J frame grips

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Bannockburn - I have the same grip , in it's original configuration , on one of my J frames. It is so practical and functional that it represents the one exception to my "never Goodyears" standard.

What is the advantage to your modification?
 
Waveski

The original shape of the Compac grip was just too big and awkward for me to get a decent grip on it. I rarely used it, even for range practice, and it didn't do well for concealed carry. So I decided to cut it down a bit to make it more user friendly for my hand size.
 
They must have changed the Compac grips at some point. Today, they do not have any finger groove and there is a relief cut in the same place you made one. 145531.jpg These may have been previously called "Presentation" grips, because one set had those words molded in on the butt. Others there was a big gap there. An image search shows "Presentation" grips with a totally square butt though, so I don't know. I had several examples of whats in my pictured here. The box reads "Compac" grip, and the grip itself is molded with "Presentation grip".

I liked these grips, but I could not find one that wasn't defective. I found the Crimson Trace LG305 is very similar in the width, palm swell, and top 5/6ths. The butts have a different shape with the Pachmayr rounded in the back and cut in front. The CT are more square, and the quality in present-production is far better.

I also tried the LG405. They're smaller, like a boot grip, more like the earlier Compac grips. I might prefer them on an Airweight, but I liked the bigger ones on a steel J frame.

I disliked the notion of rubber grips, and of a laser. I preferred the idea of wood, metal, and craftsmanship vs. synthetic materials, electronics and technology. I just gave in for practical reasons.
 
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labnoti

Couldn't tell you when I got the Pachmayr grips as it's been too many years to even guess at it. The only designation still on them is at the top right side of the grip and goes: SMITH&WESSON J on top and ROUND BUTT 2 beneath it. I do remember that the rubber was really tough to get a decent, even cut through and I think it may have had a metal plate inside the rubber to get through too. Not real pretty to look at but still they're functional.
 
Find you some Herret Shooting Ace grips. My favorite on small revolvers. Might not be right for others though.

They're exactly right for me. I've used the "Shooting Ace" grips on my J-frame revolvers exclusively for the past several decades and the three that I have now have them. As you implied, they might not fit everybody well but I've never tried a grip that fits me any better. Well-made and good looking for sure but I wonder if Herret still makes them.
 
View attachment 792988Personally , I gave up on .357 magnum from J frames. There has been plenty of discussion on that subject in the past , so I'll let it go at that. Regarding grips--- pictured are NIL grips. Here is everything you need to know about NIL : German made , Excellent quality and fit , EXPENSIVE. Expensive , but worth it. The gun remains stable in the hand through discharge ; conceals reasonably for me , IWB just inside of the hip bone. (No one has ever pointed and asked "What is that???")
That mirrors my take on Nill Grips also. I find them extremely comfortable, they stay put in my hand, and they look great. I really like that they offer options with a closed backstrap. I have big hands and open backstraps even on an L frame don't work well for me. Nice gun by the way.

Not J frames, but just illustrating Nill Grips.
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460 - Thank you. That "LadySmith" was bead blasted and laser etched when I got it ; I took care of that.

The Nill targets on your 686 are very very nice.

There sure are a lot of choices when it comes to grips.
 
460Shooter

Love that whole barrel design on your Model 686 Competitor! The Nill grips are just more icing on the cake!
 
I've been eyeing some G10 grips from VZ for a few months. I've not been able to handle any in person, though, which has prevented me from buying them.
 
C&L

Love the whole package with the J frame snubby, the stag grips, the black Tyler T-Grip, the holster rig, and the Case pocketknife!
 
Waveski

This is the cut-down Pachmayr Compac grip that I wrote about earlier. Definitely smaller at the bottom of the grip and it gives the gun a more horizontal feel to it on presentation than the original design which had a more vertical aspect to it.

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That is (was) a Pachmayr grip for sure. But it was their “Gripper” model and not their “Compaq” model.
 
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