I think the conclusion of this testing on grips is that everyone’s hands are different, and what some like and will use others will hate and not carry. I am trying to find what I like best and what works best for me.
Nice video that is very RELENT to me. I recently purchased a NICE 36 with no dash that came with NICE FINGER GROVE WALNUT GRIPS that looks great on it and FEELS GOOD AS WELL. UNFORTUNATELY I haven't shot it YET, had a FIRE in my BEDROOM at 3AM on 1/ 17 /23 and a couple of my toys got TOASTED. THANKFULLY they weren't my favorites but still was UPSET. MY TOYS reside at a friend's place while waiting for my house to be restored, staying in a apartment on the 4th floor for the time being. Can't wait until I can shoot some of my favorite TOYS, getting a itchy trigger finger because it's been awhile since I've shot them. Hope you are able to find what you are looking for and thank you for the INFORMATIVE VIDEO. 😉😃😃😃😃
I'd love to get a 3 inch barrel. I have a 2 inch Model 37, and empty cases sometimes hang up with the shorter ejection rod. Your reference to 'the nostril', the area forward of the front strap and behind the trigger guard, at 3:36 and 6:08 was very funny (it's the 'sinus').
Dude I appreciate this series so much, seeing a lot of these on Amazon but I have had a nightmare finding grips for my 36-1 because my range guy told me it was a model 10 k-frame with a round butt....it's been a rough couple of weeks but I finally found these videos and confirmed my 36-1
@@crankygunreviews loving my 36-1 as my back up to my 870, went with the Hogue G-mascus (smooth) but I'd still be hunting round butt k-frame grips if it wasn't for ya, cheers
I have the exact same Model 36 3 inch. I put a set of Altamont wood grips on it. It looks great and makes the gun much more comfortable. They were a bit pricy, but they made it a perfect gun.
I inherited my stepdad’s model36 w/ 3” barrel round butt all original. It lived its whole life in a Bianchi holster on the shelf in a closet for “just in case” it literally had 1/2 box of ammo put thru it since like 1977 when purchased. I don’t shoot it much as I love the gun, when carrying it you almost forget it’s there but I don’t care for the small grips as I have larger hands. I’m thinking maybe a set of Altimont combat grips for it now. Great video! Thanks.
@@crankygunreviews lol a true gun lover. I thought I was the only one who bought 2-3 pairs of grips for a new gun to find the right fit and look. Women got shoes, we got gun grips.
Beautiful revolvers there. I absolutely agree with finding the perfect symmetry on the gun with perfect grips. I recently removed some enlarged grips off of a SW .357 Snubbie. Looks much better now 👍🏻🤠. I wish I had a buddy around here like you to talk revolvers etc with.
I bought my 36-1 in the eighties. Its nickel, only used in a few ranges over the years. I bought it for home protectionn. On a recommendation I got it with a Pacmyer grip. Never thought about grips much till your video. I just now learned the grip is a model " Presentation/Compac." Its unlike any in your displayed grips, as it's able to hold two fingers in one carved-out section with a recessed carve at the base for my pinky. It feels great, and I've enjoyed shooting it. I assume its a tad bit longer that the stock grip.
Got my model 36 in 2010 and it's from 1966. Mine has the squared grips and it's a better feel for me than the round butt. I have shot both. My gun also has; 1,78" pinned barrel, case hardened trigger and hammer, firing pin in hammer and the deeply checkered squared grips. It locks up tighter than a piss clam. The bluing on mine is so rich and deep that I can see my reflection in the finish. Not bad for a gun that left the factory in 1966. Probably a "nightstand gun". Interesting video, thanks.
Yeah, I have exactly the same, a 36-1 3 inch roundbut and I love the pachmayr gripper grip on mine. But we do not carry weapons for selfdefence, it is a target gun and for that the gripper grip is phenomenal for my hands. I have also tried a similar grip as the gripper in wood, also very good.
I picked up a sweet 3" j frame also,.all original ex duty gun. My biggest challenge is finding a holster for it, without having to get one custom made. This was a police-issue firearm, yet nobody stocks a holster for a 3" model 36. You can use the 2" holster, but the barrel sticks out the bottom.
I found one on eBay once, IWB from holster warehouse or holster mart something like that, was pretty nice, if you go way back in my videos you can find it
I have two M36 J frames and for me the best compromise is not a replacement grip but a grip accessory. If they are still made and if you can find them I swear by the Thompson T-Grip. Keep the stock wood panels and add a T-Grip to give improved purchase without adding bulk.
Altamont are probably my favorite grips, but they can be pricey. I was looking for a rubber grip specifically on this one, but a rubber grip that was slippery. The S&W one I ended up with is from a model 60 or model 63, and it is really good. S&W did a lot of homework, it’s a reinforced polymer inner mold with a great non-sticky rubber over mold. It’s just about perfect size, has a nice curve to keep it small, and three finger grooves
Yeah they are, they’re like $80 too, but if you buy one good pair, it’s cheaper than what I spent on all these lol - I sold most of these that I tested.
