Which grips?

[DLWinner]

I picked up a used S&W 442 last week and have been enjoying shooting it. I think I want to replace the grips with something better than the stock grips. What grips are everyone using?

[Up1911Fan]

Hamre Forge.

[TCinVA]

On the traditional 442 (meaning the ones without the upgraded sights found on the Lipseys version) I always put Crimson Trace laser stocks on it so that I have something I can see at speed under normal indoor conditions.

I will also use an orange paint pen to paint the front sight and give me some contrast.

[lee n. field]

I picked up a used S&W 442 last week and have been enjoying shooting it. I think I want to replace the grips with something better than the stock grips. What grips are everyone using?

My 642 got sold off last year to finance something else. In the years I did have it, first Uncle Mike's, then a Crimson Trace LG-350 (https://www.crimsontrace.com/products/laser-sights/lasergrips/lg-350-lasergrips-for-smith-wesson-j-frame-round-butt/01-4600-1.html#start=1).

[sharps54]

I have Hamre Forge on my .22 Magnum but it doesn't kick, I find Uncle Mike's boot grips to be the best grips for me on a .38 J frame balancing concealment and shooting comfort.

[HeavyDuty]

I just switched over my two J frames to VZ high horns (like the new UC.)

[jeep45238]

My 351c (.22mag alloy - light weight) wears Hamre Forge Spiegel boot hook grips.

My 640 (.357/.38 stainless - heavy) wears Hogue tamers, with the locking plug cut flush with the frame.

[Navin Johnson]

What is wrong with the stock grips?

What do you use the gun for?

If you carry it, is it a pocket or holster gun or both?

Do you shoot the heaviest boutique 38+ P through it or do you shoot wadcutters?

Every hand is different so a grip that works in one hand may not work in another so trying multiple grips is often necessary

I run laser grips for the purpose of the tool, and I deal with the down sides

[sharps54]

What is wrong with the stock grips?

What do you use the gun for?

If you carry it, is it a pocket or holster gun or both?

Do you shoot the heaviest boutique 38+ P through it or do you shoot wadcutters?

Every hand is different so a grip that works in one hand may not work in another so trying multiple grips is often necessary

I run laser grips for the purpose of the tool, and I deal with the down sides

My biggest issue with the stock grips is that they are not relieved for speedloaders.

[DLWinner]

What is wrong with the stock grips?

What do you use the gun for?

If you carry it, is it a pocket or holster gun or both?

Do you shoot the heaviest boutique 38+ P through it or do you shoot wadcutters?

Every hand is different so a grip that works in one hand may not work in another so trying multiple grips is often necessary

I run laser grips for the purpose of the tool, and I deal with the down sides


The stock grips work. I would prefer something a little fatter though. I will be shooting standard pressure 38 special and plus P.

[D-der]

I'm running CT 405's on my 642 UC. Hamre Forge on my 632 UC. My primary use for a J frame is pocket carry. For me the VZ UC grips are kind of large and tend to print more, IMHO the 405's are hard to beat, they handle recoil well, are minimal but adequate and with the laser blink of the eye 5yd and aimed 25yd A zone hits are very doable.
The HF grips suit the application quite well also and carry well.

[Unisaw]

Hamre Forge without the hook.

[revchuck38]

I'm using Hogue Monogrips on my J frames because I need the extra material behind the backstrap for trigger reach. They work okay with speedloaders.

[jandbj]

Hamre Forge. High horn. With or without hook are my favorites!

https://hamreforge.com/product/hf-spegel-boot-grip/

Love, love, LOVE these!

And rhamre is a cool dude & forum member here.

[358156hp]

I got a deal on a set of VZ J frame "Operator II" grips, and really like them. I've spent decades trying to find a wood or G-10 version of Pachmayrs "Compac" grip and this was the closest I've found to them. My hands are on the large side so I need a covered backstrap and a little extra girth on the sides.

htthttps://vzgrips.com/products/s-w-j-frame-grip-vz-operator-ii-wrap-around-grip.htmlp:// (https://vzgrips.com/products/s-w-j-frame-grip-vz-operator-ii-wrap-around-grip.htmlp://)

[jeep45238]

Hamre Forge. High horn. With or without hook are my favorites!

https://hamreforge.com/product/hf-spegel-boot-grip/

Love, love, LOVE these!

