New Product: Concealable Aluminum Grips for J-Frame Revolvers | Need Feedback!

[EFFIndustries]

EFF Industries is proud to introduce our new aluminum grips for the J-Frame Revolver

Quick Specs:

Models Fit: J Frame - Round Butt
Material: 6061-T6
Panel Height: 3.151 in
Panel Width: .193 in
Panel Set Weight: 1.62oz | 46g

We wanted to create a set of grips that minimized the carry profile for the S&W J-frame. By using precision CNC 6061-T6 aluminum, we were able to achieve thinness while maintaining durability. The first set of grips was actually prototyped in the raw approximately 2 years ago for personal use. Even with daily (and I mean DAILY) carry, we have not found anything outside of normal wear and tear.

While we are confident in the properties of 6061-T6, we have gotten plenty of requests for anodized sets.

What colors would you like to see this product available in?
Please also provide any and all feedback/comments/ and questions for us in this thread.

As a thanks for your help in this endeavor, please accept this promo code [5offswfd] for $5 off your order, if you choose to place one, making your total price $60 shipped.

https://www.facebook.com/EFFindustries
EFF Industries, LLC | Efficient. Effective. Function. Form

 

[luangtom]

Just a personal opinion....a dulled grey or black finish, rather than a stand-out and bright silver-finish. To me, it says, "look at me" in bright silver. I like all of my carry arms to be inconspicuous and low-profile. As I said, that is my opinion only.

 

[AZretired]

Why? Is there a need for these? The pictures don't make them very attractive. They look kinda squared off.

 

[EFFIndustries]

Just a personal opinion....a dulled grey or black finish, rather than a stand-out and bright silver-finish. To me, it says, "look at me" in bright silver. I like all of my carry arms to be inconspicuous and low-profile. As I said, that is my opinion only.

Appreciate the feedback; those are two colors we are already considering. We have identified a TX based, ISO 9001/2000 facility to do type 3 anodic hardcoats.

Why? Is there a need for these? The pictures don't make them very attractive. They look kinda squared off.

The why, was the result of looking for a grip that would make the footprint of a j frame as minimal as possible. Nothing available provided the answer we had looked for. As far as the edges being squared, they are actually smoothly radiused. Something that I now notice is not apparent in any of our pictures and I appreciate you bringing to my attention. I will post some shots that show that radius work tomorrow.

 

[P&R Fan]

They look kinda cool.
I guess, since you asked, I would prefer a darker color too.
I think it's a good idea and I hope you sell a ton of them.
Jim

 

[EFFIndustries]

Appreciate the feedback

They look kinda cool.
I guess, since you asked, I would prefer a darker color too.
I think it's a good idea and I hope you sell a ton of them.
Jim

Jim, thank you for both your feedback and kind words. We are set on providing an HIII offering. Simply a matter of logistics now.

 

[BC38]

I understand the desire for a thin set of stocks (minimal side to side dimensions), but one of the major issues with the original wood stocks is that the circumference is so small that it is hard to get a good grip on them.

This is why Pachmayr Compac, Uncle Mike's Boot Grips, and Hogue Boot Grips are popular. They are thin (side to side) but have a wider profile (front to back) giving the entire stocks a larger circumference - more to hang onto.

Decreasing the side to side thickness without adding to the profile of the stocks actually makes the overall circumference smaller and therefore makes them harder to hold onto.

Have you considered making some stocks that have the same sort of profile as one of the above mentioned products? It should be relatively easy with a CNC machine. That way decreasing the thickness wouldn't have as much of a negative impact on their "gripability".

Just my $0.02....

 

[Maddog 521]

With the smooth rounded edges, I would think they would be slick. Does the checkering stand out beyond the edge?

 

[snubbyfan]

That's a pretty cool idea, I can see how that'd make it easier to conceal a J frame snubby in a persons pocket. A line of grip adapters of various finishes would be a pretty cool addition to your product line.

 

[EFFIndustries]

A Specific Mission

I understand the desire for a thin set of stocks (minimal side to side dimensions), but one of the major issues with the original wood stocks is that the circumference is so small that it is hard to get a good grip on them.