I have a Model 30 snub (.32 S&W Long) that was my grandfather's (Dad got it for him in the early 1970s when he went into assisted living to keep it under his pillow...different times!). I was trying to talk Dad out of it as few years ago when I stumbled upon a Bianchi Lightening Grip for a J Frame. It shrouds the hammer (still usable, just pretty non-snaggable) and is a horrible tan/brown? color, but feels and works great! It does seem a little over large for that snub J Frame...It would look better on a three inch like your's! Anyway I showed it to Dad and he declined giving it up at that time, so I just left it on the gun in his pistol case. I don't have another J Frame...and between then and a couple years ago when he finally did let me have it, he lost the original wood grips! Now I need to get a J Frame with the grips to trade out for my Lightening. I would love to find a K Frame one to put on a 3" Model 66. They are occasionally available on Ebay. Just Google "Bianchi Lightening Grip" and look at the Images. Nice video!
I think I recall those grips. Pretty neat, then ingenuity in the old days was something else. Now it’s all plastic and mim parts- nothing like the hand machined, hand fit days…
I went to the range today with three revolvers: 442, a 3" M60, and a 36 snub. I am looking for better grips for my pieces, so I swapped them around and took casual shots. I was surprised to find that, when shooting the M60, my hands preferred the old 36 grips. The recoil was more of a push than a bite. I felt I was able to get a better purchase on the gun with both hands, but this is only day one. I haven't shot in a long time, so the experiment will be a prolonged one. Glad I stuck with J-frames. My hands are just too small and my fingers too short to use a K-frame adequately (but I may surprise myself one day).
Yeah the J frames, charter Arms, and detective specials are amazing pieces, there are so many grip options, you’ll find something that is perfect. May take a few tries like mine did
Nice 3inch !! I've been watching them on the auction site. Out of my price range mostly. I'd use the uncle Mike's combat grips 3 finger...3" 36 is like a mini model 10 4" .yours looks nice!!!!
Thanks! It’s got a lot of bluing wear, but it’s in great shape otherwise. I waited over a year to find this one locally. Auction sites are expensive, plus shipping and transfer fees…
@@scooterbob4432 That's insane... four or five years ago these were like $450... I paid $500 for this one which is in "carried" condition. I guess double that for mint/unfired condition isn't that crazy...
I appreciate honest wear. The years and years it takes of carrying a gun to earn that wear. If it’s mechanically sound that’s all that matters. I like to shoot & carry my guns, so I rarely buy older revolvers/guns that are perfect. Example I have a 1968 detective special that’s as close to mint as a 54 year old gun can be and I don’t use it. It just sits in a safe… that bothers me hahaha. It’s hard to cross the line and just go for it on that gun because I also have a 1967 DS with plenty of honest wear and I carry that. I like the original grips on S&W’s and Colts. Not the most comfortable but that’s all the options I had growing up so I’m used to them.
I love well carried guns- I like the original grips too for nostalgia and most are fine for shooting, but if you shoot a lot, there are better options. The good thing is, one screw and I can swap them at a whim, and I will never sell the originals without the gun, the guns are worth more with original grips usually.
Ain't nothin' wrong with a "mint" firearm that's gettin' too valuable to shoot sittin' in the locker, provided you have other arms to use. Could end up a valuable heirloom for your kin.
Great video. I agree that the best overall option for both Concealed Carry & Target Shooting would be the Safariland Grip. The others are either too small for target shooting too big for good concealment. The Uncle Mike's Boot Grips are nice but, I really don't like the floating pinky. Very bothersome.
Yeah, I haven’t shocked them out in a while. Ironically, I was messing with this again last night, and I put a set of Taurus model 85 target grips on it- pretty good… not a perfect fit, but darn-near…
Uncle Mike’s boot grip is hands down the best concealed carry J-frame grip. Good luck finding one on eBay. You don’t need 3 fingers with a .38 - old women and children handle it just fine.
If it’s a snubnose, I have two that I cycle through- IWB that I use for appendix carry, Bianchi Model 100 SZ01, I have an OWB vintage Bianchi “Shadow” #8 holster, and for my 3” barrel I carry IWB strong side 3 I clock and use a Tagua IWB leather holster made for a 3” Ruger SP101
Would it be such a thing that you could conceivably draw out what you think would be the best and 3-d print a mold? Then have it made on whatever materials you want. Just a thought.
I think everyone has their own version of the "perfect" fit. For myself I really like Hoage rubber grips. I have them on revolver and pistols and they're great. Makes a j frame feel like a k frame. Nice 36, the 3in hard to get
@@crankygunreviews I see you like j frames, I have a 442 with DC v Heller and ⚖ on the side. It was a 2008 limited edition for the SCOTUS ruling. Cool lil j frame
Question; My 686-4 original rubber grips had a sticky residue secreting all over. Just washed them up with dish soap. Feels ok again. Just wondering if this is common when they become over 20 years old?
@@crankygunreviews I think they are starting to deteriorate. It’s been in the safe for a year. The rubber that meets the side plates has some crumbling going on. They aren’t in need of replacing at this time. Anyway they are about 25 years old, stays in the house mostly. Looking for replacements…
@@anthonyiocca5683 Hogue Monogrip is my suggestion for new ones. If it is a round butt, get the round to square butt conversion grips. They're awesome.
