J frame grips

[J&Nframefan]

Hi Guys,

I have lurked here awhile but finally registered. This is my first post.

I have a 642 with the Uncle Mike's rubber boot grip. I'm not crazy about this grip, and generally don't like finger grooves. I have looked at some 36 Classics, and I actually like the service grips because I can get all my fingers around it and my hand is higher on the grip. Does anyone prefer service type grips on their small frame revolvers? What are the disadvantages in firing?

 

[vytoland]

welcome to S&W. glad you are here.

i like pachmyr presentation grips on my J frame .38 specials. fills my hand and reduces the recoil.

 

[Vern]

The Pachmayr grips will give you something to hold on to and give a little cushion to your hand. There are several makes of wood grips too, some designed to give you a little help hanging onto a Centennial models such as the 642. These Spegel grips are made so they go to the top of the back strap.

Welcome to the board.

Vern

 

[Fat Old Guy]

I had some Sile wooden grips on my Model 38, they are small and easy to conceal but after shooting a 50 rounds or so with those grips, my aging right hand* hurt for days afterwards. I've switched to a set of Pachmayr presentation grips.

I'm sure that in normal encounter I won't fire 50 rounds but I want to be able to practice without pain.

*Only my right hand is aging, my left hand is trapped in a time bubble and is 30 years younger than the rest of me.

 

[bluegrassrules]

I like the combat grips on mine, Cheers

 

[alwslate]

I have five J-frames, all with "service", or magna grips. I also prefer
a higher hold on the gun and any oversize grip forces my hand to take
a lower position. Firing drawbacks? None that I can see. I suppose if
one were to fire a J-frame extensively with heavy loads in one session
it could become uncomfortable but I see no reason to do so.

 

[InTheWoods]

I find most j-frame grips WAY to small for my rather average-sized hands. I generally have to have grips that cover the backstrap to give me a satisfactory hold. For my pocket 642, use Crimson Trace 405s. For belt guns, I use grips that cover the backstrap and give me a full three-finger hold.

 

[VM]

Hi Guys,

I have lurked here awhile but finally registered. This is my first post.

I have a 642 with the Uncle Mike's rubber boot grip. I'm not crazy about this grip, and generally don't like finger grooves. I have looked at some 36 Classics, and I actually like the service grips because I can get all my fingers around it and my hand is higher on the grip. Does anyone prefer service type grips on their small frame revolvers? What are the disadvantages in firing?

Welcome to the Forum!
Everybody has an individual "feel" for grips. Try to go to gunshow and handle as many J frame revolvers as posible with different grip styles - you should be able to find one that fits your hand perfectly.
Good Luck

 

[wrangler5]

The Pachmayr grips will give you something to hold on to and give a little cushion to your hand. There are several makes of wood grips too, some designed to give you a little help hanging onto a Centennial models such as the 642. These Spegel grips are made so they go to the top of the back strap.

Welcome to the board.

Vern

I have been looking for some grips that give extra width higher up on these little guns, and this looks like it might do the trick. Spiegel's web site says the Centennial grips don't fit other models as they go higher on the frame, but I'm partial to the Model 49 Bodyguard style of shrouded hammer guns, where the frame also goes higher than the traditional Chief's Special design.

The Spiegel web site doesn't appear to have a Contact option (you just mail in an order), so I'm wondering if anybody here has experience fitting this style grip on a Bodyguard? (A real Bodyguard, of course, not the new plastic one that usurped the name.)

 

[jack the toad]

I'm not an expert and as mentioned, I've not tried the vast amounts of J-frame grips. Personally for concealment, I like the UM boots for J's, but my second preference is prolly service magnas with a tyler adaptor.

 

[1sailor]

I run these pachmayer's on my MP340. Very comfortable as the backstrap is cusioned and I can get all my fingers wrapped around it. Plus it's still small enough to drop into an inside pocket. Whn shooting full magnum loads they really give much better control over recoil.

