I contacted David at Recoil Rider based on some positive feedback I'd read on the forums from customers. I asked him to send me a couple of his grips for evaluation. He sent me his Boot grips in standard and large size for the S&W model 37 airweight (weighing 12.5 ounces empty without grips) and his CCW grips in both standard and large size for the S&W M&P 340 (.357 mag, weighing 12.0 ounces empty without grips).

The RR grips are 3D printed from what I assume is high-impact nylon or similar material, and they have integrated air pockets along the top half of the backstrap and I assume the top/sides of the grips, based upon how they feel. You can press on them firmly with your thumb and feel them give a little, but they are firm overall. They are somewhat textured all over based on the printing process or possibly the design, and the sides have flattened, large squared/checkered portions that are not abrasive against the skin but do provide purchase when you grip the revolver firmly for shooting. The website says something like "cushions like rubber, feels like wood" or something similar and I'd agree with that based on my testing. They aren't tacky in any way like soft rubber grips, and the slide in and out of pockets/pocket holsters easily and don't catch on your skin when you're trying to acquire a grip for the draw.

To address the elephant in the room up front, Recoil Rider grips do indeed reduce felt recoil for me in the J frame revolvers to a significant degree. I was comparing them against factory/upgraded rubber S&W grips already, the 3-fingered/larger J-frame rubber grips on the 37 (which cover the backstrap) and the 2-fingered/rubber cushioned/larger/upgraded Crimson Trace S&W grips from the 340, which also has air pockets/spacers under the rubber along the backstrap. Comparing the RR grips against these, I found the 2-fingered Boot grips from RR provided roughly the same control and felt recoil compared to the factory 3-fingered grip, while being less sticky in the pocket and easier to draw from a pocket holster (and being smaller top to bottom). I also found the Boot-sized 2-finger RR grips to provide similar control and overall felt recoil characteristics compared to the 2-fingered S&W Crimson Trace rubberized grips, but with significantly less stinging/jangling nerves in my hand after shooting with .357s or after shooting multiple 5-round rapid fire strings. In short, in my experience, the Recoil Rider grips perform as claimed, feel good in the hand, are well-shaped for accuracy and recoil control, and draw well from the pocket. The RR grips have replaced the CT factory grips on my 340. The CCW/3-fingered RR grips are even better, but you have to have larger pockets than my stylish low-cut jeans to pocket them comfortably, so I'd recommend them for belt carry or HD use.

Installation is a bit of a pain, but is not super difficult; you remove the factory grips and then just slip the RR grips onto the gripframe, aligning the factory grip locating pin/s into the channels inside the RR grip, and wiggle it on while pressing quite firmly. He has videos on his website and youtube. He (and I) recommend using a towel or rag to help grip the gun and grips and protect your hands. This is an absolute requirement for removing the RR grips, which I did several times on my revolvers to swap them around for testing. Getting the RR grips off is not fun and you do not have to worry about them moving around or coming loose accidentally LOL. It helps if you make sure your locating pin is centered; the one on my 340 was a bit longer on one side and I think it was digging into the inside of the RR grip and getting that one off the gun was very difficult. I tapped the pin center and the next time was better. But as I said, I'm leaving the RR large fit boot grips on my 340 from now on.

After shooting multiple cylinders full using the factory and RR grips back to back and just judging how my hands felt subjectively afterward, I shot the factory grips and RR grips in 10 draw-to-first-shot strings to see if I could tell a difference in the time, alternating the revolvers each 5 shots. I drew from a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster and shot a B-8 target at 5 yards, attempting to keep all my shots in the black.

Starting cold with the Recoil Rider boot grips on the 340, my times were:
2.81
2.34
2.39
2.30
2.70

all shots in the black (3 10s 2 9s 2X)
5-shot avg. 2.508

M37 using factory rubber 3-finger grips, times were:
3.85
2.49
2.53
2.15
2.39

4 shots in the black one high in the 8 ring (last shot)
5-shot avg. 2.682

Repeated the above tests, starting with the M37/factory grips:
3.70
2.81
2.28
2.24
2.36

all shots in black (3 10s 2 9s 1X)
5-shot avg. 2.678

M&P 340 RR boot grips:
2.29
3.10 (misfire/restrike)
2.27
2.08
2.29

4 shots in the black one high in 8 ring
5 shot avg. including misfire (which is not the fault of the grips of course) 2.406
4-shot avg. not including misfire 2.233

Next I did 3 each 5-shot rapid fire strings from 3 yards on B-8 targets with M37/Crimson Trace factory grips vs large fit Recoil Rider boot grips on the 340, starting from low ready (158 grain Xtreme SWC, max non-plus-P charge of W244, .38 specials)

M37 times:
1.80
1.92
1.89

All shots in the black (3 9s 12 10s, ~6X), hand stinging noticeably

340 times:
1.81 (all 10s, 3X)
1.85 (all 10s, 3X again)
1.86 (all 10s)

Hand not stinging nearly as bad.

Split times were all over the place throughout due to my inconsistent and unpracticed shooting, varying from 0.12 to 0.19, mostly around 0.14, so not enough difference to tell us anything useful.

I then (reluctantly) tried the same 5-shot rapid fire string once with .357 158-grain loads in the 340, using the large-fit RR Boot grips. Time was 2.06, all 10s several Xs (target was getting holey). Hand not hurting near as bad as I usually experience shooting .357s out of the nasty little 340 with the factory grips. That alone would make the Recoil Rider grips worth it to me. YMMV but I personally am impressed. The owner is a very pleasant guy also.

quote:

I then (reluctantly) tried the same 5-shot rapid fire string once with .357 158-grain loads in the 340,

Thank you, sir, your sacrifice is noted !

