J Frame Grips

Pachmayr Compacts are my favorite. I do have one set of Houge Tamers. My hands are old and beat so I need cushion. They fit all my pants pockets.
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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)
As one who was issued J Frames and carried as a primary and later as a backup, then as a CCW for 50+ years, nothing is better or faster than the Crimson Trace laser grips. They double your speed and insure accuracy whether you can see your
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)

Nothing is faster or better that CT laser grips on a J frame. You cut your response time in half and accuracy is guaranteed whether you can see your gun or not. But they are not very comfortable. Just depends if you actually carry for a real risk or that one in a million possibility.

As a former CCW instructor, I always recommend them for any carry J Frame, just common sense. Personally, I have several, three with CT grips on them. I can practice with any I want, but when it comes to self defense, one with the laser goes along.

In fact, a J Frame with laser makes the perfect second gun. In an emergency, you can arm a friend or family member and anyone can defend with that one. And I once had a near robbery where that actually happened. FWIW
 
Walkin Trails, very interested in your experience with the AFR grips! Please keep us posted.
 
I find the Ahrends stocks are the best for my small hands.....Love the S&W Target Banana shape for CC draw....little finger hooks perfect
 

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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)
They are just way overpriced for grips IMHO.
 
I keep a lot of stuff in my front pockets. Including a M60 in an uncle Mike's no.3. I've tried many different styles of grip over the years.Then I found these Herrett's Shooting Aces at show and took a gamble. I'll never look back they are terrific for a larger hand.
 

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Got my notice yesterday and ordered the “full set” last night. Going to try them out on my 640 and 43c.
I ordered the Hamre Forge AFRs on 6/12 and just reached out to them for a ship date. They said they're running on a 6-8 week wait from ordering. Just so ya know.

I've found I need the extra spacing over the grip frame for a J-frame to be anywhere near comfortable for me. On a K/L I prefer an open back strap, but need a closed on a J to feel and point similarly. It's a shame since I have bought MANY great looking pearl and stag grips for J's, but the little gun is too punishing on my arthritic XL hand. Need more reach to simulate the "comfort" I feel shooting a K/L.

*Of course I know that if I ever Need the J in my pocket the pain will be an afterthought, but I try to stop by the range a few times a month to keep the muscle memory / familiarity with drawing and firing it.
 
I ordered the Hamre Forge AFRs on 6/12 and just reached out to them for a ship date. They said they're running on a 6-8 week wait from ordering. Just so ya know.

I've found I need the extra spacing over the grip frame for a J-frame to be anywhere near comfortable for me. On a K/L I prefer an open back strap, but need a closed on a J to feel and point similarly. It's a shame since I have bought MANY great looking pearl and stag grips for J's, but the little gun is too punishing on my arthritic XL hand. Need more reach to simulate the "comfort" I feel shooting a K/L.

*Of course I know that if I ever Need the J in my pocket the pain will be an afterthought, but I try to stop by the range a few times a month to keep the muscle memory / familiarity with drawing and firing it.
Yeah, I got the same message from them. Still waiting. Remember how this used to be the norm for quality firearms related accessories.
 
Got mine Monday and tried them on my 43c and 640. They're a litte tight at first getting them onto the grip pins, but will wear in after a bit. Overall quality was great and you see evidence they are more than just a quality, customer oriented business.

Went to the range on Wednesday. I'd been using Hogue Bantams on everything J-round butt. The extra material covering the back strap tends to alter the trigger pull dimensions and takes some getting used to.

I ended up sidelining the 43c as its going back to warranty for the third time, so I put them on my 640, the old .38 Special version. First five shots were with Federal 158 grain LWCHP +P. I noted this was loaded a bit more stoutly than I remember, and maybe even more felt recoil than the Federal 147 grain Hydra Shok +P+ I used to have to carry in it.

My hands are medium size. With the belt hook panel, recoil tended to be rather harsh and shift the impact closer to my shooting hand thumb. Put the regular panel on. Again recoil with the Federal 158 was harsh, but a bit less uncomfortable. I switched ammo to some old Winchester 158 grain LSWCHP +P I'd had for a while and found it a bit more manageable. Shooting Winchester White Box 130 grain FMJ flat point was. extremely pleasant.

The AFRs seemed to provide a more point of aim grip angle than other J-frame grips I've used. S&W revolvers and Glocks both tend to point a bit high. Maybe shooting S&W revolvers is why Glock and I got along good for a number of years.

At the end of the day, I switched the 640 back to the Hogue Bantams. I'd run my LEOSA qualification with these grips and 148 grain wadcutters last week and scored 100 percent for the first time with that revolver (normally 90-96 percent). I had used the Bantams when I was working, and despite the open back strap, the spongy texture, easy to grip side panels tended to soak up recoil better, even with the aforementioned Hydra Shok +P+. On the other hand, I admit to becoming a bit recoil sensitive. Thats why I'm making plans to incorporate more .22 LR into my long term plan as I get older.

The AFR grips will probably go back on the 43c when it comes back from repair, assuming that they managed to get it to work or hopefully replace it with one that will. Then, I can get used to the UC belt hook panel and and use it as it is intended. If I change my carry ammo to Georgia Arms or Buffalo Bore wadcutters, then I'll consider acquiring a second set of ARFs.
 

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