J frame grips for pocket carry

[GaryS]

I'm not sure that this is the right forum, but if it's not I'm sure one of the mods will move it.

I have a brand new 642 and a Mika pocket holster and plan to do some pocket carry.

I made a few modifications to the revolver, one of which was to put a Hogue Monogrip on.

What I've found is that while the Mika holster does a good job concealing the body of the revolver, the Hogue grips are way bigger than the original rubber grips. They are a lot more comfortable to shoot, but I expect I'll be carrying a lot more than shooting. At least I hope so.

My question is if there are any other grips out there that might represent a compromise between the two. A bit bigger than the stock grips, but not as big as the Monogrip.

I know that there are a lot of J frame owners here, and some of them pocket carry, so I hope for some good replies.

Edited to add: I just took a look at my M34-1 2", which has some aftermarket grips on it that I can't identify. They are a bit bigger than the stock grips on the 642, but not nearly as big as the Monogrip. The grips on the M34 aren't S&W, but have what looks like a lion on top of a letter P. Anyone know what those are?

Disregard, they are Pachmyar, I think Compac Professional. Does anyone have any experience with those? I might just do a grip swap and see how that works out.

 

[feralmerril]

Eagle`s secret service grip.

 

[Ironhand]

I like either Eagle Secret Service grips or the stock grips w/ a Tyler T-Grip for pocket carry. The SS grips are very thin towards the rear of the grip, which makes for a very flat profile when carrying in the pocket, but concentrates the recoil in a small area in my hand. The stock S&W grips are a tad bit bulkier but more comfortable with the T-Grip, as the T-Grip fills up the area between the trigger guard and the frame so my knuckle doesn't get whacked by the back of the trigger guard under recoil. Either is good enough for daily carry.

I don't like rubber grips on any handgun, as the 'tackiness' can make it harder to withdraw from a pocket, as well as making it harder to shift my grip on the firearm.

 

[Rule3]

I like Pachmayr grips a lot better than the mono grips. The Pach Compact are nice if you are staying with rubber grips. Wood grips will not snag but I find them uncomfartable to shoot with and maintain a good hold on a J frame. They look nice though.

Pachmayr&reg Pachmayr your primary source for quality handgun grips and recoil pads

 

[GaryS]

Thanks for the fast replies. I see that Pachmyar makes the Compac and Compac Pro, with the Pro being a bit bigger. I like the look of the SS grips, but I agree with Rule3 about recoil.

I'm going to do a bit more research and probably try the Compac Pro on the 642 before I make a final decision.

 

[H Richard]

You may find that any "rubber" grip might be more difficult to get out of a pocket carry than any smooth finish grip would be.

 

[feralmerril]

The recoil hasnt bothered me with the SS. Also they are glass smooth and doesnt have the stickiness problem already pointed out. I wouldnt rule them out without trying a pair somehow. In all truth I have went back to the smooth stock high horn on mine. For no good reason though. The SS was on mine when I bought it used. The store was able to get the originals for me when I asked if they could inquire with the seller that brought it in. To my pleasant surprise they came through at no charge. I put the originals on and like them too as the gun is slightly lighter and less bulky in my pocket. I am use to the small sevice anyway as I carried my old model 60 that way for 40 years, (snubbed the hammer). It got stolen along with my truck and I replaced it with the model 40. I am a huge 300 lb guy and have big hands, yet I have always been able to handle any grips or guns. I suppose most people are smaller than me and many still think they have to have bigger grips or adapters. Works for me!

 

[Rule3]

Thanks for the fast replies. I see that Pachmyar makes the Compac and Compac Pro, with the Pro being a bit bigger. I like the look of the SS grips, but I agree with Rule3 about recoil.

I'm going to do a bit more research and probably try the Compac Pro on the 642 before I make a final decision.

On the gun, the Pros are a lot bigger. The butt of the gun will almost stick out of your pocket. I have a Mika Holster also.

The SW Boot grips are a nice size and do not snag as much as regular rubber (synthetic something)

Product: J Synthetic Boot Grip with S&W Logo

 

[Jhp147]

Someone here (Robotoid, IIRC) told me to use Taurus grips from their snub, and it was a perfect compromise for me. They are very slightly longer than the frame, but most importantly add padding/length to the back strap so there is less thump on my hand and longer trigger reach. Seems like I had to deepen the holes for the frame pin. I also found some new/old stock Sile grips that shoot even easier but don't carry as well in a pocket (fine on the ankle), slightly bigger but not as big as the Hogues or Pachymars. The Taurus works fine in the pockets of the loose pants I wear.

 

[LazyKB]

Here are some boot grips by Craig Spegel. I like them a lot. Most of my carry is with an El Paso pocket holster. No complaints.

 

[GaryS]

On the gun, the Pros are a lot bigger. The butt of the gun will almost stick out of your pocket. I have a Mika Holster also.

The SW Boot grips are a nice size and do not snag as much as regular rubber (synthetic something)

Product: J Synthetic Boot Grip with S&W Logo

Those are the grips that came with the gun. My old 442 had Uncle Mike's but I never liked those. I should try the original grips as well, both in pocket carry and shooting. They might surprise me.

