New grips for S&W 649....opinions needed please

[zip777]

Hello everyone. My new 649 will be here in a few days and I'm in search of new grips. I'll most CC in either a OWB rig or pocket holster. When I CC I'll have her loaded with .357 cal.

I have held the same gun with the stock rubber grips and I simply hate them. Why they put that junk on a $600 + revolver is beyond me. But I digress...

I do not have extensive grip knowledge but I really like the way the Hogue grips feel in my hand. So here is my dilemma in a wood grip...

1) Smooth or checkered? I would think the checkered...although a bit rougher would give you better grip in hot steamy weather etc... Is there a snag issue on clothing as you get with softer rubber grips??

2) Size vs functionality. .357 can be a bit of a beast in a J frame. I'm a pretty muscular guy so I have no worries there but I also need to practice with it. So should I go with the J frame round butt or the bantam?? I'd like a bit more comfort the round butt would provide but I'm afraid it may print badly.

Thoughts?? Opinions?? Actual experience with these grips would be highly valued. Unfortunately these grip are pricey so I want to make the most informed decision I can.

Thanks everyone!!!60621L.jpg61851Lbantam.jpg

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[zip777]

Sorry I just noticed I put this in the wrong forum! Sorry...newbie mistake.

[ksholder]

Is that a 649 or 640? I thought the 649 had the shrouded hammer while the 640 has a hidden hammer. Sweet looking gun either way. I have Hogue grips on my 642 (like the one on the left in your pics, but in black) and Pachmyar on my 640 (like the one on the right). I like them both, but if I had to pick just one, I would go with the Hogue grips. They are more streamlined. I have no problems concealing either, however. A good holster will snug the butt of the gun up against you and you will be able to hide it as well.

[DocGlock]

I would go checkered, bantam. Looks like the bantam would hide better when pocket carried.
Here's a couple of other places with grips similar to the Hogue bantam, but better prices:

http://www.grips4guns.com/revolver/s...m_1711014.html

http://www.gungripsupply.com/

[pogo2]

My favorite J frame grips are smooth, finger groove dymondwood boot grips from Handgungrips.com in Altamont, Illinois. They conceal well and the finger grooves give you enough traction to make checkering unneeded. They are also priced at a reasonable level.

Handgungrips.com

[Armydad]

I have a 649 and put Crimson Trace grips on it. This is not a range gun regardless so I chose the CT grips for CCW purposes.

[zip777]

It is a 649. Sorry the pics I displayed were directly from Hogues site.
Appreciate all the links I'll have to give them a look. I agree this is a ccw gun but to be proficient with any gun you still have to practice with it. Looks like the bantam size is the way to go. Thanks!

[ksholder]

This is not a range gun regardless

Why not? With my 642 and 640 with the aftermarket grips, I shoot 200 round range sessions with no problems. Now the 642 with stock grips - that is just painful.

[zip777]

Why not? With my 642 and 640 with the aftermarket grips, I shoot 200 round range sessions with no problems. Now the 642 with stock grips - that is just painful.

Which grips if you don't mind me asking.

[ksholder]

I have the hogue grips on my 642 like the ones in the left picture at the top of this thread but in black and on my 640, I have the Pachmyars that are also black but in the shape like the picture on the right above. I like them both, but the Hogue are easier to pocket carry. The stock grips on the 640 were like the Hogues, but the dealer threw in the Pachmyars. If I was going to pocket the 640 much, I would put the stock grips back on.

[zip777]

So you have the larger round butt grips not the bantams ? How does it carry? Does it print much?

[QKShooter]

Search the Hogue grips site. Great grips! Order directly from Hogue by phone. Every imaginable style & configuration of exotics for S&W wheelies. Their grips are not cheap but, you can return any grips for any reason (like they just don't fit your hand) for a full refund or swap them out for a different pair. No hassle.
http://www.getgrip.com/

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or if you're concerned about recoil then try the Pachmayr Decelerator grips. They DO tame felt recoil but, they're not real pretty looking..
http://www.pachmayr.com/

[brylow]

On my SW 442, I have Eagle Secret Service Grips, smooth in Rosewood. Great grips, good gripping service and conceal well, in a Kramer pocket holster. Grips don't print in pocket and look good and wear well.

[ksholder]

So you have the larger round butt grips not the bantams ? How does it carry? Does it print much?

I have both styles. There is not much difference unless pocket carrying and then it is minor but the bantam style works a bit better. I don't have any printing problems with either IWB or OWB.

I will post pics torrow.

[zip777]

Very cool! I'll look forward to the pics....I'll call hogue as well that's a great idea. I'll be carrying owb or pocket. The larger grips seem appealing to me but at $100 want to make the best possible choice. Not too worried about saving money I mean hell I just dropped $600 want to get it set up as best I can. Thanks everyone!