Decreasing the side to side thickness without adding to the profile of the stocks actually makes the overall circumference smaller and therefore makes them harder to hold onto.

Have you considered making some stocks that have the same sort of profile as one of the above mentioned products? It should be relatively easy with a CNC machine. That way decreasing the thickness wouldn't have as much of a negative impact on their "gripability".

Just my $0.02....

It would be ludicrous to deny that minimizing the profile does not negatively impact your purchase on the weapon as say a Hogue boot grip style product would. The feel is completely different and intentionally so. Where we make up for it is the increased ride height on the heel of the firearm; you can get as high up on the backstrap and under the trigger guard as is allowed by the frame.

At this time, we are not considering making a thicker style grip.

With the smooth rounded edges, I would think they would be slick. Does the checkering stand out beyond the edge?

No, after the radius, it is smooth. We felt that for those people that carry IWB, having sharp checkering at the edges would create a point of discomfort or snag and fray various garments.

Thanks for the questions!

 

[Hapworth]

EFFIndustries, I applaud you for bringing new and alternative products to the market, and most especially for submitting them here for feedback and being gracious toward all responses.

Following on BC38's excellent comments, which should be very seriously considered, suggest you look at the profile of the J-frame service magnas -- after which yours are nicely patterned -- when paired with a Tyler T-Grip or similar style grip insert. Consider a future grip that follows that profile as a single piece; it's what many daily J-frame carriers have found to be an optimal balance between concealability and secure grip under fire.

As fo colors, matte and dark are my preferences.

 

[zonker5]

They are a bit gaudy on a blued gun, but I bet they would be great on stainless.

 

[ltgem612]

There is no doubt these grips reduce the profile. However they do nothing to reduce the profile of the cylinder. IMO that is what causes the gun to print. If S&W could only come up with a J frame with a slimmer 4 shot cylinder that coupled with your grips would make for a very slim revolver. I second the suggestion of adding a cast Tyler T-grip to your grips. A slim grip with a additional T-grip cast right into it would be a real winner.

 

[SweetMK]

Since you say these are not anodized, I would expect you will be getting user comments of their hand turning black with use.

Aluminum is a horrible material when not anodized.

These grips are for "GO", not "SHOW", I would expect?

How about other "better" materials, now that you have the CNC program?

UHMW may be a good choice.

Tigerwood (Goncalo Alves) would also be a good material, stronger than oak.

I think tigerwood has been used before around here somewhere?

Tigerwood is readily available, heck, I got 300 b.f..

 

[Kensterfly]

I like it. Simple as that. I wouldn't want to put a couple boxes of shells through it at the range with those grips, but neither would I want to do that with the stock grips. You are apparently marketing this for the 'carry' market. As such, thin and light is a good thing, though I agree that a T grip would make it even better.

Definitely go dark. Carry grips need not be "pretty," just concealable.

 

[hotrod150]

Based on your photos, your grips appear to be too thin, not hand-filling enough. They also need some filler in front of the grip frame, ala grip adapter or boot grip. And lastly, they are ugly. Butt ugly.
Sorry, but you asked for imput, and these three things come to mind every time I look at your ad in the classifieds.
You might think about producing a "boot grip", but using CNC-machined aluminum instead of wood or lastic/rubber.

 

[poordevil]

EFF Industries is proud to introduce our new aluminum grips for the J-Frame Revolver

Quick Specs:

Models Fit: J Frame - Round Butt
Material: 6061-T6
Panel Height: 3.151 in
Panel Width: .193 in
Panel Set Weight: 1.62oz | 46g

We wanted to create a set of grips that minimized the carry profile for the S&W J-frame. By using precision CNC 6061-T6 aluminum, we were able to achieve thinness while maintaining durability. The first set of grips was actually prototyped in the raw approximately 2 years ago for personal use. Even with daily (and I mean DAILY) carry, we have not found anything outside of normal wear and tear.

While we are confident in the properties of 6061-T6, we have gotten plenty of requests for anodized sets.

What colors would you like to see this product available in?
Please also provide any and all feedback/comments/ and questions for us in this thread.

