J-Frame Grip Choice - Hogue Bantam vs. Pachmayer

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D-Man

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For my 642 I'm looking to replace the stock grips with a comfortable rubber grip, but one that still is compact and concealable. I picked up a Hogue Monogrip, and while it feels nice, it's too long.

So, I'm down to the following choices - the Hogue Bantam or the Pachmayer Compac (has the little indent on the bottom). From what I can see, the Compac grip goes around the entire butt of the gun while the Bantam still has an exposed strap in the back. Is that correct?

Between the two, which do you think does everything (comfort and concealability) the best?

Any other choices I may be missing?
 
I've got a set of Pachmayers on my model 60. If I thought something else was better I'd have it. 10-4 on the grip covering the back strap.
 
The thing that bugs me about my Hogue grips on my M-36 is there to dang grippy, my shirts cling to them. Hogue has a nylon grip which I have not seen yet, what impressed me about the Hogue Bantam grip was it's comfort and my M-36 points very well with these grips.
 
I have the Bantams on my J Frames and love them. They are great for pocket carry as they are a little smaller than the Pachmayrs. They seem to fit my hands better also.
 
The Uncle Mike's boot grips that come on a 642 are about as good as you're going to get in rubber, in my opinion.
If the covered backstrap is important to you then I'd choose the Pachmayer compacts as already mentioned above. The hogues are too sticky and interfere with clothing, forget about pocket carry with them too.
 
Originally Posted By HighVelocity
The Uncle Mike's boot grips that come on a 642 are about as good as you're going to get in rubber, in my opinion.
Click to expand...
I'm sorry but I couldn't disagree with you more. Yes they are small but that's it!! They afford you little control and are uncomfortable too. For a J frame Magnum the Pachmayr Compac grips are outstanding but are a little larger than I would like them to be. For the .38 +P J frame I recommend the Pachmayr Compac Pro grips. They have the extension for your third finger like the Cpmpac grips but DO NOT cover the back strap like the Compac grips. The back strap cover is an asset with a Magnum but not necessary IMO for a .38. I also like the wooden S&W banana grips I currently have on my M638.

Bottom like is the stock Uncle Mike's boot grips are inadequate for the job. I like S&B but I'm a little disappointed in them. You would think they would supply better stock grips for their revolvers, they are charging enough.

Here is a picture of the banana grips on my M638:

DSCN2054.jpg
 
On J-Frames I am actually thinking about going back to the small hard grips. The rubber is tacky and larger. Hard grips seem to be able to draw from a pocket easier and is more concealable. Just my 2 cents.
 
I've tried a lot of grips on my model 38 Airweight Bodyguard; Magna, Hogue Bantam, Hogue monogrip, Pachmayr Compaq. I think it is strictly a matter of personal choice and priorities as to what is best for you. In my case the wrap-around capability of the compac plus its pinky groove , makes the best combination for me for a lightweight pocket carry revolver. The Magnas were too thin and did not absorb any recoil, which can be significant with a 15 oz. gun and near-+P loads. The Bantam doesn't cover the backstrap and leaves the pinky dangling. The monogrips were pretty comfortable (full finger grooves and backstrap wraparound) but it made the gun harder to conceal. Some people are enthusiastic about the Magnas with Tyler T-grips but I haven't tried them.

So, for me, I have gone with the Pachmayr Compacs for my m38, my Detective Special and my Charter Bulldog 44 spl.

Bill
 
Hogue has a nylon grip which I have not seen yet,

I bought a Hogue nylon grip about 20 years ago, before they made the rubber. It looks exactly like the rubber grip. It won't cling to your clothing, either. :)
 
I put the pach's on mine as I have large hands and with heavy loads my nuckles took a beating. Almost defeats the purpose of a small framed revolver but at least it don't hurt to shoot anymore.. :cool: Chief
 
I have and love the Hogue Bantams. I have used them on all my J-frames for a while now. I usually pocket carry, and I don't have a problem with them "sticking" to clothing. I like the good grip they provide, and have never understood the negative comments about them "sticking" to clothes. The Bantams leave the backstrap exposed, and offer only a two-finger grip (with your pinky kind of tucking under the bottom of the grips).

The pachmayr compacs give you a full 3 finger grip, and they cover the backstrap as well. They are good grips, if you end up carrying IWB or OWB I imagine they would work just fine. You may run into trouble if you pocket carry, or other carry method were size is an issue.

I have also shot my guns with the pachmayr compacs, directly comparing the recoil control with the Bantams, and I found no difference. If you can't decide buy both, they each cost about $15, and it can't hurt to have a spare set of grips.
 