I can't get enough information on revolvers. Don't have any J frames yet. Most seem too small for me. I do have K and L frames that are perfect. No X frames please. Too big is just too big. Changed all the grips to rosewood, combat style, full hand, grips. One round butt and one square butt. There is some constriction when using spring style speed loaders but not enough to make a speed loader useable. Both HKS gravity drop loaders, and, Safariland C-3, spring ejected, long handle style. With the rosewood grips and a Galco FLETCH holsters my wheel shooters are practical and look good.
Do you have any holsters for the 3” model 36? If so what do you have? I have a model 36 3” nickel plated finish and haven’t got a holster for it yet. Looking for outside the waistband mostly, I’d love a shoulder holster if I can find one. Any recommendations? Thanks
If you get the hogue full-size rubber grip for the J frame it is more comfortable than the Pachmayr. The Bantam grips for a Jframe squish my fingers together, so I couldn’t use them.
@@crankygunreviews That is very good to know, thanks! I was concerned that the Hogue monogrip (the full size) would be too short, it looks shorter than the Pachmayr gripper but I can't find a good picture of the two side-by-side
@@crankygunreviews I was able to composite two images on top of each other comparing the grips. The Pachmayr looks substantially bigger. What do you think would be more comfortable for range use for an airweight 357 mag, where the obnoxious recoil is the primary concern? The larger Pachmayr or the smaller, softer Hogue?
I own a lot of j frames and have many grips ,I think the best overall grip for carry is the hogue bantam boot grip,anything wood is too slick for me the g10s from vz or hogue with the rough texture are ok .
@@crankygunreviews I have not had that issue i appendix carry all day for me the rubber gives me a faster more positive draw and more comfortable when seated also they do help with recoil i do carry 357 mags in my 360 and underwood 38 wadcutters,i do have some nice wood grips they look great but i need friction and the shorter grip works for pocket carry i do pocket carry sometimes walking the dog early in the morning.
@@crankygunreviews Yeah i have an lcp 2 great gun and a great trigger i also have several glocks that get carried as well but i carry at work and one of my jframes gets that duty most of the time.The lcp 2 is an impressive pistol i put the hogue grip on mine you can really dump some rounds with that pistol had to put some orange paint on the front sight.
@@sean0181 if I carry a j frame, I have a BIANCHI IWB holster riding at about 3:30 and the gun disappears on me with a polo or fleece. When I dress up, the bodyguard in a hybrid IWB that’s tuckable does the job. I actually did a part 2 of this video, ended up with a S&W model 60 grip. It’s got 3 finger grooves, it’s rubber, but not super grippy. It’s rounded too so pretty concealable.
In my opinion: A revolver is meant to be a handgun (it means shot with only on hand & operated as such). The skinny grip accommodates a variety of hand sizes & prints less. The rounded butt was to help carry comfort for those who carry on a belt & to reduce snag. The double action trend was started with Law enforcement. They absolutely do not want the hammer cocked to limit mishaps. State prosecuting attorneys didn't believe cowboy cooking a gun was an act of self defense requiring unnecessary extra steps to an eminent danger situation & it's not safe to try with gross motor skills from fear. It also opens the door to assault with a deadly weapon charge should the subject's story seem more trust worthy. Murders typically cock hammers to prepare to kill & it's not something courts buy as self defense. The Pachmeyer Gripper allows double action two handed shooting & single action. Most grips do one or the other, but not both well. Think of it as a dual function grip. The J frame would be a better defense option being the K frame is harder to index grip the high mid hold with the top of the back strap lacking material to do so. If there was a 4" pencil barrel squared internal hammer with smooth G10 grips on the boxy side, it'd be their best offering. But Smith&Wesson doesn't make revolvers quite as well as they should considering the Offical Police 4" with rose grips was so easy to pick up & shoot without any training or practice. The J frame has a lot of desirable features being it has it where it matters, but that tight lock up would only be incidental to how Smith&Wesson bends the Yolk spool to get it to lock in the frame***. The offset is the cylinder stop, lock or bolt (whatever) would fit the cylinder slot cross angled & not trued***. Colts don't do that because they didn't shortcut things to mass produce. Also those walnut grips never had good or great checkering being a cheaper offering to the Colts that came with checkered rose wood. Rose wood is more dense than walnut. Walnut would wear out more but during those times most cops wanted the Pachmeyer grip because it offered the best professional performance until Hogue came out. I wouldn't mind getting one of those J frames like yours, but that's the wrong type of trigger shoe for performance & self defense. You'd want a solid one to reprofile being Smith&Wesson never made a trigger that was ergonomicly correct. ~ Cheers.
That’s a mouthful and a lot of info. I do know self defense isn’t meant to cock the hammer- pull the trigger and go. In my opinion, the grip that fits your hand and allows you to shoot accurately and repeatably is best. The round but with pinky grip may print a little more, but not much more IMO and the benefits outweighs the size of the grip. If you don’t want it to print, appendix carry and you’ll never print
@@crankygunreviews In my opinion: That's why LEO revolvers often come with rounded butts. Depending on who you are what profession you come from & background, printing isn't a big deal. People in the security profession would be more expected to conceal carry their duty weapon when off duty. Anyone who has qualified with at least a secret clearance would inarguably defeat any probable cause or reasonable suspicion claim made by LE. For everyone else, such professional courtesies would not be so available.