And rhamre is a cool dude & forum member here.

I'm waiting for the 3 finger grips to get in stock.

[D-der]

I have some Talon diy strips on hand, used a straight edge and razor knife to cut a strip of the non granular to fit the frame on
the back strap, it looks good, blends real well with similar texture / color and adds some additional grip to the Hamre Forge grips.

[defilade]

I have a set of hamre Forge spegel boot hook grips, but they kind of get uncomfortable when I shoot my 38. They are great on my LCR .22 though.

My other 442 has a set of uncle mikes, which I find to be excellent. However I just had a chance to shoot a 442 UC at Revolver Round Up and loved the grips. So I just ordered a set of high horns from VZ this morning (plus they are on sale right now).

Wade

[rd62]

CT 405s for me too

[DLWinner]

I need something bigger(fatter) than the stock grips. The stock grips leave the trigger reach too short for me.

[L-2]

I've several J-frames and a Ruger LCR, too.
Here are a few grips which I like, in no particular order:

Pachmayr (now owned by Lyman) Compac
https://www.lymanproducts.com/brands/pachmayr/handgun-grips/revolver-grips/compac-grips

VZ Grips
https://vzgrips.com/revolver-grips/s-w-j-frame-grips/high-horn-grips/

Hamre Forge. I have these for a Ruger LCR, but there are several other models/versions for S&W J-frames which may work for a user. I've just not personally tried them all.

https://hamreforge.com/product-category/products/

Depending on how I might be carrying (maybe ankle, pocket, or backup-gun concealed body armor holster) on a particular day, I might actually like stock 442 rubber grips better as much as any. Granted, the stock grips would be good for carrying in particular ways, but probably not ideal when shooting.

[BobM]

I need something bigger(fatter) than the stock grips. The stock grips leave the trigger reach too short for me.

Hamre Forge introduced a J frame set today that look a lot like Spegels but with an enclosed backstrap.

[blues]

Hamre Forge introduced a J frame set today that look a lot like Spegels but with an enclosed backstrap.

$83 shipped for a full set...hmmm...

[onehalfmvsquared]

I'm back to old uncle Mike
right hand side clears the clip

https://i.imgur.com/vnNZ2fm.jpg?1

[blues]

Well, I just couldn't resist...thanks for nothing BobM ! ;)

[BobM]

Well, I just couldn't resist...thanks for nothing BobM ! ;)

Glad I could help! I’ll probably try a set myself later on.

[D-der]

I took the HF grips off my 632 and put the original UC's back on, I like the HF's quite a lot,
they're small and pocket carry really well but, I seem to shoot better with the VZ UC's.
The 405's seem just large enough to make a difference but I see they're mostly out of stock again.

[BobM]

I took the HF grips off my 632 and put the original UC's back on, I like the HF's quite a lot,
they're small and pocket carry really well but, I seem to shoot better with the VZ UC's.
The 405's seem just large enough to make a difference but I see they're mostly out of stock again.

I have HF grips on my 43C and currently on my 632UC. I’m going to put the factory grips back on the UC as they handle the recoil better for me. I had a set of Crimson Trace 405s on a 642 years ago and they were great until the back strap tore. I carried it daily in a pants pocket on and off duty.

[D-der]

I have HF grips on my 43C and currently on my 632UC. I’m going to put the factory grips back on the UC as they handle the recoil better for me. I had a set of Crimson Trace 405s on a 642 years ago and they were great until the back strap tore. I carried it daily in a pants pocket on and off duty.

