642 Grips

[xanderzuk]

I handled two 642's back to back today. The first had the stock, short rubber grips on it. The second had a longer set of laser grips on it.

I really prefer controllability of the slightly longer (laser) grips, and surprisingly, it feels better in my pocket.

Here's the dilemma: I want the exact grip type of the longer laser grips, but don't want the laser, or the price that comes with them. Does S&W or someone else make these without the laser?

Thanks for you help!

 

[Wolfeye]

Pachmayr's Compac grips are somewhat similar in shape. I can't say they're exacly like the (I'm guessing) Crimson Trace grips. I don't know if they will work with speed loaders, if that's your thing.

 

[jt1]

xanderzuk - Don't think you can get the grips without the laser, here are some excellent alternatives. Welcome to THR, come visit us at the 642 Club part duex and get the whole story...

Hogue Monogrips


Hogue Bantams

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Yes, S&W does sell slightly longer rubber grips, their Uncle Mike's Combat Grips. They are the same design as the stock Boot Grips but just a little longer. The grips I linked to above are stock on their Stainless J frame Magnum revolvers. (M60, M640 and M649)

 

[indiandave]

+1 on Uncle Mike's Combat grips. I have them on a model 60. They cover the back strap like Crimson Trace. I tried them on my 642. They were nice!

 

[indiandave]

+1 on Uncle Mike's Combat grips. I have them on a model 60. They cover the back strap like Crimson Trace. I tried them on my 642. They were nice!

 

[Rmart30]

yup, the Uncle mikes work great on them. I had a set on mine but traded them out for a set of wood ones that were styled almost identical. The rubber grips to me wanted to catch on everything(shirts/pocket etc) the wood ones dont hang up as easily.
Here is a pic of some similar to the ones I got
http://www.grips4guns.com/revolver/smithwesson/item_1711008.html

 

[xanderzuk]

Sorry to beat a dead horse but, I feel like I just need more info. Posting in the "642 club part duex" yielded no results.

I really like the feel of the Crimson Trace grips ALOT, however I'm not sure if I really want/need a laser, feels a little mall ninja to me - what do you think?

Also, the guy said he would give it to me for $610 (with CT grips). Is this a good price or should I try to get it for less? He said he would put regular grips on it and sell it for $410.

What about Pachmayr's? I really need something that I can get my pinky on, and thats pretty hard to do with the stock grips.. Are Pachmayr's gripy enough? Or do they feel like hard plastic?

Opinions? What do you think I should go with? Why? Prices?

This would be my CCW.

Thanks!

 

[911Boss]

$410 is about the going rate in my area. $200 is a good price on the CT grips, I'd act interested in the laser, but not sure about the price, see if he will give it to you for $610 with laser and a set of regular grips in case you don't like the laser.

 

[Gideon]

Houge makes a grip that'll fit the gun and will give you the place for the "third" finger grip. Check out their site:

http://www.hogueinc.com/getgrip/merchant.ihtml?pid=1756&lastcatid=189&step=4

They offer this grip in a "soft rubber" or a nylon material. The rubber will likely grap your cover garment (ie. Shirt) whereas the nylon material will let the shirt slip over the grip; only important if this is for concealed carry, IWB carry.

Hope this helps
Gideon

 

[ArchAngelCD]

xanderzuk,
Did you look at the link I provided above? Those grips are extremely comfortable when shooting, that's why they come stock on the Stainless .357 Magnum J frame revolvers. They are the same design as the Boot Grips but longer like you're looking for. Both were designed but Craig Spegel who makes outstanding (and very expensive) grips...

I've used several Pachmayr grips and Hogue grips but I feel the Uncle Mike's grips are a better design. (you may not feel that way)

 

[welldoya]

You will like the laser grips. That's a pretty good price too.
Are you talking about the factory installed grips on the 642 with the IL ?
You know they came out with a special run of 4,000 642's without the lock but they aren't available with factory installed laser grips.
You would pay more to buy them separately but then you would have both sets of grips.

 

[Fred Fuller]

I'm not sure if I really want/need a laser, feels a little mall ninja to me - what do you think?

I think your thinking needs more thinking .

Lasers are FAR from 'mall ninja-ish.' They are in fact quite practical. There are times you can't see/use your sights, and a laser can help there. Lasers are great training aids for DA dryfire practice, too.

It took me a few years to come around to accepting lasers as more than a gimmick. But after a couple of training sessions using lasers, I was sold. I've been carrying a 642 with a set of Crimson Trace grips for a couple of years now.

Recently I bought a pair of the new no-lock 642s, and I just ordered two sets of Crimson Trace lasergrips from Midway to put on them ($161.99/set, on sale in Sept, item #760917. The ones you describe, I think, are on sale for $228.99- Item #263426).

Mine are the hard polymer grips, with no rubber overmold, no on/off switch, that do not cover the bottom of the grip frame. But they are what I'm accustomed to using, I have the same model on the current post-lock 642 I carry.

IMHO lasers work, and are definitely worth it. Of course, YMMV...

lpl