Pocket carry - smooth vs checkered grips?

[falz24]

Getting my first J frame, the M&P 340. Going to be running 38 +p. This is going to be a grab and go gun that will be in pants, jacket, and hoodie pockets. Most likely going with eagle secret service grips.

Do you recommend checkered or smooth and why?

 

[Oracle]

My J frame model 60 pro series 3" came with checkered grips, I have since put on smooth grips. My reason is tactile, I reliably maintain the same hand placement with smooth grips, checkered grips not so much. This carries over to my other S&W wheel guns. It just works for me.

From an aesthetical viewpoint smooth grips also better display the beauty of the expensive wood.

 

[falz24]

Thank you for the input.

Will checkered grips print or grab on the pockets cloth more? I’ve always carried IWB and never had a pocket j Frame before. So before I spend money would like to know what to expect.

 

[rockquarry]

I've never seen an instance where checkered stocks " grab" clothing material. I doubt you'd see any difference in this regard or any other in comparison with smooth stocks.

 

[Imissedagain]

Also consider the condition of your hand at the time you reach for the gun.
As stated above, smooth may make for a quicker consistent hold for some, but hands can be dry, wet, slimy(fishing), oily etc etc.

Kayak fishing requires a different gun/grips than standup in a boat or shoreline/bridge fishing situation.
Hands are always, anything but dry in the kayaks, and I carry a 380 or 45 with checkered grips.
Old M59 in back overall pocket when on my feet fishing with checkered grips.

As I said to Pachmayr long ago, why would anyone not carry your rubber 1911s when fishing or in the Swamp.
I might add that the first time I met a really big snake, why was I not carrying a shotgun.

Drawing when wearing gloves?

 

[haywood]

I use rubber grips to absorb recoil. I’ve never had a problem with grips grabbing a pocket. I reach in grab the grip and can come out and shoot if I needed to.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

I don't pocket carry, although I have, but I shouldn't believe the checkered grips would snag because your hand is wrapped around them when you present the revolver.

One guy's thought.

 

[wproct]

I just really like the feel of Hogue smooth wood combat grips. I'm not saying that checkered grips would grab clothing, I just like the feel of the smooth woods.

 

[Old cop]

I just put the factory rubber boot grips back on my 340PD, no problems w/ pocket carry. I’ve always preferred checkered grips b/c they help keep the gun from twisting in my hand under recoil.

 

[photoman]

I prefer checkered grips for serious purposes. Never had any problems with checkered wood grips causing any problems with pocket carry.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I never even think about it; the gun came with checkered stocks, it stays with checkered stocks. No grip problems, draw problems, or print problems.

I can pocket carry this gun, too, and often do:

 

[scruffy]

I just put the factory rubber boot grips back on my 340PD, no problems w/ pocket carry. I’ve always preferred checkered grips b/c they help keep the gun from twisting in my hand under recoil.

This. The stock Uncle Mike's boot grips work great on J-frames and won't snag or interfere with draw, but provide a comfortable surface that helps mitigate recoil. I always go back to them. The Altamont Falconia grips are a combination that also work well and are S&W stock on the PC642.

 

[KalamazooKid]

No problem ever with these laser grips - and I'm thankful for the extra padding on the back side every time I shoot this little canon!

 

[crstrode]

All of the carry guns I use have smooth grips. Wood, stag, rubber, or otherwise. Even the LCR has had the grips swapped pout for Hogue bantam smoothies. It makes a huge difference in draw and conceal-ability.

 

[doc84]

My snubs that are carried all wear some form of boot grip. They are, save for water activities, exclusively carried in a pocket. The snagging of clothing when riding in the pocket is more grip material dependent than texture dependent. The old school UM boot grips are checkered but are made of a firm material. They don't grab at the pocket lining. The smoother wooden or G10 grips do not grab at the pocket material either. The softer rubber Hogue grips grab at the pocket liner material with the gusto of the pudgy kid grabbing the last Oreo.

As others have said, none of the boot style grips snag during the draw as they are enclosed by the gun hand.

 

[Old cop]

I like boot grips for concealment but can’t find anyone who makes a boot that covers the backstrap.

 

[Borderboss]

I prefer rubber grips on my 940 for recoil control and comfort. There's no issue whatsoever on the grips grabbing the pocket material.

If you go wood checkered grips, I find it unlikely that you'll have any issue with the checkering grabbing or hurting the pocket material. Wood checkering isn't that sharp.

I've carried a Kahr PM-9 in my pocket and I put stair tread tape on the grip for control. That definitely wore down the inside of my pocket because it's like sandpaper.

 

[OLDSTER]

At night, in my home office in the dark, I occasionally practice drawing from my pocket. Both my M60 with smooth wood grips or my CA Undercover with these Goodyears. I have never noticed a difference between the S&W and the CA.

 

[rbmac52]

Smooth factory magnas for me on all my 2" J-frame guns. Smooth Targets on my 4" guns.