S&W 442 Grips vs Arthritic Hand

[GJeffB]

Quick backstory: In the past year my strong (right) hand has been a bit invaded with arthritis. Those that know about it ... know about it. My previous EDC was a Shield 9mm. I'm experimenting with various loads to see if I can complete a trigger pull and/or stand the recoil. My S&W 1911PD .45acp results in "Bang! OW!" every time. eergh! So I'm downsizing to my S&W 442. It has original Pachmyer (sp?) like grips by S&W.

I'm *thinking* it may be a little more comfortable to move to a fuller grip, made of wood. Something along the line of

https://www.eaglegrips.com/secret-s...utt-rosewood-secret-service-grips-smooth.html

.

Finally to the question/s: 1. Any comments on my thoughts about a slightly fuller grip? 2. Any other suggestions beyond the referenced "secret service style" Eagle grip$?

-jb, shake hands, just not very hard

edit to insert picture

 

[lee n. field]

Quick backstory: In the past year my strong (right) hand has been a bit invaded with arthritis. Those that know about it ... know about it. My previous EDC was a Shield 9mm. I'm experimenting with various loads to see if I can complete a trigger pull and/or stand the recoil. My S&W 1911PD .45acp results in "Bang! OW!" every time. eergh! So I'm downsizing to my S&W 442. It has original Pachmyer (sp?) like grips by S&W. View attachment 1092924

I'm *thinking* it may be a little more comfortable to move to a fuller grip, made of wood. Something along the line of .

Finally to the question/s: 1. Any comments on my thoughts about a slightly fuller grip?

IMHO, go with something larger and soft rubber. Something like the Hogue Monogrip.

Image hotlinked from Midway...

 

[GJeffB]

lee, I was looking for wood, but that may be just the ticket. I was always happy with a 3 fingered grip, but now need all the grab I can get.

-jb, figured I could count on the cognoscenti, thanx

 

[jstert]

larger grips that cover the backstrap on a s&w 642 make mine accurately shootable. i never intended to pocket-carry it.

 

[doubleh]

I have switched out the wood grips on most of my guns for rubber because of the arthritis thing. I find them a lot more comfortable plus easier to hold on to.

 

[Mizar]

Pachmayr Compacs? They are a bit wider than the Hogue monogrips and are made from real rubber, not PVC.

 

[GJeffB]

Yeah, I suppose you guys are right. The one handgun that bothers me the LEAST is a Blackhawk .45 colt, which seems counterintuitive. It has rather full, smooth wood grips. I was hoping to replicate that feel, but more than likely it's the different recoil geometry.

-jb, getting old stinks, but it *clearly* beats the alternative

 

[Mizar]

Yep, it's the grips geometry - they are like a plow handle, not with the "modern" angled backstrap and the recoil kind of rolls the revolver in your hand, making it easier on the hands.

 

[toivo]

Hogue makes a variation of the Monogrip called the "Tamer." I have one on my 642, and it lives up to its name.

 

[stanley_white]

Buy once cry once.

https://www.mactecsales.com/nill_j_frame_int_hammer_s/2007.htm

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?attachments/sw2098-jpg.1060990/

-Stan

 

[hawg]

Those grips are really small, thin and hard. My wife's 637 hurt her hand. I put a set of Pachmayr Grippers on hers and really tamed that little beast down.

 

[NorthBorder]

I recently purchased a 642 and changed out the grip to this larger Pachmayr. I can still pocket carry it.

 

[mcb]

Ergo Delta Grip, A very unconventional (and ugly) grip, but they really are very comfortable in the hand and give much better recoil control and comfort than any other J-frame grip I have tried.

 

[hawg]

Ergo Delta Grip, A very unconventional (and ugly) grip, but they really are very comfortable in the hand and give much better recoil control and comfort than any other J-frame grip I have tried.

They don't look very comfortable. They look like they would have your hand in an awkward position.

 

[mcb]

They don't look very comfortable. They look like they would have your hand in an awkward position.

