S&W J frame grips - smooth fake ivory - who makes them?

Carmady

New member
I've been looking for a pair of grips for a J frame. Looking for the small type (like in the pic), smooth, off-white or ivory color, with or without medallions/logos.

I tried one brand, but they're being returned because of a loose fit and lengthy grip screw.

Is the Ajax stuff any good?

Other suggestions?
 
Last edited:
Personally, I have had the best luck getting my grips for revolvers from eBay. I've picked up I frame (yes, I frame, look in the S&W history books) grips for a reasonable amount on there a few times. Jay Scott seems to make reasonably priced grips that fit very well.
 
Good timing - I was checking them out when you posted.

I like these, and for $28 it's looking good.

Altamont bonded ivory:
 
Last edited:
JimmyR: "I've picked up I frame..."

I've seen those on ebay, I think they're the grips without the "horns." Do the I frame grips fit J frame guns?
 
Carmady said:
I've seen those on ebay, I think they're the grips without the "horns." Do the I frame grips fit J frame guns?

No. The I frame is an older frame style that was made smaller than the J-frame. It was most commonly seen in the pistols chambered in 32 Long, e.g. Model 30/31; Regulation Police, etc. The I frame was abandoned in the 60's, as it really wasn't big enough to handle the 38 caliber rounds that gained popularity over the 32. The grips are not interchangeable, since the I frame grip is about 1/4-1/2 inch shorter.
 
JimmyR: "No. The I frame is an older frame style that was made smaller than the J-frame."

Thanks, I'm glad I didn't risk buying/trying something that wouldn't fit.

After further searching, I'll try the off-white Barami Hip-Grip first. They have the look I'm after, and I like their idea.
 
Last edited:
You are one of the fortunate ones!

Only in rare occasions do individuals hands fit the small Factory grip shape. for thre rest of us it has to be something along the lines of an Uncle Mikes Rubber grip to fill voids and make the little revolver more controlable.
I somply love the stock shape and wish I could fir it! I'd be down in a minute for some fancy BB-Q Grips!
I don't fit the grip so I went with a Nickled gun to have a little "glitz" to my pocket gun (Bought used, it already came with a bobbed hammer)
Small as it may be, the little "J" Frame is 100% pure fighting gun and therefore I quickly grabbed it when I saw it in my gun shop!
Being a 36 no-dash model it is for .38 Specials ONLY! and still it kicks with stock grips to where I don't shoot it well. This is the reason I went to the S&W Rubber grips straight from the manufacturer. A steal straight from S&W at $17!
Back to my point.
The stock grips make the Model 36 one of the most concealable and comfortable to carry revolvers ever made! The rubber grip, fattens this up but for me made it controlable.
I have full faith in my Chief's Special and it's high preformance Horniday .38 Special Loads! I carry it 24/7 and never feel outgunned as iI know and use it's limitations. Seeing me, you'd never know I was armed, and I don't brandish the revolver. If you see it, it will be too late for you!
I hope that you find a nice set of grips!
ZVP
 
ZVP: "Only in rare occasions do individuals hands fit the small Factory grip shape. for thre rest of us it has to be something along the lines of an Uncle Mikes Rubber grip to fill voids and make the little revolver more controlable."

That's why I want to try the smaller grips, filling the voids comes at the expense of having less finger room. I call it the T-Grip Effect. Uncle Mike's boot grip adds grip material in front and across the top between the frontstrap and trigger guard. That makes it so there's LESS room for fingers. Most replacement grips are like that, and some add to the bottom to make up for the finger space they removed from the top. Uncle Mike's Combat Target grips also add to the backstrap. While they're more comfortable there's a lot more mass to conceal.

That's why I want to try the little grips, more concealable and easier to grab which will hopefully mean a quicker draw.

I've ordered a pair of off-white Barami Hip-Grips and will see how they work out.

I'd like to try a J frame replacement grip that adds only to the backstrap, but I'm unaware of any.

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.

Here's a pic of the inside of Uncle Mike's boot grip. It clearly shows how much finger room is sacrificed.
 
Last edited:
I'll also vouch for Altamont bonded ivory. I have a pair for my Vaquero and they seem to be very well made for the money ($28). I also have a pair of rosewood for my Smith 637 jframe.
 
I have a set of these from Altamont, on a model 10 s&w, they fit perfect and look good. They ship very fast also.
 
Is there a local to you craftsman (craftsperson) you might ask?

I agree with a preceding comment about how factory grips on small guns fit very few regular sized hands.

The owner of the custom knife shop in my town also makes pistol grips, antique (CITES exempt) ivory, all kinds of exotic woods, antler and etc, plus he can do the outside surface of the grip relative custom while making the inside surface that mates to the gun pretty tight.

Worth a look anyway.
 
Ajax used to be decent, their stag was better than most the rest. I have no idea how their quality has changed since the recent turmoil.

Altamont bonded ivory is probably your best bet for off the shelf stuff.
 
Back
Top