Hi members,
I'm not sure if I'm goingto change out these rubber grips ,but ...
Pics of who did & what and links to where/what to get

Thanks very much in advance for the help,-Vince

Hello, I changed my stock 642 grips to Hogue Tamer grips. The grip is larger and reduce felt recoil.

Centennial (Round Butt) - OverMolded Rubber & Nylon Grips - J-Frame Revolvers - Smith & Wesson - Handgun Grips - Hogue Products

Hogue, Inc

www.hogueinc.com

 

Those look cool How do they attach I see no screw

 

I have these made in Thailand grips that I bought on Ebay. They are much better for shooting than the stock rubber boot grip

My 638 is wearing the Altamont Altai grip that came on my model 60 Pro. They also are really nice at the range and I can still pocket carry with both sets

 

I have these made in

Realize that if you put on any of these full length grips, it's no longer much of a pocket gun.

While the hogue grips are larger, I can still pocket carry.

 

Altamonts are nice. I have them on another gun. They are currently sold out on the wood ones I want for the 642

 

Altamonts on my 640

 

Altamont makes fine grips, we have a number of set here and like them a lot!

 

Realize that if you put on any of these full length grips, it's no longer much of a pocket gun.

 

I wish I could. It would make the gun much more useful. But there is NO WAY I can get a J frame with longer grips in... or OUT of my pocket. Any pocket I have.

 

You have to be willing to dress around the piece you intend to carry.

Kevin

 

At any rate, what I ended up with on the Chief's Special was a rubber Taurus 85 grip. Like $15 on ebay. It wraps around the backstrap, adding MUCH needed thickness there. But it is still "boot grip" length, not extending below the grip frame. The grip fits, but the locator pin holes are in a different spot, so new pin holes must be very carefully drilled into the plate inside the grip panels. You just have to ignore the Taurus logo.

After trying for a long time to shoot this gun with a normal uncovered backstrap (and it just NOT working), the Taurus grip makes the gun at least functional for me, and less pain in the web of my hand, since it fills that area better. Still very difficult for me to shoot with my large hands, but at least somewhat doable.

For me, the ONLY reason for a J frame is pocket carry. If I put a gun on my belt, there is no reason to do so with such a teensey tinsey thing, and I might as well carry something I can shoot MUCH better.

 

I also have no problem drawing my revolver from my front pocket with the wood grips shown above.... I usually wear Wrangle cargo pants or shorts. I would have to go to the factory boot grips for it to work with some blue jeans

 

I’m not saying it’s not tight, but I’ve pocket carried such a gun with said grips even in relatively well fit jeans.

 

I really appreciate all of the posts . The info ,comments etc helps I ordered a set from Altamont ,gotta start somewhere . Hoping once here ,they fit up. If this goes good I'll probably go with the Hogue tamer type for a different revolver that I do not plan to ever " pocket"

 

I put a Crimson Trace laser grip on my 642. I like the original Smith grips a little better...but I wanted the CT so I just accept the choice. Easily "pocket-carries" in most of my pants...not all but as previously pointed out sometimes you have to choose your wardrobe around your carry gun.

 

I pocket carry with my Hogue grips everyday!!! I had a friend from work who does leather holsters and belts make me a pocket holster with the smooth side of the leather inside and the rough outside! Works great!!!

 

My .38’s

Bond arms with Altamont extended grips and .357/.38 barrel.

 

My .38’s View attachment 520537
Bond arms with Altamont extended grips and .357/.38 barrel.

I use Pachmayr on my Model 36, they work great on the hands, but look awful for aesthetics.

Right same with my hogue grips. One day I will put some nice wood grips on my 642 such as Altamont, but right now I’m learning the way of the .38 snubbie.

 

I use Pachmayr on my Model 36, they work great on the hands, but look awful for aesthetics.

 

I ordered these from Altamont 4 to 6 week wait

Strictly asthetic I realize these will not be a that much better grip than the stock grips . I guess the Italian in me ( 100% ) couldn't resist the olive color lol I have some wadcutter loads coming ,that may help this revolver ,and my hand too

 

I had a set like that. They are a bit fatter, like in the palm swell area, but otherwise feel like the stock grips

 

If you are like us I believe you will be pleased with Altamont. My husband's favorite revolver has bonded ivory:

When we picked up the 38/44 HD a number of years ago it had non original magnas and we thought the bonded ivory looked quite nice!

 

My wife's 637 with Pachmayr Grippers.

 

I carry mainly in a belt holster OWB & IWB. But I carry a smaller semi-auto Ruger LC9s, for CCW. If I wear a longer jacket, I can easily carry OWB....... or IWB with a Tee shirt, with the standard grips.

When I used to carry a S&W M-36. I put on rubber Boot Grips by Butler Creek, that makes the recoil fairly easy on your hand. They also conceal much better. I bought OWB & IWB holsters, also, for my belt.

I sometimes Pocket carry.........but in winter vest or coat with bigger pockets. I do pocket carry in casual Docker's, though.
Bob

 

Here’s my new 642 holster. OWB