J Frame Grips

[flundertaker]

Picked up a new UC J frame this week. I think the grips feel pretty good but I have no point of reference. This is my first J frame. Without spending a small fortune $100 at a time swapping grips, can y’all share some experiences of aftermarket for pocket EDC for a large size hand. I do like that the factory grip come up higher on the back strap than most. Picture of factory grip follows

 

[NCBeagle]

Hard to beat the UC grips for large hands.

 

[flundertaker]

Hard to beat the UC grips for large hands.

Nothing would please me more than to know that for once I don’t need to spend more money to get the best of something! If S&W and Lipsey crushed it on these grips from the factory, I am thrilled.

 

[gunbarrel]

If you like the VZ grips, maybe the High Horn model may fit you better? They are supposed to be for guys with bigger hands. Give them a call.

The Lipsey’s – Smith & Wesson Ultimate Carry J-Frames, Part I – RevolverGuy.Com

S&W J-Frame High Horn Grip - Tactical Diamond - VZ Grips

 

[Kansasgunner]

I have went through a progression of three grip styles on this 640-1. I bought it from forum member Onomea because I was smitten with the Herretts he had custom made many years ago.
As beautiful as they are, I consistently pulled my groups to the right with them. So switched out to my go to Centennial boot grips from Craig Spegel. Groups back on center with the same hold. Just got a set of the UC style grips from VZ for this gun. Very happy with the new UC grips, both at the range and in the pocket. The extra girth feels great. I wear a size 10 glove, so medium size hand. Last photo has Spegel grip over the VZs.

 

[NCBeagle]

Nothing would please me more than to know that for once I don’t need to spend more money to get the best of something! If S&W and Lipsey crushed it on these grips from the factory, I am thrilled.

I do not think that it gets too much better than the UCs. The design (purposefully) increases the distance from backstrap to trigger to give more of a big gun feel / accommodate larger hands.

Also, factory combats work well, if you feel like pimpin it out a bit. Might be a bit large for pocket carry.

 

[snubbyfan]

I wear an extra large glove and Pachmayr Compac grips fit my hand well.

 

[flundertaker]

If you like the VZ grips, maybe the High Horn model may fit you better? They are supposed to be for guys with bigger hands. Give them a call.

The Lipsey’s – Smith & Wesson Ultimate Carry J-Frames, Part I – RevolverGuy.Com

S&W J-Frame High Horn Grip - Tactical Diamond - VZ Grips

I believe these are what came from the factory on my 432UC. I do like the black and grey color option better than the black cherry from the factory however. Not sure it’s worth $80 just for a change of color if they are otherwise the same grip.

 

[Farmer17]

My favorite rubber grips were made by Sile and don't know if they're still in business but they made a ton of them and are on Ebay and other places and are thinner than Pachs and fit my hand perfectly. They are also pretty cheap.
https://www.ebay.com/p/1674075025?iid=272560282143

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Do you have a Buddy, Gun club member, etc who shoots J Frames?
Chances are he has some extra grips.
Borrow some and try before you buy.

 

[Kansasgunner]

flundertaker,
You are correct the VZ grips gunbarrel referred to are the OEM grips on your UC. Give them a chance and I think you will be very pleased with them.

 

[gunbarrel]

That's good advice from Tim--give them a chance. But, if you are still not satisfied, I would contact vz grips and see if the wrap-around fit your UC. If so, maybe they will even-trade you. Seems to me that they would sit up higher. Good luck!

S&W J-Frame Grips - VZ Grips

 

[Beju]

If you want more effective trigger reach, the Hamre Forge AFR Undercover grip is ~5-7 mm thicker towards the top of the grip. It's ~3mm narrower at the bottom of the grip due to having a more gentle radius than the VZ UC grips. The thicker backstrap also increases trigger reach by 1.5 mm.

 

[sophie]

Couple of more votes for the Pachmayr Compac grip on the S&W J-Frame guns like snubby mentioned above.
I’ve tried the Magna’s, Boot Grip, S&W Combat, and Altamont grips on my J-Frame guns and my vote goes to the Pachmayr Compac grip.

The Pachmayr Compac is a little harder to conceal but it sure is easier on my hand.

 

[HardToHandle]

I came to suggest the Hamre Forge grips too.
I presently have Hamre Forge, Altamont and Crimson Trace LG405.

crimson Trace handles the recoil the best, followed by Hamre.

 

[Dutch87]

I came to suggest the Hamre Forge grips too.
I presently have Hamre Forge, Altamont and Crimson Trace LG405.

crimson Trace handles the recoil the best, followed by Hamre.

I'm a 405 guy -
- Light weight
- Thin
- Yet adds trigger reach/relief
- Rubber on the back for recoil management
- Laser is good in lowlight AND a good training aid (shows you if your grip is sufficient for stopping the laser from wiggling during trigger pull)

 

[Smeckler]

It's hard to find good grips. I usually shoot a gun a few times and pay attention to how it feels, rubs, twists, etc. and then go for grips that look like they'd help with those issues.

For carry, I like Altamont Co grips. Take a look at their wood combat or bateleur grips. Their Altai grips might be right too.

 

[kelljor]

have a 442, came with factory boots, think they are knock off of speigels. Tried Hogue mono wraparounds, pachmyer compacs, back to the originals. The others are ok, make it a bit easier to shoot, but hell on the concealibility (I pocket carry, usually in jeans).

 

[flundertaker]

just an update. Ive put about 300 rounds thru my 432UC and while the factory VZ feel good, they are a bit slick so the gun rotates slightly in my hand. i ordered a pair of the VZ diamond textured high horn so see if they rectified this and they did. I was a bit surprised with the difficulty of installing the new VZ. The pin hole was about 1/16" off on one panel. I finally got them on however. I definetly like them over the factory smooth VZ. I would like to try a set of the Hamre Forge as well but they seem to be on perpetual out of stock.

 

[heeter3]

flundertaker,I like the old herrett shooting aces and have them on 5 of my snubs.I don't know how they'd work with large hands but the old shooting stars may fit better.Both the shooting aces and shooting stars are still around if you look for them.