The J-frame and pocket carry

[Dogguy]

Earlier this week, I got reacquainted with the reason I first got a S&W J-frame. It's gotten a little warmer around here, so a coat hasn't been necessary. When I left work one afternoon I had to run a few errands. I took my 642 out of the truck and, as is usual, I put it in my pocket. I can't carry at work--government building...illegal to possess weapons, etc.

I proceeded to the supermarket to pick up a few things. When I got out of the truck, I noticed the Pachmayr Compac grips of the 642 was showing. I tried to adjust it but those Compac grips are not really "compact". I had to pull out my shirttail to be sure the gun was concealed.

This got me to thinking. I have acquired several J-frame snubbies over the past few years. I got them for concealment and for pocket carry especially. But over time, I've managed to outfit all of them with larger rubber Pachmayr or Hogue grips. They carry fine in belt holsters and they are more comfortable to shoot but they are hardly pocketable anymore.

So I went through my gun stuff boxes and tried different grips. The rubber boot grips that came with the J-frames and the various other small grips that fill the area behind the trigger guard do not fit for diddly. I end up with a two-finger grip down low on the gun that is not at all secure. So finally I settled on the Smith Dyamondwood laminated grips for those guns I will pocket. They are small, thin and hard and they hurt like hell when you go through a 50-round box of ammo at the range, standard or +P. But the guns are now pocketable again and, after all, that is the reason I have them.

 

[murphydog]

Good comments. I found the Crimson Trace Lasergrips to be a good compromise, especially the ones with hard sides and rubber front and rear - long and tacky enough to hang onto but unsticky on the sides. Do you use a pocket holster?

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

Another Convert..
Aren't J Frame airweights great to carry in your pocket..
I went threw several grips looking for the ones that were the best "FOR ME" & also tried the dymondwood grips you have, they were very good BTW & fit the gun very good..
"FOR ME" the Spegel wood grips fit me best & are slick enough that they don't cause drawing problems, also Eagle Secret Servive & the Dymondwood S&W grips work very well, they give you a decent purchase on the gun without all the bulk..
You'll end up carrying more & even though they'll smart some at the range the small compactness of those boot grips is the beauty of the J frame platform..
And fancy wood grips look good as well.
That's a Win Win Situation..
I too suggest you use some type of pocket holster, I have a Kramer but it weighs almost as much as the gun & usualy carry in a Uncle Mikes IWB holster with the clip holder cut off, Light & Thin, tacky on the outside & smooth on the inside for a better draw & stays put in your pocket..

Gary/Hk

 

[681ismyfavorite]

a lot of the pocket carry problems lays in the type of pants and its pockets, more so than the gun and rig its in.

casual type pants with a slash side entrance pocket lend themselves to pocket carry better than top entry "blue jean" style. of course the depth of the pocket is vital as is the diemension of the pockets top opening.

many pockets have different shaped bottoms, i.e. squared, rounded, tapered......so holster selection is important to get a good match.

 

[-db-]

A good series of videos on snubs, carry and use from a law enforcement training perspective: POSA Video Network at Officer.com -- Defensive Snub Revolver - part1

 

[kcphelps]

For the best pocket holster made, IMO, check out Robert Mika, he's a former cop.
Mika's Pocket Holsters - Custom Made Pocket Holsters, Waistband Holsters, Vest Holsters, Tactical Pocket Mirrors And Much More.

 

[redlevel]

Nothing beats the factory magnas and a Tyler T-grip on j-frame snubs. Like God and S&W intended.

My Model-60, so outfitted, is in my pocket right now. Hardly noticeable, well concealed.

 

[Glock 'em down]

Nothing beats the factory magnas and a Tyler T-grip on j-frame snubs. Like God and S&W intended.

My Model-60, so outfitted, is in my pocket right now. Hardly noticeable, well concealed.

Amen brother! Both of my mighty J frames (models 36 & 38) wear factory magnas and Tylers.

The model 36 (no dash) Chief's Special rides in a Galco "Speed Master" OWB holster, along with a Bianchi speed strip in a Galco "2x2x2" ammo carrier.

The model 38 (no dash) Airweight Bodyguard rides in a DeSantis "Nemesis" pocket holster for now, but I'm shopping for something new. I've had the DeSantis since October 2008, and it rides in my front pocket...

Every. Single. Day.

I also carry another speed strip in the opposite front pocket for the little humpback. Occasionaly, I'll carry a Safariland Comp I speedloader as well.

