J Frame Grips

Though they lack the attractive beauty of decorative wood, Hogue Bantams seem to provide a good balance between durability, conceal-ability, indexing and precision shoot-ability:
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It’s like a rule, or something, that one must always get away from the group.
I’m going to agree. Hogue Bantams are the best boot grips I’ve found to date. While they don’t cover the backstrap, they’re sufficiently wide to spread out the recoil impulse and grippy enough to help control. I’m waiting for Hammre Forged to get their AFR high horns back in stock.
 
On my 442 I switched the original rubber boot grips to Altamont black pearl boot grips that looked good and were great for pocket draw, but fairly small. Then I put the Hogue Bantams on and I'm a fan.

As much as you want to save money and work throug things with a grip, sometimes you do have to try 3-4 before you find what works for you.
 
The problem with 2 inch barrels and tiny sights is they have 2 inch barrels and tiny sights. As one who carried J Frames as a primary federal investigator and as a second in local and state law enforcement, the weak link was always the ability to shoot accurately very far, if need be. As a CCW instructor starting in 1996, I have gone to the CT grip lasers. Nothing is as fast or safe or conclusive.

You never need to see the gun or the sights to use the J Frame with a laser. I have them on J frames and K frame snubs because they are just so quick. A recent study I read says the CT laser will cut your group size in half in daylight and will transform your J frame into a 25 yard weapon.

Those with the enclosed hammer, 442, 640, etc know the limitations of shooting distance. And the laser allows for a one hand hold--which is common in self defense matters, and the laser solves much of that weak hand shooting problems.

Bottom line. The laser grips are not comfortable, they are comforting, they are ugly but effective. If you seriously carry for actual defense, they should be on that gun. My first has been in place about 12 years, only changed the batteries, once.

I just ordered 2 more sets, from CDNN, for $72 each, half the normal price that CT charges. We have multiple J frames and keep them handy at home and one or more goes along when we leave the house. We travel in an RV, and revolvers just do not cause problems like high capacity guns might as we enter various jurisdictions. And if you ever had to use one, that one will be taken as evidence, having an identical spare makes sense. My 2 cents.

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I use the pachmayr guardian grip that has a release button to give you an extended grip for your pinky. Yes hard plastic but it gives me a firm grip and fun to use. Also improved my distance qualification shooting.
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I’ve mocked up grips before with jb weld on existing grips to estimate what different grips would feel like in my hand. I put painters tape on first to make the jb weld removable.

I have lok 2 finger grips on my k6s and 640. I haven’t found anything I like more, yet…
 

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I pocket carry almost exclusively, so I opted for the Hamre Forge Double Cut which is the most packable grip that I found. Of course this makes it harder to shoot, but I have no issues with my 32 H&R magnum.
 

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I completely agree with @Law-dog The laser grips have made me a better shooter. One trip to the range and seeing the laser bouncing around in between shots really helped me focus and dial in my followup shots. Plus in the evening with low light, the laser comes in handy. I know they are pricey and folks seem to feel that relying on a laser versus just using the iron sights is sacrilege but I find they help me more than they hurt. And I also suffer from being near sighted and have astigmatism so thats another plus for the laser.
 
I pocket carry almost exclusively, so I opted for the Hamre Forge Double Cut which is the most packable grip that I found. Of course this makes it harder to shoot, but I have no issues with my 32 H&R magnum.
How did you actually get a pair?
 
The most effective grips I've found for shooting comfort with a J frame is the now-discontinued Uncle Mikes rubber licensed version of the original Ahrends wood Boot Grip. The S&W factory once offered a very near copy, in rubber, of the Ahrends; alas they have dried up.

All the other J frame grips I've tried, to include S&W wood banana, both smooth and checkered, various Pachmayrs, and several more just don't cut it with a centerfire J frame.
 

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