Dude, you must have baby hands. Kidding. Just saying I have this exact gun, snub nose, and my pinky doesn't even touch the handle. I replaced them with Pachmyar. Other than that it's a great gun.
The problem with cocking a revolver isn't "pre-meditation", the problem is negligent homicide. You're really likely to need to draw a weapon against an ambiguous threat and cocking a revolver is just putting a revolver in a very unstable state, just jolting the thing too hard can release the sear. A jolt like from being startled. It's not that a long 12 pound pull is great, it's having to cock the hammer is worse than just squeezing the trigger.
Don't like wood, don't like black grips, make the rubber oversize grips in white or white and pink pearl and I'll buy 4 pair. 2 for the round butt and 2 for the square butt.
@@crankygunreviews . No one wants to sell anything but black grips, or wood. I bought some pink Houge grips for the two round butts. They are OK, but there's nothing like the looks of pearl grips on a blued gun. I can't get them for the Uberti Besley, or for the Beretta Stampede.
@@flyhouseoftruth470 yeah I think the market for pearl grips is pretty small. I’ve had some white plastic ones that looked like ivory, they were cool but broke after a while
I think the conclusion of this testing on grips is that everyone’s hands are different, and what some like and will use others will hate and not carry.
I am trying to find what I like best and what works best for me.
S&W made wood target grips for this revolver. I personally did not care for them as it made the look odd.
@@johnhughes3806 and they’re expensive
Nice video that is very RELENT to me. I recently purchased a NICE 36 with no dash that came with NICE FINGER GROVE WALNUT GRIPS that looks great on it and FEELS GOOD AS WELL. UNFORTUNATELY I haven't shot it YET, had a FIRE in my BEDROOM at 3AM on 1/ 17 /23 and a couple of my toys got TOASTED. THANKFULLY they weren't my favorites but still was UPSET. MY TOYS reside at a friend's place while waiting for my house to be restored, staying in a apartment on the 4th floor for the time being. Can't wait until I can shoot some of my favorite TOYS, getting a itchy trigger finger because it's been awhile since I've shot them. Hope you are able to find what you are looking for and thank you for the INFORMATIVE VIDEO. 😉😃😃😃😃
I'd love to get a 3 inch barrel. I have a 2 inch Model 37, and empty cases sometimes hang up with the shorter ejection rod. Your reference to 'the nostril', the area forward of the front strap and behind the trigger guard, at 3:36 and 6:08 was very funny (it's the 'sinus').
Sinus, nostril, all part of a 👃 lol. You’re right though :)
I thought it was called the septum
@@crankygunreviews a nose by any other name . . . Right?😂😂
Excellent info. I'm probably going to square from round on a S&W model 19 357 newly acquired. Very helpful, thanks!
A model
19 is a K frame so none of this applies
Dude I appreciate this series so much, seeing a lot of these on Amazon but I have had a nightmare finding grips for my 36-1 because my range guy told me it was a model 10 k-frame with a round butt....it's been a rough couple of weeks but I finally found these videos and confirmed my 36-1
Glad I could help!
@@crankygunreviews loving my 36-1 as my back up to my 870, went with the Hogue G-mascus (smooth) but I'd still be hunting round butt k-frame grips if it wasn't for ya, cheers
@@Crisco_Disco the J frames are some of my favorite revolvers. I have a few of them
Decades ago I had one with Eagle Secret Service finger grove grips on it. Outstanding!
Yeah the eagle grips are awesome
I have the exact same Model 36 3 inch. I put a set of Altamont wood grips on it. It looks great and makes the gun much more comfortable. They were a bit pricy, but they made it a perfect gun.
Yeah altamont are top notch
I inherited my stepdad’s model36 w/ 3” barrel round butt all original. It lived its whole life in a Bianchi holster on the shelf in a closet for “just in case” it literally had 1/2 box of ammo put thru it since like 1977 when purchased. I don’t shoot it much as I love the gun, when carrying it you almost forget it’s there but I don’t care for the small grips as I have larger hands. I’m thinking maybe a set of Altimont combat grips for it now. Great video! Thanks.
No problem! Good luck in your quest!
I appreciate the attention to aesthetics. I also love a symmetrical and nice looking gun
I don’t need up doing 3 videos on this- who would have thought I could do a 3 part series on grips for J frames lol?
@@crankygunreviews lol a true gun lover. I thought I was the only one who bought 2-3 pairs of grips for a new gun to find the right fit and look. Women got shoes, we got gun grips.
I have a 36 square butt 3 inch that I got new in 1977; still in the box, never fired just kept it loaded on the nightstand until I got my 1911.
😱 never fired? Wowee!
Beautiful revolvers there. I absolutely agree with finding the perfect symmetry on the gun with perfect grips. I recently removed some enlarged grips off of a SW .357 Snubbie. Looks much better now 👍🏻🤠. I wish I had a buddy around here like you to talk revolvers etc with.
