Grip question

[strat1080]

I purchased a 442 model for my wife but we found that it has a very sharp and bitey recoil. It isn't going to be used for concealed carry at all. It will be locked up in a pistol safe at home and only brought out to shoot and go on camping trips.

I'm looking at three models of grips right now. 1. The full size synthetic grip from S&W similar to Uncle Mike's Combat version. I've heard that this is not as good as the UM Combat Grip. Why is that? For anybody that has tried the S&W version, did it help with recoil? Was it comfortable?

2. The Hogue Monogrip. I actually purchased this yesterday and put it on last night. It feels comfortable but I don't like how it covers the S&W logo on the right side. It seems like it would be a very comfortable grip to shoot. However the top finger groove for my middle finger is kind of small. Not as open as option #1 and #3.

3. The Pachmayr Compac. I've heard this is a really great grip for a J Frame. I've also heard it can be kind of thick, which I'm concerned might effect the LOP for my wife.

Out of these choices what would you folks recommend? Like I said, I'm not looking for concealibility. At the same time I don't want to put a huge grip on it because it would look funky. I just want a comfortable grip that tames recoil and looks good on such a small revolver. If you have any other recommendations, I'm all ears.

Thanks

 

[Maximumbob54]

The size of the Pach Compac is what makes it eat recoil. I didn't care for the J Hogue Mono or the UM Combat Grip. They both felt too skiny and didn't feel like they did much for recoil. Anything with material that covers the backstrap will change the LOP. Unless the wife has tiny hands they she should be fine with a Compac. The biggest complaint about the Compac is usually for concealed carry it's bulky and may grab at clothing. Hogue has a new 442/642/640 specific grip out that you might want to check out.

S&W J Frame Round Butt Centennial/Bodyguard Rubber Tamer Grip [60020] - $24.95 : Hogue Inc., The Best Value In Handgun Grips, Rifle Stocks and Accessories - Bar None!

 

[CPO15]

I've bought three J-frames in the last six months and bought a lot of grips for them. The Pachs do soak up the recoil, but are large (and thus, counter to cc). Don't know if I've adapted to the recoil, of if these boot grips work as well as the Pachs; but I like them a lot:

Product: J Round Boot Grip Uncle Mike's (No Logo)

BTW, its a closeout item.

 

[PALADIN85020]

The 442 is a lightweight concealment handgun, begging to be carried discretely in a pocket. For my carry solution to the grip question, go here, in my picture album on this forum.

Smith & Wesson Forum - PALADIN85020's Album: Some random Smith & Wesson photos - Picture

However, if the gun is to be used for the home and/or comfort on the range, the hands-down best stocks I've found are the "Shooting Star" types made by Herrett's. These are custom made to fit from a tracing of your hand. I bought these way back in the 1960s, and I've never experienced anything more comfortable for a J-frame. They look classy and not disproportionate on a small frame. They will tame recoil very satisfactorily. They are shown here on a Model 640, but they will fit a 442 just as well.

John

 

[strat1080]

Like I said. This isn't a CCW. It will only be used for home defense and on camping trips by my wife. I have a full sized semi-auto for myself. I found this 442 at a really good price and liked the idea of a revolver for my wife. She never really seemed to master all the controls of a semi-auto. I will probably stick with standard pressure ammo as the +p kicks quite a bit. I just want to make this gun comfortable for her to shoot.

I'm mainly looking for a comfortable grip that soaks up recoil. The Monogrip being a one piece rubber grip that wraps around the frame seems like it would do the trick. The only things I don't like is the grip covers most of the S&W logo on the right side and doesn't fit flush with the trigger guard. It seems like it would be very comfortable to shoot. I already purchased this but am considering either the full size 3 finger grip from S&W or a Pachmayr Compac.

 

[PALADIN85020]

Like I said. This isn't a CCW. It will only be used for home defense and on camping trips by my wife. I have a full sized semi-auto for myself. I found this 442 at a really good price and liked the idea of a revolver for my wife. She never really seemed to master all the controls of a semi-auto. I will probably stick with standard pressure ammo as the +p kicks quite a bit. I just want to make this gun comfortable for her to shoot.

I'm mainly looking for a comfortable grip that soaks up recoil. The Monogrip being a one piece rubber grip that wraps around the frame seems like it would do the trick. The only things I don't like is the grip covers most of the S&W logo on the right side and doesn't fit flush with the trigger guard. It seems like it would be very comfortable to shoot. I already purchased this but am considering either the full size 3 finger grip from S&W or a Pachmayr Compac.

To me, the rubber grips are an abomination, as any pride of ownership is literally destroyed by just looking at them. A good set of wood grips that fit the hand properly will really handle recoil well and enhance the looks of the gun - take another look at the Herrett's "Shooting Star" stocks that I posted above; they've served me extremely well, and I think you and your wife will really like them.

John

 

[Maximumbob54]

To me, the rubber grips are an abomination, as any pride of ownership is literally destroyed by just looking at them. A good set of wood grips that fit the hand properly will really handle recoil well and enhance the looks of the gun - take another look at the Herrett's "Shooting Star" stocks that I posted above; they've served me extremely well, and I think you and your wife will really like them.

