J Frame grips

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bcp280z

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Currently I have the stock boot grip on my 438, it's ok, slim, good for pocket carry, not the grippiest rubber. I'm looking for a good grip or set of grips that may better fit my hand and absorb some recoil.
 
Hogue makes some really nice rubber grips. They are larger than stock and may not be pocket compatible though. The stock rubber ones work for me.
 
The hogue bantam ones work great for me in pocket carry, they stick till u want it out then with a Lil tug it comes right on out
 
I haven't found one I like better than the factory boot grip on my 442. I actually really like the factory grip. I wouldn't want to put some huge grip on a gun I'm trying to conceal, plus I can shoot my revolver pretty darn well just how it's setup. I do really like the looks of some of the wood grips though.
 
Conflicting criteria

To accomplish both your goals you need 2 different grips. A set of Pachmayr Decelerator or Hogue full wraps for shooting, and small smooth grips to swap out if you must pocket carry. The Decelerator is cushier.
 
After experimenting with just about every grip made for the j-frame, I have found that these grips offer the best of everything: enough wood with which to get a good grip, yet no rubber that has a tendency to "grab" clothing when worn concealed. The varnish finish is actually quite tacky with anything but soaking wet hands.

220px-Smith_and_Wesson_Model_36-10.jpg
 
I've bought 3 different aftermarket grips for my j frame, and I keep coming back to the stock, boring, ugly uncle mike's grips that came with the gun. I haven't found a more functional grip.
 
Pocket carry means you intend to save your life with it. There's no longer any question that an instinctively-activated laser aiming device increases the odds of survival. Here's the Crimson Trace LG-405. They've got a longer one (LG-305) if your hands are just too big for the 405. They're even coming out with chestnut brown ones if that makes you happier.

LG_405_Lasergrips_Logo_AOE_Logo.jpg
 
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I've got an LG-305 Crimson Trace grip on my 642 and it fits my hand perfectly. It might be the most comfortable grip of all my handguns. And it's still highly concealable, plus the laser works great. Worth every penny, imvho.
 
Just ordered a set of micarta grips from VZ, they look pretty good and they have a $5 off coupon code for April APR2011
 
Today I picked up a pair of Hogue Bantam grips for my Model 36 Classic. I really would like to keep the nicely checkered diamond grips that came on the gun, but the Hogue fits my hand perfectly for both SA and DA shooting. For my hand size, it's very important to keep the backstrap of the grip uncovered. The Hogues are a little futzy to put on though. You have to wedge a spreader into the back of the grips so it'll get started sliding on over the pin that it's in the bottom of j-frame grip frames. You have to be careful to not spread the grips open too far and spring them so they won't grip the gripframe tightly when you've slid them all the way on and they've locked onto the pin.
 
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I left my 642's boots in place, as they work for it's intended use - protection from a pocket carry holster. They are miserable for plinking - but that isn't it's forte. I certainly have better choices for plinking - and they aren't easily carried in any way other than an IWB/OWB pancake style holster. Now, if that's okay, the recent S&W 60 Pro, SKU 178013, has excellent grips. I put a pair on each of my J-frame 63's, including the 3" 63 shown below with my new 60 Pro.

IMG_4582.jpg

Those grips are available directly from S&W Accessories for ~$43 + s/h (#411740000) @ S&W's 1-800 number. Great fit in my medium+ hands - decent looks, too - and a great price. The 60 Pro, in my use, is a .38 - and my EDC .38 loads, Remington R38S12 +P 158gr LHPSWCs, are fine so gripped. I can imagine that 'real' Magnums would be as much of a bump in the 60 Pro as those +P Remingtons are from a 642. That 642 - boot gripped as it came - is my 24/7 EDC CCW - my 'pocket protector'.

Stainz
 
I put a set of those grips for the 60 Pro Comp onto an older 3 inch Model 36 I have had for years. They feel great,..look good,..and the guns handles absolutely fantastic for me with them on it. I never pocket carried this revolver anyways,...but I do very often carry it either IWB or OWB,... and can do so under the lightest of shirts. I use a Bianchi Model 3S Pistol Pocket for IWB. It is one that I have had since the gun was new,... and I also use a Triple K Holster I found called a "Lightning Two Way" for OWB,... that can be worn both strong side or cross draw. Makes that old Chief's Special a joy to carry,..and it's a joy to shoot with these grips.
 
+1 Hogue Bantams

I switched from the factory grips to the Hogue Bantams on my 642. Great all-around grips. Not overly sticky; small enough for pocket carry; and surprisingly comfortable (at least for me) even with +p rounds; and most importantly, contoured for speed loader use. The main objection I had to the factory grips is they're not contoured for speed loader use.
 
...looking for a good grip or set of grips that may better fit my hand and absorb some recoil.
I good fit will indeed help manage the recoil.

What fits YOUR hand is particular to you. Like baseball gloves, racquet grips, etc... you've got to test fit YOUR hands with gun grips to find a good fit instead of what others say is a good for their hands.

That said, I prefer the feel of the stock 642 grip and am comfortable with 50-100 rds of +p practice. However, the LG-405 is okay and gives me the smallest laser grip that still easily pocket carry. Others hate the stock grip and a couple of them sold me their 642s because they found another gun instead of another grip for the 642. YMMV.
 
The very best grips you could find would be the Crimson Trace LG-405.
They have the little "Air Pocket" design that really absorbs recoil.
They also are grippy enough to hold onto, but not so grippy (like the super-sticky rubber Hogue's) that your clothes stick to them when you carry IWB.
In addition to the above, they also have a laser that helps you aim.

I have these on my 340PD, which is a recoil monster, and they are the only set of grips that I have found that actually work well with this J-frame.
 
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