from the pocket/holster was in a class.

Glashaus · Apr 24, 2021

I have a 640-1 that I had a set of rosewood Altamont combat boot grips, I carry it in a Galco pocket holster. The Altamont’s look and feel great except when you shoot it. I have swapped the Altamont’s out for Hogue Bantam’s and it is much more pleasant to shoot

75Vette · Apr 24, 2021

I'm a fan of the Hogue bantams as well. I have large hands and they work well on my 640-1 that stays in my pocket.

Bill In Texas · Apr 24, 2021

Altamont boot grips work for me on my EDC, a 640-1. They fit my hand well and they aren't to hard to handle with my normal carry load which is the Speer GDSB 135 grain .357's. I mostly carry in my front pocket with a Mika holster.

diyj98 · Apr 24, 2021

Wood can be pretty for sure, but I've never found a set of wood grips that are as comfortable to shoot a lightweight j frame with as the rubber Uncle Mike style.

colt_saa · Apr 24, 2021

A set of wood grips that fit our hand can be more comfortable and controllable than a rubber that does not. Yes I pocket carry J-frames with these combat grips

With a few exceptions, rubber grips do very little to cushion recoil. Most let you hang on better

Now if someone would make grips out of the recoil absorbing gel pads, that would be something

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsOZJb8zpxg[/ame]

I have seen shoulder pads made of this stuff for Skeet/Trap shooters.

So why not use this stuff to cover backstraps in ruber grips

There are only a handful of grips taking advantage of this stuff.

Marshal tom · Apr 24, 2021

I have an M&P 340 with the stock grips and would like something better for control. I think I need something bigger or longer but don't want to sacrifice concealability. Wood or rubber would be fine but not sure what to go with.

gnystrom · Apr 25, 2021

Marshal tom said:
I have an M&P 340 with the stock grips and would like something better for control. I think I need something bigger or longer but don't want to sacrifice concealability. Wood or rubber would be fine but not sure what to go with.

That is always a conundrum. I opt for the most concealable grip I can find and for the last ten years, the grips on my 340PD have been the CT LG 405's. Thin, recoil absorbing backstrap, and very concealable. I believe the laser makes for an accurate shooter.
This is not a range toy, it is made for close range work.

Old cop · Apr 25, 2021

I have snow shovel hands and need something covering the backstrap on my 340PD. An old set of Herritts Shooting Aces w/a grip adapter did the trick. I sanded down the bottom of the grip pannels for a better pocket carry fit.

Eagle1* · Apr 25, 2021

Yes I have, however you need the right pair of pants to do it and we all know pants pockets are not created equally. I will tell you that the Altamont grips are about the lightest weight grip you can use except a pair of magnas. Those uncle mike grips are the heaviest if you are looking for weight savings. Here is a pic of my M&P340, not a 442 but a J frame non the less. I have a set of Altamont boot grips coming from them next week so I am going to experiment. I carry this 340 in my pocket with NO holster, just put a 7 rnd tuff strip in the bottom of the pocket and it rides slanted underneath the barrel and trigger guard and keeps the gun sitting straight up and down for my draw.

One side note for me is the Altamont's are squared off at the top strap and when I shoot them with my girly hands, the latch side grip digs into my thumb. I always take some 1000 grit wet sand paper and smooth those top edges of the grips so they are not as squared on the top like I have done with these. You cannot tell at all either so it does not alter the look of the grip.

442 w/Wood Combat Grips

mgriffin

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S&W Fan

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Glashaus

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75Vette

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diyj98

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colt_saa

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Marshal tom

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gnystrom

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Old cop

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