J-Frame grips?

Status
Not open for further replies.
ROCK6

ROCK6

Member
Joined
Nov 20, 2007
Messages
276
Location
Georgia
Alright, my new S&W 438 should be here Friday. I hate the rubber grips and planning to replace them (already handled and shot a S&W with them and don't care for the rubber grips). Please post your favorites (pictures welcome!). I'm really considering smooth wood boot grips, but I still want the compact size for CCW; what is your J-Frame grip preference?

ROCK6
 
Thanks...I like the Crimson Trace, but don't care for the rubber; are their grips hard rubber?

ROCK6
 
There is a guy on eBay that makes handmade wood grips in Thailand. Usually around 35.00 or so but takes 10-15 days to arrive with free shipping.

I have purchased two sets and they are really nice. One set I got for a 642-1 and the other for my SP101. Just slightly longer than the stock grip which lets the pinky set there (and covers the backstrap and butt).

His eBay name is "penguin-orchid-shop" and he has 1450+ transactions with 99.9% positive feedback.
 

Attachments

  • Handmade grips from Thailand.JPG
    Handmade grips from Thailand.JPG
    180.3 KB · Views: 19
Last edited:
Relatively hard. I like the laser grips because this weapon is strictly for self defense. I do not want any slippage when drawing. The laser gives me the most options to hit my target no matter what position my body is in. Besides, bad guys hate red or green dots on their chests. If the gun is for show look at Ahrends as one good option.
 
Just a word of advice from my experience, if you plan to use speed loaders and/or a holster with a thumb break, you may have problems with some of the after market grips. I have a larger set of old Pachmayr's on mine that feel great, but they prevent using the accessories I mentioned.

LD
 
I just got some Sile walnut grips for my 642 from CDNN. I think they were like $15.

They completely transform the gun. Before I thought the gun was ugly, now it looks niiiiiiice. Very classic.

Before, there was not enough to hold on to. I have small hands, and they swallowed the little rubber grips. Now, it fills out my hand much better. Makes it feel and point like a "real gun".

Before, the metal backstrap was right up against my hand. Now, it is covered.

Before, my pinky could not really fit on the grip. Now it does.

Before, my HKS speedloader would "work," but got caught up on the rubber pretty often. Now it just plain works.

Of course, the grip is now slightly longer and thicker. But it still fits in my pocket so I'm not worried about it.

I HIGHLY reccomend this grip. Especially for the low price.
 
If you want maximum concealment, try the little S&W diamondwood laminated wood grips. They're tiny and work great for pocket carry in just about any size pocket.

If you want to maximize follow up shots and reduce recoil, try the rubber Hogue Monogrip or Pachmayr Compac. They give you something to hold onto and they are a comfortable fit to most people's hands. They can be used for pocket carry (I carry with them in Tru-Spec cargo pants almost daily) but the gun will probably work better in a belt holster for most.
 
For actual pocket carry and shooting, I prefer the stock smooth/checkered rubber grips. For looks I like the factory wood checkered ones.

The larger (front to back) rubber laser ones 340PD posted are great for shooting sessions also.
 
Here is my 642 with the S&W "Ladysmith" wood grips. They fit and feel excellent. Not as comfortable to shoot with as the rubber grips that came on the gun, but they are thinner, better looking, and snag-free:

SW642.jpg
 
Wlewisiii, I've got a pair of Ahrends on my 686 3" and love them!

fxstchewy said:
Bought a set of these and i like them, took it shooting and they were fine, worried they would be hard to hold. http://vzgrips.com/gun-grips/smith-w.../j-frames-320s
Click to expand...

Those look to be a winner! I have VZ on my 1911 and really like'em. I really like the looks of those for a J-Frame! G10 is tough stuff...thanks for the link.

lawdawg45 said:
Just a word of advice from my experience, if you plan to use speed loaders and/or a holster with a thumb break, you may have problems with some of the after market grips. I have a larger set of old Pachmayr's on mine that feel great, but they prevent using the accessories I mentioned.
Click to expand...

Good point, and I've had that happen before...always something to check...

Malice said:
I just got some Sile walnut grips for my 642 from CDNN. I think they were like $15.
Click to expand...

Those really win for price vs. looks! Those Sile grips look quite nice and best price out there for natural wood! Thanks,

If you want maximum concealment, try the little S&W diamondwood laminated wood grips. They're tiny and work great for pocket carry in just about any size pocket.

Dogguy said:
If you want to maximize follow up shots and reduce recoil, try the rubber Hogue Monogrip or Pachmayr Compac. They give you something to hold onto and they are a comfortable fit to most people's hands. They can be used for pocket carry (I carry with them in Tru-Spec cargo pants almost daily) but the gun will probably work better in a belt holster for most.
Click to expand...

I'm not really looking for pocket carry, but I still don't want too big of grips...however comfort is still important and you can't always have it both ways. Most likely carry in an small OWB or IWB holster. If it's colder, I may pocket carry in a jacket, but not pants.

Sweet looking 642 OregonJohnny...

Thanks again guys. I picked up the 438 today and actually the stock rubber grips are pretty comfortable. I'll probably still pick up some aftermarket grips (VZ grips are really calling:D), but I'll put some rounds down range with the stock grips for now...wood just looks better and is more comfortable for me...

ROCK6
 
340PD has it exactly right, IMHO. The short sight radius of J-frames is one of the things that make them so difficult to master. A laser sight changes things mightily. Get the Crimson Trace.
 
Why do you hate the rubber grips and why do you think you would prefer wooden grips? Is it aesthetics or function?

I have a S&W M&P340CT. The Crimson Trace grips are nice and thin and don't snag but they are not comfortable and not very pretty but I don't give a damn about comfort and prettiness because this is my main carry gun. If I wanted pretty, I would change them to wood, ivory or pearl, and if I wanted comfort I would change them to Hogues or similar. But for my requirements, they work just fine as they are.
 
I switched my 642 over to Pachmayr Compacts after shooting some +P 158gr Buffalo Bore. It shoots SO much more comfortably now. :)
 
duns said:
Why do you hate the rubber grips and why do you think you would prefer wooden grips? Is it aesthetics or function?
Click to expand...

Actually the rubber grips aren't too bad, but if I'm carrying IWB, I really don't like rubber. It's probably more aesthetic, but I have a pair of Ahrends on my 686 and actually enjoy shooting it than when it was wearing the stock rubber grips. Rubber grips also catch on my clothing when wearing OWB/IWB. I typically don't prefer rubber grips, but as I discovered, they're not as bad as I had previously thought on the 438.

ROCK6
 
If you really get into J-frame revolvers, you'll probably own more than one of them. You'll probably also have several different types of grips to fit the circumstances.
 
I'm surprised no one mentioned Esmeralda grips. They're the best I've come across in exotics. Sure, they might be a little pricey but you're not going to see the same set anywhere. I like the smooth and checkered wood she does since it easily slides in and out of pockets. Defintiely worth checking into.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

B
  • Locked
J Frame grips
Replies
21
Views
1K
Sir Aardvark
S
JERRY
Rubber J frame grip recommendations
Replies
12
Views
453
fxvr5
fxvr5
K
  • Locked
Small rubber grips for Colt D-frame
Replies
2
Views
781
Logan5
L
I
  • Locked
Dressin' Up My J-Frame
2
Replies
42
Views
4K
BlackSky
B
B
  • Locked
Need help with grips for j frame
Replies
3
Views
480
BBW
B
Back
Top