DD, I've tried quite a few different grips on J Frames looking for that combination
of shootability & concealability and finally came up with this set-up,
which I run on most of my J Frame carry guns.
The grips on the left are Altamonts, which you can get with or without medallions.
The Altamonts have a contour similar to the later Magna grips, i.e. flat on the sides.
I don't know who made the other grips but a couple of months ago I found some
that had the same rounded palm swell profile, with medallions, with the exception
of the wood type & finish. The ones I found are rosewood, I think those pictured
on the right are walnut, and have a satin finish, as opposed to the gloss shown below.
The ones I recently found, and bought through CDNN, are Herrett's.
When used with the BK Grip Adapters either type give me (I have large hands)
a good, firm, hand-hold, and the smooth finish prevents clothing from
getting hung up, or catching, on them.
Personally I prefer the rounded palm swell profile Herrett grips, similar to those
on the right, over the flatter sided Altamonts on the left
This last photo just shows you (on the left) the current walnut, checkered,
"Magna / Service" grips offered through S&W's Store. I tried these, as well
as their "Dyna-wood" service grips (not shown) with the BK Grips adapters
and while shootability remained excellent with both, thanks to the BK's, they
tend to be "grippy" when it comes to clothing, especially in an ankle carry role.
I did find the flatter sided dynawood grips to be less grippy than the rounded
palm swell service grips shown below on the left.