 

[Pisgah]

Nothing beats the factory magnas and a Tyler T-grip on j-frame snubs. Like God and S&W intended.

My Model-60, so outfitted, is in my pocket right now. Hardly noticeable, well concealed.

A man after my own heart! Absolutely the ultimate for maximum concealability and more-than-adequate control.

I'll also add that if any aftermarket-gripped J-frame is too big for pocket carry, you need pants with bigger pockets. Roomy pockets are a feature I look for in any pants I buy, and most of my pants can easily pocket at least a Glock 36.

 

[hedge313]

I have Hogue bantam grips on both of my 60s, and pocket carry with no ill effects.

 

[daa9mm]

Not too long ago I put a set of the S&W banana grips on my every day carry, a 442. They feel good, shoot well, and don't seem to hang up or drag on a draw.
But as was said, a Tyler T grip and the factory wood works pretty well too.

 

[Dogguy]

Good comments. I found the Crimson Trace Lasergrips to be a good compromise, especially the ones with hard sides and rubber front and rear - long and tacky enough to hang onto but unsticky on the sides. Do you use a pocket holster?

I always use a pocket holster. I've got several for the J-frames--Nemesis, Galco horsehide, Mika, Safariland and Uncle Mike's come to mind. The J-frame works well with all of them. Oddly enough, the ones I use the most are the cheapest--the Uncle Mike's. The Mika is a close second.

I don't buy many new guns but I'm always buying and trying new holsters.

 

[Repellere]

Nothing beats the factory magnas and a Tyler T-grip on j-frame snubs. Like God and S&W intended.

My Model-60, so outfitted, is in my pocket right now. Hardly noticeable, well concealed.

If the factory magnas are so great, why was the Tyler T invented? They were invented to solve a problem created by the factory . . . grips that don't fit the consumer's hand.

 

[devildog66]

Ahrends tactical J frame grips work for me. A good balance between control and concealibility.

 

[rock doc]

I prefer to go the deeper pocket approach vs boot grips on my 642. Never a problem with concealment and much better grip & control. I bought a pair of J Synthetic Full Size Grip directly from S&W's website.

 

[681ismyfavorite]

you can see the smooth wood aherns on the NY-1 model 60 here....it is high speed low drag from the pocket.

 

[cowboy117]

Nothing beats the factory magnas and a Tyler T-grip on j-frame snubs. Like S&W intended.

+1,000.I carry my 37-2 this way.

 

[ACP230]

I tried the regular Smith wood stocks on an M49. Fairly soon I had a Tyler T grip adaptor on the gun. That worked OK, but I wasn't as happy with them as I wanted to be. As soon as I found the rubber Spegels from Uncle Mike's I put them on all the snubnoses I carry often.
They work best for me.

When they were going out of production I scooped up all I could just in case I bought more snubs.

 

[jt1]

If the factory magnas are so great, why was the Tyler T invented? They were invented to solve a problem created by the factory . . . grips that don't fit the consumer's hand.

I've wondered the same thing a long time.

Eagle Secret Service or Hogue Compacs for me. Looks great, works great.

John

 

[JNewell]

Earlier this week, I got reacquainted with the reason I first got a S&W J-frame. It's gotten a little warmer around here, so a coat hasn't been necessary. When I left work one afternoon I had to run a few errands. I took my 642 out of the truck and, as is usual, I put it in my pocket. I can't carry at work--government building...illegal to possess weapons, etc.

I proceeded to the supermarket to pick up a few things. When I got out of the truck, I noticed the Pachmayr Compac grips of the 642 was showing. I tried to adjust it but those Compac grips are not really "compact". I had to pull out my shirttail to be sure the gun was concealed.

This got me to thinking. I have acquired several J-frame snubbies over the past few years. I got them for concealment and for pocket carry especially. But over time, I've managed to outfit all of them with larger rubber Pachmayr or Hogue grips. They carry fine in belt holsters and they are more comfortable to shoot but they are hardly pocketable anymore.

So I went through my gun stuff boxes and tried different grips. The rubber boot grips that came with the J-frames and the various other small grips that fill the area behind the trigger guard do not fit for diddly. I end up with a two-finger grip down low on the gun that is not at all secure. So finally I settled on the Smith Dyamondwood laminated grips for those guns I will pocket. They are small, thin and hard and they hurt like hell when you go through a 50-round box of ammo at the range, standard or +P. But the guns are now pocketable again and, after all, that is the reason I have them.

I've tried a lot and for my money the original Spegal bootgrips in hardwood (like cocobolo) are best - get the ones with the "high horn" for better grip.