 

[Anton Chigurh]

Actually the Compac Pros are smaller than the Compac. The Pros have an open backstrap, but way too much rubber behind the trigger guard, too much filler, for my taste. The Compacs have the enclosed backstrap, and the pinky notch on the front strap, and are just too big for pocket use, arguably. Maybe in John Wayne's pocket.
When you said Hogue monogrip you didn't specify "boot grip". Since the Hogue boots and the factory boots are not all that different, did you actually have one of the larger Hogue J frame grips, with synthetic backstrap and 3 finger grooves?
Actully, I think the issued grips/stocks, whatever, are the best compromise between size, feel, lack of tacky surface (like Hogue has),durability, and, well, price, as they are already on the gun

 

[Ptarmigan]

I don't like rubber grips on any handgun, as the 'tackiness'

Well said.


Yes, I took it out of context.

 

[ogilvyspecial]

My personal preference is smooth grips with a BK Grip Adapter.

Altamonts on the left, unknown make on the right.

 

[sipowicz]

Hard to beat stock grips (or smooth like above) with a grip adapter...

 

[ogilvyspecial]

Hard to beat stock grips (or smooth like above) with a grip adapter...

I agree. The stock grips are my second choice.

 

[GaryS]

Actually the Compac Pros are smaller than the Compac. The Pros have an open backstrap, but way too much rubber behind the trigger guard, too much filler, for my taste. The Compacs have the enclosed backstrap, and the pinky notch on the front strap, and are just too big for pocket use, arguably. Maybe in John Wayne's pocket.
When you said Hogue monogrip you didn't specify "boot grip". Since the Hogue boots and the factory boots are not all that different, did you actually have one of the larger Hogue J frame grips, with synthetic backstrap and 3 finger grooves?
Actully, I think the issued grips/stocks, whatever, are the best compromise between size, feel, lack of tacky surface (like Hogue has),durability, and, well, price, as they are already on the gun

Yes, I have the larger Hogue grips. I think I mentioned that the grips that came with the 642 are the ones that someone else linked to.

I'm going to put the stock grips back on for now and see how they feel in my hand and how they feel in my pocket when I walk around.

I have the round version of the Mika holster, but I don't think that changes anything as far as the grips go.

Again, thanks to everyone for giving me a lot to consider. That's what I like about this forum.

Well, that and the great pictures of guns I'd love to own.

 

[GaryS]

Someone here (Robotoid, IIRC) told me to use Taurus grips from their snub, and it was a perfect compromise for me.

Are you talking about the rubber or the wood grips?

 

[chief38]

Stock walnut diamond grips with a Tyler T works for me.

 

[AZretired]

I've tried Magnas with the Tyler-T, Eagle Boot grips and Pachmayr Compacs. i love the Compacs for the range but for daily carry I keep going back to the Uncle Mike's Boot Grips for pocket carry. They fit my hand and aren't as tacky as people think.

 

[Larry from Bend]

I like the grips that came on this Model 38 --- It's often in my pocket

But with an old pair of Pachys and a hacksaw and a grinding wheel you can make 'em how you want 'em!

 

[tekoy]

Laser Max and Uncle Mike's

I use Laser Max grips with an Uncle Mike's size 4 pocket holster. Works good for me. With the Laser Max grips, it's quick target acquisition for a possible chaotic scenario.

 

[cjtraining]

M649 w/ T Grip

It's hard to beat a Bodyguard w/ a Tyler T Grip or a BK grip adaptor. Shown are my wife's and my carry guns.

 

[GaryS]

Is anyone familiar with Siles Banana Grips? There is an outfit on Ebay selling NOS grips which they say are from the 70s.

They look to be about the right size for what I want, but don't have any way to compare them to the original wood grips.

 

[sipowicz]

Be careful...40 year old rubbers might be all dried out...

 

[maxwell]

Stock grips with a BK grip adapter. I've got a dozen different grips for my J frame, but this is my pocket rig.

 

[stacy06]

I have Hogue Bantams on my 642. Same size as the originals, with a better cut for a speed loader. I have had no issue with "excessive tackiness", and they feel great.

 

[GaryS]

An update. These came on Saturday and I wasted no time in putting them on. They are a bit smaller than the Hogue Monogrip and sit in my pocket better. They also feel better, I guess I never realized the tacky feel was so, uh, tacky. The gun points well with these and I'm going to try to get to the range tomorrow to see how it shoots.

I've been carrying this in my pocket around the house since Saturday and it's a pretty comfortable set up. I might, but probably won't, sand down the point at the bottom of the grip to make it sit a bit better in my pocket.

Here's a picture.

Be careful...40 year old rubbers might be all dried out...

You're referring to the grips of course. In this case, they're advertised as "Italian Walnut", so they're wood. A bit bigger than the stock grips, but not nearly as big as the Hogue Monogrip.

With luck, they'll provide a bit more of a handle than the stock rubber grips, but not protrude like the Hogues.

This grip thing runs the risk of being like finding the perfect holster.