I never tire of talking about guns, especially revolvers
@@crankygunreviews same here. That’s a good thing. I’ll be posting some videos on a couple J frames I just picked up tomorrow
I bought my 36-1 in the eighties. Its nickel, only used in a few ranges over the years. I bought it for home protectionn. On a recommendation I got it with a Pacmyer grip. Never thought about grips much till your video. I just now learned the grip is a model " Presentation/Compac."
Its unlike any in your displayed grips, as it's able to hold two fingers in one carved-out section with a recessed carve at the base for my pinky. It feels great, and I've enjoyed shooting it. I assume its a tad bit longer that the stock grip.
@@bobhidley9037 yep, I’m familiar with the compac grip. I have one on my Colt Detective special, very ample grips.
Got my model 36 in 2010 and it's from 1966. Mine has the squared grips and it's a better feel for me than the round butt. I have shot both. My gun also has; 1,78" pinned barrel, case hardened trigger and hammer, firing pin in hammer and the deeply checkered squared grips. It locks up tighter than a piss clam. The bluing on mine is so rich and deep that I can see my reflection in the finish. Not bad for a gun that left the factory in 1966. Probably a "nightstand gun". Interesting video, thanks.
Yeah the square butt ones are more comfortable to shoot, but not as easy to conceal.
Great review, the one you settled on is nice good symmetry , wood looks good w blue black, In my eye .
I’ve changed them twice since lol
Yeah, I have exactly the same, a 36-1 3 inch roundbut and I love the pachmayr gripper grip on mine. But we do not carry weapons for selfdefence, it is a target gun and for that the gripper grip is phenomenal for my hands. I have also tried a similar grip as the gripper in wood, also very good.
I agree with you: the 3 inch is better as a plinker, and a nice fat grip is a plus
I picked up a sweet 3" j frame also,.all original ex duty gun. My biggest challenge is finding a holster for it, without having to get one custom made. This was a police-issue firearm, yet nobody stocks a holster for a 3" model 36. You can use the 2" holster, but the barrel sticks out the bottom.
I found one on eBay once, IWB from holster warehouse or holster mart something like that, was pretty nice, if you go way back in my videos you can find it
For my Model 36-3", I use the outside the waistband Hunter Holster No. 1100 - 17. It's for a J frame with 3"-4" barrel made of high quality leather.
I have two M36 J frames and for me the best compromise is not a replacement grip but a grip accessory. If they are still made and if you can find them I swear by the Thompson T-Grip. Keep the stock wood panels and add a T-Grip to give improved purchase without adding bulk.
Yeah I have had a few T-grips- But I like the pinky section of the grip better for mare accurate shooting. i have sold all my T-grips
I strongly recommend altamont combat grip for that exact firearm....great grips. Plenty of different options to choose from too.
Altamont are probably my favorite grips, but they can be pricey. I was looking for a rubber grip specifically on this one, but a rubber grip that was slippery. The S&W one I ended up with is from a model 60 or model 63, and it is really good. S&W did a lot of homework, it’s a reinforced polymer inner mold with a great non-sticky rubber over mold. It’s just about perfect size, has a nice curve to keep it small, and three finger grooves
Altamont round to square butt conversion grips are super comfortable. Great review!
Yeah they are, they’re like $80 too, but if you buy one good pair, it’s cheaper than what I spent on all these lol - I sold most of these that I tested.
I have a Model 30 snub (.32 S&W Long) that was my grandfather's (Dad got it for him in the early 1970s when he went into assisted living to keep it under his pillow...different times!). I was trying to talk Dad out of it as few years ago when I stumbled upon a Bianchi Lightening Grip for a J Frame. It shrouds the hammer (still usable, just pretty non-snaggable) and is a horrible tan/brown? color, but feels and works great! It does seem a little over large for that snub J Frame...It would look better on a three inch like your's! Anyway I showed it to Dad and he declined giving it up at that time, so I just left it on the gun in his pistol case. I don't have another J Frame...and between then and a couple years ago when he finally did let me have it, he lost the original wood grips! Now I need to get a J Frame with the grips to trade out for my Lightening. I would love to find a K Frame one to put on a 3" Model 66. They are occasionally available on Ebay. Just Google "Bianchi Lightening Grip" and look at the Images. Nice video!
I think I recall those grips. Pretty neat, then ingenuity in the old days was something else. Now it’s all plastic and mim parts- nothing like the hand machined, hand fit days…
I have used and loved packmeyer grips since the eighties. I think the pachmeyer matches up well with the 3-in barrel on that model's 36.
Pachmayr makes good stuff
Have an '82 Airweight 3," with the Pachmeyer grip. Love the feel of it in my hand, and do not like the snub nose models
I went to the range today with three revolvers: 442, a 3" M60, and a 36 snub. I am looking for better grips for my pieces, so I swapped them around and took casual shots. I was surprised to find that, when shooting the M60, my hands preferred the old 36 grips. The recoil was more of a push than a bite. I felt I was able to get a better purchase on the gun with both hands, but this is only day one. I haven't shot in a long time, so the experiment will be a prolonged one. Glad I stuck with J-frames. My hands are just too small and my fingers too short to use a K-frame adequately (but I may surprise myself one day).
