Do hogue Bantams go on and off easily?

[ABPOS]

I think I'm going to order some for my 637. I have never tried them yet and wondering if they install and uninstall easily.

I'm sure some of you can relate as I change grips around sometimes to see what works best and I don't want it to be a huge chore.

I had issues with the larger set of Hogue grips. (the ones that look like tamers but for hammered guns SKU 60000) They would not install on my 637 for some reason and I sent them back. I couldn't get them to seat properly. I've used Hogue grips for just about every gun I've had and that was the first time I had issues.

I think the bantams just work by clamping down, but not sure if it's a pain to get them on and off and don't want to try them if they are a pain. I'll just stick with simple screw in grips. LOL.

Then I gotta decide if I want to go some funky color. They have pink, purple, that funky light blue/green. Or just black. I wish they would make white.......

 

[WCCPHD]

There is a plastic tool that comes with the grips. It is fairly simple to use to install/remove the grips. The first time is not as easy as subsequent install/removals, but it gets easier with time.

Basically one has to use the "forked" tool to spread the grips to go over the pin on the heel of the grip frame. Then simply guide the grip up the frame to the top.

I use them on J and K/L frame guns and really like them.

 

[Erich]

I cannot add anything of substance to that terrific post, but wanted to add my assurance that these are quite simple to install: I'm not terrible with mechanical things, but I'm not really good, either, and my installs of these have always taken mere seconds.

 

[Lou_the_welder]

Am I the only one who ripped the ears off, of a hogue bantam before?!
(L frame)
When removing the L frame ones, dont pull on the top ears. Lol.

 

[Protocall_Design]

There is a plastic wedge tool that is used for getting those on and off. It goes in at the bottom of the frame, on each side to pry the grip off the pins.

 

[CH4]

Am I the only one who ripped the ears off, of a hogue bantam before?!
(L frame)
When removing the L frame ones, dont pull on the top ears. Lol.

You’re not alone, my friend.

 

[bigwheelzip]

My husband graciously offered to install them, but I wanted to try it first. I just followed the directions and it was easy.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXu4ri3arYI[/ame]

 

[markeb]

Great grips. If you don't have the tool, use several credit cards or similar on both sides towards the bottom of grips to remove.

 

[christak]

As mentioned above, the ears want to fold under and can be damaged if you aren't careful. The grips are not especially difficult to install otherwise (on a k-frame). If you happen to have 2 of the spreader tools, things are much easier!

 

[two-bit cowboy]

I bought a J-frame with the Hogue Bantams installed. It didn't come with the tool so I called Hogue, and a nice young gal there sent a tool to me -- no charge!

I like the Bantams better than any other rubber boot grip I've tried.

 

[linde]

Like others, I found Hogue Bantams fairly easy to install & remove, especially with the wedge tool. And, for a boot grip, I like their feel.

For a more full-size grip I really like the Hogue Tamers on my Centennial but install/remove is not so easy! There's a PDF file on their web site that helps:
Centennial Model - J Frame Revolvers - Smith & Wesson Grips - Handgun Grips - Hogue Products

Russ

 

[ABPOS]

I've installed 3 sets of tamers on 2 different centennial type guns and never had a problem. But for some reason these ones I bought for the 637 didn't want to seat all the way and I even tapped them with a hammer. It was weird.

Amazon took them back no questions asked. I did call Hogue first and asked if they'd trade me for bantams and the CS girl wanted to help me figure out how to get them on, even though after telling what happened and that I didn't want to force them on and get them stuck or something. She was nice but wasn't really listening to me. Oh well. I'm sure she was trying to avoid me shipping a pair back if it wasn't for a good reason. And I get that. I really don't understand why I couldn't make these work.

The thing is, once I got them, I compared them with every other grip and they were basically the longest. I didn't think they'd be much longer than a tamer grip but for some reason they were a bit longer. I think because of how they installed. I would've preferred they install the same way the tamers for the centennials do as I think that is a good design.

 

[Lou_the_welder]

Dont the hogue tamers (j frame) require a shorter pin to be installed on the bottom. ?
I messed that up too. I didnt read the instructions and ended up bashing the long (stock) pin on the grip making a dent on the seeable side.
You see, I'm the kinda guy you know that likes to build furniture without those instructions and guess most of it; sometimes they come out well, someti.es after a few beers you realize you have to read, which you were so against in the beginning and realized some of th e furniture is backwards now.
Back to the hogues.
Hogues are good!
[emoji21]

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Dont the hogue tamers (j frame) require a shorter pin to be installed on the bottom. ?

I believe you're thinking of the Hogue Monogrip.

You install the Tamer with a .38 or .357, which is a spacer that opens the butt cap.

 

[Lou_the_welder]

I believe you're thinking of the Hogue Monogrip.

You install the Tamer with a .38 or .357, which is a spacer that opens the butt cap.

I have that grip! And I messed it up!
And I didnt realize the bottom part comes off!!?
That wasn't in the instructions!!
[emoji848][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji31]

 

[Lou_the_welder]

Just checked mine. The bottom piece doesn't come off. I got it for my 637. Should be the same thing,right?
Maybe mines older? ...

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Gosh, not sure Lou, but I don't think that's a Tamer.

The Tamer shouldn't work on one with an exposed hammer; the
sides would ride up above the frame at the top of the back strap.

 

[Lou_the_welder]

Gosh, not sure Lou, but I don't think that's a Tamer.



The Tamer shouldn't work on one with an exposed hammer; the

sides would ride up above the frame at the top of the back strap.

You were right. It's a hogue j frame monogrip for a 37/637. Not a tamer. The tamer does have the removable bottom for the centennials.
I checked the website earlier.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Ah, ha!

Yes, I had to "go look," too.

That's a new design for the Monogrip so I didn't recognize it.
Much more eye appeal than the original design, which I find
quite unattractive (standard equipment on my Chiefs Model 36-6).

 

[ABPOS]

Yeah, sorry if I was confused. I wasn't quite sure if they replaced the older monogrip style for this new one. When I saw in in the pics I thought it would install like a Tamer for the centennial.

But yeah, I did install the smaller pin. At first I didn't and a bit of rubber came off too. But then I read the directions. LOL. I suppose maybe trying to put it on with the longer pin screwed something up inside the plastic end and that's why it wouldn't seat. But I did have the smaller pin in eventually.

I just ordered the bantams. Which I think I'd rather have anyways. Because I might carry in the pocket sometimes anyways... One thing about my tuckable holster is it doesn't cover the hammer and it's giving me pause about wearing it AIWB. Actually, I could try it at 4 O clock tucked. That would probably make it more comfy in my mind. It's not going to cock the hammer but I wanted to test that theory around the house first. So in the meantime I'm pocket carrying it when I wear my button down shirts.