I guess the research begins for grips. The stock one feels fine in the hand just holding. No idea yet on firing. Any suggestions?
When I got 69, the stock grips were a little different, and those were horrible under heavy recoil. It looks like they have switched to more of a curved bantam style, which is probably better. I can't say because I haven't shot it with those specifically. After trying a lot of grips, I don't happen to like the ones that cover the backstrap as much. That's a personal thing.
A lot of people seem to use the
"impact absorbing" grips S&W supplies on their X-frame revolvers. The thing I don't like about them is that it has a nearly straight line in the palm and, while there's some gel cushioning right there, the shape of these grips directs virtually all the recoil to the top of the grip. No thanks.
I tried the Herrett Jordan Trooper grips, which are designed to roll in the hand under recoil, and roll they do. They don't offer that product anymore, and I didn't stick with it, anyway. Little too much roll for me.
The cheap Hogue monogrips (19002) is what I've ended up. They're actually rubber, not rubberized plastic, so I get a pretty good grip. I tend to wear simple work gloves from Home Depot when I shoot the 69. I use Hogue monogrips on all my K, L, and N frame S&W revolvers, except for my 27-3, on which I use a wood grip from Hogue that has the same shape.