I already mentioned this in the 624 club but figured starting a thread would increase exposure and, most importantly, to be search friendly for people in the future.
I've had a regular old 642-2 (with lock) for about 4 years now. I shot +P loads and never had a problem. Then I decided to try out Buffalo Bore's 158gr +P LSWCHP. Holy mother that hurt. I only put 10 of them through the 642 (and 10 through a rented GP100 which was obviously fine) and that was enough to make me search for new grips.
I searched THR for awhile before deciding on Pachmayr Compacs. I went back to the range today to do some plinking and try the new grips out with a cylinder of the +P Buffalo Bore 158s. MUCH BETTER! The sharp, painful ouch-that-smarts was gone. Sure, they recoiled heavier which I noticed and follow up shots were probably a little slower, but it wasn't that bad at all. The Pachmayr Compact grip is bigger which gives you a more secure grip and spreads the recoil impulse out over a larger area, it is softer (rubber like) than the hard plastic I had before, and it covers the backstrap. The gun is a little bigger in-pocket now. The pockets on my shorts aren't that big I guess as even in the stock configuration the grip might be a little visible at some times from the right angle, but now with the Pachmayrs it is more visible. I will still pocket carry this way as there is room for my hand to slide in and get a shooting grip and 99% of people probably wouldn't have a clue even if they looked right at it. Plus I can legally carry open or concealed so that isn't a legal issue.
The gun, grip and round in question:
The original stock grip and my previous carry (for quite awhile anyway) before the Buffalo Bore:
I've had a regular old 642-2 (with lock) for about 4 years now. I shot +P loads and never had a problem. Then I decided to try out Buffalo Bore's 158gr +P LSWCHP. Holy mother that hurt. I only put 10 of them through the 642 (and 10 through a rented GP100 which was obviously fine) and that was enough to make me search for new grips.
I searched THR for awhile before deciding on Pachmayr Compacs. I went back to the range today to do some plinking and try the new grips out with a cylinder of the +P Buffalo Bore 158s. MUCH BETTER! The sharp, painful ouch-that-smarts was gone. Sure, they recoiled heavier which I noticed and follow up shots were probably a little slower, but it wasn't that bad at all. The Pachmayr Compact grip is bigger which gives you a more secure grip and spreads the recoil impulse out over a larger area, it is softer (rubber like) than the hard plastic I had before, and it covers the backstrap. The gun is a little bigger in-pocket now. The pockets on my shorts aren't that big I guess as even in the stock configuration the grip might be a little visible at some times from the right angle, but now with the Pachmayrs it is more visible. I will still pocket carry this way as there is room for my hand to slide in and get a shooting grip and 99% of people probably wouldn't have a clue even if they looked right at it. Plus I can legally carry open or concealed so that isn't a legal issue.
The gun, grip and round in question:
The original stock grip and my previous carry (for quite awhile anyway) before the Buffalo Bore:
