J frame grips, Hogue Bantam vs UM Boot Grips

[otis24]

Is the Hogue Bantam ( J frame RD butt) and longer than the Uncle Mike's Boot Grip. I had the UM boot grip and found it to be a little restricting. I have a set of Hogue Bantam's coming. Anyone have a preference? Your thoughts please?

 

[alexcat]

I like the Hogue,s Bantams better than the UM,s. They feel better and handle recoil better. Plus they fit so nice.

 

[coach22]

The Bantams are stickier in the pocket.
Except for that, they are great.

 

[robotoid]

I prefer the UM boot grips to the Hogue Bantams myself. The UM's work better for pocket carry. They are tapered towards the bottom of the grip, and I prefer the harder rubber to the soft rubber of the bantams. I might try a set of the new grips S&W is shipping to their current production guns. I'm not sure who is making them, but they look and feel very similar to the UM's. I've only seen one set in a gun shop, only $10, but they were pink so I had to pass.

 

[otis24]

I can understand the UM grips for pocket carry. I have a 640-1, a little heavy for pocket carry. I carry primarily strong-side IWB, so pocket carry isn't an issue for me. I hope to get a 642 "for the wife", that I can use to pocket carry when needed. Perhaps I'll get her the 642 and keep the NAA Guardian .380 for pocket carry rather than sell it as originally planned. Although, I do pre-fer a revolver.

 

[bronco45]

Just put a set of Bantams on my 640, they are ok but I would like to find some that extend beyond the grip frame butt by half an inch but no longer.

Use to use UMs exclusively but can't find any; anywhere, what's up?

 

[otis24]

To the best of my knowledge, the Uncle Mike's grips are no longer made. Gun shows, stores that may have new-old-stock, or this forum are your best bet. Also, check ebay.

 

[tom turner]

I liked the Uncle Mike's better when I got my first J-frame and was concerned about recoil.

I soon discovered that the original S&W wood stocks PLUS a Tyler T-grip was even MORE comfortable than the "rubbers!!!" JUST GRIP IT HIGH AND FIRM! Just as important, they are slimmer and don't grab and bunch in the pocket like rubbers!

All our J frames now sport Tyler T-grips and either original S&W wood stocks or Patrick Grashorn's awesome Elk Stags . . . and they are fun to shoot . . . even with stout loads in the Airweights!!!

Here's what's in my front pocket now . . . a 15 oz. Model 37 "Airweight." Try a Tyler grip with your stock wood grips and see if you don't really like it . . . and the gun will conceal better too!

a


Same gun, with original grips . . .

 

[alexcat]

I like the blk. grips ,but I went back to retro SW magnas and Tyler -T on my 642-1. Old habits are hard to break.