Grip Question for S&W 442

[jeremy1517]

Has anybody changed grips on their 442 and can you change to a different style grip on the 442?

I was thinking about putting a checkered wood grip on mine if they are available. Also, I would love to find a slightly longer grip, again don't know if they make these.

 

[Glock 'em down]

Yeah, any wooden grips will fit.

If you want a set of longer woodies, try a set of targets on that little J. They are also known as "Banana" grips.

 

[HAWKEYE10]

Any J-frame round butt will work. Look on EBay mail order
catalogs,gun shows. There are hundreds of after market grips
out there. Also try this forum under Acc. for sale. Don

 

[owb3]

The Crimson Trace grips are longer, tame the recoil and do not hurt the concealability much. But I admit, I don't think the CT's look near as good as some rosewood or other grips. But then again, I'm not carrying based on how the gun looks.

 

[VM]

Jeremy - welcome to the Forum

The grips that Glock 'em down has shown are smooth bananna's - they make the same grip with checkering. They extend below the butt and work great.

 

[jeremy1517]

Thanks for the info:

Just so I'm correct, Any J Frame grip will work?

I have a gun show coming up in a few weeks so I thought I'd look for grips there. Thanks

 

[jeremy1517]

Another Question:

Does checkering really make a difference on the grip, as far as the 442?

 

[GatorFarmer]

Thanks for the info:

Just so I'm correct, Any J Frame grip will work?

I have a gun show coming up in a few weeks so I thought I'd look for grips there. Thanks

Any *round butt* J frame grip will work.

Many wood or stag grips may need minor fitting.

 

[flop-shank]

Keep in mind that many people like longer grips on snubbys, but they're not necessary and don't help concealment. The late Bill Jordan could only get two fingers of his massive mitts on the grip of a Colt SAA and said it didn't bother him one bit. YMMV, but I think a lot of people think they need three fingers on the stocks of their pistols because they've never heard or thought that it's not a necessity. Checkering can be a plus but is unnecessary IMO.

 

[indiandave]

I put S&W sevice grips on my 642. Also added T-grips. It's a nice retro look and still easy to fire.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I find that without a Tyler, checkering makes a significant difference on an Airweight or AirLite. I use standard RB Model 36 Magnas on my 642 and 342 both, and try very hard to get impressed checkering on my middle and ring fingers.

The importance of this will probably vary with hand size.

 

[rangemeister]

I use Ahrends obtained through Brownells. They are smooth, but do not hang up when I draw from jacket pocket etc. I have had the checkered and they occasionally would be a little more difficult to present. Any after market grips will do as mentioned, some do require minor fitting. Good luck.

 

[coach22]

These are the old Safariland composite grips.
They came in black and a wood color for J, K & N frames.
You can still find them at gunshows, every now and then.
The black ones are cut to just below the frame and the brown ones flush (open bottom).
The work was done by the gunsmith at King's Gun Works in Glendale, CA.

 

[Pat_Jones]

I know I'm in the minority but I prefer a smaller grip than what now ships on the j frames. I find I'm the most comfortable when tucking my little finger under the butt of the gun. Small grips print less and the wood grabs at the clothes less than a rubber grip.

These are from Herrets and they are now available through Dillon Precision.

 

[Lightfoot4]

How about some more pictures, guys? I had not even thought about putting some other grips on my 442 (satin nickel version) but daggone if some of these don't look downright pretty. I think we have a gun show coming up in Raleigh, NC, so I might have to look for some.

What's a good price on a set of wooden grips? I don't have a clue as to how much things like this cost.

 

[BurkLee]

How about some more pictures, guys? I had not even thought about putting some other grips on my 442 (satin nickel version) but daggone if some of these don't look downright pretty. I think we have a gun show coming up in Raleigh, NC, so I might have to look for some.

What's a good price on a set of wooden grips? I don't have a clue as to how much things like this cost.

All revolvers should have wood! You can get them on the "bay" for $50 or less for factory grips. More for some customs.

Glock 'em Down threatened violence if I put rubbers on this gun. (I believe he would do it too)

 

[ref441]

Here is a set of elk stags on a 442. Ooops...no pictures. See next post.

Grips by Patrick Grashorn <executioner> on this Forum.

 

[ref441]

Pictures added. The gun is just the right size for carry in a front pants pocket and easy withdrawal. I have used it for well over a year. If the grips were any larger, concealment would be more difficult.

 

[Glock 'em down]

All revolvers should have wood! You can get them on the "bay" for $50 or less for factory grips. More for some customs.

Glock 'em Down threatened violence if I put rubbers on this gun. (I believe he would do it too)

You're damned right I would!

Forget about the fact that those gorgeous diamond stocks aren't era specific, why would you wanna put rubbers on a thing of beauty such as your lil' Chief?

 

[cowart]

I was thinking about putting a checkered wood grip on mine if they are available. Also, I would love to find a slightly longer grip, again don't know if they make these.

Try a Herret "Shooting Ace". They are very thin. Some people shorten them to suit their hand size. They were discontinued years ago, but often turn up at shows and auctions as NOS. I think I even have a pair stashed away.