Smith 442 grips

[MilesR]

Deleted

 

[MilesR]

Looks like you already made a choice, but I go with wood grips for my 442. Not for looks, but when I pocket carry the rubber grips are too "grabby" and tend to stick in my pocket. The wood grips however slide right out.

I still plan on getting some wood grips depending on the occasion.

 

[Pudge]

I found just the opposite to be true for me. Proves one size doesn't fit all.

For me, it is like they were designed just for me. More comfortable to shoot, points better, quicker follow-ups, and my holes are closer together.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Badger Custom Boot Grips work great on my M442 and the slightly longer combat grips on my M640 .357 Magnum.

 

[fireman 9731]

The OE S&W grips will delaminate apart into a revolting sticky mess in a glove box over a summer. . . which is why I started shopping. They were great until them.

I had the same problem but the gun was never in a hot glove box, I always carried IWB. The factory grips lasted about 2 years before the rubber totally separated form the plastic. I replaced them with Hogue Bantams and haven't had a problem yet.

 

[Pat Riot]

I got a S&W 442 for my birthday in 1997. It is seen below with it’s stock boot grips. I am pretty sure the stock grips were made by Uncle Mike’s (who no longer makes grips for public consumption. )

I have tried numerous grips on it but always come back to the factory grips. I bought it to carry and I have put it to good use, though it doesn’t look it.
When I bought it the grips were “sticky” in my pockets. I cleaned them with silicone spray and a cotton rag. After several treatments like this the grips were “grippy” but not “sticky”.

I have 4 J frames and I have found my favorite grips to be Hogue Monogrips. All my J frames except the 442 wear them.

Here are my J frames with their stock grips.








None of the grips above, except the 442 factory grip worked for me. The model 36 with the original grips and the BK tee grip looked cool and nostalgic and were somewhat functional the Monogrip made a lot of difference in handling and follow up shot accuracy.

I did buy one of those Ergo Grips and tried it on my 442. It did help with recoil but it made the gun butt thicker. Pocket carry wouldn’t work for me with that grip.

 

[Haywood]

I use Pachmayr Compacts and Hogue Tamers. .

 

[vmr357]

I've had the stock boot grips, a set of Spegel wood grips, and I'm currently using Crimson Trace LG-305s. I don't actually care for the laser, but the grips are about the right size for me.

 

[labnoti]

I used to shoot a J frame extensively and tried many grips.

My favorite is actually both wood and Hogue -- their hardwood no finger-groove grip.
My second choice is Pachmayr Compact Grips (the ones on the top revolver in the picture above). With these the design is pretty good, but the quality is terrible.

I tried many other designs, some of which were quite costly but the cheap Pachmayr and simple Hogue designs were best. I found that finger grooves are awful, and that fact alone ruled out a lot of options.

I still shoot revolvers, but not jframes. And I still prefer no finger-groove grips exclusively. I have some wood Hogue that are the best. I like the look of some Ropers I have, but I'm undecided about whether they're having a detrimental effect on my performance and whether I can adapt to them or if I should just stick with the Hogue.

 

[SW351C]

My favorite J Frame grip is the VZ model 320. These grips are on my 351C 22 Mag. When I first got this gun I shot it about 3” to the left and 3” low at 7 yards and adding these grips brought me right on with the XS Big Dot covering the Target. The front of the grip comes to a v shape that fits right into a pocket created by your second inside finger joints and this really adds the directional stability of the gun. These grips also allow me to insert my trigger finger so it’s first joint is on the off side of the trigger aiding in a straight rearward pull also helping in gun control. I also get a lower finger placement on the trigger giving more leverage easing the pressure required to pull the trigger. All this and the things just look so mean on a dull black gun.

 

[toivo]

My favorite J Frame grip is the VZ model 320. These grips are on my 351C 22 Mag.

That looks like a nice set-up for .22 magnum, but I wonder how well it would work for .38 Special. My 642 spanked my hand something fierce until I put a Hogue Tamer on it.

 

[SW351C]

They work fine on my 442. I am guilty of swapping these grips back and forth right now between the two guns until I get another pair. I believe when you get a good fit on a set of grips the material isn’t all that important.

 

[Gary A]

I gotta go with Rodinal and Fireman, I have found the Hogue Bantams to be the best for me. The original Uncle Mike’s which once were OEM were the best of all but they are history and current factory grips don’t clear speedloaders well.