So back when they upgraded the M640 to .357 I grabbed one (20+ years ago) for my off duty gun. I sold it when money got tight - but recently traded for it back. Retirement looms large in the near future so I wanted a solid 5-shot...

The same old pachmyer grips are on it - but over time they’ve become slick and she slides all over the place under recoil. I’m looking for some suggestions on grips that give a solid purchase.

Second I would like to upgrade the sights but I’m not sure what to get. (Maybe try the XS...). For now I did my old-school solution - a little nail polish does wonders...

Any suggestions from the brain trust would be greatly appreciated.

Hogue has a really great assortment, I'd try there first.

Uncle Mikes #59010 are a good grips.
You'll have to check fleabay or GB.
They're a hard rubber not too sticky not too slick.

quote:

Originally posted by bcjwriter:

The same old pachmyer grips are on it - but over time they’ve become slick and she slides all over the place under recoil.

I had the same problem with a set of old 90's Pacmyers. That odd combination of slick but sticky. I took some Isopropol Alcohol and an old tee-shirt as a cotton rag and polished them down using a lot of Alcohol. That was enough to make them like new again.

Esmeralda Sheehan offers some very nice looking and functional bootgrip style stocks for S&W J-frame revolvers. I found these in Cocobolo Wood a few years ago. Looks like she's out of stock for these right now, but you could keep checking and I'm sure some will show up.

https://esmeralda.cc/collections/smith-wesson-j-frame

Here she is now...let’s call it a before picture...

What kind of sight is that?

quote:

Originally posted by pulicords:
Esmeralda Sheehan offers some very nice looking and functional bootgrip style stocks for S&W J-frame revolvers. I found these in Cocobolo Wood a few years ago. Looks like she's out of stock for these right now, but you could keep checking and I'm sure some will show up.

https://esmeralda.cc/collections/smith-wesson-j-frame

I haven't used them for some time, but if Eagle Grips is still around, their "Secret Service" style is both functional and attractive. They make them out of different woods and even an imitation ivory, but the smooth rosewood is fine. Contrary to its appearance it is not slippery.

quote:

Originally posted by bcjwriter:
So back when they upgraded the M640 to .357 I grabbed one (20+ years ago) for my off duty gun. I sold it when money got tight - but recently traded for it back. Retirement looms large in the near future so I wanted a solid 5-shot...

The same old pachmyer grips are on it - but over time they’ve become slick and she slides all over the place under recoil. I’m looking for some suggestions on grips that give a solid purchase.

Second I would like to upgrade the sights but I’m not sure what to get. (Maybe try the XS...). For now I did my old-school solution - a little nail polish does wonders...

Any suggestions from the brain trust would be greatly appreciated.

I understand. Almost every day of my life since 1980 there has been a Smith
& Wesson J-frame with me.

1996 saw the introduction of the J-Magnum revolvers. What a great change it was for these small pistols. The J-Magnum was the one thing that got me to switch away from my Model 60 Chiefs Special Target

As you already know, with the exception of rubber, what grip works good for me may not work good for you

We all have different hand sizes. Our finger length and thickness are different as well as our tolerance for recoil

I keep J-frames chambered in 38 Special, 357 Magnum, 9MM Parabellum and 356TSW all set up with different grips so that students can find what fits them best.



I like different grips based on how I am carrying.

I can use smaller grips on something that is pocket carried as opposed to being belt carried.

Though my one size fits all vote goes to the Crimson Trace model 405 laser grips. In addition to red dot, they provide a nice recoil taming backstrap that certainly helps if you are carrying those 357 Magnum 125 JHPs in a 13 ounce Scandium framed revolver

When properly dressed, I like to carry my PC 940 Special with the old ACE Combat grips. These wood grips fit my hand exceptionally well



The one in the middle with the shamrock inlaid into the grips happens to have my birthday as the serial number . . . . So I carry that one often. The nice thing about wood grips is that they have no tackiness to drag clothing during the draw. Rubber does have some friction issues if in a tight space. Those revolvers left the Factory wearing the Uncle Mikes Boot grips

Your front sight appears to be pinned on. (An integral front sight is a lot harder to work with.) I suggest some sort of large tritium dot, surrounded by white so you can use it in the daytime as well. You can't do much with the rear.

I think the sights you refer to our XS Big Dots or some such name.

Love your gun. I have the 640 Pro and its my favorite J frame just barely nudging out my 649 because of the MUCH better sights.

Love those Esmerelda's.

I put VZ grips on my 649 and love them. I also put a Hi Viz fiber optic front sight on it.

Ace laminate wood grips on the sides and a Tyler T grip attached to the front. Looks nice and works well. Sorry I can't take pictures. Young guys will have to Google Tyler T grips.

If only Esmerelda would produce J frame grips again. I inquired maybe 2 years ago and was told they were no longer going to be produced. Eagle Secret Service grips might get an order from me. Right now I have a pair of elk stag antler grips with a Tyler T on my 340 M&P.