Mod. 40 Classic Grip Options?

[ranger7]

I'm a big J-frame fan. I was always curious about the Mod.40 "Lemon Sqeezer". A few days ago I stumbled across a Mod. 40 Classic LNIB at what I thought was a good price.

I had it to the range today and shot about 50 rounds of my light target reloads that I use for practice/plinking in my other J-frames. Didn't find the Mod. 40 much fun to shoot at all. It was kinda difficult to maintain the tight grip necessary with the tiny stock walnut stocks. (I have rather longer fingers and I like Uncle Mikes boot grips or the Crimson Trace overmolded grips on my 642 and 442 that I use for carry.)

Even worse than the problem maintaining the necessary grip, I was finding that the back strap and grip safety were irritating my hand on recoil. (Maybe I'm spoiled with the rubber grips?)

If this is ever going to be other than a safe queen, I need some alternative grip options. I've seen Tyler T grips mentioned as an improvement on the Mod. 40. Are these readily available and where? Who makes other grips that will work with the 40?

 

[ranger7]

I'm a big J-frame fan. I was always curious about the Mod.40 "Lemon Sqeezer". A few days ago I stumbled across a Mod. 40 Classic LNIB at what I thought was a good price.

I had it to the range today and shot about 50 rounds of my light target reloads that I use for practice/plinking in my other J-frames. Didn't find the Mod. 40 much fun to shoot at all. It was kinda difficult to maintain the tight grip necessary with the tiny stock walnut stocks. (I have rather longer fingers and I like Uncle Mikes boot grips or the Crimson Trace overmolded grips on my 642 and 442 that I use for carry.)

Even worse than the problem maintaining the necessary grip, I was finding that the back strap and grip safety were irritating my hand on recoil. (Maybe I'm spoiled with the rubber grips?)

If this is ever going to be other than a safe queen, I need some alternative grip options. I've seen Tyler T grips mentioned as an improvement on the Mod. 40. Are these readily available and where? Who makes other grips that will work with the 40?

 

[RDak]

Give them a call and see if their J Frame grip adapters fit your new M40. (They fit the M649 and the description goes on to say they fit "Centennials". So, I hope they fit your new M40?)

http://www.t-grips.com/

Edit: I forgot to mention that if you put a little tape under the part of the revolver where the top part of the T-Grip adapter "hits" that area, you won't mar the backside of the trigger guard and underside of the frame area. (You'll see what I mean when you get the T-Grip.)

 

[feralmerril]

Eagle secret service grips on my old model 40.

 

[jframe]

Eagle grips will fit the new Model 40's as well, but not without slight modification. I had to round down and reduce the radius of the semicircular cutout in the wood to fit the smaller one in the cutout of the Model 40's frame. Standard j frame grips will NOT fit! I think Spegel makes some as well, but at any rate, try his or modifying some other brand of boot grips; it makes all the difference in these little guns.

 

[ranger7]

Anybody have a T grip on a Mod 40 Classic? Not quite sure which size to order. I tried to call Tyler during their listed hours and they have their answering machine turned off.

Tyler's web page shows a size for all J frames after 1955 and lists models but does not list Mod 40 or 40 Classic. Grips on the 40 are definitely different than those on most other J frames, but possibly not different in the area where the T grip attaches.

Since it is Saturday on Easter weekend, I'll try to call them again on Monday.

 

[Tom M]

The front strap on the 40 is the same as any other J-frame gun. Just get the T-Grip for the current J's, and you'll be fine. I have one on mine, currently, and have no issues with fit.

 

[ranger7]

Tom M, Thanks. Will order one at the first opportunity.

 

[AKAOV1MAN]

I have the T grip on my 40-1 and my original 40. Makes all the difference, both T grips are exactly the same except that one is gloss black and the other flat black. I prefer the gloss black on a blued gun, of course, ymmv.

 

[ranger7]

Been calling Tyler Co. all day. Their answering machine says to leave message and they'll call right back, Right!

Found another source and I ordered 2 grips. I'm going to also try them on Mod. 60 that has the original grips.

 

[Nick Danger]

Another consideration is Craig Spegel's wood boot grips, which he has recently adapted to the model 40. He makes some of the most comfortable, as well as beautiful grips on the market. If you like the uncle mikes boot grip, which spegel designed, then you should like his wood grips as well. He makes them in various exotic & standard woods, and they are available from Lightning Arms in Beaverton, Oregon. Their web site: Lightning Arms.com. Very nice people to deal with. Spegel's grips are a bit pricey, but what you get is one of the most beautiful examples of form following function that I have seen.