Compact J-frame grips that cover backstrap?

[Mark IV]

I wasn't sure where to place this, but here goes....
I EDC'd a 642 Airweight ( pocket carry) for several years, (till trading it recently) and even though I barely ever fired it, the clear coat finish on the backstrap was very well worn and discolored.
Well, i recently stumbled into another LNIB Airweight (M 637 this time), and have been thinking about replacing the factory grips with some inexpensive, rubber/plastic/nylon aftermarket grips, that cover the backstrap, but that aren't a big handful.
I've been shopping on-line, and lots of ads don't tell you whether on not the backstrap in covered, and don't supply adequate photos so you can see for yourself.
I found one Pachmayr model that looked good, but then read that the dang thing adds a full quarter-pound in weight !! There's a newer compact Pachmayr that looks nearly ideal, but i keep reading about loose-fitting issues, requiring gluing and shimming, which in this modern manufacturing era, is just unforgivable.
A Hogue model looks good, but they all seem to run pretty large.
Anyway, you get the idea. I'm looking for a decent quality, compact, economical, rubber/nylon replacement grip for a J-frame, that fits, and that covers the backstrap.
Any recommendations are muchly appreciated.......

 

[Fredo Batali]

All of my carry "J frames except two Model 649's are wearing Hogue "Bantam" rubber stocks. They cover the backstrap and feel good too. I have a Model 66-3 that had Ahren stocks on it and I couldn't hit squat with it. I was going to trade it off and decided to change out the stocks first and see what happened. I put "K" frame Hogue "Bantam's" on it and it shoots like a laser and I still own it Give them a try. They run about $25.00 or less depending on where you shop. Hope this helps.

De Oppresso Liber

 

[Mark IV]

Thanks Fredo, I've run across a few other recommendations for the Bantams, but it looks like they don't cover the backstrap (unless I'm mistaken, are there different models?).
edit: i just looked around again, and all the bantams I'm seeing have the exposed back.
[ame="https://www.amazon.com/Hogue-Rubber-Frame-Round-Bantam/dp/B000STIPXC"]Amazon.com : Hogue Rubber Grip S&W J Frame Round Butt Rubber Bantam Style Grip : Gun Grips : Sports & Outdoors[/ame]

 

[snubbyfan]

My carry snubby has Pachmayr Compact grips and carries well either on my belt or in my pocket.


I did have to trim them a bit to work with speed loaders.

 

[TAC]

The new 640-3 I bought recently came with S&W rubber grips, that cover the back strap, and a little longer than the typical boot-grip.

 

[BC38]

I know a lot of folks will consider this sacrilege, but the best grips I've found that fit your description are these rubber boot grips off the small frame Taurus revolvers like the M605, M85, etc. They cover the backstrap and forestrap and fill in the area behind the trigger guard. They aren't an longer than the grip frame. The rubber is a little softer than the pachmayrs. If the Taurus medallions bother you then they can be replaced with the cut down head off of a 38 special or 357 casing. And they are dirt cheap - like about $10-$15 on gunbroker and I have found them for as little as $5 in the grips bin at gunshops and gunshows.

 

[shouldazagged]

Four ounces is not a great penalty of weight for the control and recoil damping afforded by the Pachmayr Compacs. They give a place for the little finger and afford a high, secure hold which works well with the Centennial series J-frames. I've used them for years and like them a lot.

 

[fyimo]

My pre model 36 flat latch has these Coco Bolo grips that cover the back strap

 

[Backlighting]

My 638 wears these. I like them a lot.
Pachmayr&reg Pachmayr your primary source for quality handgun grips and recoil pads

 

[wrangler5]

Four ounces is not a great penalty of weight for the control and recoil damping afforded by the Pachmayr Compacs. They give a place for the little finger and afford a high, secure hold which works well with the Centennial series J-frames. I've used them for years and like them a lot.