Yeah the J frames, charter Arms, and detective specials are amazing pieces, there are so many grip options, you’ll find something that is perfect. May take a few tries like mine did
@@crankygunreviews you think you can help me with a grip for a model 732 H&R snub look it up and let me know if you can.thankd
Nice 3inch !! I've been watching them on the auction site. Out of my price range mostly. I'd use the uncle Mike's combat grips 3 finger...3" 36 is like a mini model 10 4" .yours looks nice!!!!
Thanks! It’s got a lot of bluing wear, but it’s in great shape otherwise.
I waited over a year to find this one locally. Auction sites are expensive, plus shipping and transfer fees…
It's becoming a rare collector's item. I got mine about 30 years ago and is still my bedroom gun. Nice woods carry gun for hikers and campers.
@@scooterbob4432 yeah, the 3” don’t pop up often locally- gunbroker has a lot, but way inflated prices too
@@crankygunreviews I saw one in mint condition selling for $999. For that price, you can get a new S & W 686 plus 6" barrel.
@@scooterbob4432 That's insane... four or five years ago these were like $450... I paid $500 for this one which is in "carried" condition. I guess double that for mint/unfired condition isn't that crazy...
I appreciate honest wear. The years and years it takes of carrying a gun to earn that wear. If it’s mechanically sound that’s all that matters. I like to shoot & carry my guns, so I rarely buy older revolvers/guns that are perfect. Example I have a 1968 detective special that’s as close to mint as a 54 year old gun can be and I don’t use it. It just sits in a safe… that bothers me hahaha. It’s hard to cross the line and just go for it on that gun because I also have a 1967 DS with plenty of honest wear and I carry that. I like the original grips on S&W’s and Colts. Not the most comfortable but that’s all the options I had growing up so I’m used to them.
I love well carried guns- I like the original grips too for nostalgia and most are fine for shooting, but if you shoot a lot, there are better options. The good thing is, one screw and I can swap them at a whim, and I will never sell the originals without the gun, the guns are worth more with original grips usually.
@@crankygunreviews I agree 100%
Ain't nothin' wrong with a "mint" firearm that's gettin' too valuable to shoot sittin' in the locker, provided you have other arms to use. Could end up a valuable heirloom for your kin.
Great video. I agree that the best overall option for both Concealed Carry & Target Shooting would be the Safariland Grip. The others are either too small for target shooting too big for good concealment. The Uncle Mike's Boot Grips are nice but, I really don't like the floating pinky. Very bothersome.
The safariland grips are really good. Even though they’re plastic.
Nice gun i dont think ive seen one in that configuration before 5 shot with a 3 inch bull barrel i really only see snub noses and model 10s
The 3” bull is definitely less common but it’s a great setup
Of the grips you have, I prefer the Uncle Mike's boot grip for concealed carry.
Yeah they’re good grips!
Go to Altamont grips, they have all kinds of grips. They have some you can convert from round butt to square butt.
Yeah, I haven’t shocked them out in a while. Ironically, I was messing with this again last night, and I put a set of Taurus model 85 target grips on it- pretty good… not a perfect fit, but darn-near…
Uncle Mike’s boot grip is hands down the best concealed carry J-frame grip. Good luck finding one on eBay. You don’t need 3 fingers with a .38 - old women and children handle it just fine.
I have 2 uncle
Mikes already- they are really good. Have one on my 637
The best grip is the one that feels the best in your hand, the one that is most comfortable for you to shoot with.
Very true!!
Correction: On my previous comment I mistakenly called the device a Thompson T-Grip. This is incorrect. The correct name is Tyler T-Grip.
Correct- I knew what you meant
The original, round-but walnut grips are always best for me. :)
They’re good for conceal carry, but very small
They are horrible to use
@@johnswanson3741 lol, not at all. I love them and there is nothing better (for grips on this pistol) if you pocket carry.
I'm having a little trouble finding holster I like for my Model36 Chiefs Special
If it’s a snubnose, I have two that I cycle through- IWB that I use for appendix carry, Bianchi Model 100 SZ01, I have an OWB vintage Bianchi “Shadow” #8 holster, and for my 3” barrel I carry IWB strong side 3 I clock and use a Tagua IWB leather holster made for a 3” Ruger SP101
Would it be such a thing that you could conceivably draw out what you think would be the best and 3-d print a mold? Then have it made on whatever materials you want. Just a thought.
I don’t have that much time
Packmyer J Frame Diamond pro....Fantastic Grip
They’re too fat and grippy for conceal carry.
That combat grip is really close domensionally to the hogue tamer grip
@@GUARDIAN.13 yes, the mono grip I believe. I did a couple follow up videos and that was one I got.
I think everyone has their own version of the "perfect" fit. For myself I really like Hoage rubber grips. I have them on revolver and pistols and they're great. Makes a j frame feel like a k frame. Nice 36, the 3in hard to get
I completely agree with you. What is good for me may not be for you.
@@crankygunreviews I see you like j frames, I have a 442 with DC v Heller and ⚖ on the side. It was a 2008 limited edition for the SCOTUS ruling. Cool lil j frame
Question;
My 686-4 original rubber grips had a sticky residue secreting all over. Just washed them up with dish soap. Feels ok again. Just wondering if this is common when they become over 20 years old?