FWIW, I browsed thru my archives and found pix of my m38 with the Magna, Bantam, Hogue Monogrips and Pachmayr Compacs on it. Here's a composite, just in case someone finds it useful.

Bill
 

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^^ BillinNH - thanks for those pictures, as it does help a lot.

One final question - are the Pachmayer Compac grips longer than the Hogue Bantam? It appears they may be by a little bit, but it's hard to tell (and compare from the photos).

Right now I am leaning towards the Hogue Bantam. If I do ever decide on carrying it, I plan to do so in the pocket, and the Bantam seems to be the best choice for that, while still giving me shooting comfort.
 
The Bantam's are probably a little stubbier, not a lot though. One thing to remember, the Bantam's a stickier rubber and could tend to make pulling it from your pocket a little more difficult. That was one deciding deciding factor for me.
 
<One final question - are the Pachmayer Compac grips longer than the Hogue Bantam? It appears they may be by a little bit, but it's hard to tell (and compare from the photos).>

I'd say the Compacs are about a half inch longer than the Bantams.-

Here's my opinion- The Bantams are smaller and conceal better but are more prone to stick on the pocket when drawing, they leave the pinky dangling and they have no padding on the backstrap. I found them uncomfortable to shoot even with 125 grain loads so I changed to the Hogue Monogrips. They were much more comfortable but didn't hide well in the pocket. The Pachmayrs were a very good compromise and I recommend them. I think your 642 is about the same weight as mine - 15 oz., and unless you are more recoil tolerant than I am you may not enjoy shooting the gun for extended sessions with the Bantams.

But your preferences may not be mine and you should go with what you think will be best for you. If you prefer the Bantams, then by all means go for them, they may be just what you want. If you don't like them than try one of the alternatives. It took me four tries to get the ones I like. But grips aren't that expensive and you can always use them on another j-frame. ;-)

Good luck, let us know what you do.

Bill
 
My J frame came with theese rubber grips, i hate them I like to carry it in my pocket and they stick to everything?
gunsandwatch001-1.jpg
I`ed trade em in a hart beat for some stock wood...
I`ve also tryed this Pac, tac walet grip they don`t make`em anymore I`ve had it for 15 years but I don`t like it either.
IM004509.gif
 
The Uncle Mike's boot grips that come on a 642 are about as good as you're going to get in rubber, in my opinion.
If the covered backstrap is important to you then I'd choose the Pachmayer compacts as already mentioned above. The hogues are too sticky and interfere with clothing, forget about pocket carry with them too.
Click to expand...

Agreed on all counts. The stock grips are small enough to conceal well, large enough and well-shaped for comfort and control, and in my experience aren't grippy with natural fabrics.

I find ankle carry with lightweight wool or cotton slacks to be a really good real-world test for excessive grippiness. These have never given me any trouble. Some softer rubbers do tend to grab.

OTOH, these are a bit grabby on synthetic fabrics -- I have a pair of wool/acrylic blend slacks that just love to cling around the grip. But I don't like those pants for other reasons, so for me it is a non-issue.
 
Every j-frame owner here has probably been through this...mine came with the Uncle Mike's but I hated the rubber for ankle as my pants would stick to them when I got up....

so I picked up the hideout grip from Brownells...hard nylon and no sticking but like smooth wood, I felt it was a little too slick....i liked the finger grooves though...

aluminum_442.jpg




So I went to the small checkered wood with a t-grip....a little better but still a little too thin....then I found these stags....a bit thicker all around and with the t-grip, they fit my hand perfect but are still very concealable...guess it takes a little trial and error....


IMG_0006_1.JPG
 
Sorry to bring back such an old thread but the topic is just what i was looking for.

Can anyone tell me if the Pachmayr Compac professional grips shown in Marshall's picture allow for a full finger grip or does the pinky still dangle?

I've looked high and low and can't determine it for sure on this model but unfortunately I can not try before I buy - no one around here stocks them.

Thanks!
 
Can anyone tell me if the Pachmayr Compac professional grips shown in Marshall's picture allow for a full finger grip or does the pinky still dangle?
Click to expand...
cpirtle,
If I remember correctly the Compac and Compac Pro grips are the same length but differ in the back strap design. The Pro grips DO NOT cover the back strap.
 
Can anyone tell me if the Pachmayr Compac professional grips shown in Marshall's picture allow for a full finger grip or does the pinky still dangle?
Click to expand...

My pinky does not dingle..I have small hands..The grips extend about 3/8th" below the grip frame...Mine are on a Smith mod 37.
 
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