+1 for the Compacs. They do feel heavy if you do a side by side comparison with similar guns wearing Compacs and, say, the boot grip that comes standard on many J frames, but as grips to shoot with they are hard to beat without going MUCH bigger.

I also have the grips that TAC pictured - they came on my 432PD - and they're pretty nice too. Even the Buffalo Bore +P loads are tolerable in that lightweight 32 - they send a 100g JHP bullet out the 2" barrel at 1100fps, which is actually a bit more muzzle energy than Remington's 38 Special +P 158g FBI load (269 vs 236). So those grips can do the job.

 

[haywood]

You can see Hogue Tamers on one of the 442s here. They are a little narrower than Pachmyer Compacts. They are a little longer than stock grips but, they still fit in my pocket.

 

[pokey074]

I'm going through the same dilemma myself.

So far the best grips I've found are the Pachmayr Compacts. Yes, they're fairly weighty and large. Yes, they're rubber so they do tend to catch your shirt if you're carrying concealed, but dang it if they aren't the most comfortable shooting grips I've found.

I tried the Hogues, both the full-size Monogrip and the Tamer models. I just can't get over how "gimmicky" Hogue grips are in how they attach, not to mention the Pachmayrs feel better in my hand.

I have a set of Altamont Bateleur grips coming. They cover the backstrap but are laminate wood so they won't hold on to your shirt. We'll see how they end up fitting/feeling.

 

[haywood]

I put a pair of Pachmyer's on my 36. I like how they feel in my hand. The Hogue's on the 442 that I pictured before were originally for my wife but, I like them for shooting. The stock grips are for my pocket gun. I don't mind shooting with stock grips but can shoot longer with Hogue's or Pachmyer's.

 

[Mark IV]

Many thanks for the solid replies, guys !
To reply to some of the posts.......
BC38, I'd run across postive references to those Taurus grips, and meant to look them up, but got sidetracked and forgot about them till you reminded me. Given the price, those would probably be just fine, if I could find them.
Fyimo, those cocobolos are SPECTACULAR !!! I'm seething with jealously! Unfortunately, they're way outside my budget.
Also, I'm not so much concerned with shooting comfort, as I am with compactness and covering the backstrap to prevent wear there (and of course, cost).This would only be an occasional EDC, and any shooting with it would be sporadic and brief. I probably wouldn't ever be shooting more than a few cylinders a year.
Anyway, I'd already come to the conclusion that the Pachmayr Compacs were probably gonna be my huckleberry, but y'alls helpful posts helped solidify that.
Thanks again to all for weighing in.......

 

[wrangler5]

If you DO carry with the Compacs, I've found that they get less "sticky" the more you handle the gun and shoot with 'em on. Airborne powder residue, hand oils and sweat, gun cleaning solvents, etc. all work to diminsh the new-grip tackiness they start with. (Actually, I find this to be the case with all the Pachmayr grips I've used over the years.)

 

[Texas Star]

The discontinued Uncle Mike's grips also cover the backstrap. I use them or Pachmayr Presetation Compacs. I actually like these rubber grips and think they look especially good on stainless guns.

 

[Fredo Batali]

I'm out of town at the moment and won't be home until next week. I'll check the Bantams and see. I could be wrong, not as young as I used to be.

De Oppresso Liber

 

[two-bit cowboy]

If they must be galosh I like Hogue.

Much prefer wood: Karl Nill or, in a distant second, Altamont.

 

[Mark IV]

Hey guys, I ended up stumbling across a set of Pachmayr checkered, rosewood-laminate grips on ebay, for $24.95, delivered, and I couldn't resist !! The vendor was in north Florida, so they got here in only 48 hours, and I just now put them on.
Both aesthetically and ergonomically, they are light-years better than the factory grips. Given that they cost the same as a set of rubber grips, I think they were a deal.
Here's the ebay link (you gotta scroll a ways down for the pic.)
Pachmayr Smith Wesson J Frame Checkard Rosewood Grips | eBay