What would be your choice grip for a S&W "J" frame 'Pocket Carry' revolver?

[kashton]

I am looking to purchase a nice "J" frame round butt grip for my new S&W 640. I have been told that rubber grips catch the pants but I own a CT for my S&W 642 and have never had a real problem drawing from my jeans pocket. It does catch a little but I like how the grip feels in my hands. I want the grip to be fairly concealable. I have never owned a wood grip.

I am open to any suggestions, wood grips, rubber grips, anything.


So far I have considered:

Pachmayr Compac

Crimson Trace LG-405

Badger Custom


Thank you for any suggestions, they are much appreciated!

Best wishes and be safe!

Kevin

 

[mjrodney]

How about the stock grip that comes on a S&W Model 638 and many others like it?

That puppy has been in and out of my pocket a bazillion and twelve times now, and hanging up in the pocket is just not something I've experienced.

 

[kashton]

The stock grips are a little on the tall side. I'd rather someting a little shorter.

 

[MCgunner]

I like boot grips on compact J frames. On a .357, though, I'd go for a little more bulk and get a Pachmayr Compac or Hogue.

 

[pax]

I'd go with the CT grips if the budget allowed. Those things are God's gift to J-frames.

pax

 

[kashton]

I shot the 340PD with the stock small grips and it was harsh but I was able to pull it off so I am not too worried about a S&W 640 that weighs 11 more ounces.

 

[deputy tom]

Old style S&W wood grips w/ Tyler T-grip adapter.Great for NOT grabbing/dragging in your pocket.Less print too.YMMV.tom.

 

[colt1903]

I like the Pachmayr Compac Professional. Very concealable with just enough grip to well, grip. I have never had a problem with them in my DeSantis pocket holster. They are thinner than other rubber grips from Pachmayr, Hogue, or Uncle Mike's so there is much less of a chance of them hanging up on your pants. I tend to think that the chances of rubber grips hanging up on your pants is a tad over exaggerated anyway. Once you get your hand around the grip what's it going to hang up on?

 

[mjrodney]

I tend to think that the chances of rubber grips hanging up on your pants is a tad over exaggerated anyway. Once you get your hand around the grip what's it going to hang up on?

+1

 

[W.E.G.]

Old style S&W wood grips w/ Tyler T-grip adapter.Great for NOT grabbing/dragging in your pocket.Less print too.

Probably the best choice for concealment. Brutal for long range sessions though.

Once I got a Glock 26, I knew I'd never carry another J-frame.
sorry

 

[mavracer]

lg405 by far the best grip

 

[M2 Carbine]

The Crimson Trace Laser grip makes it a 24 hour defense gun.

 

[ACORN]

My Model 38 wears a set of rubber Hogue Bantams. They have an open back-strap and fit flush to the bottom of the grip frame so they don't add any length. Click herehttp://www.hogueinc.com/getgrip/merchant.ihtml?pid=1855&lastcatid=198&step=4

 

[Gustav]

Considering the capacity of 5 rounds with the sights being small with a short sight radius making sights harder to use (especially under stress) and because allot of encounters take place in low light the Crimson Trace could be the best money you ever spent even if you never have to use the pistol.

Should you need to use your pistol 1 to 5 rounds well aimed rounds beats 1 to 5 scattered rounds fired under stress.

I vote laser grips as no criminal wants to get painted during the commission of a crime, it often defuses or ends their illegal behavior.
Call it a force multiplier giving you one more tool or edge you can employ.

A laser also can make training a little easier and can often serve as a confidence builder for a beginning or inexperienced shooter.

Do not totally depend on it, practice ALLOT without it, learn its limitations and advantages its just one more tool in a well balanced box.

Best of luck and don't forget spare batteries.

 

[Old Dog]

Well, a bit pricey perhaps, but for my J-frames, only the Kim Ahreads cocobolo finger groove. Trust me, they look great on my old blued Models 36s and 37s. Yep, they'll even look good on your new stainless Smiths.
http://www.topgunsupply.com/images/large/d_262.jpg

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have used many grips and stocks on my M638 in the past 2 years. They were the stock Uncle Mike's rubber boot grips, Pachmayr Compac grips, S&W Target Banana stocks and the current Eagle Secret Service wooden stocks.

I like the Uncle Mike's boot grips a lot but they do catch somewhat in my pocket because they are rubber. My current wooden stocks are the same size but the wood doesn't catch. Here are a few photos of all the grips/stocks I mentioned on my revolver.

Stock Uncle Mike's grips:



Pachmayr Compac grips:



S&W Target Stocks: (I would have kept these stocks on my revolver but they go in the way of using a Speedloader.)



Current Eagle Secret Service Grips:

 

[Fred Fuller]

CTC LG-405s, the compact older style 'hard' grip, for pocket carry.

Just to show what a dinosaur I am, a Barami Hip Grip ( http://baramihipgrip.com/gripmodels.html#smith1 ) for waistband carry.

Wish I could get CTC and Barami to join forces and produce a round butt J frame Laser Hip Grip...

lpl/nc

 

[kashton]

Great pics ArchAngel! I was wondering what the Compac Pachmayrs looked like from that view

 

[DrLaw]

Wood, original round or square butt grips, depending on your gun. Smaller profile, no rubber to grab fabric.

The Doc is out now.

 

[1BLINDREF]

I've got CTs on my 642.
Since you have a set on your 642 and like them, I'd go with another set for your 640.

 

[Stainz]

My 642 is a 'Doomsday Gun'. It is no target/plinker, that's for sure. It's function is clearly for that time when the fecal matter impacts the air movement device. When I reach inside my pocket to grab the 642 from the Mika's holster, my hand encloses the dimunitive OEM boot grip as I retrieve it, leaving little to 'grab' on my pocket. It hasn't been a problem. Perhaps the next size up is the CT grip - and you gain a laser, too. I think the S&W 642CT is a few bucks cheaper than the separate parts, although you have to buy a bare grip, if you would want one. I am not fond of anything battery operated, be it laser or red-dot, so I doubt I'll ever go that route. I like Bob Munden's 'intuitive shooting' method, which, once mastered, is quite good at placing rounds in a torso at 12-15yd, well past the usual required distance, from a pocket draw.

I love wood grips - but on my fun guns - plinkers and target blasters. However, the 642 Lady Smith has, like the 65LS I drooled over for years, a beautiful wood stock. it is available from S&W for $65-$75 + s/h. But, as I said, I'd rather spend the bucks on a nice wood stock for one of my other more fun guns. YMMV.

Stainz

 

[Marshall]

I settled in on the Compac Pro's. Good feel, small, but not too small.

 

[ravencon]

Old style S&W wood grips w/ Tyler T-grip adapter.Great for NOT grabbing/dragging in your pocket.Less print too.YMMV.tom.

This is my favorite set up for maximum concealment. I don't find it too difficult to handle when I make a sensible ammo selection. For a pocket gun, I'll take control and quick recovery over maximum power every time.

 

[DawgFvr]

Agreed: Tyler T-Grip is what I went back to after using the Crimson Trace LG-105.

 

[prisoner6]

Nill