Sometimes oils, grease, and cleaning agents can get gummy over time. Even oil from you hands can get gummy
@@crankygunreviews I think they are starting to deteriorate. It’s been in the safe for a year. The rubber that meets the side plates has some crumbling going on. They aren’t in need of replacing at this time.
Anyway they are about 25 years old, stays in the house mostly. Looking for replacements…
@@anthonyiocca5683 Hogue Monogrip is my suggestion for new ones. If it is a round butt, get the round to square butt conversion grips. They're awesome.
@@crankygunreviews thanks
I can't get enough information on revolvers. Don't have any J frames yet. Most seem too small for me. I do have K and L frames that are perfect. No X frames please. Too big is just too big. Changed all the grips to rosewood, combat style, full hand, grips. One round butt and one square butt. There is some constriction when using spring style speed loaders but not enough to make a speed loader useable. Both HKS gravity drop loaders, and, Safariland C-3, spring ejected, long handle style. With the rosewood grips and a Galco FLETCH holsters my wheel shooters are practical and look good.
I carry speed strips when I carry a revolver, they work well, and slip right in my pocket in my pants.
Try the Pachmayr Diamond pro grips.
I have one of those for my SP101, I really don’t like it, too fat and squishy
I got my diamond pro grips yesterday and installed it on my 36-3. I plan to go to the range tomorrow and try this new grips. Good informative video.
I have original S&W Goncalo Alves combat grips on mine..
@@4catsnow those are nice too
Do you have any holsters for the 3” model 36? If so what do you have? I have a model 36 3” nickel plated finish and haven’t got a holster for it yet. Looking for outside the waistband mostly, I’d love a shoulder holster if I can find one. Any recommendations? Thanks
I carry it in a Tagua IWB for a 3” Ruger SP101, and it works perfectly for me
Like that 3" barrel
It’s such a good length
Would any of these work for a 1858 pieatta ace? Looking for some better grips for it 👍
I highly doubt it. These are specifically made for the round butt J frame
@@crankygunreviews Thanks!
(Just in case) If you don't need your round bud wood grip, I would like to buy it for my model 36 round bud. Thanks
I won’t sell them, they’re serialized to my gun.
You might can help me out i have a model 732 H&R do you think you can tell me about a grip to fit it.
Check eBay.
I'm really curious to know what more comfortable to shoot a lot with the Pachmayr gripper or the Hogue monogrip.
If you get the hogue full-size rubber grip for the J frame it is more comfortable than the Pachmayr. The Bantam grips for a Jframe squish my fingers together, so I couldn’t use them.
@@crankygunreviews That is very good to know, thanks! I was concerned that the Hogue monogrip (the full size) would be too short, it looks shorter than the Pachmayr gripper but I can't find a good picture of the two side-by-side
@@crankygunreviews I was able to composite two images on top of each other comparing the grips. The Pachmayr looks substantially bigger. What do you think would be more comfortable for range use for an airweight 357 mag, where the obnoxious recoil is the primary concern? The larger Pachmayr or the smaller, softer Hogue?
@@stug77 the Hogues always feel better in the hand to me. It’s preference- you’d have to try both
Hogue Monogrips are the absolute best in NYLON not rubber...
The rubber prints to much but the nylon isn't sticky so it conceals extremely well
@@jeffanon1772 👍
I own a lot of j frames and have many grips ,I think the best overall grip for carry is the hogue bantam boot grip,anything wood is too slick for me the g10s from vz or hogue with the rough texture are ok .
I had a hogue bantam, and it was near perfect- it pinched my fat middle fingers.
@@crankygunreviews I have not had that issue i appendix carry all day for me the rubber gives me a faster more positive draw and more comfortable when seated also they do help with recoil i do carry 357 mags in my 360 and underwood 38 wadcutters,i do have some nice wood grips they look great but i need friction and the shorter grip works for pocket carry i do pocket carry sometimes walking the dog early in the morning.
@@sean0181 only thing I really pocket carry is a S&W M&P bodyguard .380 or a LCPII
@@crankygunreviews Yeah i have an lcp 2 great gun and a great trigger i also have several glocks that get carried as well but i carry at work and one of my jframes gets that duty most of the time.The lcp 2 is an impressive pistol i put the hogue grip on mine you can really dump some rounds with that pistol had to put some orange paint on the front sight.
@@sean0181 if I carry a j frame, I have a BIANCHI IWB holster riding at about 3:30 and the gun disappears on me with a polo or fleece. When I dress up, the bodyguard in a hybrid IWB that’s tuckable does the job.
I actually did a part 2 of this video, ended up with a S&W model 60 grip. It’s got 3 finger grooves, it’s rubber, but not super grippy. It’s rounded too so pretty concealable.
Mdo you know what kind of steel this 3 inch gun is?
@@Yoko.Kurama probably carbon steel like 4140
IMO. 36 2” round butt, factory grips. Tyler T Grip. 36 3” square butt, Tyler T Grip. Basically the opposite of poster’s revolvers.
That is a really good choice as well, not the BEST for target shooting, but probably the absolute best for carrying and good grip while carrying,
Not in great shape? That looks almost perfect to me. S&Ws wear well. It' s what it is supposed to look like.