John

I felt the same way until I finally shot some magnums through my 629 with the X frame grip on it. After shooting my way through the whole box of reloads, I could still feel my hand and wasn't ready to go home just yet. I now have a set of Ahrends Retro Combats setting just waiting to someday go back on that gun. As I'm now involved in some recoil therapy I don't know when that wood grip will go back. 255gr loaded up to about 1,200 fps so far. I'm curious how far I will go until I'm ready to go home when I finish a box!

But yes, they do make a yarf sound when you look at them.

 

[Neumann]

Rubber grips don't have any real give, like a recoil pad on a rifle, and they tend to be narrow across the back. Secondly, they stick to my hand, and tend to rub my middle finger raw. The Herrett grips are excellent, but I prefer Ahrends grips, which leave the backstrap open. With a revolver, I need all the reach I can get for double action shooting. Both have a wide back, which distributes recoil well.

Nothing hotter than target wadcutter loads are going to make a snubby J frame fun to shoot.

 

[Jlduke]

I have the Hogue monogrip and I have found that it helps a lot with the recoil and looks kind of good as well. Shooting regular ball ammo my 442 is actually fun to shoot with the monogrip installed. I think it's beyond foolish to condem something like rubber grips, even if they work well as the Hogue does, just because of some purist view. That type of gun snobbery is not really constructive.
I currently have some really nice Altamont grips on my 442 because I really don't shoot it all that much and the grips look really nice, but if I was going to run alot of round through it I would slap the RUBBER monogrip on in a second.
I would definitely recommend the Hogue Monogrip, but at the end of the day you have to go with your gut.

 

[photoman]

I recommend Uncle Mike's combat grips and Hornady 110gr Critical Defense (standard pressure) or Remington 110gr SJHP (standard pressure) ammo for your situation.

If the Uncle Mike's combat grips don't fit her hand, try the newer S&W three finger grips. They are a slight bit smaller than the UM grips.

 

[Hurryin' Hoosier]

I've had very satisfactory results with the full-size Smith & Wesson synthetic grips on my 637 and my 642. The 637 is my "car" gun, and wears the S&W grips all the time. The 642 is for pocket carry. It usually wears a set of Ahrend's cocobola boot grips but switches to the S&Ws for trips to the range.

 

[strat1080]

I've had very satisfactory results with the full-size Smith & Wesson synthetic grips on my 637 and my 642. The 637 is my "car" gun, and wears the S&W grips all the time. The 642 is for pocket carry. It usually wears a set of Ahrend's cocobola boot grips but switches to the S&Ws for trips to the range.

What's the recoil like with those grips? What is the rubber like? Soft? Sticky?

 

[strat1080]

I recommend Uncle Mike's combat grips and Hornady 110gr Critical Defense (standard pressure) or Remington 110gr SJHP (standard pressure) ammo for your situation.

If the Uncle Mike's combat grips don't fit her hand, try the newer S&W three finger grips. They are a slight bit smaller than the UM grips.

Thats funny. I was thinking of going with that exact setup. Full size S&W grips with standard pressure Hornady CD ammo. I had already ordered the grips from S&W but they were backordered so I decided to try the Monogrip in the meantime. I like them but they seem a little out of place on the gun and they also cover a big chunk of the S&W logo on the right side. I think I'm going to return them and wait for the S&W grips to come in. I actually think they look nice and they cover the backstrap with rubber.

 

[wrangler5]

The Compacs are the best compromise (IMHO) between comfort and concealability - I know you say you're not interested in concealment, but still don't want something "too big." The Compacs are an inexpensive and readily available solution.

But if you really want comfort, look at the Pachmayr Decelerators. They're full size grips - about the same bulk in either K or J frame size, although they're fairly narrow when looked at from behind - but they are the cushiest things you can put on the gun. They're the grips I put on my 442 when I want to shoot a lot of rounds at a session, and what I put on it when I'm introducing an inexperienced shooter to the lightweight 38s. I'm a beauty is as beauty does thinker when it comes to my tools, so if I don't need to conceal and want to shoot an Airweight comfortably, the Decelerators go on first.

The one grip I haven't tried but intend to is the Crimson Trace 305. (I have a CT405 grip, and while it's small and concealable I find it VERY uncomfortable to shoot more than a few shots with.) The 305 has room for all your fingers but is scaled to the small J frames, and looks like it has a a bigger cushion over the backstrap (than a 405 has) to absorb recoil. I don't know how comfortable they really are to shoot a lot, but if they're tolerable for your wife the laser (1) adds an enormous amount of accuracy to the little guns, (2) lets you make perfectly aimed shots without having to align sights on target, or even bring the gun up to eye level, and (3), best of all, is a superb training aid for dry fire practice. You really can see what happens to the muzzle when the hammer drops, and with that feedback you can work on keeping muzzle deviations to a minimum.

 

[strat1080]

Thanks for the responses everybody. I think my wife and I are going to try to the S&W full size synthetic grips and the Pachmayr compacs to see how they work out. I decided against the Monogrip because the fit wasn't that great and I just think it looks a little out of place on the gun. It looks like a grip for a medium sized revolver.

Eventually I might invest in some aesthetically pleasing wood grips of higher quality but for the time being I just want an economical solution to my problem. Thanks again.

 

[photoman]

Eventually I might invest in some aesthetically pleasing wood grips of higher quality but for the time being I just want an economical solution to my problem. Thanks again.

Craig Spegel is the designer of the Uncle Mike's combat grip and offers them in wood.

Craig Spegel - Custom Pistol Grips