Seriously, though, great write-up and I'm intrigued. I don't see something like this replacing my go-to factory rubber J-frame boot grips, but do you think he'd be open to making a boot grip for the N-Frame? The reason I ask is that I hate the solution I currently have on my 329PD...I hacked up a set of Pachmayr Diamond Pros that look like garbage and I don't like how they attach to the gun (screw through the locating pin hole). They make it bearable to shoot and small enough to get the zipper closed on my HPG Kit Bag, but it's a 100% hack.

If this guy could make a low-profile, recoil mitigating, frame-length boot grip for that gun, I can guarantee he'd sell at least one!

quote:

Originally posted by 92fstech:

quote:

I then (reluctantly) tried the same 5-shot rapid fire string once with .357 158-grain loads in the 340,

Thank you, sir, your sacrifice is noted !

Seriously, though, great write-up and I'm intrigued. I don't see something like this replacing my go-to factory rubber J-frame boot grips, but do you think he'd be open to making a boot grip for the N-Frame? The reason I ask is that I hate the solution I currently have on my 329PD...I hacked up a set of Pachmayr Diamond Pros that look like garbage and I don't like how they attach to the gun (screw through the locating pin hole). They make it bearable to shoot and small enough to get the zipper closed on my HPG Kit Bag, but it's a 100% hack.

If this guy could make a low-profile, recoil mitigating, frame-length boot grip for that gun, I can guarantee he'd sell at least one!

Ugh the 329 sounds like a nightmare. I’d contact him and tell him exactly the above. He might be willing to expand to the N frame if he’s not already working on it. He does grips for quite a few revolvers.

I may just do that. My biggest frustration with that gun has been finding a minimalist grip solution that I'm happy with.

Edit: looks like he's closed for Christmas, but I sent him a message through the form on his webpage, and included a link to this thread. We'll see what he says.

This thread is lacking pictures. I'll remedy that...


I also have them on my 940. These are really great and the review is spot-on.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

What’s that squiggly white line in the grips in the first picture?

I bought a set for my Kimber K6xs. The small ones. They are very small. About the size of the crimson Trace. But, with backstrap coverage. They are very good grips. Seriously help mitigate recoil. They are just a tiny bit slick. Which is a net wash. Easy to draw, doesn’t stick. A little slippery with sweaty hands.

I’ve always liked flat sided revolver grips. Let’s me index the gun better.

I’d buy them again.

Nice review.

Got a response from David at Recoil Rider today, and he said he's hoping to get to an N-Frame boot grip later in 2026 after he finishes up some other projects. Something to look forward to!

quote:

Originally posted by 92fstech:
Got a response from David at Recoil Rider today, and he said he's hoping to get to an N-Frame boot grip later in 2026 after he finishes up some other projects. Something to look forward to!

Cool!

I've been unlucky getting the image hosting sites to work for me but for any interested here's a video that basically says the above. But you can see what the grips look like.

It's long and boring but I'll put a chapter guide below so you can skip to the part you're interested in.

https://youtu.be/MLHywUTmqvs?si=2g0gJ7OZK3q3nd1x

0:01 intro and overview of Recoil Rider revolver grips
1:45 subjective recoil evaluation of factory S&W grips on the M&P 340 and Model 37
3:30 discussion of Recoil Rider installation
4:45 subjective recoil evaluation of Recoil Rider CCW grips on Model 37 compared to factory grips
5:50 discussion of RR construction and performance in reducing felt recoil
6:25 overview of standard fit Recoil Rider boot grip
7:15 back to back recoil comparison between RR standard fit boot grip on 340 vs factory grip on M37
9:10 testing draw-to-first-shot time from a pocket holster using a shot timer RR grips 340
11:38 testing draw-to-first shot times from pocket holster/timer M37 factory grips
12:57 repeating the test starting with M37/factory grips
14:00 repeating the test with 340, RR boot grips
16:30 5-shot rapid fire strings from 3 yards on B-8 target with M37 Crimson Trace factory grips
17:50 5-shot strings as above with large fit Recoil rider boot grips on the 340
20:00 split times not informative due to my inconsistent shooting
20:35 5-shot rapid fire string with .357 Magnum 158-grain loads in the 340
22:25 Final thoughts, discussion of installation and removal of Recoil Rider grips

quote:

Originally posted by Pizza Bob:
This thread is lacking pictures. I'll remedy that...


I also have them on my 940. These are really great and the review is spot-on.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

Thanks Bob. Did you poly dip the first ones in your pics?

Very interesting. I've written asking about the SP101 which is also the correct size for the GP100 compact which I have.

quote:

Originally posted by 1KPerDay:

quote:

Originally posted by Pizza Bob:
This thread is lacking pictures. I'll remedy that...


I also have them on my 940. These are really great and the review is spot-on.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

Thanks Bob. Did you poly dip the first ones in your pics?

No. They may loo slick, but they really aren't. These were earlier ones and he may have changed the formulation and made them more matte later on - just speculation.

@Sgt 127 - That is just light reflection - not anything in the grip.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

I am very happy to hear the grips are treating you well. Bob is correct, the top grips are an older version with a “Glossy” surface finish, which was discontinued some months ago. The bottom grip is the current matte black. Incidentally this surface finish is also being phased out right now for the new “Grey”, which functions identically in terms of recoil mitigation but offers a bit better traction under sweaty/wet conditions. After plenty of “R&D” over the past year, I am happily settling on this new material/finish for the foreseeable future.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: parabellum,

Just got my no clip boot grips for my LCR today. They are exactly what I have been looking for on this revolver. No freaking finger grooves, non slip texture but not cheese grater aggressive, hand-filling grip, and plenty small enough to shove in a pocket. Can’t wait to put a few rounds thru them! Going to order some for my K frames next.