 

[J&Nframefan]

Thanks for the replies. I think I want to get away from rubber and do not want anything oversize. IIRC the UM grips I have are a licensed copy of Spegel's boot grips. They are not bad, just a little cramped in the frontstrap.

BTW, I have small hands for a man. I wear medium gloves in the lab. Most men wear large or XL and many women wear mediums. I can comfortably grip small autos like the Star Firestar and Kahr's (not the micros) with all my fingers on the frontstrap.

S&W is selling the walnut service grips they put on the classic J-frames and also laminated finger-groove combats in a variety of colors. They are all the same price. I can get basic laminated service grips quite a bit cheaper.

It seems the current trend is to use grips that block most of the space behind the trigger guard lowering your grip. Then they put a ridge on the front so you can hold on. But that spreads your fingers even further apart on some very limited real estate.

With service grips I will be able to grip with all my fingers on the frontstrap. Will the revolver beat me up by slamming the triggerguard and bottom of the frame into the fingers? I know some of you guys have some vintage lightweight 38's. What is it like?

 

[Vern]

... The Spiegel web site doesn't appear to have a Contact option (you just mail in an order), so I'm wondering if anybody here has experience fitting this style grip on a Bodyguard?

Wrangler, give him a call (503) 368-5653. Craig runs a one-man shop and answers his own phone. I think he keeps busy enough with his standard grips, but I think he would a least listen to a special request. He seemed like nice guy the times I've talked to him.

Vern

 

[missfire]

Welcome..I've had a pair of Fitz, model CF, grips on my Chief since I bought it in 1961, carry gun..Paid $ 6.95 at the time...Jim

 

[shep854]

I have original style, 'lemon peel' grips with a Tyler T-Grip on my Model 49. When I got it, it had black rubber grips, but I wanted the classic look of the old guns, but those itty-bitty grips are just too small for my hands. Also, since I pocket carry, I did not want the tackiness of rubber grips, nor any additional bulk.
The setup I use fits the bill perfectly, is eminently shootable, and helps maintain the classic appearance.

 

[ogilvyspecial]

I've tried a lot of different grip set-up's on J Frames and found this works best for
not only myself, but others who have tried them, no matter the size of their hands.

The key factor is the BK Grip Adapter, which gives a good hand
hold without adding to the overall outside dimensions of the guns.

 

[walkin' trails]

I've used the factory wood grips but had to have a T-grip to make them work. I've also had Pachmyers, Uncle Mike's, and Hogues. Lately I've been playing with the Hogue Bantams. They're short, but the palm swell seems to aid recoil better than others I've used. I prefer a J-frame grip with slightly more downward length than the boot grips, but thusfar, I haven't found anyone making anything as I described. Probably ought to figure out how to make my own. Hogue does make some wood grips without the finger groves, but they're larger than what you may want.

Vern - those Spegals are very eligant on that little 642!

 

[CoMF]

Like you, I have relatively small hands and, surprisingly, take a medium in blue nitrile gloves myself. I've found that on my sq. butt M36, the factory stock panels seem to work well for me provided that I do my part. On the other hand, I've found that the factory panels on rd. butt J-frames were never really conducive to accurate shooting in my personal experience. Therefore, I almost always went with something that filled the hand slightly better like the Uncle Mike's boot grip.


This is admittedly subjective, but as far as felt recoil is concerned with the factory stocks, I find the sq. butt J-frames much more pleasant to shoot than I do the rd. butt ones, and especially so with +P rounds.


I've actually been considering a set of Herrett's Detective stocks for my M36 as they seem to be the perfect balance between size and practicality, plus they're made just for your hand. If they happen to pique your interest, keep in mind that they do fill the area behind the triggerguard. Herrett's can also size them down so that they extend no more than a 1/4 inch below the frame.

 

[Texas Star]

The only advantages to service grips are that they hide well and make the gun harder to twist out of your hand, if you let an opponent close with you.

Obviously (I hope!), if someone is grappling for your gun, you need to shoot him fast and effectively!