Swapping Crimson Trace 305 for 105

[cabezaverde]

I just bought a 642, specifically for pocket carry. The CT 305 grips that are on there are a little too large and sticky for my tastes.

I am thinking about buying a set of the CT 105 grips, which are hard polymer and smaller.

Anyone using these for pocket carry. How is recoil handling ability with non +P practice loads?

 

[FredBart]

I have two sets of CT 105LG. If you want small and somewhat slippery, these are your choice. On a new 442, I replaced the S&W Pachmayr grips (yes, it also came with pink grips that went in the garbage as soon as I got home). On an older model 60 (1974), I also put on CT 105LG in place of Houge boot grips. The CT grips are the same size as those two older grips, but are smoother and more slippery. I found the Pachmayr and Houge grips to have a more sticky surface. All three are small enough for bluejeans front pockets in a suitable pocket holster. The laser is bright but don't lose the very small allen wrenches that come with the grips to adjust for windage and elevation. Only CT could replace them as they are one-third the OD of a toothpick.

 

[cabezaverde]

Thanks Fred.

Being new to J frames, how manageable is the recoil with those grips?

 

[Road Rat]

Differences are here:

Laser Sights For Smith and Wesson Pistols | Crimson Trace Laser Grips

 

[WC145]

I've got LG-105's on my 360J and I swear by them. I don't find them to be "slippery", as the stippling provides a positive gripping surface, but they don't hang or drag on clothing. Recoil wise, they feel like shooting with wood boot grips, they fill your hand and the gun does not move around. When we qualify we shoot 100rds in about 40 minutes and I don't feel anymore fatigued than when shooting anything else. The 105's do not have an on-off switch but I have not found that to be an issue, I figure if I need my BUG I won't have time to mess with switches.

 

[Kapuna]

I don't find them to be "slippery", as the stippling provides a positive gripping surface, but they don't hang or drag on clothing. Recoil wise, they feel like shooting with wood boot grips, they fill your hand and the gun does not move around...

Good info...
And I agree that they're great for pocket carry or any other style of carry...
I have the LG-105's on my 342PD....
However, shooting +P can be fatiguing quick...
But that's true of most all lightweight J-Frames...

Kapuna

 

[JohnK]

It HURTS to shoot with the 105's !

Am going to switch to the 405's as soon as I can afford it.

 

[DaveB57]

It HURTS to shoot with the 105's !

Am going to switch to the 405's as soon as I can afford it.

I switched from 305's to 405's on my 642 because of the length & rubbery texture on the 305's...the 305's just didn't work well for any kind of pocket carry. The 405's have a nice combination of high back strap rubbery cushion, & good rubbery feel on the front strap, but is hard & slicker on the sides & end butt. The 405's are much shorter & work better for pocket &/or holster carry, IMHO.

Dave

 

[cabezaverde]

It HURTS to shoot with the 105's !

Am going to switch to the 405's as soon as I can afford it.

Are you talking +P's or light practice loads?

 

[JohnK]

Cabe, I'm old, and don't have any baby fat on my hands. Plus just underwent hand surgery for Dupytrens contraction.

Pretty much any load hurts.

 

[snowdog]

Yep, I feel the same way. When I'm carring my 642 w/305's CT grips on it I wish I had a smaller grip. But when I'm firing Gold Dot +P .38 at the range, I'm glad I have the longer/soft grip. I think, man with a small grips these rounds would even sting more. Oh well, I guess you can't have it both ways.

See ya,

Snowdoggie

 

[akviper]

I like the 405s also. Hard sides and a soft back strap make them good for pocket carry and still provide a little cushioning when shooting. I regularly carry a 342 in my front pants pocket with no problem with the 405s.

 

[MWW]

Recently bought a 642 w/ CT 305 grips on them. I felt they were a little too big and sticky for carry so I immediately put them on my wife's 638 when I brought it home and put her stock grips on my new 642. After going to the range to try out my new gun and her new grips I just had to get some CT grips for myself. Since I carry the gun A LOT I decided to go with the 105s over the 405s since there would be less chance of them sticking to clothing. Of course shooting comfort is higher with the 405s but since I plan on carrying my 642 a lot more than shooting it I went with the better carry option. That being said, it's not that bad at all when shooting non +P .38's.

 

[arizonaguide]

I've shot 2000+ rounds from the smaller grips, and the only issue was where the exposed metal was on the back (above) the grip rubbed a blister on the web of my thumb. This was after shooting around 500rounds in a single day (training-under pressure-so perhaps not always the "perfect" grip everytime).

As far as soreness from the recoil itself...no issues. The 405's look (slightly) better for covering the back (metal) of the gripframe, but even they don't look like they cover it completely like a set of larger hogues.

So, I would recommend you go with what's comfortable in your pocket for your style of carry. The 405's rubber "overmold" may be slightly better for "padded" comfort.

 

[JayDubya]

Cabezaverde -- I'm not JohnK, but I probably am older than him! I am good for no more than twenty rounds of 148gr wadcutters before I must quit shooting my j-frame with LG-305 grips, a rig bought eight years ago and used to fire weekly. I have often thought about getting the LG-405 grips. When I shoot my defense load, Remington's FBI load, I call it quits at five. In a real situation, I expect I won't notice the recoil, but at the range I certainly do.

Cordially, Jack