I am going to be getting into concealed carry in the future and am settling on a system to use. I already have a Glock 26 in 9mm that I am fairly familiar with, but I wondered about a J-Frame S&W as an alternative...fewer rounds but easier to conceal. So for the hell of it I bought an S&W 642 in .38 Special, so I can practice with it and see where I could go. I took it to the local pistol range with some 158gr LSWC's and 110gr JHP's, both loaded with appropriate loads of Bullseye, practice ammo only, naturally.
I can place accurate shots all right, but with the Uncle Mike's Boot Grips it "stings" the hand(gee, my Super Blackhawk doesn't do that). Also, my trigger finger ends up bumping into my thumbs on the other side. I'm looking at larger grips, which kind of reduces the concealability but will make it more shootable. I wonder if the Crimson Trace grips have more material behind the backstrap. I also looked at grips from handgungrips.com.

I have both a 642 and a Glock 19. The slide moving open absorbs some of the recoil, where as the revolver directs all of the recoil into the palm of your hand.

To practice with the 642, use lower powered wadcutters and/or get a shooting glove.

The 642 is good for summer time. Get a pocket holster to keep it in the correct position to draw. One advantage with the enclosed hammer is that you can fire it from inside a jacket pocket if the need arises.

They are both good guns for CC, and will give you more options depending on how you dress.

Not sure how big your hands are but the tiny J frame grips are not very useable. I don't like the rubber style grips as they "stick" in your pocket &/or catch a shirt in a IWB holster. There are several custom grip options that are still small but allow a good grip. The boot grip by Eagel is good: http://www.eaglegrips.com/images/secretrose.jpg
So are grips by Hogue. The Excalibure boot grip also looks good. http://www.grips4guns.com/revo...thwesson/jround.html

I use crimson-trace grips on my S&W 342. They won't catch on your clothing if your hand is on them. If your hand covers the grip, how can the grip catch on your clothing? I carry mine every day and am pleased with them. They do fill your hand better and are more comfortable with hot loads. I'm currently carrying Federal premium 110 gr. hydra-shok low recoil .38 spec. They're not bad in my gun and it weighs 1/4 lb. less than your 642. Chronographed velocity is 900 fps. from my 1 7/8" barrel.

Assuming your pockets are big enough to allow you a full grip, you are probably right. The are problamatic for holster carry snagging your shirt IMO. If I had to carry a full size grip on a J frame, I would justa as well carry a K frame & get the extra round.

My primary issue with any boot grips is that they make for a too-short trigger reach for my hands (too large I think). I am looking for a grip with some material behind the backstrap to lengthen the distance between palm and trigger. I'll look at the grips you all suggested as well as grips from www.handgungrips.com. Fred, thanks for the links.

I was a little surprised - I was expecting one person to say, "Duh, you already have the solution, carry the Glock!"

Many other options.
Revolvers with moonclips are perfect for a wheelgunner. What about a SW J frame or a Ruger SP 101 modified for 9mm.
and a suggestion for hot weather carry without having to wear an untucked hawaiian shirt.

As usual, nice collection of pictures, Edmond. Not sure if I want to go looking for a PPK or an HSc (did I get that right?), but the different grips are a suggestion. Wondering what would be heavier, wood or rubber.

Small factory wood grips on revolvers are usually perfect for concealment but the worst for shooting in a self defense scenario. some custom grips are good, have to search. Rubber is usually heavier.
You got it right, PP, PPK, SIG P230 and Mauser HsC.

grips are available from lyman under the pachmayr section