I'm running 405's on my 642 UC, I'm on the fence as to put them on the 32, my primary use for a snub is pocket carry and the CT's certainly fit that roll well, A zone hit's as soon as it clear's your pocket. I'm actually surprised how much I'm liking the 32 and think I'll be carrying it more than the 38,

[ragnar_d]

I caught wind of using the old Taurus rubber boot grips (https://revolverguy.com/using-taurus-model-85-grips-on-j-frames/) several years ago and I've been using them ever since (I want to say since 2017-18). Plus I've only got about $15 into my stash. I saw Hamre Forge just launched some new ones that were designed with input from DB and Bryan from AFR, so I'm looking to grab a set of those to try out some time when I get a 442/642/etc..

[blues]

Glad I could help! I’ll probably try a set myself later on.

I ordered the full set so I can try them both ways. Back in the day I'd work with some NYPD detectives who'd carry a Model 36 with a hook on the grip as an upgrade to the usual rubber bands. The bosses at my agencies would faint if someone carried that way unless on a UC op.

I have never tried carrying that way but figure it might be fun to see how I like it.

Thanks for helping me find another gift I can tell my wife she's bought for me. They'll be a nice addition to the Hogue Bantam Piranhas in G-10.

126705

[blues]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the VZ grips some of you guys discuss, (the checkered version), seem very similar to the Hogue Bantams (G-10) in the image I posted above.

Am I wrong about that? (No coverage of the back strap with the Hogue, though.)

[BobM]

I have the hook set on my 43C but so far I rarely carry it that way. I generally only carry that pistol in an Enigma to my weekly yoga class. Once in a while, I've used the hooked grip around the house. The hook doesn't interfere with the holster so for now I'll leave it on. I like them better than the factory grips on that gun.

[blues]

I have the hook set on my 43C but so far I rarely carry it that way. I generally only carry that pistol in an Enigma to my weekly yoga class. Once in a while, I've used the hooked grip around the house. The hook doesn't interfere with the holster so for now I'll leave it on. I like them better than the factory grips on that gun.

The OEM rubber Hogues on my 642-1 delaminated and peeled apart.

[Joe Mac]

I have a box full of briefly-tried J frame grips, but always come back to the Uncle Mike's rubber boot grip. For me, nothing beats it for shootability in a pocket-sized grip. They're expensive on ebay because assholes like me are hoarding them.

The S&W branded rubber boot grip is not bad, but the texture wears off it easily.

[blues]

I have a box full of briefly-tried J frame grips, but always come back to the Uncle Mike's rubber boot grip. For me, nothing beats it for shootability in a pocket-sized grip. They're expensive on ebay because assholes like me are hoarding them.

The S&W branded rubber boot grip is not bad, but the texture wears off it easily.

Those are made by Hogue, or were, at least, when I bought my 642-1.

[Joe Mac]

Those are made by Hogue, or were, at least, when I bought my 642-1.

Yeah, I thought so, wasn't sure I was remembering correctly.

[ragnar_d]

I have a box full of briefly-tried J frame grips, but always come back to the Uncle Mike's rubber boot grip. For me, nothing beats it for shootability in a pocket-sized grip. They're expensive on ebay because assholes like me are hoarding them.

The S&W branded rubber boot grip is not bad, but the texture wears off it easily.
That one wasn't bad, but after about a year of use (mind you, this was a gun that got kept in a lockbox in a car in Florida a lot), the rubber overmold part separated from the plastic base. Don't know if it was a one-off thing with my grips but I ordered a set of Pachmayr Compacs right after that happened and chucked the factory grips.

[blues]

That one wasn't bad, but after about a year of use (mind you, this was a gun that got kept in a lockbox in a car in Florida a lot), the rubber overmold part separated from the plastic base. Don't know if it was a one-off thing with my grips but I ordered a set of Pachmayr Compacs right after that happened and chucked the factory grips.

Same as what happened to mine as described in a post here earlier today...(Post #34)

[DLWinner]

Those Hamre Forge grips that cover the backstrap are looking good. I might order a set.

