J-frame grip experience

[ContinentalOp]

I've tried a few different grips with my 642.

Ahrend's non-finger-grooved boot grips didn't work well for me. They kept feeling like the gun was going to slip out of my out, which was the opposite of my experience with their K-frame grips.

Altamont boot grips were just uncomfortable with their deep finger grooves, though I've seen some with much shallower looking grooves that may be worth trying in the future.

I have a set of ebony Eagle Secret Service grips that worked well for me as far as shooting and carrying are concerned, but they interfere with my Comp I loaders.

Magnas with a T-grip adapter didn't feel right in my hand. I didn't like the Barami Hip Grip with the adapter. I even tried the Werner carry system (Hip Grip, grip adapter, and Hogue Handall) and that didn't work for me, either.

The best grips I've tried, and are currently on my EDC gun, are Spegel boot grips. I have the Centennial model, with the extended "ears," in cocobolo. They fit my hand really well, are compact, and don't grab on my cover garment. They have finger grooves, but they're not particularly deep or sharp so I can work with it. And they don't intefere with my Comp I speedloaders. Unfortunately, the wait for new ones is about a year, unless you can find them for sale somewhere. I got mine back when Novak's stocked a bunch of them, but they were expensive.

I have another 642, a no-dash, with a set of PGS Hideout grips. Overall, I like them. I think I would like them better if they were a little more rounded (I may try reshaping them with sandpaper at some point) and maybe a little more hand-filling. I also had to modify them to allow for speedloader use. But, they have a nice texture that's grippy without being too grippy and only cost around $20 from Brownells. It would be nice to outfit both my 642s with the same grip to maintain consistency, something I can't do with Spegel boot grips right now but may try with the PGS Hideouts.

I was never really interested in rubber grips as I carry IWB and rubber grips can grab cover garments.

Everybody has different needs. One of the nice things about revolvers is how easy it is to change how they handle with a change of grips.

 

[njr]

I did talk to Herrets about their old round butt grips featured in _No Second Place Winner _ and they asked me to send them a copy of the photo in the book. Never got around to it as I wasn't up for spending $100+ on grips but I'll bet Herrets would work with you if you were determined to get the perfect set of grips.

Seems that the problem nowadays is that most want single stack autos or pocket 380s. The smith j frames were always third to Colt D frames and Smith K frames for more serious use and tended to fill the role of backup, hideout, bellygun and pocket pistol rather than as a revolver for serious accuracy and carry.

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[jeeps]

Most ccw will never be in a shootout and a j-frame will serve fine. It has served fine in L.E. since the depression. Small autos are the rave among young web gun slingers. Beware of the man that has a j-frame and knows how to use it. He is very well armed in harms way.

 

[njr]

You can get good with it but it takes some practice. Even then I'm pulling shots to the left with my 638 airweight. I get a sub 2 inch group maybe one and a half inch at 21 feet but it's maybe an inch or two off center. I'm going to test out my Model 36 this weekend 2 inch and 3 inch. I have an old lady NYPD 36-1 3 inch. I'll bet I get a more accurate group with that but all the same most people carry airweights and better wood grips would definitely be a help.

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[walkin' trails]

I tried a set of Hogue Bantams on a J, liked them, and put them on two more. I don't care for the size or characteristics of J-frame boot grips in general, but the material Hogue uses actually provides me with the grip and control I find lacking in other boot grip designs. While I still tend to not care for boot grips in general, it's hard to argue that they're the best grips for concealing a J-frame.

I have a set of Pachmeyer Compact grips. They fit my hand the best. They are what I shoot a J-frame most accurately, but they are the worst for concealment- at least for me. Great grips for taming J-frame magnums, however. I have used the Compact Pros, but they were too slender.




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[mtgianni]

I was fortunate to win a grip karma for a set of Mustang grips for my 36. It was the equivalent of putting a $40 saddle on a $10 horse appearance wise but turned it into a very good shooter. While that did come at the expense of conceal-ability it is OK in the rural area I live in.

 

[white cloud]

I must be old and soft in the head. I must have a dozen different types of stocks for J Frames but prefer magnas without adaptors. My draw is faster and more secure. The gun is easier to conceal. I feel I have a better chance of keeping possession of the revolver in a struggle. I use magnas on my M649 .38 & M60 .357 and could not be more pleased.

I wear a size extra large glove.

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

Some very nice looking guns. I bought mine over 10 years ago...a 642. It came with Crimson Trace grips installed at S&W, which still work perfectly today. It's my daily carry when I am not carrying my 45c or SA 1911. The guns shows a lot of holster wear, and the grips are worn as well, but then I didn't buy it to look nice.

 

[LivinTheDream]

I love my Desantis clip grips on my 649-5! I started off looking for some Barami's and was suggested to try the Desantis'. And they only cost about $20 a set. I pocket carry with a Tagua sticky holster or just put it inside my pants.

 

[Donn]

Pach Compacs on my Model 49, Stock furniture with a Tyler T-Grip on my 36.