Busy weeks between Christmas first week in January

[GT_80]

I kind of went nuts between Christmas and the week after new years... A lot of guns I had been looking for for a couple years showed up, and I had to have all of them... I am never this compulsive, but considering the market and how long i've been waiting for a couple of these, I went nuts...

December brought me a Ruger Standard, a Ruger Mark 3 target, Taurus G3C, my Smith and Wesson 34-1 (long awaited), a Governor (Long awaited), Traded in a Ruger EC9s and a Sig P238 for a Colt Government 380 Mark IV (more of a compulsive buy, but got rid of one .380 1911 for another better one), got a Ruger LCR in .22lr (long awaited), and I bought this 3" J-frame

I had a 3" Square butt J-frame a few years back, it was the first J frame I bought. 1980 YOM, heavy barrel, deep bluing, with only one scratch on the muzzle. I think I sold the Herrits grips that were on it to someone on this forum.

Well, two years ago I was looking to get a Ruger SP101, and did not have the means that I do now, and I sold the 3" J frame and a S&W Bodyguard 380 with laser to buy the SP101. I since bought an M&P Bodyguard .380 (because it's the smallest and best shooting subcompact I have shot and carried- I love it!), and I have been looking off and on for another 3" J frame since I realized how rare they are (Especially the Square butt).

I have seen three in the last year or so locally, and I missed both- either didn't have the money, or just missed it on timing.

Well, I found a well carried but lightly shot 3" round butt J-frame after Christmas, and got it for $500 which is a pretty good price around me. Locally, J frames, even super beat up snubbies with messed up front sights, have been going for $650-1000 (I kid you not!)

When I looked at this one, the show owner said he hadn't had it long, had cleaned it (not to my standards though) and checked lockup and timing... It looked and felt good. Was listed for $550, and just simply asked "Would you take less?" and he said "Yeah I was gonna say I'd take $500 for it" - always ask!

So I paid the man, did the paperwork, and walked out happy.

Since, I have been trying to find the best grip for carry and target shooting.

To me the round butt with a 3" barrel looks disproportionate - the grip needs to be about 1/2" longer, and I like finger groove models. So I tried a couple I had, and spent about $50 on a few more on Ebay.

Right now it is wearing a vintage Safariland Combat grip which is hard plastic with finger grooves, and moderate checkering.

I love the 3" and this one has a lot of character- Backstrap has no bluing left, some spots on the barrel that are missing some bluing, but the action feels like a new gun. It was definitelay heavily carried, lightly shot. I'm happy with it, even though it is no where near as nice as my old square butt...

If anyone is interested in my grip choices so far, watch my video
Smith and Wesson 36-1 3” J frame. Finally got another one! The quest for the perfect grips. - YouTube

 

[heeter3]

GT 80 I too love the 3 inch j's, I have 2 of them but they are RB's.Congrats on yours.I use herretts shooting aces and herretts shooting stars on mine both.The shooting aces are a little less bulky than the shooting stars.You can still find both in the classifieds on this forum.Enjoy shooting that 3 inch.

 

[murphydog]

It sounds as though you are looking for Uncle Mike's rubber finger groove stocks for a RB J frame. The current S & W factory type is a close but not exact copy, as seen on the factory webpage for the model 317.

Model 317 | Smith & Wesson

 

[John Patrick]

Hogue makes nice J frame round butt grips just long enough to get your pinky on.

The grips on the 638 work well for carry since they get the pinky mounted and are slick, but I will probably swap to Hogue checkered wood grips since the checkering provides more control.

Picks of my 638 and other J frames below.

 

[GT_80]

It sounds as though you are looking for Uncle Mike's rubber finger groove stocks for a RB J frame. The current S & W factory type is a close but not exact copy, as seen on the factory webpage for the model 317.

Model 317 | Smith & Wesson

I have one of those on the way- from a model 63 or something like that. Should be here today.

I don't mind spending a few bucks to try several grips out, I can always resell them or keep for another gun.

I'm kind of weird- I find that if I buy the same grip for two guns, I may not like them on both guns.

I like the Hogue Bantam on my 637, but not on the 36 3"

I put the Uncle Mikes rubber grips from my 637 on the model 36 3" and I liked the look and feel, but I wanted the pinky extension.

Everyone has preferences

 

[John Patrick]

FWIW, I really like the factory rubber grips on my 3” Model 60. They feel great in my hand and work ok for everything, shooting, CC….