Agreed they do look that way, I was skeptical when I first saw them but after shooting a friend's I was convinced. That grip took the sting out of the 38 Special +P far better than any other compact J-frame grip I tried.

 

[toivo]

Agreed they do look that way, I was skeptical when I first saw them but after shooting a friend's I was convinced. That grip took the sting out of the 38 Special +P far better than any other compact J-frame grip I tried.

I've seen the Delta Grip in pictures but never handled one. As far as grip angle, it looks pretty radical. Does it point naturally, or does it take some getting used to?

 

[mcb]

I've seen the Delta Grip in pictures but never handled one. As far as grip angle, it looks pretty radical. Does it point naturally, or does it take some getting used to?

It does take a little getting use to it but not as much as its radical design might make you think.

 

[Resist Evil]

My wife gifted me a pair of Crimson Trace grips several years ago. I noticed an immediate improvement in my shooting comfort. These days with my buddy Arthur Itis, the grips still make my 342 easy to shoot comfortably.

 

[hannstv]

Pachmayr Compacs? They are a bit wider than the Hogue monogrips and are made from real rubber, not PVC.

I like these better than any other grip I have ever tried on a J frame. The Hogue grip is great, but it is a little on the large side, specially if you pocket carry.

 

[GJeffB]

Wow, I'm (un-) happy to hear from so many compatriots afflicted with the scourge

Let's revisit Pachmayr v Hogue if we may. More clarification: I have a CCW, and within reason 99% of the sheeple don't recognize a properly holstered (which I have) snub, and pocket carry occurs only twice-ish per year at the doctor. Again, I have a very comfortable and concealed pocket holster which would be filled with another 2" lightweight 2" .38. So the pocket issue is a rare anomaly.

Pachmayr v Hogue: I have full function of right thumb and pointer, about 75% of the middle finger (please, NEVER let me lose that one), and ~25% function and strength of the ring and pinky. Right now the stock rubber (seems to be Pachmayr *style*) allows me a grip of thumb, pointer/trigger finger, most of middle and 20% function ring finger and virtually zero of the weak pinky trying unsuccessfully to support the bottom of the grip, or dangle beneath.
Given I don't care about pocket carry, and I'm comfortable with my concealed holster, can anyone offer a quantitative dimension (or even qualitative) measure of the width (thinking wider is better) AND length supporting or a place to be a pretty weak pinky?

-jb, sorry to drag out the choices from those likewise afflicted

 

[hawg]

The factory grips are nothing like Pachmayr. They're small, thin and hard. Either Pachmayr or Hogue will make for much more comfortable shooting but you will give up some concealability because they're longer and thicker.

 

[GJeffB]

Well, you're right about that hawg. Sounds like I'm GTG with either brand if I can sacrifice some concealment, which I can. Longer and thicker are actually what I'm searching for.

-jb, THANKS, practicing ambidexterity

 

[GJeffB]

Not trying to bump my own thread, but I thought I'd post pictures of the change. I went with Hogue Tamer.
Original 442 grip vs Hogue:
, then Hogue installed vs original:
Just initial handling, I can get a full 5 finger grip, without the pinkie hanging off or curling under. In a decent holster (Don Hume IWB open top), there is virtually no difference in concealability. In the rare event of pocket carry I'll just swap out for my Charter Undercover in a DeSantis Nemesis.
Comfort level - TBD. I haven't had it to the range yet. The presumed arthritis is potentially gout

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions

-jb, adjusting to old age sucks. But it beats the alternative

 

[jak67429]

Have you shot it wit the new grips? I have the same pistol and am looking for different grips.

 

[straightShot]

You might want to think about taking your 442 to a competent gunsmith and having the trigger pull lightened. With arthritis, simple things can can start to get difficult, like getting a credit card out of a wallet, loosening a gas cap, tying shoes, or shooting a gun. As you know, you want zero movement when you pull the trigger. If the gun torques just a little bit due to stiffness or weakness, it’s a clean miss. Good luck.