Well, compared to the one I sold that was like 95% this one isn’t in great (looking) shape, but functions perfectly
I prefer the Houge grips best
Hogue are def good, have then on several guns
Dam I won't that gun I always wanted the 3" revolver please sell it to me price is not a option
Keep your eyes open, they show up occasionally. I already sold one of these, I’m not selling this one
In my opinion: A revolver is meant to be a handgun (it means shot with only on hand & operated as such). The skinny grip accommodates a variety of hand sizes & prints less. The rounded butt was to help carry comfort for those who carry on a belt & to reduce snag.
The double action trend was started with Law enforcement. They absolutely do not want the hammer cocked to limit mishaps. State prosecuting attorneys didn't believe cowboy cooking a gun was an act of self defense requiring unnecessary extra steps to an eminent danger situation & it's not safe to try with gross motor skills from fear. It also opens the door to assault with a deadly weapon charge should the subject's story seem more trust worthy. Murders typically cock hammers to prepare to kill & it's not something courts buy as self defense.
The Pachmeyer Gripper allows double action two handed shooting & single action. Most grips do one or the other, but not both well. Think of it as a dual function grip.
The J frame would be a better defense option being the K frame is harder to index grip the high mid hold with the top of the back strap lacking material to do so.
If there was a 4" pencil barrel squared internal hammer with smooth G10 grips on the boxy side, it'd be their best offering. But Smith&Wesson doesn't make revolvers quite as well as they should considering the Offical Police 4" with rose grips was so easy to pick up & shoot without any training or practice. The J frame has a lot of desirable features being it has it where it matters, but that tight lock up would only be incidental to how Smith&Wesson bends the Yolk spool to get it to lock in the frame***. The offset is the cylinder stop, lock or bolt (whatever) would fit the cylinder slot cross angled & not trued***. Colts don't do that because they didn't shortcut things to mass produce. Also those walnut grips never had good or great checkering being a cheaper offering to the Colts that came with checkered rose wood. Rose wood is more dense than walnut. Walnut would wear out more but during those times most cops wanted the Pachmeyer grip because it offered the best professional performance until Hogue came out.
I wouldn't mind getting one of those J frames like yours, but that's the wrong type of trigger shoe for performance & self defense. You'd want a solid one to reprofile being Smith&Wesson never made a trigger that was ergonomicly correct.
~ Cheers.
That’s a mouthful and a lot of info. I do know self defense isn’t meant to cock the hammer- pull the trigger and go. In my opinion, the grip that fits your hand and allows you to shoot accurately and repeatably is best. The round but with pinky grip may print a little more, but not much more IMO and the benefits outweighs the size of the grip. If you don’t want it to print, appendix carry and you’ll never print
@@crankygunreviews In my opinion: That's why LEO revolvers often come with rounded butts. Depending on who you are what profession you come from & background, printing isn't a big deal. People in the security profession would be more expected to conceal carry their duty weapon when off duty. Anyone who has qualified with at least a secret clearance would inarguably defeat any probable cause or reasonable suspicion claim made by LE. For everyone else, such professional courtesies would not be so available.
@@opinionsvary agreed wholeheartedly
Let’s get a J frame for its concealability, then, let’s put giant grips on it so it’s less concealable.
None of these grips ruin conceal ability except maybe the pachmayr target grip
Dude, you must have baby hands. Kidding. Just saying I have this exact gun, snub nose, and my pinky doesn't even touch the handle. I replaced them with Pachmyar. Other than that it's a great gun.
So it’s preference then
Para ud. Le puedo recomendar la empuñadura ortopédica la de gris claro es mas bonita. A mi porque tengo mano meciana. La empuñadura clasica madera
I have changed them twice since this video lol
I want one in India
Good luck
The Pachmyer installed looks like a boot on a chicken!
🤣🤣🤣
I like 1&3 plus they look better than 2. 2 is ugly
It’s all about personal preference and what fits your hand
Nice review. I have the 36-1 3inch square butt. Review on RUclips
Rayvolver44
I’ll check it out. I had a 3” square butt, was the first J frame I bought- regrettably I sold it, that’s why I chased this one, and bought it.
pschmayer grips smell like death
They smell like rubber 🤷🏻♂️ I need to do an update on this video, I have changed my carry grips almost across the board
The problem with cocking a revolver isn't "pre-meditation", the problem is negligent homicide. You're really likely to need to draw a weapon against an ambiguous threat and cocking a revolver is just putting a revolver in a very unstable state, just jolting the thing too hard can release the sear. A jolt like from being startled.
It's not that a long 12 pound pull is great, it's having to cock the hammer is worse than just squeezing the trigger.
Don't like wood, don't like black grips, make the rubber oversize grips in white or white and pink pearl and I'll buy 4 pair. 2 for the round butt and 2 for the square butt.
Well, if you find grips you like buy them. That’s what I did.
@@crankygunreviews . No one wants to sell anything but black grips, or wood. I bought some pink Houge grips for the two round butts. They are OK, but there's nothing like the looks of pearl grips on a blued gun. I can't get them for the Uberti Besley, or for the Beretta Stampede.
@@flyhouseoftruth470 yeah I think the market for pearl grips is pretty small. I’ve had some white plastic ones that looked like ivory, they were cool but broke after a while