Bianchi "Bodyguard" grips

[Dot_mdb]

Does anyone have any experience with those old and ugly Bianchi grips that partially covered the hammer.? I am thinking of looking for a pair for a round butt K frame. I would like to hear experience from anyone that has used them or anyone who might have one for sale. I don't see them listed at the Bianchi site.

Bill

 

[shawn mccarver]

They are not necessary if you use the Massad Ayoob method for pocket presentation of a small revolver with exposed hammer.

He recommends placing the thumb on the hammer spur to create your own shroud. This allows draw of an exposed hammer revolver from the pocket without any hang-up.

 

[5Wire]

Like these?

I had them for a while, sold them to another forum member. Only ones I ever saw.

 

[saemetric]

They show up on ebay often. Main problem is they are heavy.

 

[ispcapt]

Have a set on a 2.5" mod 19. Love em.

 

[Fessor]

I have a set on a M36 and they are a terrific fit for me. I also have a spare pair for, I believe a RB K-frame, I'll have to check. PM me if interested.

 

[gto364ci]

They are eyesores, but very functional. Besides the hammer shroud, the finger grooves and checkering give a good grip. I've used them on J and K frames and am happy with them, but grip preference tends to be a personal thing.

 

[Dot_mdb]

I want to experiment with the grip on a Model 10. Before I started the thread I did a forum search but didn't come up with anything. Then I did a Google search and found some old threads on the forum. One or two comments were that frames tend to rust under the grips. I'm thinking that the rust problem may be stopped with routine maintenance. I have rusted a stainless steel frame under wooden grips down here in FL when I got careless.

I am glad to see some positive comments in this thread which encourages me to try the grips. The Model 10 is carried occasionally IWB in a Milt Sparks Summer Special 2 holster. That holster brings the leather higher up on the body side to offer some additional sweat protection to the gun.

Fessor, just getting set to send you a private message and I see you have sent me one.

Thanks everyone for your replies.

Bill

 

[saemetric]

They are called Bianchi Lightning grips

 

[kaaskop49]

I have these for the RB J-frame. They will NOT fit my 360 which is shaped slightly differently behind the hammer and has a thicker top strap. Don't know if this would also happen on a new production K-frame M-10 which is shaped to accommodate the IL. As another poster wrote, they are heavy.

 

[saemetric]

And they will NOT fit a RB L frame!!!

 

[mesinge2]

Like these?
I had them for a while, sold them to another forum member. Only ones I ever saw.

Yup, he sold them to me

Great transaction too, thanks.

As for the grips. I love them. I carry my m64 IWB and once and a while the hammer would catch my shirt or dig into my side while sitting at a table to eat. With these grips the draw is perfect and I can't feel the hammer at all.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

Here are photos of my Model 64-3 3.0 inch barrel with the Bianchi Lightning grips along side its little brother Model 638-1. The Model 64 also sports Hi-Viz fiber optic front sights. The Bianchi Lightning grips were either a dark brown color (like mine), or black. They can usually be found on flea bay for between $40.00 - $60.00. I like them, especially on the shorter barreled K-frames.

Best of luck,

Dave

 

[BearBio]

I had them on a Mod 19 for a while. The whole package was a little too big and heavy for pocket carry in Wranglers. Comfortable for shhiting though.

 

[Dot_mdb]

Thanks for all the good replies and the really nice pictures. If I can find the grips at a reasonable price I will try them. Otherwise I will practice using the thumb on the hammer.

Bill

 

[elm_creek_smith]

Define "reasonable price."

ECS

 

[5Wire]

Define "reasonable price."

ECS

Given the circumstances, Dot_mdb is the only one who can

 

[Dot_mdb]

I'm thinking that I would pay $25 including the postage for the grips in good condition.

Bill

 

[elm_creek_smith]

The reason you can't find the Lightning grips on the Bianchi website is that they've been out of production for many years. They were manufactured for Bianchi by Pachmayr and hit the market just about the same time the police transitioned from revolvers to semiautomatics. Therefore, they didn't last too long. They were made for the Smith & Wesson round butt J and K frames and for the 1911 semiautos (didn't shroud the hammer). They were planned for the Colt Detective Specials/Agents, but I have never seen any.

I have a set that I put on my 3 inch Model 13-3 for concealed carry. Since I mostly open carry now, I'm using a thumbbreak holster that won't clear the "hump," so I've gone retro with magnas and a Tyler T-Grip. Rust under the Lightnings can be prevented by waxing the revolver where it contacts the grips. They are brown neoprene and aren't "grabby" like Hogues. The full fingergroove grip allows easy control of magnum loads.

I was considering selling mine, but doggone if I haven't just about talked myself into keeping them!

You won't find them for $25.00. The last ones I saw on eBay went for $65.00.

ECS

 

[elm_creek_smith]

I have these for the RB J-frame. They will NOT fit my 360 which is shaped slightly differently behind the hammer and has a thicker top strap. Don't know if this would also happen on a new production K-frame M-10 which is shaped to accommodate the IL. As another poster wrote, they are heavy.

If you would be interested in selling them, I have a nickel Model 37 that resides in a cargo pocket that could use them.

ECS