Just bought my first S&W (642) questionabout grips

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Welcome to the forum, cb56. :)

Congrats on your first S&W -- the 642 is an excellent, highly concealable personal defense revolver.

It's a J-frame round butt, and a Centennial (a name given to the enclosed hammer J-frames), so yes, the Hogue Tamers you linked will fit.

Be safe and have fun. ;)
 
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Hapworth said:
Welcome to the forum, cb56. :)
Congrats on your first S&W -- the 642 is an excellent, highly concealable personal defense revolver.
It's a J-frame round butt, and a Centennial (a name given to the enclosed hammer J-frames), so yes, the Hogue Tamers you linked will fit.
Be safe and have fun. ;)
Click to expand...

GREAT! thanks. I'm not a wimp, but a little recoil sensitive (New Shooter at age 60) Shot my friends 642 and felt I could handle it but it kicked a bit harder than my Ruger GP100 .357 6 inch barrel. Also I have slightly large hands so for both reasons I thought I'd try the Tamers on it.

Put the gun on layaway and should have it by first week of August. Just in time for my concealed carry class.
 
Stopsign32v said:
Yes they will but I didn't like mine. Completely defeated the purpose of the J frame imo which is a revolver you can throw in your pocket.
Click to expand...

I was wondering about that because I want to pocket carry.
If I hate the Tamer grip I can always take it off right?
 
Like you, I have also recently purchased a 642. I've actually had the opportunity to take the gun to the range and fired over 125 rounds through it. I've also been carry the 642 in a pocket holster around the house for the past couple of days.

I can tell you that you will feel the recoil when firing this gun, whether it be fmj or +p SD ammo. It is not unbearable but it is snappy compared to my other guns (glock 17,19 and 26). I too would like to have an extra layer of cushion but when you start adding thicker and larger grips the gun loses its appeal as far as being a pocket pistol.

If you going to use your 642 for pocket carrying I would look at a different set of grips. If you plan on carrying iwb then I think you find yourself a good set of grips.
 
Yes I plan on pocket carry for now.
I think my friend has an OWB holster for his.
This will be a new experience for me so there may be some trial and error until I find the most comfortable way to carry.
 
cb56 said:
I was wondering about that because I want to pocket carry.
If I hate the Tamer grip I can always take it off right?
Click to expand...

I don't think you will like them. As far as feel and natural pointing plus the added benefit of pocket carry, I went with these and liked them a lot. [ame="https://www.amazon.com/Hogue-Rubber-Frame-Round-Bantam/dp/B000STIPXC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467918846&sr=8-1&keywords=j+frame+hogue"]Amazon.com : Hogue Rubber Grip S&W J Frame Round Butt Rubber Bantam Style Grip : Gun Grips : Sports & Outdoors[/ame]
 
I had a model 36 square butt that I traded for a model 640-3. I had a set of Pacmar rubber 3 finger grips on the j-frame 36. The square butt Pacmar's fit the round butt 640-3 perfectly. I have a Clip Draw on the 640-3 and Love it all.
 
Yes, they will fit. I put a set of Tamers on my wife's 642 and she loves them. The difference between stock grips and the Tamers was significant. She is deadly accurate with the new grips, she is 60 Yrs old and put 80 rounds down range last trip and the recoil did not bother in the least. Its a trade off comfort and shoot ability vs easy concealment. I want her to be comfortable with the recoil, she will want to practice more. (Happy wife, Happy Life) :)
 
Try Pachmayr Compaq for pocket carry and Pachmayr Decelerator if you're going to run through a few boxes of hot ammo.
 
The Tamers are an easy switch, but I like the stock grips for front pocket/iwb. Check out Jerry Miculek's grip style on youtube, wrapping the weak hand thumb around the backstrap to the trigger finger. It helps to mitigate the recoil for me.
 
Tamers: Liked the recoil reduction, too big for pocket carry.
Bantams: Had some on a M19 snub and liked them. Worth a try.
Ergo Delta: Great recoil reduction, very pointable, scores improved but my old weapon retention training convinced me to dispose of them.
S&W stock: work fine but speedloaders wouldn't clear.
Pachmayr Compacts: might be an option if your fingers are longer than mine.

Uncle Mikes boot grips: what mine wears now, but I hear they are out of production. Speedloaders clear just fine.

As always, JMO, YMMV, YOLO, BOGO, LOL, MOUSE.
 
Hapworth said:
I've found the stock "fish scale" boot grips the 642 ships with to be the best compact rubber boot grips for balancing shooting comfort and concealability.

I agree with others that the Tamers might be oversized for pocket carry.

If I were to try another grip, it would probably be the Ergo Delta:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/concealed-carry-self-defense/476852-funky-looking-j-frame-grip.html
Click to expand...

I've only recently began carrying/shooting a 442 but also love the stock grips. Great for gripping and for pocket carry.
 
Put the Hogue tamers on the 642 today. It's in my pocket right now (in pocket holster) no problems. hardly notice a difference in my pocket but in my hand the gun feels great! Can't wait to go shoot it again.
 
I've enjoyed the Hogue Bantam grips on a 442. They work well and seem to be better than current stock...and lighter weight too. Nice control with +P loads. Though I have found new old stock of Uncle Mike's on Ebay.
 
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