Hogue tamer Grip for J-Frame 642-442

[BILL]

My Tamer grips came today and I put then on a Scandium 342PD. They made shooting wad cutters almost pleasant in the hard kicking little beast. I didn't have to put a band aid on my thumb to shoot it.

They are a little longer than boot type grips. They are small enough to pocket carry but they hang up in my pocket more than boot grips. It might be possible to trim a very little off the length.

Both Safariland and HKS speed loaders work OK with the grips.

I'm leaving the grips on the 342.

 

[bassgunner]

I got a set and put them on my 642. It did make recoil better but I did not like the double texture of the grip. The main grip itself is nice "tacky" rubber that affords a secure grip, however the endcap is a slick plastic that my pinky kept sliding off of. I ended up getting a set of S&W extended finger grooved rubber grips and that has worked well for me.

 

[wrangler5]

Are these significantly better than Pachmayr Compacs? The Compac grip has backstrap cushioning and a place for the pinky, but don't look quite as bulky as the Hogues. They also "wear" down to a fairly non-sticky surface after using 'em for a while - probably just from hand oils and firing residue.

 

[BILL]

Are these significantly better than Pachmayr Compacs? The Compac grip has backstrap cushioning and a place for the pinky, but don't look quite as bulky as the Hogues. They also "wear" down to a fairly non-sticky surface after using 'em for a while - probably just from hand oils and firing residue.

The Tamers are much more "compact" than the Compacs. The Tamers weigh 2.05 oz. and the Pachmayr weighs 4.45 oz. The Tamers have backstrap cushioning and a place for the pinkie.

Both Safari land and HKS speedloaders work with the Tamers but the Pachmayr grips need to be ground down for speedloaders to work.

 

[Gearhead Jim]

I've tried various other "slightly longer" grips on my J-frames, and the slight extra length does indeed cause problems for ME, on MY guns, in MY clothes. Someone else might be very different.

Anyway, can someone tell us how the Tamers attach to the gun? Is there an easy way to attach them if the bottom of the grip is cut off, level with the bottom of the grip frame?

The Tamers work something like the Bantam grips, but after they are slid into position, the bottom cap is spread slightly with an (empty) .38 case and then snaps in place to hold the entire grip securely.

The .38 case method worked poorly for me, the empty case kept being strongly pushed out of the bottom cap before it was in position. I finally used a large screwdriver to spread the bottom cap in the little slot at the bottom. That slightly distorted the inside of the cap (barely visible) but otherwise worked well.

It looked to me like one could cut off the bottom of the grip and about half of the bottom cap together, carefully, with the grips installed on the gun. That would make the bottom of the grip only about 1/8" longer than the bottom of the frame. I plan to try that when I have time.

The bigger issue for me, when I test fired it last night, was that the increase in hand comfort (especially in the web of my hand) and control, was rather modest. Despite most of the grip's surface being the same as the Bantam grips, the gun tended to twist and climb in my hand at least as much as with the Bantams, maybe even a bit more. I have medium size hands (wear a medium or large glove), and can really engulf the Bantams and squeeze 'em tight. The Tamers seemed a little to large for me, and I shoot Glocks without finding them to be too large. I tested the guns using everything from powder-puff wimp loads to +P, using identical 340PD's, one with the Tamers and one with the factory Bantams.

I'll post further when I learn more, which might be tomorrow or not until summer...

 

[ridgewalker]

Okay, I got my Hogue J frame Tamers yesterday and used them at the range today. Here are my first impressions.
I put them on my 640 Pro last night. Comes with directions. Used a 38 special case to spread the locking piece apart. Used a hex head tool which fit into the 38 case to give me a little more control. First time was a little awkward but seems not too hard and will get easier with practice. A little concerned could possibly bend pin but probably not.

At the range the grips fit my hand much better than the Uncle Mike boot grips I replaced. With the UM boots my trigger finger encounters my thumb which can cause a flinch unless I consciously keep my thumb out of the way. Not an issue at all with the Tamers.

