J frame: Hogue bantam or regular grip?

[Fide686]

Finally found a nice J frame for when I don't want the weight or bulk of my edc K frame. I have Hogues on my K & L frames (pictured). My new mod. 60 has some kind of synthetic grips on it. Is it worth the extra concealment of wood bantams, or would possibly better control with standard wood grips be a better choice? I have fairly large lanky hands.
'Appreciate any feedback- Thanks.

 

[BAM-BAM]

I have and like the Hogue Bantam's on my 337PD...... if I'm going to a J frame ..... it's cus I need small. Full size grips will give you a full three finger grip and better control...............but LOL so will a K-frame....................if size matters........ IMO it's a j-frame with boot grips.

The other grip I like/prefer are Spegel Boot grips...... but right now the wait time for new ones is at least several months.Your rubber grips appear to be the Uncle Mike's authorized copy of the Spegel Boot grip.

 

[KEN L]

Stay with the Uncle Mike's that are on it. You'll be glad you did!

 

[gnystrom]

Stay with the Uncle Mike's that are on it. You'll be glad you did!

Unless you are considering lasergrips, what you have on that gun now is about perfect in my opinion. I also have XL hands.

 

[gnystrom]

The other grip I like/prefer are Spegel Boot grips...... but right now the wait time for new ones is at least several months.Your rubber grips appear to be the Uncle Mike's authorized copy of the Spegel Boot grip.

As of May 2017 I have been on Craig Spegel's list for one year. He called and told me it may be another year before I get a call telling me he is ready to start cutting wood.

 

[BAM-BAM]

I was lucky and snagged a set of extended Boot Grips for my 4" 27 here last week..............

My first Spegels date to the mid 80s ..... for a 3" 65 and a 640...... both in Madagascar mahogany...............add a bunch since but the last decade ordering has been ....................... a long wait.

 

[oldiesradio1560]

I have a M640 .357 as my daily carry. I've fired .357 158 grain FMJ at the range and found that covered backstrap grips bite the Web in my hand. I got the Hogue Battan in rubber being an open backstrap. It solved the bite issue and I liked them but still missed the third finger part of the grip. I just got Hogue Goncalo Alves wood three finger grips. I Love them. Open back strap, 3 finger and Recoil Control. Went to the range and thought I was shooting .38's instead of the .357 158 grain FMJ. Money wise figure it this way. I spent $30. each for 3 different grips. $90. The Goncalo's cost me $69. and I wish I just went with them first.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Grips are very personal things..... like Blonde,brunette or red heads..... boxer or briefs.............or your favorite Beer!!!!!!

Everyone can tell you what they like..... doesn't mean they/it will work for you!!!

 

[M29since14]

I have long, thin hands too. I don't see much difference in the micro-size rubber grips, but of the lot, I do like the Bantams the best because of the feel of the material, not so much because of the size or shape.

If you want control, I prefer the old Pachmayr Compac grip, but they are quite a bit bigger and will make hiding the gun harder to do. If you need a minimalist type of grip, either the a Uncle Mike's grip you have or the Bantams should suffice. If given a choice, I'll take the Bantams but won't worry if I have to make do with the other. Both work fine for me.

 

[Cal44]

Your first picture looks like your M60 with Uncle Mike's boot grips.

Those are some of the best groups around.

Not only are they small and comfortable, but they work better with speed loaders that any other grips I've tried.

If you want to change, the only advantage of the rubber Bantam grips is they are about 1oz lighter than the Uncle Mike's.

But 1 oz on a steel gun like a M60 doesn't matter much.

I did put Bantams on my Model 431PD, but that gun only weighs 13.5 oz, so 1 oz seemed to matter -- at least a little.

 

[SC_Mike]

I've got original boot grips on one of three 640s with a Tyler T grip on it that suits me. I shoot it better than the more full sized rubber gripped 640 or the Hogue wood griped one.

But grips are like pairs of shoes, you have to try them on for yourself.

 

[zogger]

On my Model 60 3" I went with Pachmayr Diamond Pro. I like I can get all fingers on the grip and it has a nice palm swell.

 

[GeoJelly]

Smith stopped selling what I think is their best J-frame grip. I've picked up a couple here on SWF - they're pricey but perfect IMO. They're also light which is helpful on in-the-pocket days.

 

[GCF]

For dedicated pocket EDC, I have a Hogue Bantam on my M&P340.

I like 'em a lot. That said, I'm not sure there is anything wrong w/ the Uncle Mike's - currently on your (very nice) M60. They seem to be quite popular.

The Bantam is not very expensive. Pick one up for a comparison. Pretty sure you could unload either, on the forum classified.

 

[sdb321]

J Frame Grps

Any type of pach's at least for me!

 

[photoman]

If you get the Hogue wood Bantam grips, make sure they are checkered. Otherwise, I find them too slick.

 

[Fide686]

Thank you all for your help. I didn't know that what I had was rated so highly. I will keep the Mikes on and save money and trial & error. They did just fine today with 158 gr 38 plus p loads, and some lighter loads.

 

[Det-Sog]

Thank you all for your help. I didn't know that what I had was rated so highly. I will keep the Mikes on and save money and trial & error.

That's what I would do.

 

[ABPOS]

Wise choice. Although I never tried those. I had been carrying and shooting my 442 with hogue tamers on it for about 2 years. And now I've recently put the factory rubber boot grips back on after shooting my friends 638 that had them on there. They don't slip and I don't really notice any more recoil. In fact, I almost feel like felt recoil went down. Might be in my head. I do have some rubber bands wrapped around it because it helps my right thumb clear the trigger area when locked down. And that might soak up some recoil.

But yeah, it's a very personal decision. I do like this set up a lot, FWIW. In fact I think I have more trigger control with these grips. My hands aren't overly big so my pinky gets enough grip on the gun. Even though it's kind of at the bottom.

And of course they are more concealable under just a t shirt.

 

[The Gila Bender]

I prefer boot grips for carry in a pocket holster. My 640-1 wore Uncle Mike's boot grips for years until I switched to a set of Spegel walnut boot grips. My 640 no dash .38 came with Hogue Bantam grips, which are soft and grippy. My 13-2 wears a set of Pachmayr Compac grips that feel and handle well. The 640-1 and Model 13 are my fishing companions.