Laser Grips for a S&W 442?

[Stephanie B]

As understand it, there are pretty much three choices:

LG-105 (http://www.crimsontrace.com/products/manufacturer/smith-wesson/01-1870), a polymer grip about the size of the stock boot grips,

LG-305 (http://www.crimsontrace.com/products/manufacturer/smith-wesson/01-1150), a "overmold" rubberized grip that's large enough to get three gripping fingers on, and

LG-405 (http://www.crimsontrace.com/products/manufacturer/smith-wesson/01-1680), a rubberized grip that's roughly the same size as the -105s.

I'm leaning towards the -405, on the belief that if I were to draw from a pocket, my hand would cover up most of the rubber on the grip and the grip's surface would probably present a better gripping surface for my hand. ("Street" prices are less than the MSRPs, FWIW.)

Comments? Snarky retorts?

[Chuck Haggard]

I have a 405 on my pocket 642, 305 on my ankle 642, works really well for me for those jobs.

[Tamara]

I use the now-discontinued 205s and have for probably a decade now. Since they're no longer available, if I were buying another set today, I'd get the 105s.

As a matter of fact, when and if I can get my hands on a set of green 105s, I'll be on 'em like white on rice.

[SeriousStudent]

I'm another 405 user. It's small enough to be easily drawn from a pocket, but has enough of a cushion on the backstrap that I can fire 100 rounds in a practice session. I'm one of those folks with arthritis in my hands, so the extra cushioning is much appreciated.

[Hizzie]

Are you left or right handed? If you are a righty you trigger finger will be in the way of the laser if you are gripping the gun correctly - high as you can.

[Shellback]

Are you left or right handed? If you are a righty you trigger finger will be in the way of the laser if you are gripping the gun correctly - high as you can.

Really? Please post a picture of this.

[Stephanie B]

Are you left or right handed? If you are a righty you trigger finger will be in the way of the laser if you are gripping the gun correctly - high as you can.

Right-handed. I would think that the arch of the trigger finger would cler the beam.

[Hizzie]

Really? Please post a picture of this.

Sorry at work. Nyeti and I actually discussed the poor design of revolver laser grips last time we spoke.

Just look at Craig Spegel Centennial grips. They are designed so you can get high on gun for better leverage.

[Byron]

Are you left or right handed? If you are a righty you trigger finger will be in the way of the laser if you are gripping the gun correctly - high as you can.
I have the LG-405 on my SW-642 (a setup I quite like) and this has never been an issue for me.

Or are you talking about blocking the laser when your trigger finger is extended straight, so as to maintain trigger discipline?


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[NETim]

I put 405's on my 442 in hopes of taming the mighty recoil of 148 WC's during training. I think they are somewhat of an improvement over stock stocks in that respect. They also fit and feel better in my hands than the factory stocks. I like them. (But the 442 still isn't much fun to shoot for an extended period.)

[RevolverRob]

Never had a problem blocking the laser with very high grip on my 105-equipped 642. My hands are large to extra large in size.

I recommend the 105s, because they maintain the grip that God, Horace Smith, and Daniel Wesson intended.

[Wendell]

The LG-405 is the next-best thing to the discontinued LG-205.

Why did they discontinue the 205, anyway?

[Savage Hands]

I have a new/unfired 442 with a LG-405 that I'll be willing to sell for a great price together or separately if the buyer backs out next week.

[Greg Bell]

The 405s are very nice. I have been running mine for a long time with over 5k downrange without a hitch.

[Chuck Haggard]

The only time I block the laser with a right handed grip is when my finger is not on the trigger but up in index. Since I would have little reason to need the laser without having my finger on the trigger I don't see it as an issue.

Left handed when shooting one handed I like the little shelf for the laser being on the right side of the grip, makes a dandy thumb shelf and I believe it helps me control recoil when shooting weak hand only.

[B0308]

2x405's on 2x442's, very pleased with the results. Easy to carry and as easy as a light J-frame is to shoot with any reasonable hot ammo.

[dookie1481]

Admittedly I have tiny hands, but I can't consistently activate the laser on either the 105 or the 305.

[Stephanie B]

2x405's on 2x442's, very pleased with the results. Easy to carry and as easy as a light J-frame is to shoot with any reasonable hot ammo.
No issues about the rubber "grabbing" clothing?

[Tamara]

The only time I block the laser with a right handed grip is when my finger is not on the trigger but up in index.

This. I choke pretty far up the "backstrap" of a Centennial and don't have problems unless my finger's in index.

[B0308]

Stephanie B,

No issues with the grips "grabbing" clothing. However, my use is mostly pocket carry, so my experience may not be relevant.

[lightning fast]

I went with the 105 and have no regrets. The 305 was of no interest to me, and I found the 405 to be harder to draw from dress slacks (my J-frame's primary, and nearly only, role) thanks to the rubber texture.

[SAWBONES]

Are you left or right handed? If you are a righty you trigger finger will be in the way of the laser if you are gripping the gun correctly - high as you can.


I find the opposite hand to be the problem; as a left-hander, I've found that my left thumb sometimes obscures the laser path on 105s, 205s and 405s when I grip with my thumb straight, and have to always remember to flex the thumb in order to avoid this.

I have all three of the above Crimson Trace grips on different J-frames, and I really find that the 205 feels most natural in the hand, though as Tam noted, it's unfortunately no longer made. The 405 is certainly the most fully cushioned, and also narrower than the others, and seems to fill the hand (or at least my hand) the best of the available models.

[David Armstrong]

I've got the 105 on a 642 and I am right handed. I've never had any problem with blocking the laser when shooting. If I were doing it all over I'd go with the 305 to get the better grip, but I don't find the 105 to be an issue.

[Rich]

Sorry at work. Nyeti and I actually discussed the poor design of revolver laser grips last time we spoke.

Just look at Craig Spegel Centennial grips. They are designed so you can get high on gun for better leverage.

playing with a laser grip 642 the 3 finger laser I think its the 405 version. anyway my finger blocked the laser when first trying it out.

I have to tweak my trigger finger hold in order for it to work. or get skinny fingers

[Stephanie B]

I went with the -105 grips. I can handle the 442 with the stock grips (not a lot of fun, though) and a couple of folks away from here also recommended them for the lessened chance of snagging in a pocket.

Thanks for everyone's opinions. This place is great!