But for concealed carry I haven’t found a rubber grip that isn’t sticky wrt grabbing shirts, jackets, trouser pockets….

Slick wood is great wrt not being sticky but checkered wood is probably the best all round, imo.

 

[GT_80]

Hogue makes nice J frame round butt grips just long enough to get your pinky on.

The grips on the 638 work well for carry since they get the pinky mounted and are slick, but I will probably swap to Hogue checkered wood grips since the checkering provides more control.

Picks of my 638 and other J frames below.

Nice collection of J frames!

Yes, Hogue makes the Monogrip that is nice- I have one of those coming to try. I think it is the same size as the Safariland I have and is a bit grippier- Hogue rubber grips are about the perfect combination of comfort and grippiness without being sticky. I really like their stuff. Have a couple Hogue bantams, and a couple of the Monogrips.

 

[John Patrick]

Nice collection of J frames!

Yes, Hogue makes the Monogrip that is nice- I have one of those coming to try. I think it is the same size as the Safariland I have and is a bit grippier- Hogue rubber grips are about the perfect combination of comfort and grippiness without being sticky. I really like their stuff. Have a couple Hogue bantams, and a couple of the Monogrips.

I was actually referring to Hogue’s wood grips.

Their mono grips are great for shooting but just too big and sticky for concealed carry.

The 317 in the photo is wearing older Hogue mono grips, they seem somewhat different than today’s version. They replaced the factory rubber boot grips and are about perfect for that gun for “around the hunting club” use.

I have a new set of mono grips for the 638 but they just don’t work well for concealed carry because of the size and stickiness.

ETA: If it’s gotta be rubber grips, the factory rubbers on my Model 60, and on other J frames from the factory, are probably the best compromise size/shooting/stickiness wise.

 

[GT_80]

I was actually referring to Hogue’s wood grips.

Their mono grips are great for shooting but just too big and sticky for concealed carry.

The 317 in the photo is wearing older Hogue mono grips, they seem somewhat different than today’s version. They replaced the factory rubber boot grips and are about perfect for that gun for “around the hunting club” use.

I have a new set of mono grips for the 638 but they just don’t work well for concealed carry because of the size and stickiness.

ETA: If it’s gotta be rubber grips, the factory rubbers on my Model 60, and on other J frames from the factory, are probably the best compromise size/shooting/stickiness wise.

Thanks for the clarification.

Yeah, wood grips with decent checkering seem to be best all around with finger grooves and a little extra length... I'm not always willing to spend $60-100 a pair (and up sometimes) for those grips though, that's kinda why I was doing this experiment. I don't always carry a revolver, so I have other options, but I think every gun has a grip that feels best on it.

Ironically, I carry a M&P Bodyguard .380 more than anything else, because I can shoot it accurately, it's reliable, and it's small.

 

[John Patrick]

Thanks for the clarification.

Yeah, wood grips with decent checkering seem to be best all around with finger grooves and a little extra length... I'm not always willing to spend $60-100 a pair (and up sometimes) for those grips though, that's kinda why I was doing this experiment. I don't always carry a revolver, so I have other options, but I think every gun has a grip that feels best on it.

Ironically, I carry a M&P Bodyguard .380 more than anything else, because I can shoot it accurately, it's reliable, and it's small.

Eh, we love revolvers, but…

Sig P365 is my irony.

I think the grips you’re trying are essentially the same as the grips on my M60. And they are great.

 

[GT_80]

Just got these grips in today- same as a 60 or 63 and they’re pretty near perfect. They’re skinny width wise, but deeper than the frame of the gun so they still fit my hands ok.

Very similar in size to the safariland I had on them.

I have a couple others coming- Pachmayr compac, and one other- I think an uncle Mikes similar to the ones off a model 60 but different texture. I think I have about $100 in 5 grips and it’s all learning experience, so I don’t mind spending that to know what I really like and dislike.

 

[GT_80]

So after testing a ton of different grips, it seems S&W may just know what they’re doing…

I received a Hogue monogrip in the mail today, and a Pachmayr Compac grip, and tried them on. The Hogue is the second best to me- the S&W grip from the model 60 or 63 I think is the winner. It is the lightest, the plastic it’s made of looks to be reinforced, the finger grooves feel great, the butt has a nice round shape to it, it’s a good feel in the hand, but not sticky. The hogue might be I first if it wasn’t just a little to grippy. It catches my white more than I’d like. It’s great for the range, but not my first choice for carry I don’t think…