Lets talk about J-Frame Grips......

[fiddlers]

New 632-2 Grips and 637CT

Just bought the 632-2 and have yet to try Esmeralda's grips, but I like both. Also, like CTC laser grips on my 637.

S&W J frame

Another terrific grip maker is Nill Grips in Germany. I have many of their grips.
https://www.nill-shop.com/group_select.php?osCsid=27a24c4bd6d3351ad63b2e51e05e0b35

 

[plainshunter]

Grips by Patrick Grasshorn AKA Executioner, with a Tyler T, enhances my 60 plain Jane revolver

i have a 637 that I was thinking about doing the very same thing with. Nice look there labworm, I've always like stag grips on revolvers.

 

[getoff]

i use dymondwood pannels from brownells, and a tyler t-grip on my 442-2. just hides like a hammerless should...

 

[LH2]

For a while I ran a Hogue Monogrip on my 340MP just because recoil was so unpleasant. Problem is the Monogrip is huge, and makes pocket carry about impossible.

I then went to the Pachmayr Compac Pro (pictured) and liked them a whole lot. Harder rubber than the Hogues, less sticky in the pocket, and still plenty to hang onto at the range.

I really like the look of the G10 grips by VZ and the wood from Spegel. My next J-frame will wear one of these two for sure.

 

[shooter686]

For a while I ran a Hogue Monogrip on my 340MP just because recoil was so unpleasant. Problem is the Monogrip is huge, and makes pocket carry about impossible.

I then went to the Pachmayr Compac Pro (pictured) and liked them a whole lot. Harder rubber than the Hogues, less sticky in the pocket, and still plenty to hang onto at the range.

I really like the look of the G10 grips by VZ and the wood from Spegel. My next J-frame will wear one of these two for sure.

I agree the Hogue mono adds to the size of the gun, and the tacky rubber makes it hang up a bit. Pachmayrs are probably next, until I have enough sheckles for some pretty wood grips.

shooter686

 

[RHINOWSO]

Uncle Mikes Boot grips

 

[RHINOWSO]

Never understood larger grips on a J-frame... I carry one for concealment, if I have big honking grips on it'll I'd rather carry a bigger pistol...

 

[luangtom]

Never understood larger grips on a J-frame... I carry one for concealment, if I have big honking grips on it'll I'd rather carry a bigger pistol...

Amen to that one....

 

[JayBird686]

Tyler T-Grip and Dymondwood Service Grips:

 

[chp]

I like a compact grip (only two fingers) that cover the backstrap (I have large hands). It's ugly, but the best grips I've found that fit that bill are made for the Taurus "J Frame" line (minor fitting required)

 

[Triggernosis]

Well at least Taurus is good for something.....

 

[Mav]

Just received Esmeralda's grips in the mail

She does get some really nice-looking wood to work with.

 

[md80captain]

Here are my own observations FWIW: I recently purchased a new 640 to replace my tested-to-destruction ruger LCR .357. A little about the ruger.
Surpisingly comfortable to shoot with the little hogue bantam grips and full power .357 mag loads. I guess there is something to be said for the polymer "fire control housing" absorbing recoil. By tested to destruction, I mean the cylinder began to drag after about 1200 rounds. After sending it back, Ruger sent me a new one which I proptly sold.

Now I'm a fan of pocket carry. And while revo's tend to be bulky compared to most of the little mouse guns, Reliability and Power make up for this IMHO. For a replacement for my LCR, I strongly considered the S&W 340. Its light weight is really appealing to me. However, I was put off by the reports of almost uncontrollable and painful recoil with .357 mag loads and the fact that most guys ended up carrying .38 special in them. I'm also someone who shoots alot. Like 800-1000 rounds of .357 a month (mostly in my 686, but I also practice frequently with my carry guns). I'm not convinced that the airweight alloy revolvers can hold up to heavy use any better than the plastic frame LCR did.

Enter the 640. 23 oz empty is a bit on the corpulent side for a pocket gun, but it is every bit as concealable as any other j-frame in spite of its extra 1/4" of barrel length (as compared to the 340 or my 642). One thing I didn't like about it was the factory plastic grips. Way too big and bulky. I ordered a set of smooth classic (wood) panel grips that are very dainty and ideal for a tight pocket. They also look really pretty compared to the ugly stock grips.

