J-frame: Crimson Trace 305 or 405?

[38snapcaps]

For a 642 which would you prefer for CCW? The 305 is a little longer but gives you a more solid grip on the gun, while the 405 is more concealeable.

It seems to me that one would have more confidence in his defensive shooting if he can get a good hold of the piece.

 

[glockman19]

I like the grip of the 405.

 

[340PD]

I have the 405's on a 340PD

305's on a Mod.60 3" and on a 640 3"

The 305's fill my hand better and I find them better on my steel guns. I want the smallest grip I can find that will work for me on my CCW. The 405's meet that criteria for my lightweight carry gun. In either case, these laser's are the way to go.

 

[GVMan]

I just bought the 405 because I plan to carry mostly in the front pocket and the 305 seemed a little to big. The 405 is the same size grip as the stock grip but the bottom finger groove is a little less pronounced.

 

[wooderson]

I got the 305s - even with the wee stock grips, my 642 never felt pocketable given my attire (jeans and a t-shirt). So if I'm going to carry IWB, might as well get the handier grips.

 

[DAdams]

I specifically wanted a j frame for pocket carry and if you have large pockets, cargo pants, bag carry then the 305s would probably be my choice too.

But, I live in FL. Shorts and front pocket carry, sticking with the spirit of not imprinting or having my butt hanging out of my pocket I went with the 405s.

My hand is a medium. Pinky under works for me. I put 100 rounds through it last week. If you are ok with the standard boots, then you will like the 405s.
Control, worked for me and conceals like the original grips with the "unfair advantage" of the laser.

 

[jt1]

I have tried both and for the 642 I like the 405's. For pocket carry the 305's small amount of extra length made quite a significant difference for me. I also have no control or comfort issues with the 405's. Having said that, for a non-ccw gun I would go with the 305's.
As far as confidence goes I am still using the stock S&W grips for carry. I am almost to the point where I am satisfied with my open sight and point shooting abilities that I will soon start using the 405's for carry. This has less to do with my confidence with the laser than in my skill with the 642 itself. I know a lot of folks like the advantages of a laser for SD situations and start using them right away but with any new carry weapon or support equipment I try to go one step at a time. I learned the hard way (several times, I'm a slow learner) that if I have something available that makes things easier I will will start to rely on it and then use that as a justification to cut corners when it comes to developing basic skills that are time consuming to master but will serve you well when things start going bad.

 

[DawgFvr]

Take a close look at the 105s'. Personally, I think they are the best of both worlds...kind of like a thin stock T-bar. I love mine. Check it out on the 642 thread.

 

[Greek]

I got the 405s for my wife's 442. They work fine.

 

[Greek]

I got the 405s for my wife's 442. They work fine.

 

[38snapcaps]

Thanks for all the replies.

This morning I tried out both, shoot one then pick up the other. I found I much prefer the 305 grip. The recoil felt about the same with both, the 405 was slightly less. The main reason for my preference is I couldn't get a satisfactory purchase on the smaller of the two. One must have absolute confidence in their ability to handle their carry piece and I just didn't have it with the 405 while I did with the 305.

The "pinky under" feeling just does not feel secure to me, I could shoot with it okay once I got a good hold of it but that took a little longer on the draw than the 305. The fumbling feeling I had was not confidence inspring and the slight hesitation is getting off a shot could make a life or death difference.

While shooting one handed, my group at twenty feet was almost an inch larger with the 405. A two hand grip with both was dramatically better and especially with the 305.

Let me end with saying this-these laser grips really do work. I have never shot a 642 this good, and I've been trying for over two years! A couple of times, with the 305, I had two or three of the five holes touching. This is using both hands and concentrating on the red dot with the gun aligned about chin level. One time I shot from the hip and again was very pleased that all holes could easily be covered with a clay pigeon (approx. 3.5" diameter). Speaking of clay pigeons, on the draw from any fighting distance you just cannot miss!!

I was a bit skeptical about laser grips, but I am sure a believer now.

 

[1BLINDREF]

I have the 305s on my 642. I have big hands and the little bit of extra grip really helps get a good grip on it.
Try shooting your 642 from down around your hip. You'll be amazed at how good your hits on a silhouette will be.