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A 432UC with Hamre Hook AFRs and pocket holster.
Spotting a revolver in a law enforcement duty holster these days is extremely unlikely. You might find one being used by the “shield bearer” on a SWAT entry team if you look hard enough. Uncommon as they may be in overt uniform roles, revolvers still serve in important capacities for cops. Small, lightweight revolvers excel as backup guns due to their real-world reliability, ammunition insensitivity, and resistance to neglect. Their lack of sharp angles helps with concealability, letting them double as off-duty guns in hot climates or less-than-permissive environments. When properly equipped, they carry easily while lounging around the house, or for stepping out to get the mail or cut the grass.
The grips on this Taurus 856 UL were made very early in Hamre Forge’s production on a standard 3D printer.
History
Ryan Hamre understands the role compact revolvers play because he’s a revolver enthusiast- he carries and shoots them. His interest helped him identify the shortcomings in most contemporary grip options and appreciate designs that worked —and the craftsmen who made them. Ryan started his own company in 2023 to provide functional grips for these guns. Hamre Forge is a family-owned business operating in Maine, where all its products are designed, tested, and manufactured. His two decades of experience as an infrastructure architect influenced his manufacturing methods.
The Classic Gunfighters on this S&W 640 will appeal to those who favor Fuzzy Farrant’s stocks.
Originally using extruded 3D printing, Hamre Forge upgraded to selective laser sintering (SLS) to produce stronger, more consistent parts. They’ve recently moved away from using carbon fiber-infused nylon, achieving much better results with PA-12 nylon powder. A good example is Hamre’s boot grip for the Ruger LCR. His original production methods limited him to a 3-piece design for this gun, which wasn’t ideal. Hamre credits this issue as the ultimate catalyst for his conversion to SLS manufacturing, as it allowed him to create a one-piece grip for the LCR.
The AFR boot grip is an excellent “high horn” design that covers the backstrap for shooting comfort and optimal trigger reach.
The Hamre Hook
Before Hamre made grips, he sometimes used an old Barami Hip-Grip, combined with a Tyler T-grip wrapped in tape, for his J-frame. Hip-Grips allow holster-less carry, but their minimal dimensions are less than optimal if you shoot the gun frequently. The “Hamre Hook” gives a nod to the Barami, with improvements on the hook angle combined with a grip profile that’s better suited to shooting. The hook panel is an optional feature for all boot grips manufactured by Hamre Forge. They make sense even if you typically wouldn’t consider using a hook- but do pocket carry or use an ankle holster. The Hamre Hook allows the gun to be secured quickly if there isn’t time to return it to the pocket or ankle holster.
The powdered nylon material is extremely lightweight. The AFR boots, complete with all necessary hardware, weigh in at just under 2 ounces.
Options
Hamre Forge offers boot grips for popular compact revolvers: S&W J frames, Ruger LCRs and LCRXs, Taurus small frames, the Kimber K6 series, Charter Arms, and Diamondback revolvers. Grips for the NAA micro .22’s (LR and Magnum) revolvers are also now available; these “Mini Hooks” make the tiny guns infinitely easier to shoot well. Ryan offers a few J-frame grips to make the S&W’s more “shootable”: the Yarak and the Classic Gunfighter give more to hold onto but still conceal well. Fans of Fuzzy Farrant’s grips will get a warm fuzzy from the Classic Gunfighters. They can be had with smooth, flat panels or checkered panels with a palm swell. The panels can be mixed to suit individual preferences.
The texture on Hamre’s boot grips is just right. The author suspects the dye used to give the non-glare hue must be called “Stealth Fighter Black.”
The Spegel Connection
Most revolver fans recognize Craig Spegel as the undisputed master when it comes to crafting revolver boot grips from wood. He makes them by hand in his one-man shop and has a waiting list that will keep him busy until he retires. Hamre appreciated Spegel’s boot grips as much as the rest of us. He became acquainted with Spegel, and the two of them formed the idea of Hamre producing an accurate reproduction of Spegel’s grip. Hamre’s expertise in technology made this idea possible. What resulted was a faithful rendition of the original made from lightweight nylon. Spegel’s grips are now attainable in a format that can be carried without fear of damaging an original set. Hamre does an excellent job of honoring Craig Spegel with these grips.
The Hamre Hook panel is compatible with most holsters, including this seasoned Galco Ankle Glove. It allows securing the revolver if returning to the holster isn’t feasible.
The AFR Undercover
Hamre collaborated with Daryl Bolke and Bryan Eastridge from American Fighting Revolver to develop a J-frame stock to their specifications. Bolke and Eastridge provided solid input, and Hamre delivered; the AFR grips are an exceptional complement to a J-frame revolver. The covered backstrap greatly helps with recoil management; it also makes the small gun feel more like a K-frame in terms of trigger reach. The left panel features a generous relief cut to allow for unimpeded use of round-body speed loaders.
Hamre’s boot grips on this Kimber K6xs provide minimal dimensions for concealment. They feel great and work well with speed loaders.
The “roughout” texture yields excellent grasping traction without clinging to cover garments, unlike rubber grips, which are prone to doing so. The nylon grips are significantly lighter than those made from G10, weighing 2.0 ounces compared to 3.4 ounces for the G10 stocks on the UC series J frames. The AFR’s are supplied with a titanium grip screw and aluminum insert to maintain the lightest possible weight. In a testament to the functionality of these grips, they were selected as OEM for the S&W 432/632 Ti series recently released by Lipsey’s. The guns ship with a certificate to purchase a Hamre Hook panel at a discounted price.
In the author’s opinion, the latest production (SLS) boot grip is the ultimate grip for the Ruger LCR.
Final Thoughts
It’s cool to see a new generation of peace officers appreciating the advantages of small revolvers. It’s also neat to see a company stepping up to produce innovative grips that maximize the performance and concealability of these little guns. Hamre Forge is doing just that. Check them out.