As a thanks for your help in this endeavor, please accept this promo code [5offswfd] for $5 off your order, if you choose to place one, making your total price $60 shipped.

https://www.facebook.com/EFFindustries
EFF Industries, LLC | Efficient. Effective. Function. Form

I think have them have the same profile as a grip with a Tyler grip adapter would be great. I would buy them then.

 

[EFFIndustries]

Thanks for all the comments and questions!

EFFIndustries, I applaud you for bringing new and alternative products to the market, and most especially for submitting them here for feedback and being gracious toward all responses.

Following on BC38's excellent comments, which should be very seriously considered, suggest you look at the profile of the J-frame service magnas -- after which yours are nicely patterned -- when paired with a Tyler T-Grip or similar style grip insert. Consider a future grip that follows that profile as a single piece; it's what many daily J-frame carriers have found to be an optimal balance between concealability and secure grip under fire.

As fo colors, matte and dark are my preferences.

Thank you for coming forward with these points. The T-Grip is something that we are actively testing. We do not want to state interoperability until we can say for certain that either product won't fail (slip/move/etc) when used in conjunction.

They are a bit gaudy on a blued gun, but I bet they would be great on stainless.

Taking preferences into consideration, we will be offering hard coat type III anodic coatings to cover the tastes of various end users.

There is no doubt these grips reduce the profile. However they do nothing to reduce the profile of the cylinder. IMO that is what causes the gun to print. If S&W could only come up with a J frame with a slimmer 4 shot cylinder that coupled with your grips would make for a very slim revolver. I second the suggestion of adding a cast Tyler T-grip to your grips. A slim grip with a additional T-grip cast right into it would be a real winner.

Agreed that the cylinder is the principle issue when considering how the gun prints. We wanted to address another area of concern through the grip area. Having a machined grip that includes an under trigger guard grip area would be ideal and is in the pipeline. So stay tuned.

Since you say these are not anodized, I would expect you will be getting user comments of their hand turning black with use.

Aluminum is a horrible material when not anodized.

These grips are for "GO", not "SHOW", I would expect?

How about other "better" materials, now that you have the CNC program?

UHMW may be a good choice.

Tigerwood (Goncalo Alves) would also be a good material, stronger than oak.

I think tigerwood has been used before around here somewhere?

Tigerwood is readily available, heck, I got 300 b.f..

I've been using these grips for the better part of two years now, and even after range trips, I have never experienced black hands, though I am familiar with handling other raw aluminum alloys and having that color residue on my hands. As far as other materials, it may happen, but it is not something that is actively being pursued. I've never handled UMHW grips, micarta, g10, various woods, TI; but no UMHW. How does that hold up to abuse?

I like it. Simple as that. I wouldn't want to put a couple boxes of shells through it at the range with those grips, but neither would I want to do that with the stock grips. You are apparently marketing this for the 'carry' market. As such, thin and light is a good thing, though I agree that a T grip would make it even better.

Definitely go dark. Carry grips need not be "pretty," just concealable.

Dark is coming first. And no, these are not for extended range sessions. They are edc's. Meant for, as you mentioned, the carry market. Thus the design parameters were to meet a level of grip purchase and minimize profile, among other things.

Based on your photos, your grips appear to be too thin, not hand-filling enough. They also need some filler in front of the grip frame, ala grip adapter or boot grip. And lastly, they are ugly. Butt ugly.
Sorry, but you asked for imput, and these three things come to mind every time I look at your ad in the classifieds.
You might think about producing a "boot grip", but using CNC-machined aluminum instead of wood or lastic/rubber.

Nothing to be sorry about, I want to hear it all, nothing held back haha. What do you find so offputting? The color, profile, texture, maybe the whole of it?

Lot of people asking about boot style, it just isn't in the pipeline, but T-Grip compatibility is along with an integrated type model.

I think have them have the same profile as a grip with a Tyler grip adapter would be great. I would buy them then.

Keep up with us as something of the sorts is in the pipeline!

 

[pmosley]

I have a no lock 342PD this product may be a fit for....

Have you at all considered an offering for the 3rd generation Smith's to replace the factory plastic or fat Houge (wood or rubber) grips that are the only choice now?

 

[adwjc]

Nice concept!

How does the weight (1.62oz) compare to the weight of standard rubber grips supplied with the currently manufactured S&Ws?