I have tried to get comfortable w/j-frame and equivalent sized revolvers without much success due to big hands. I am considering trading one of my 4" k-frames but wonder about other alternatives or if I should take the plunge, get a j-frame and learn to love it-
J-frames & big hands
- Thread starter Slyk54
- Start date
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If you're going for a used gun, possibly a square-butt frame (with Magnas and maybe a Tyler) will help. Otherwise, I would try Pachmayr Presentation grips.
Are you sure you need a J? For a pocket maybe you do, unless you can find a 2" RB Model 12. For anything else, maybe a 10 or a 15 would do. And Pachmayrs would probably keep the gun out of your pocket, anyway.
I don't like rubber grips of any kind on my J-Smiths. I use original Smith banana grips on my snub round butts and original Smith target grips on my 4" J's. Both make them feel almost k-frame size when you grip them. Of course there are aftermarket equivalents out there too.
I have pretty large hands, and I have a 1998 vintage model 60 that came with stock Uncle Mike's boot grips. I replaced them with a set that I ordered from the Smith & Wesson on-line store, and they are perfect for me. Large enough for a good grip, but compact enough for carry. See attached
Product: J Synthetic Full Size Grip with S&W Logo
Product: J Synthetic Full Size Grip with S&W Logo
I have to use closed-back grips on my j-frames to enjoy them at all. I prefer wood and find them somewhat difficult to find on occassion.
The Pachmayr Compac grip is, for me, a comfortable handful without being terribly bulky. The cushioned backstrap adds some trigger reach and absorbs some recoil, and there's support for the pinky finger, but that's about it. I can shoot a steel J frame all day with a Compac grip on it. The rounded contours still let it conceal easily, if that's an issue for you.
If the Compac isn't big enough, the next step up in size is the Pachmayr Decelerator grip, which in the J size is almost as large as the Decelerator for a K frame - it has the same space for your fingers, but is ~1/4 inch thinner side to side. (The K model is also about an extra 1/2 inch taller along the backstrap - to me it is a VERY large grip.)
The size and squishy rubber of the Decelerator makes it THE most comfortable grip I've found for long shooting sessions with a J frame, especially if it's one of the Airweights, and makes one of the little things feel like a big gun in my, not so huge, hands. I usually carry a J frame in an IWB holster and find the Decelerator grips are thin enough to conceal just fine under sweaters in cooler weather, and they'll hide under my Hawaiian shirts in the summer if I haven't gained so much weight that the shirts get tight. (But these grips won't work in any pocket that I have, except those on my large winter coats.)
People talk about rubber grips being "sticky" and not letting cover garments hang freely if you're trying to conceal a gun. I found that to be somewhat true with both of these grips when they were new, but now that I've handled and shot 'em a lot, most of that stickiness has gone away.
If you want a J frame, I'd say go for it and try one or both of these grips. They're each under $25 at Midway and are usually in stock (the Compacs are out of stock at the moment, but are expected in 4 days) , so you won't be out much time or money to try 'em. You can probably get at least half your money back on the grips on ebay if you don't like one or the other. And if you pick a popular model of gun you won't lose much money on it either if you decide it just won't work.
Personally, I enjoy shooting my J frames just as much as my Ks. They're more of a challenge when you get to 20 yards and more (I know, I know, that's not what they're intended for, but still . . . ) but can be remarkably accurate with some work on your part. And small enough to always have with you.
If the Compac isn't big enough, the next step up in size is the Pachmayr Decelerator grip, which in the J size is almost as large as the Decelerator for a K frame - it has the same space for your fingers, but is ~1/4 inch thinner side to side. (The K model is also about an extra 1/2 inch taller along the backstrap - to me it is a VERY large grip.)
The size and squishy rubber of the Decelerator makes it THE most comfortable grip I've found for long shooting sessions with a J frame, especially if it's one of the Airweights, and makes one of the little things feel like a big gun in my, not so huge, hands. I usually carry a J frame in an IWB holster and find the Decelerator grips are thin enough to conceal just fine under sweaters in cooler weather, and they'll hide under my Hawaiian shirts in the summer if I haven't gained so much weight that the shirts get tight. (But these grips won't work in any pocket that I have, except those on my large winter coats.)
People talk about rubber grips being "sticky" and not letting cover garments hang freely if you're trying to conceal a gun. I found that to be somewhat true with both of these grips when they were new, but now that I've handled and shot 'em a lot, most of that stickiness has gone away.
If you want a J frame, I'd say go for it and try one or both of these grips. They're each under $25 at Midway and are usually in stock (the Compacs are out of stock at the moment, but are expected in 4 days) , so you won't be out much time or money to try 'em. You can probably get at least half your money back on the grips on ebay if you don't like one or the other. And if you pick a popular model of gun you won't lose much money on it either if you decide it just won't work.
Personally, I enjoy shooting my J frames just as much as my Ks. They're more of a challenge when you get to 20 yards and more (I know, I know, that's not what they're intended for, but still . . . ) but can be remarkably accurate with some work on your part. And small enough to always have with you.
David Sinko
Member
I use the Uncle Mike's boot grip on all my J Frames. The rubber is not as sticky as Hogue, which tends to be the worst offender. I shoot J Frames by grabbing them lower on the grip frame. This gives my trigger finger more room to "reach" and prevents my thumb from getting battered by the cylinder latch. The short barrels on the smaller J Frame don't torque compared to the larger frame sizes with the longer barrels, and this allows for unorthodox shooting styles.
Dave Sinko
Dave Sinko
texagun
Member
If you prefer the original grips in lieu of rubber replacement grips, give the Tyler T-Grip a try. It improves the feel and grip of the gun significantly and they have been used on small frame revolvers for decades.
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i put pachmayr "presentation" grips on my S&W model 649. these grips fill my hand and give me better control. they have NO finger grooves, so my hand wraps around the grip nicely.
if you prefer a grip with finger grooves , pachmayr makes a "gripper" model.
both grips have a covered backstrap.
if you prefer a grip with finger grooves , pachmayr makes a "gripper" model.
both grips have a covered backstrap.
buckeyefist
Member
Yep, Tyler T-grip or Houges The Houges feel GREAT but are much bulkier.
Some examples of J-frames with hand filling grips. You will note the top 5 guns have closed-back grips:
hotrod150
Member
"4507CAMS" on this site has a bunch of grips listed for sale, one of which is a Siles #711 for $25. These are wood grips which cover the backstrap, with a shape reminiscent of the old Fitz gunfighter grips. A friend of mine who has big hands has a set on his model 37 and really likes them.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Thebigger the grips you get the more bulk and weight you get and by that point you are better off carrying a larger snub nosed seven shot revolver or dare I say semi auto
. Practice makes perfect.....or at least improvement
Thebigger the grips you get the more bulk and weight you get and by that point you are better off carrying a larger snub nosed seven shot revolver or dare I say semi auto
. Practice makes perfect.....or at least improvement
I have big hands, I have these on my 642 and my 60-10 3" and I think they work well as it can get. Face it, you have big hands and these are small guns. Gotta practice...