[blues]

Those Hamre Forge grips that cover the backstrap are looking good. I might order a set.

Looking forward to them. Ryan mentioned that they hope to have them all shipped by the end of next week.

[Chuck Whitlock]

I have a box full of briefly-tried J frame grips, but always come back to the Uncle Mike's rubber boot grip. For me, nothing beats it for shootability in a pocket-sized grip. They're expensive on ebay because assholes like me are hoarding them.

The ones that came with my M37 were nice, but had become hardened/stiffened. I went with the rubber Hogue bantam grips. My smaller hand prefers the bare backstrap.

[Joe Mac]

The ones that came with my M37 were nice, but had become hardened/stiffened. I went with the rubber Hogue bantam grips. My smaller hand prefers the bare backstrap.

I found the Hogue to be okay, but like any Hogue revolver grip, the finger groove is not roomy enough for my thick middle digit, and had to be ground off (not the case with the Uncle Mike).

I love the standard Hogue LCR grip since I dremeled and sanded the hell out of it...got down to the bare plastic where the bump used to be. :D

[blues]

The ones that came with my M37 were nice, but had become hardened/stiffened. I went with the rubber Hogue bantam grips. My smaller hand prefers the bare backstrap.

I really only want the backstrap covered to help mitigate recoil...though I could also use a little bit of extra length to the trigger...(but not that big a deal.)

[DLWinner]

I ordered the Hamre Forge AFR Undercover standard grips. Can’t wait to try them.

[blues]

My Hamre Forge UC grips, (full set), should be delivered sometime today...

[D-der]

If they're somewhere between the 1st set of HF's and the UC VZ's in size,
I think I think I'm in for a set.

[Wood]

So I remember commiserating with others in a different thread regarding how the Crimson Trace LG-405 is not available. Figure this is a good thread to reiterate that in! I just noticed that OpticsPlanet says they may get restocked in June 2025 yeesh.

So uh, in the meantime: does anyone know of a grip for J frames that roughly matches the profile of the LG-405 minus the laser? Key points: Covered backstrap, flush to the bottom of the frame, and compatible with exposed hammer models.

Of course, I could hack together something approximate in a couple different ways, but I feel like something coming from the factory like that would look a bit better and probably be built to last a while.

[Wood]

I got an email notfication from Midway USA earlier today, and have checked a couple of other sites - Battlehawk, OpticsPlanet - and they all currently have the LG-405 back in stock. About to seal the deal on mine.

[D-der]

I got a notice from Midway last Friday, they showed up this Friday along with an Apex duty kit.
I'd put an Apex FP in my 632UC when I'd first gotten it for reliability's sake then after a couple
hundred rd's I put in a Wolff 12lb rebound spring which was a noticeable improvement but,
I'd figured I'd try apex springs so, I put it together yesterday and largely vetted the kit and
zeroed the laser. 75 rd's of Mag tech with 1 needing to be hit twice but had a good hit the first time,
50 rd's of Federal 95gr LSWC, 20 Critical Defense and 24 LR WC, all except the 1 MT ran great.
After trying several pairs of grips, I just went with the 405's, they work well on my 38, pocket as
well or better than most anything else and for me, pretty much maximize the useful potential of
a pocket snub, not as good looking but 100% functional. I'm gonna run it some more and if no
issues show up, call it GTG.

[onehalfmvsquared]

sorry, I'm back to this.


Altamont Alti grips give me the pinky finger spot.

the sports wrap give me a bit of texture and cushion.

https://i.imgur.com/iDOl7HQ.jpg

I've tried uncle mikes, Hammre Forge, and Houge grips

[revchuck38]

sorry, I'm back to this.


Altamont Alti grips give me the pinky finger spot.

the sports wrap give me a bit of texture and cushion.

https://i.imgur.com/iDOl7HQ.jpg

I've tried uncle mikes, Hammre Forge, and Houge grips

Yeah, my box o'grips isn't quite as large as my box o'holsters, but it ain't that small. :rolleyes: