The new S&W branded stocks (grips) sold by Smith & Wesson look good and they handle decent enough, even when firing heavy loads. For shooting and for concealed carry, they are quite all right.
The problem is (IMHO) with the thumb-rest area; it is a gradual contour that (IMHO) does not go deep enough soon enough. The scuff marks are from the Safariland loader.
The thumb-rest area on the Uncle Mike's stocks (grips) once sold by Smith & Wesson (IIRC, for over a couple of decades) looks to be thinner, flatter, and more defined.
The Safariland loader aligned wonderfully with the old Uncle Mike's stocks (grips).
The loader alignment is not so pretty good with the newer stocks (grips)
ADDENDUM 2/11/2019
I suspected that the S&W branded grips (stocks) would be okay for the 940 moon clips due to the short length of the 9mm cartridges. I swapped the original (still pristine) Uncle Mike's grips from the 940 with the S&W grips that I had put on the 640-0 (.38 special). Crimson Trace 405 laser grips now adorn the newer of my two Model 442 revolvers; those Uncle Mike's grips replaced the S&W brand grips that I butchered on the 640-1 revolver. The universe is again in balance.
For J frames in general I've found the Bianchi speed strips to be more practical than the speed-loaders.
ReplyDeleteI agree! Oh yeah! Amen! I had long given up on speedloaders for J frames in favor of speed-strips ... until a gunslinging blogger (Earthbound Misfit) turned me on to the Safariland Comp ... I bought a couple, used them, and it was winner ... so I bought a bunch more ... loved them ... until I switched a couple of J frames to the newer grips and found a problem.
ReplyDeleteThanks man!
I'm not a big fan of boot grips in general. I always used Pachmayr Comppacs on my J-frames. They're a little bit bigger, and some people think they compromise concealability, but I don't think so. In addition to a covered backstrap (which both protects my tender paws and makes the gun more controllable), they're also a little longer and have a notch that's just right for my little finger (which makes the gun even more controllable). And they seem to work well with speedloaders.
ReplyDeleteBut it's America. You can go to your church and I'll go to mine.
If I remember correctly, your church was a real world occupational requisite; I'm mostly a "gun enthusiast" type of guy ... pro's have insights that are treasurable.
ReplyDeleteMy 442 was my first experience with boot stocks ... the magazines were full of articles raving about comfort, accuracy, etc; boots were the rave of the gun writers. After the first 5-rounds sprayed downrange my exact words were "OUCH! These things suck!" After the many years since I kinda guess my hand grew around them.
But I am a shamelessly fickle believer ... I loves me Pachmayrs on the Colt Detective and the Agent ... on the S&W 66 ... and my square butt S&W .22 J frame (I forget the model # ... it's a 4'' stainless kit gun)
Take care man. Thanks.