The Tamers feel a little hard. They don't have much give that you would expect with a rubber grip. I shot 90 rounds of standard pressure 38 special cartridges. It seemed the muzzle flipped up a bit with each shot. I felt overall that I wasn't shooting my 640 as accurately as I had with the UM boots or the rubber banana shaped S&W grips that it was outfitted with new. I thought the recoil reduction provided by the Tamers was modest at best but I didn't cut my thumb like I did with the UM boots. The Tamers worked pretty well with my 5 Star brand speed loaders.

The Tamers are a bit bigger than the UM boots. A bit longer and definitely wider around. More to hold onto but may compromise concealability.

I removed the grips after shooting for cleaning the gun. It seemed removing and then replacing the grips after cleaning was easier than the first time I did it. By the way, the Hogue directions say the grip material is resistant to oils and solvents and you don't have to remove for cleaning but I generally remove grips for cleaning anyway.

Remember this is my first impression after only one range session. Sometimes it takes me a little getting used to something new. I'll try to post an update after I shoot it again.

 

[Gearhead Jim]

Today I tried the Tamers again, with std velocity and +P loads.

They still feel awkward to me, but I have noticed one thing they improve- with the original Bantam grips, my 340PD stings the web of my hand with each shot, even with mild factory or reloads. With hot +P, the "sting" becomes "hurt". When the Tamers are installed, the sting or hurt happens in the palm of my hand. That's probably an area that can better take the pounding.

But the Tamers also seem to change the position of my hand in relation to the trigger, causing my finger to be pressing the trigger up higher, which makes the trigger pull seem heavier. That's not so good.

Right now, I don't feel like the Tamers are enough of an improvement to warrant cutting off their bottom to make them more pocketable. But I may change my mind.

 

[Sun]

442 and Hogue Tamer Grip

I pocket carry my 442 with Tamers on it with no issues. I wear Khaki's 99% of the time, maybe jeans would be a different thing.

I was just having a heck of a time installing the hogue Tamer Grip on my hammerless 442. I was replacing a Hogue Monogrip. This Tamer gripsays grip states it fits a bodyguard on the box but in fine print, it says it also fits the 442. I am usually very good at these kinds of things. Am I missing something? I was going to call Hogue on Monday.
Thoughts? Thanks

 

[TucsonMTB]

If you have removed the bottom cap by inserting a .38 special or 357 magnum cartridge to spread the part that snaps on, you are most of the way home. I had to use a large screwdriver inserted into an empty shell to allow me to provide enough force to get it to snap in and keep the cap spread properly.

I am guessing that sliding the grip up over the frame of the revolver is not your challenge. That's pretty easy and does not require much force, but you do have to push.

Make sure you have the grip in the configuration to fit a standard J-frame. As I recall, there is an extra plastic piece intended for the polymer revolver that you will not need for a J-frame. In fact, it would prevent the grip from slipping up a standard frame.

Best of luck. You will probably find a YouTube video on Hogue web site that makes it all more clear.

 

[Sun]

Hogue Tamer on 442

Thanks for the feedback. I did Google for more installation information at The Hogue site and then across the net. Hmm
I like to figure these challenges out on my own. I may have to call Hogue tomorrow. If anyone sees an installation video for Tamers on a 442, please let me know. Thanks

 

[TucsonMTB]

So . . . what problem are you experiencing? Can you describe what you have tried and where you run into a stumbling block?

Oh, and I looked for a video of YouTube without success.

 

[TucsonMTB]

Just looked at my empty package to see the instructions and remind myself what the extra plastic piece you don't need looks like.

The extra piece is kind of "T" shaped with a long vertical section and is inserted only with the plastic revolver (not yours).

Apparently, nothing needs to be removed from the grip before starting.

You will need a little wiggling to get the metal pin in the round butt to start down the curved grooves in the Tamer grip.

 

[S&W45Colt]

I was just having a heck of a time installing the hogue Tamer Grip on my hammerless 442. I was replacing a Hogue Monogrip. This Tamer gripsays grip states it fits a bodyguard on the box but in fine print, it says it also fits the 442. I am usually very good at these kinds of things. Am I missing something? I was going to call Hogue on Monday.
Thoughts? Thanks

Did you remove the blue strip/pull it out? That's not needed on a 442.

