Just got back from the range where I got together with another revolver shooter. There were some steel plates on the range, from about 12 yards out to 20 so we took turns banging away at them, from near to far and back again. Added some doubles, reload then do it again and before long I had gone through about 70 rounds of 38/44 and almost 50 rounds of 45 ACP in full moon clips.

The 38/44 wears pre-War Magnas and the 1955 has early Herrett's Shooting Stars. By the time I was running out of 45s I had developed a sizable blister on the shooting had thumb, inside near the base, right where the upper left shoulder of the grip comes in contact with the thumb. The blister is about 1/4" across and 3/8" wide. Dang thing hurts every time I grab something in my hand, be it gun butt or door knob.

I know the easy answer is putting on rubber grips/stocks but to be honest Hogues or Pachmyers look just awful on early Smiths. Anyone got a solution to wearing a blister on my thumb without resorting to rubber?

Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

Pre-applied band-aid.

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David Wilson

Pact shooting glove

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Dick

I have used shooting gloves (Pact brand and others) for many years when shooting magnum revolvers. They really do help.

- - - Buckspen

A little piece of mole skin or you can start shooting wimp loads.

Once it heals, just make sure you are shooting often enough for a nice supple callous to form there, and, then, no more Blisters!

I have had the same thing happen to me...I just do not do enough shooting of the heavier Recoil Loads to have developed thicker skin there.

I use cheap batting gloves from a big box sporting goods store. They are great....not bulky. Padded shooting gloves are good for heavy, hot loads from .44 Mag. on up.

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

Been there done that! The N frames are a bit too large for my hand and I get the dreaded bleeding blisters on my right thumb as well. That is I used to, I use a shooting glove on my strong hand now when shooting a lot of lead down range. Whimpy yes, bleeding no.

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Stay safe people!

Thanks guys! I'll start looking for shooting gloves...and in the mean time I'll buy a box of bandaids. (smile)

Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

Get a set of Ahrends Combat grips, sand them a bit to fit your hand better, then re-finish with tung oil. You will have a classy looking, comfortable grip. The smooth wood Hogue monogrips also work well and fit most peoples hands quite well. I have large hands and my wife has medium; both of us like the Hogues and Ahrends.

The wife uses a golf glove when she shoots semi-auto pistols. Without it she always cuts the thumb on her weak hand.

Now you know why lots of old S&W's have grips that have been carved on and modified.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244