629 factory grips

[easypz]

Hi, let me first apologize for a silly question because I'm very new to the S&W scene. From my observations, it appears S&W has changed the the factory grips that come current production 629's. That's the only change right? Not that it matters too much, but which grips do you prefer? I will be ordering a 629 very soon (as within a day or two).

Stock pic from vendors:

Most current pic (off the official S&W site)

I found a close-up pic. (No rear angle shot yet)

 

[stmry]

I've never handled the new version, but esthically it gets my nod.

 

[myanof]

That's the first time I have seen the new version of grips also, therefore I can't give an opinion. I can speak to the original Hogues as my 629-5 Mountain Gun came stock with them installed.

The Hogues never felt very good to me when shooting heavy loads due to the exposed back strap so I ordered some of the X Frame grips specially made for S&W by Hogue. They have the gel back strap and feel great and they really absorb the recoil, but unfortunately my fingers are too short to get a good double action grip.

As you can see from the picture below I have settled on the Pachmayer Decelerators. They fit my small to average size hand better and absorb recoil to an acceptable level.

 

[TDC]

I haven't seen or handled the new grips either. They appear to cover the back of the frame better but maybe not as well as the X frame grips. The X grips must be special ordered but well worth the addition...

I love the X frame grips on my round butt N frame guns. Below are pictures of how well they cover the rear of the frame and cushion the recoil... You can compare the two if you could find more pictures of the new grips...

 

[Inspector-Callahan]

The new rubber's look like an Ahrends type shape? Wonder who is making them? A new mould from Hogue?

 

[les strat]

I haven't seen or handled the new grips either. They appear to cover the back of the frame better but maybe not as well as the X frame grips. The X grips must be special ordered but well worth the addition...

I love the X frame grips on my round butt N frame guns. Below are pictures of how well they cover the rear of the frame and cushion the recoil... You can compare the two if you could find more pictures of the new grips...

They don't cover the backstrap any more than the Hogues do. You can see the 360 degree view here:
Product: Model 629
It seems to be made of the same rubber the J-frame grips are now made with, which is less tacky-feeling than the Hogues.

My stock rubber Hogues on my 629 did not fit well at the top of the backstrap but felt very comfy. I have since replaced them with the same exact combat grip only in cocobolo wood.

To be honest, I find the recoil my 629 negligible anyway. Really a joy to shoot.

 

[PA Reb]

I've handled the 629 with both the previous style Hogues and the new grip. The new grip seems a little narrower than the previous Hogues in my hand but nothing that is really noticeable. Both worked well for me but I plan on replacing the rubber with Ahrends very soon.