 

[TucsonMTB]

Here's a side-by-side with my 360PD.



Makes a HUGE difference in comfort and shootability, concealment in a jeans pocket a wee-bit compromised, in a front-belt cross-draw holster...no difference.

For anyone not totally happy with the Tamer grip on their 638 or similar bodyguard because it gets in the way while cocking to shoot single action . . . this may help.

Notice the slice out of the grip that is lying next to the trigger guard in this picture.

All it took was a razor blade to cut it out and some Super Glue to reattach the cut off portion of the grip.

SWMBO finds it much easier to cock her revolver now when she wants to shoot single action at the range. Life is good.

 

[feudist]

On my companion of 20 years.

World of difference in shooting comfort and shootability

 

[derek45auto]

I really like mine

still fits in my pocket/nemesis rig
much easier to get your paws on it
cushions recoil

 

[PA Guns & Ammo]

A 30-06 case works even better than a 38/357. Blue strip removed? I do not recall in the instructions saying to remove it. Use a light coating of oil and wiggle the grips to install them and remove them. It is a little tough but they go on without too much effort.

James

 

[Golgo 13]

Here is the grip on my BG38.

Killed the concealable profile, did wonders for grip.

 

[GCF]

So, wondering how many of you guys are still using the J Frame Tamer?

I put a Bantam on my M640-1, & like it for pocket carry, but thinking about a Tamer - for ergonomic advantage.

 

[southchatham]

Pachmayer Gripper grips. They feel great and look good.

 

[Rolling]

Those are the Pachmayr DIAMOND PRO SERIES GRIPS for S&W J Frame, Round Butt. Called so because of the "diamond plate" like texture. IMO they are cosmetically more appealing that the regular Pachmyr grips. It also appears that they have a nice cushion for the index/thumb webbing which gets hammered when firing a J-frame. I recently got a good deal on Crimson Trace LG-305 grips for my 642. They feel pretty good except on the really hot loads. The red laser is visible outdoors on sunny days for about 10 yards.

 

[garbler]

I've not handled these new grips but if Hogue is using the same ' soft rubber ' compound as before then they are a poor choice for deep concealed carry. That rubber grabs or sticks to most fabrics making a smooth non-binding draw very difficult. The last thing you need is a grip hanging up on your clothing in a high stress situation. The Pachmayr nylon grips are harder and smoother but wood grip panels are still the smart choice for self defense. When your adrenaline is really pumping you'll never feel recoil let alone hear the shot.

Rick

 

[southchatham]

Those are the Pachmayr DIAMOND PRO SERIES GRIPS for S&W J Frame, Round Butt. Called so because of the "diamond plate" like texture. IMO they are cosmetically more appealing that the regular Pachmyr grips. It also appears that they have a nice cushion for the index/thumb webbing which gets hammered when firing a J-frame. I recently got a good deal on Crimson Trace LG-305 grips for my 642. They feel pretty good except on the really hot loads. The red laser is visible outdoors on sunny days for about 10 yards.
View attachment 454211

Thanks, I've had these hidden away for years and recently came across them in a baggie when looking in my bag full of holsters to see what I had for my new 442.

 

[REP]

I just have never been a real fan of rubber grips. I hate the smell of them and the fact they leave that smell on your hands. I find that they are abrasive to the skin. I just modified a pair of old rubber grips on a model 10 and they came off after 1 trip to the range. My favorite J-Frame grip is the VZ 320 standard grip made from G-10. I say standard because the same grip is available with a wrap around back strap. The front of the grips are a v shape that fits right into the pocket formed by the inside of your second finger joint which helps control the gun from getting torqued around in your hand. I prefer a proper fitting set of grips to rubber any day. I shoot the VZ grip on both a 351C and a 442.

 

[C Islander]

Nothing better than a seven year old post resserection........

 

[haywood]

The Hogue tamer grip is just a hair slimmer than a peck Pachmayr compact grip. The hogue tamer grip is also just a hair longer. Both grips fit in the pocket of my wrangler cargo shorts and cargo pants.