J Frame grip pics:Hogue vs. Taurus stock

[Apple a Day]

Hello all,
I was asked about Hogue grips versus stock Taurus grips for a J-frame, model 85. I promised to post pics so here they are.
I'd love it if someone could do the same with a Smith&Wesson J frame with stock grips or any others side-by-side. Thanks in advance.

-Picture one shows the two side by side. The Taurus grips enclose the backstrap but the Hogue does not. (Hogue pictured on the gun)
-Picture two shows the two side by side. You can see that the Hogue has enough extension for a pinkie to grip and a thumb "memory pad" dent. Both grips are identical when it comes to filling the gap behind the trigger guard.
- The third picture shows the two on top of one another. They aren't mating, I was just trying to line them up with the camera so that you could see how much farther the Hogue grips extend. The Taurus grips look larger but that's just because of the shorter distance to the camera. See picture two for better size comparison.

 

[wileyj]

Stock grips on a SW J-frame and a Taurus small frame (Model 85) are BOOT grips designed to be small and unobtrusive.
the Hogue's you show are COMBAT grips and provide a better handhold situation but reduce the concealability a small amount.
There are nice wood grips that are combat grip size. that is what I use on my SW 431PD and on my Model 85.
I carry the 431PD in a High Noon IWB tuckable holster at about 3:00 o'clock and it hides well under a shirt yet retains ease of draw
thanks

 

[Jkwas]

Thanks for pix! Your Hogue pictures are better than theirs!

 

[MCgunner]

I prefer the standard boot grip. I often drop the gun in a front pocket and a Hogue wouldn't allow that.

 

[Jkwas]

I went full circle. Started with the boot, then thought I would like the combat grip. It's smaller in circumference and my trigger finger runs into my thumb! So I went back to the combat, and in fact it's more ergo than the combat grip.

 

[fiVe]

Pocket carry is my main objective, so I would go with the stock boot grips. Also, does the thumb "memory pad" dent mean the Hogues are right-hand only?

 

[Jkwas]

Did you notice the Stock boot grips are slightly right handed? The right side is thicker than the left.
Also, do you pocket carry the steel model or the ultra lite?

 

[TonyB]

I too prefer the boot grips as I pocket carry my 642.I'm actually thinking of getting some pretty wood grips,I saw them recently and they look really nice.Still the boot style though.