Just a couple of comments:

A nice light-recoil recoil factory round is the Winchester 125 gr Winclean JSP, not to be confused with any of the +P JHP ammo. Also, it has lead-free primers which can be a health advantage on an indoor range; although there will always be some lead exposure because your muzzle blast stirs up the existing lead dust everywhere. Several years ago I got high blood lead from an indoor range, shooting jhp bullets but standard primers about an hour per week.

The best grips, and I've tried a ton of different ones, are the Pacymayr "Decelerator" version- the backstrap is covered with soft squishy rubber. Too big for pocket carry but ok for purse or holster. Or, just put them on for range sessions if the glove is not enough.

DC7,
BTW, I'd never have gotten that set of 405's if I hadn't seen your fine pictures. Nor the Serpa Blackhawk! Strange thing is, every pick it up and feel it display of C/T's I've ever seen, does not have the 405's available to test feel?
And your right, the 405 sizing is a compromise for concealment.

Spotteddog: Glad I could be a "reference" for both the 405's and the SERPA! Those are two of my favorite pieces of equipment. I usually use them with a 342, and the whole rig--gun, lasergrips, holster, and a full load of Gold Dot ammo--weighs only about 17.5 ounces.

I saw one of those CT grip displays you mentioned at a local store, but I don't remember whether or not they had the 405's. I bought my 405's without ever having tried them out, because they looked like a good design and were getting great user reviews. Their thin profile is great for concealment. But I have to admit--when I'm shooting heavy +P's out of a 10.8 ounce 342PD, it doesn't take more than a few rounds for me to start wishing I had the larger, softer LG-305's instead!

Thanks DC7 - good to know about the +/- of each grip offering. Truly helps to sort out my options based on needs and desirable qualities.

I think it's Google time for, I hope, a look at CT's options anyway. I won't do anything yet, obviously, as we haven't even made it to the range, but it is wonderful to have such a wealth of knowledge from which to help me decide. This forum is just that.

Thanks for your part in that DC7......

Gearhead Jim - Good info on the 125gr. WinClean JSP (non-+P's). Being the same weight as the GD's I've picked for PD carry, a bit more apples to apples than other choices out there. As most all, if not all, ranges must do nowadays, leads a no-no at all indoor ranges that I'm aware of. Makes sense, after all. I would expect WinClean products to fit that bill. I know that the Speer TMJ factory offerings are most welcome at our indoor range.

Not cool about your lead malady....sorry to hear. This no-lead, indoor range thing, is certainly not lost on you.

Purely as small as possible a package (firearm) for the wife, while trying to enhance the comfort as much as possible....grips no less important than ammo. Thanks for your suggestions.........

This may or may not be an issue at your ranges, but the normal line of Winclean is not totally lead free. The primer contains no lead, and the base of the bullet is covered by the copper jacket so no lead gets melted off by the hot powder gas. But the bullet core contains lead and deposits it in the backstop. Winchester also makes a line they call Winclean NT or something like that, the bullet is also lead free. Rather pricey and usually shoot to a different point of impact because the bullets are pretty light weight.

My lead level was not in the actual danger zone but was in the "you should change this before very long" zone. Now, I do 99% of my shooting outdoors. In Illinois, that means not much shooting right now.

I can imagine, but waiting until spring is probably not easy to do.......grin.

You're right about the Winclean. For the most part, lead free, but not totally as you've mentioned. Spoke to our rangemaster yesterday and it is allowed, however.

Have an order in for the 125gr. Speer Lawman TMJ's, but like with everything else these days.....backorder.

Nice to hear that your lead levels were lower than what they could have been.....the alternative is not so desirable. Tough to remedy such conditions otherwise.

Happy New Year to you and yours, Jim, and thanks for sharin' your knowledge and suggestions.

I have the CT 305's for my S&W 640 They make a big difference in felt recoil and they are just a little longer than the original rubber grips that came with the firearm. I'm still having trouble with the 357 magnum rounds tho, I couldn't imagine firing off too many of these without the CT Laser Grips.

I got mine from here:
opticsplanet

Received it 3-days after placing the order and free shipping.

Two places to get that round from:

The Sportsman Guide

And
MidSouth shooter supply

Thanks tac_driver.

Viewed all 3 sites you made available to me. No real problem locating the outdoor range rounds, just finding the indoor range rounds (non+P's) is the issue.

I'm gonna do a wait and see on the CT's until my wife gets enough trigger time to see where she is on the revolver and cartridge. We'll wring out all that stuff first and then get serious about which CT grip might suffice.

Thanks for your help........

Found a case of Speer Lawman 125gr. TMJ's yesterday........finally. A new delivery so I hope that more ammo is starting to free up these days for everyone.

Bought the entire case so my wife and I should be good for awhile. With a small discount on case purchases and with ammo goin' through the roof.............to hard to pass up.

Will relay what our experiences are with the new 642 and the aforementioned ammo (plus the 125gr. +P GD's, as well).

Thanks again for all that gave me suggestions and ideas.

Where did you purchase them from?

Quote:"This particular Hogue grip doesn't cover the backstrap however. I'm not aware of the "Monogrip" that you mentioned, but it sounds like it covers the backstrap..........yes?"Quote

Yes.

Thanks cowboy 117....for the pic and the info.

Appreciate your help..........

quote:

Originally posted by tac_driver:
Where did you purchase them from?

Kesselring Gun Shop, Burlington WA. #1-360-724-3113.

I too have a LS642. I have found the Master Reloaded target ammo with wadcutter bullets to be about the most pleasant shooting 38sp, period. They are cheap... buy them by the case. On PD ammo I would definitely go with the Glaser Safety Ammo 38sp Silver Standard Pressure. I have chronographed them and the standards are going out right at 1200fps. The +Ps are doing only about 30-40fps more (both using my 642). The temperature was in the 60s. I haven't been able to do this again. I understand that as the temps go up your velocity goes down. I have those in my wife's house gun and they are a pussy cat to fire. However, they have a better real world one shot stop record than 45 ball! Jeff Quinn has a great online article of the 342PD using the Glaser +Ps. If you are serious about self defense then read this: http://www.gunblast.com/SW_342PD.htm I know some bally-hoow the Glaser but I have been using them in my snubbies and Glock 23 for years. I have never had a problem with them...ever!

You did a good thing with the shooting glove. Although the train as you fight attitude is good advice it is not in this case. Having her shoot enough rounds to become solidly comfortable with the firearm is far more important than giving her proof that practice hurts. Your far better off having her shoot a few rounds of her defense ammo at the end of her practice sessions once she has become familiar enough to enjoy shooting the firearm. I made the mistake of train as you fight with my wife and my shotgun. She didn't touch me for over a week and hasn't touched the shotgun since.

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