J-frame "boot" grips

[Jim PHL]

I just got this 60-9. It came without grips. (There was some staining/minor pitting where the old grips used to be.). I had these Uncle Mikes "Combats" and just slapped them on there temporarily. I really like the feel of the combats but to me they do take away slightly from the concealbility ("pocket ability") of the j-frame. I've always been a fan of UM boots grips and have them on my 342. My first thought was to buy an identical pair for the 60. Seems to make sense from a continuity standpoint and I already know they 'fit' me and I like them. I'm curious how they compare with the boot-style grips that S&W sells for their current j-frames (which they sell online). Who has a preference for one or the other and why?

I think I will always keep the grips the same on these two pieces so I'll either be buying one pair of UM's or two new sets of S&W or possibly another brand. I would consider nice wood grips also as long as they're not too expensive and the profile is similar to the UM boots. The 342 gets carried a lot. I expect the 60 will, too. When they do get carried it will almost always be in a pocket. I'm not interested in "BBQ" grips.

I do typically carry an HKS speed loader when packing a j-frame so if you suggest another brand, please make it one I will not have to modify to accommodate that.

Thanks in advance and apologies for the picture quality.

 

[S&W Rover]

The old Uncle Mike's boot grips seem to be a favorite, but are hard to find these days. You can find them from time to time on eBay.

The S&W "factory" boot grips are not expensive, at $27.75. They are made from a hard rubber. S&W reportedly used very similar Uncle Mike's grips for a while -- I can't verify that -- but now uses their own supplier and furnishes these boot grips with the small logo on many new J frames. They look good and work well, as a basic rubber grip. Product: J Synthetic Boot Grip with S&W Logo

The ideal for boot grips for a long time was the ones made by Craig Spegel, and at $55 for black walnut, they are a bargain (prices go up for higher quality woods). I've read that Mr. Spegel invented boot grips! There reportedly is a waiting list for new ones. Craig Spegel - Custom Pistol Grips

I recommend looking at the VZ grips made out of G-10, if you want grips that are hard but grippy. They are precision-made and fit perfectly. But I only have them (two sets) in the K frame size, so cannot say they are relieved enough on the J frame/boot grip model to allow speedloaders or moonclips to work easily. VZ Grips | VZ Grips - Smith & Wesson J-Frame

I think the Altamonts look great, too. I had a pair once that suffered a broken screw boss, and they sent me a new pair at no cost. Smith & Wesson J Frame (Small) Round Butt Revolver Grips | Altamont Company

There are other good companies out there making J frame boot grips, such as Badger, Eagle, etc., but I have no experience with their products.

Finally, some people report success finding inexpensive wooden grips -- many made in Thailand or the Philippines -- on eBay. I can't vouch for the fit and finish on those, and prefer "made in America" to go on my "made in America" S&W revolvers.

 

[The Gila Bender]

My 640-1 currently wears a set of Spegel walnut boot grips. When the gun was new in box it had the longer UM 'banana' grips. I switched to the shorter UM boot grip and carried it that way for years, until I found a set of Spegel walnut stocks here in the Forum. I have a Hogue Bantam grip which is slightly larger and grippy-er, but I prefer the smooth Spegel stocks. The K frame 13-2 is wearing older Pachmayr "Presentation" grips that fit better than Uncle Mike's 59006.

 

[kaaskop49]

The S&W "knock-offs" of the UM Boot Grip are more than acceptable, IMO. I have left them in place on every one of my Js that came equipped with them. They are a smidge lighter in weight than the UMs (1.64oz v. 2.1oz on a jeweler's scale) but will have to be slightly relieved with an X-acto knife to allow the HKS loaders to function.

The UM boots (w/o UM markings) used to be available on the S&W website "Store" for 1/2 the price of the knock-offs. Can never have enough J-frames. Or Boot Grips.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[BAM-BAM]

I am a great fan of Spegel's Boot grips and have been using them since the mid-80s on K,L and J frames..... more recently on an N-frame.

Because of his current back-log;I hear it's over a year now ..... I got a set of Hogue wood Batam Grips for another J-frame about 3/4years ago...... I like them almost as much as my Spegel's.

 

[GF]

I didn't know the "boot grip" was hard to find these days.
I keep a little box of rubber grips, I'll have to see if there are anymore in it.
Mod 337

Here's another good grip, Pachmayr Compac (Pachmayr&reg Pachmayr your primary source for quality handgun grips and recoil pads)

The older ones look a little different and I'm always on the hunt for them.
Bought these here in the classifieds.

Mod 65

These fill in well behind the trigger and are shorter than other Pachmayr grips.

GF

 

[Jim PHL]

I really like the looks of those VZs but not a good time for me to spend $150+ for two sets!

 

[Bill In Texas]

+1 for Altamont boots! I've got a pair on my 637 that feel great in my hand! I bought the Super Rosewood with a Fleur De Lis design!