PachmayrHolster

Rock solid fit! A key feature for any defensive handgun grip but ironically many manufacturers ignore this. This grip was already firmly in place before I put the grip screw in with no gaps on the backstrap or trigger guard (642-2 recent production). Provides a hand filling engagement that makes sight acquisition and presentation a snap to get used to. It's wider at the butt than most j frame concealable grips and this works better. Will not make a difference for appendix carry. Unlike Hogue, Pachmayr came up with a super simple solution for installing this type of grip (Hogue's is overly complicated and leaves a very loose fit when completed): use the frame pin hole for the grip screw. Uber simple. One nitpick: the instructions dont explain that the installer has to remove the frame pin to mount the grip. However, it take 2 seconds to do so and becomes apparent that the grip isnt going to slip over the frame pin. Yet, its a significant oversight not to clearly include this in the instructions. Armed with this info, you can install this grip in a couple minutes with a punch (to remove the frame pin) and a small phillips (to screw the grip through the frame and back into a brass nut imbedded in the opposite side of the one piece grip.) Kudos Pachmayr for employing the KISS rule and making a great product.

At first I thought the fit was questionable and “messaged” the inside with a small fine file slightly while installing and reinstalling it without the screw but the slight gap at the trigger guard never went away. So I put the screw in to see if it changed at and it did tighten up quite nicely making a perfect fit!! Recoil is half of the stock grip and is very nice to draw from a holster with the added length.

In the early to mid 1960's my father introduced me to Pachmayr handgun grips and I have been using them ever since -- on all of my handguns. I was employed as a local (city and county) law enforcement officer for 40 years and have found Pachmayr grips to be outstanding in their ability to facilitate dampened felt recoil as well as weapon retention in hands soaked by rain or perspiration. Now my evaluation of the #02478 grips: The Good: Although several reviewers have criticized these grips as being sub-standard due to "poor quality construction" stating that it was "necessary to remove the grip retention pin" prior to installing, this is simply not the case. Pachmayr was acquired by Lyman Co., a long-time trusted manufacturer/supplier of firearms accessories and supplies. Lyman products, including Pachmayr grips, continue to be high quality. Hint: if you find it necessary to modify the frame of a firearm in order to install grips, you are installing the wrong grip. Although advertised by Amazon as fitting the S&W R/B J-frame revolver (Mod. 36,60, etc.) this is misleading. These grips (#02478) were made to fit The Taurus small frame revolver. The correct Pachmayr grip for the S&W Chief Spec. is the the "Compac" grips. The Bad: I purchased the #02478 grips for my S&W mod. 640 .357 mag., due to the fact that the Amazon advertisement pictured these grips on an identical weapon. Upon installing, I discovered the grips to fit the frame of the weapon extremely snugly -- took all of my "superhuman" strength as well as a couple of well-placed taps with a rubber mallet to seat the grip on the frame. After seating the grips, I discovered that the supplied grip screw could not be utilized as the frame of the weapon blocks the screw hole. The Potentially Ugly: I have not yet fried this weapon with the new grip installed, and when I do, I will have to be cognizant of the weapon "walking" itself out of the grip. It may well be that the grip is permanently installed on the 640 -- which is fine with me, and if the case, I will be inclined to upgrade my evaluation to 5-stars. As stated above, I am upgrading my evaluation of this grip to 5-Stars: FINALLY, I made it to the range with this S&W 640. The grip held on to the butt of the weapon like it had grown there — a perfect match!

These grips are perfect to tame recoil and fill the hand perfectly. I wish they had these for all models.

Included instructions did not apply! Was on the phone on hold with manufacturer while I removed wood grips, locating pin.installed new grip, instructions did not cover this! Most buyers would probably not know how to do this,or have the tools! Rubber grip looks good,feels good. My wife likes it way better than the small wood grips! Installed same style on other small frame revolvers,big improvement.

Did not fit my S&W M360. Yet, quality seemed to be okay.

Installed in S&W 340 PD. Had to use a punch to remove the pin for the original grips. A bit of gun oil on the frame allowed me to slide the grip easily. Fit is tight and feels secure on the revolver. Considerably more comfortable than the original grip without adding much bulk.