442 Question

[Capt.Jim]

I am about to buy a friend's 442 and I took it to range for testing it before purchasing.
After few rounds I realized that gun's current grip feels too small for my hand and it is made out of a hard plastic like material.

Is it possible to replace the grip with softer and larger, rubber-like grips either from S&W or an after market company to fit my hand better and soften the impact of the recoil?

If so, any recommendations?

 

[P&R Fan]

Sure, there are a bunch of grips out there. Uncle Mikes, Pachmayer and Hogues come to mind.
If this is a carry gun, I would personally stay away from rubber grips. They tend to catch on the covering garment for me. I have Eagle Secret Service stocks on my carry J-Frames. They don't soak up recoil as well, but they fit my hand and won't hinder concealment. I have them on my M340PD, which is my BUG, carried in my left front pocket. I shoot it weak handed only, with full power .357 Magnums, and they work fine.
I will admit, it ain't no fun, though.
Jim

 

[coach22]

These do not hang up on fabric.
They used to be issued on J frames.
The ones currently issued are a little softer.

Product: J Round Boot Grip Uncle Mike's (No Logo)

 

[TACC1]

My new 442 would really hurt to shoot, so I got
a set of C-T grips. Just a little bigger, w/covered backstrap.
The 442 is in my pocket as we speak(write).
Strange thing is that my 642 appeared to have
same grips as on 442, but they were always comfortable.
Different compound, maybe? I dunno, but works for me.
TACC1

 

[snubbyfan]

I also needed larger handfilling grips for my 442. Pachmayr Compact grips fill my hand yet I can still carry my snubby concealed either in my pocket or on my belt. Works for me.

 

[sac-gunslinger]

Pachmayr Decelerator grips help tame the recoil at the price of being a little bulky and rather "clingy" with your clothes.

 

[Martya]

I put these grips I bought from S&W on both my J's - 642 and 60-10. I need big grips for my big hands. Both J's conceal fine and do not catch or ride up or cause any carry issues.

 

[kaaskop49]

That's what makes a horserace.

Interesting posts. I know most of these folks from their previous posts and they are all solid J-frame folks who know how to carry and use the 5-shooters. Yet we all come to different conclusions about what works. Nobody is wrong if it works for him/her.

I have never found rubber grips to cling on clothing, but perhaps that is because I carry IWB and I tend to wear my clothing a little loose. Martya put his finger on an excellent grip: it had been an UM product until Smith put its logo on it. Check the 'Closeout' button on the Store on the S&W website: some grips such as the Boot Grip have been reduced.

 

[Capt.Jim]

Thank you guys. I appreciate the help and ideas...

 

[hotrod150]

I have tried several different wood grips (Ahrends, Altamont, & Badger) as well as synthetic (Pachmayr Compac & Hogue Bantam) on my round-butt j-frames, but have yet to find anything that fits my hands better than the Uncle Mikes boot grips. I carry IWB and have never had a problem with the UM boots being "tacky". I will admit that they don't do much to reduce felt recoil-- bigger and/or softer "combat" grips will do better at that. I think Pachmayr Compacs are the best compromise between small size and recoil reduction, but in spite of the name they are larger than I like so I stick to the uncle mikes even though my Chiefs are probably a bit easier to shoot with the Pachy's.
The Uncle Mikes boots were discontinued several years ago, but can still be found at gun shows, in big cardboard boxes at the back of the LGS, and in revolver fan's junk drawers. S&W even has some still stashed away, listed on their website under "clearance" & priced at $14.95. Just this morning I ordered two pair for less than $40 delivered.