Trimming stock rubber J frame grips for speedloaders

[Hammerdown77]

I've been trying to use the search for this but must not have the combination of words right.

I have a 642 with the stock rubber grips (made for S&W by Hogue?). They don't work with my Safariland speedloaders. I've been using a Barami Hip Grip for a few months now, but think I'd like to go back to the rubber boot grips.

What's the best technique for modifying these to work with speedloaders? I thought I remember someone saying to leave the grip panel in the freezer overnight to make it easier to grind on, but I can't find that thread. I don't have a belt sander, so is a Dremel sanding drum the ticket? Or will that just melt the rubber?

 

[5-Shot]

I remember an old gunsmith freezing recoil pads before he sanded them down with a belt sander. Might help.

 

[RGPM1A]

I had the same issue with Pachmeyer grips on my M36. I carefully ground a little off the speed loader and a little off the grips. Be careful if you take too much off the speed loader it won't work anymore. I used a can of freeze spray to chill the left grip panel before grinding it. Worked great. Be careful with the freeze spray though the rubber will get brittle and crack if too cold.

 

[haggis]

The Uncle Mike's rubber boot grips that came on my 642 bought 3 years ago don't interfere with my Safariland J-C7 speedloaders. I don't know if this is just coincidental or if the grips have been changed lately in some fashion.

Buck

 

[Hammerdown77]

They use different grips now. I believe they are made by Hogue

 

[tazcollins]

They use different grips now. I believe they are made by Hogue

Get Hogue Bantams. I've used them for over 3 years on my 642's. They will work with Safariland and HKS. TC

 

[Hammerdown77]

Do you have a picture of the Hogue Bantams on your gun? I thought they looked the same as the ones in my picture.

 

[tazcollins]

Do you have a picture of the Hogue Bantams on your gun? I thought they looked the same as the ones in my picture.

Consecutive serial numbers witht eh Hogues. TC

 

[haggis]

HD,

The top of your left grip does not appear to be cut away as much as my Uncle Mike's is.

If you can't find one of these, maybe the freezer and the Dremel sander is the best way to go. Unless, of course, you want to wait until Craig Spegel can make you a set out of Cocobolo (he designed the Uncle Mike's).

BTW I have never seen a Hogue Bantam that had a grip screw. They install/remove with a special wedge shaped tool.

Buck

 

[JumpinJack]

You have to freeze them before you trip or it will look like a rodent went to work on the grips. I'd leave them in the freezer for 2 days to be sure they're rock solid. Mark the area to be shaved with a colored sharpie and then go to work with a Dremel tool.