A big plus for me besides the added concealability of the panel grips is the fact that I'm actually able to get three fingers on it since I'm gripping further up into the "horn" area than most of the other compact grips on the market allow. I also imagine that a higher grip leads to potentially better control of muzzle flip. However, there is a problem: When I loaded it up with Double Tap Bonded Defense 158 grain loads (I chronoed at 1260 FPS BTW) I was in for a rather unpleasant surprise. The felt recoil was so bad I almost did not want to finish the cylinder. DoubleTap Bonded Defense S&W 640 - YouTube


For me the main point of discomfort was where the backstrap met the web of my thumb. I would like to retain the compactness and looks of the wood panel grips. Does anyone have any ideas of ways to cover the backstrap with a little padding that would not look too hokey? I'm thinking of experimenting with glueing a strip of rubber or something back there.

 

[MikeyB]

My M&P 360 with the Pachmayr Compac grip. Makes shooting .357 mag rounds tolerable.

 

[palmetto99]

Never understood larger grips on a J-frame... I carry one for concealment, if I have big honking grips on it'll I'd rather carry a bigger pistol...

I kind of agree, but some grips are larger than others. I have a set of Badgers on a model 36 that are larger than a boot grip, but no where near the size of the oversized Houge rubber that I have used from time to time on the range.

 

[Hammerdown77]

I don't see how you guys pocket carry a J frame with Pachmayr Compac grips! I have a set and love them for high volume shooting at the range, but I can't get the gun in my pockets with that grip on there. Not without people wondering if I'm extremely happy to see them.

I've actually been using some of the Desantis hip grip type grips. Similar concept to the Barami Hip Grip, which I'd used previously, but with the shape of the standard rubber boot grip the gun comes with. They aren't great for extended shooting, but for carry they're a very good option.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Hello all - Let's hear it about J-frame grips! With pics please!

What are most comfortable to shoot? What are the most concealable? What are the best looking? What are the best compromises of the above?

I'm particularly interested in Airweight Centennial suggestions in the comfort department.

Thanks in advance -

Shooter686

In my mind, nothing looks as good as standard S&W wood. Nothing feels as good as Hogue Bantams. The wood equivalent, I suppose, is something like a "boot grip." I think that type was first made by Craig Spegel, but now almost every maker of wood grips has a combat grip that is sawed off at the frame, which is what distinguishes the "boot grip" from a "combat grip" that extends below the frame.

By the way, my remarks are really only for pocket type carry. If you carry in a purse (for the ladies) or in a holster (unheard of around here for a J frame), then there is no reason not to get a real combat grip.

There are plenty of those around also, and the ones that look the best, in my opinion, were the ones made by S&W back in the day.

I guess the theme to my remarks is tradition and advancing age. For the most part, I can do without Zombie green and pink and laminated rainbow looking stuff. Walnut, Goncalo Alves, Rosewood all look pretty good to me!

 

[Pequod]

Altamont etc

Great thread. I have a 36-1 square butt with moon clip conversion. The grip selection is much more limited than for round butts. I have two types of Pachmyr rubber grips, the Gripper model and one slightly smaller. Both are nice, but those Altamont's for the square butt j frame look pretty inviting. Did not know about Altamont before seeing this thread, always get good info on this forum.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

I have a Hogue Bantam grip on my nickeled Model 37.

I'm thinking about a T-Grip or a BK with a pair of buffalo horn grips that I came across.

ECS

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Rio Vista Slim]

For extended (50 rounds or more) shooting sessions with my 637-6, the factory supplied rubber grips are hard to beat for comfort and control.

I bought my first J-frame in 1970. Years of buying and shooting various J and K frame revolvers allowed my hands to become used to the Magna-style grips. For concealment, the pictured Dymondwood stocks on my 637 are perfect, and I can shoot several cylinders of +P ammo without undue discomfort. More importantly, I can control the gun while firing with these abbreviated grips.