Need Help with 642 Recoil

Riverbear · Nov 13, 2013

I finished my last trip to the range by shooting 25 rounds of PMC 132 grain through my 642 carry gun. The recoil was terrible when compared to the guns I was shooting previously. I have gotten to the point where I just hate shooting that little gun but I love carrying it.

I considered bigger grips but I think that defeats the purpose of a small gun. I'm looking at the low recoil Pink Hornady rounds as an alternative round but that sort of defeats the purpose of a 38 Special.

My Options: Load it, carry it, and only shoot when needed or go back to carrying a revolver with some weight or start carrying a smaller caliber lightweight semi auto or just not carry (bad option).

Any thoughts?

indiandave · Nov 13, 2013

Changing the grips will make a big difference. I use Pachmayr Compacts on mine. They really tame the recoil. They are still small enough for easy concealed carry.

Kframerbluvr · Nov 13, 2013

Sounds like my range trip this past Sunday AM...I took my new 442, a no dash Model 60 that just came back from the armorer, and my new issued Glock 23.
I always start with the small guns first. Makes the Glock seem like a .22 comparatively speaking.
How much dry firing do you do with the 642? Dry firing, if done correctly with maximum concentration on sight alignment and sight picture will help some. Consider trying some target wadcutter loads for practice.These are a little more recoil friendly than the standard pressure 130 or 158 grain loads. I found some in my ammo stash and shot them in the 442. There is a difference in the recoil.
I am a firm believer in practicing with what you carry. Strive for 50 rounds a month, shot thoughtfully and carefully. I saw an article on the internet about how to do just that with a defense/carry handgun. Here is the breakdown:
10 rounds with 2 hands slow fire for maximum accuracy
10 rounds strong hand only
10 rounds weak hand only
10 rounds from the holster or usual mode of carry
10 rounds utilizing reloading skills and devices (speedloader, speed strip, dump pouch, etc)
Keep the distances close - 21 feet or less especially with a snubby.

ImprovedModel56Fan · Nov 13, 2013

Magna M36 grips, at least for my hand size. Grip FIRMLY.

old&slow · Nov 13, 2013

I've shot two airweight J frames ( 642 & 442 ) back to back. One with nice looking wood grips and one with ugly rubber grips. The rubber grips are much more comfortable.

Also have a M-60 .357 J frame with rubber grips. A couple cylinders full of full blown .357 and I don't want to play any more. But .38 + P you can shoot all day ..

Personally I like the Hogue rubber grips on the J frames.

Hapworth · Nov 13, 2013

As mentioned, the right grips are key. What are you currently using?

In my experience, S&W rubber "fish scale" boot grips make a huge difference in comfort and controllability of a lightweight J-frame snubby:

Product: J Synthetic Boot Grip with S&W Logo

And though I prefer the offerings from Speer, CorBon and Buffalo Bore, for the recoil sensitive I think Hornady's Critical Defense 110 grain standard power .38 Special is an excellent compromise.

Old cop · Nov 13, 2013

You can use the rubber grips for range only and change back to wood for carry, not a bad plan. Just ensure that you get sufficient practice w/the gun the way it's carried so you have confidence in your skill set.

snubbyfan · Nov 13, 2013

indiandave said:
Changing the grips will make a big difference. I use Pachmayr Compacts on mine. They really tame the recoil. They are still small enough for easy concealed carry.

Works for me, I carry mine daily either in my pocket or on my belt with Pachmayr Compacts.

photoman · Nov 13, 2013

Three finger rubber grips. Practice with wadcutter ammo. Carry 110gr Hornady FTX.

1sailor · Nov 13, 2013

I also use the pachmayer Compacts on my M&P340 which is light even when compared to your 642. It makes a huge difference and +p's are not an issue (even when the pistol was being fired by a 115lb girl). Firing .357's will still get your attention though.

Doug M. · Nov 13, 2013

LG405 from Crimson Trace, good quality wadcutters with a reload of SWC. Drive on. If you feel really compelled to have some form of HP, try the 110 grain all copper Barnes bullet as loaded by a couple of makers. I prefer Black Hills.

TucsonMTB · Nov 13, 2013

Riverbear said:
I finished my last trip to the range by shooting 25 rounds of PMC 132 grain through my 642 carry gun. The recoil was terrible when compared to the guns I was shooting previously. I have gotten to the point where I just hate shooting that little gun but I love carrying it.
. . .
Any thoughts?

Yep! Save the 642 for carrying. Practice with something heavier.

Shooting either my 642-1 with 125 grain, +P Federal JHP - or - shooting my wife's 638-3 (same frame just a different hammer arrangement) with soft rubber grips and 130 grain, standard pressure FMJ ammo does not seem that much different to me or my wife.

YMMV

poordevil · Nov 13, 2013

Shoot some Winchester 110gr +P+ out of it. After 2 cylinders full, you will be happy to shoot those 132 gr'ers

camsdaddy · Nov 13, 2013

To tame the recoil of my 642 I sold it and bought a Model 60. I know that isnt the answer you were looking for. If I carry it I want to be comfortable shooting it and I never was comfortable shooting the 642.

kaaskop49 · Nov 13, 2013

If you're using the boot grip, either Smith's or the UM's, make sure to curl your pinkie underneath the butt. This will prevent the gun from moving in your hand when firing.

If the uncovered backstrap is the problem, then snubbyfan's suggestion of the Pach Compac grip is an answer. Smith also makes a rubber grip with covered backstrap that, altho longer, does help to cushion recoil.

If ammunition is the problem, why not go directly to target wadcutter ammunition. It is the lightest-recoiling .38 load out there and no less of an gunfighting authority than the late Jim Cirillo stated it was the best load for snub barrels. Additionally there is a retired NYPD homicide detective on the Forum (who I will not ID) who has also sworn to the effectiveness of this load.

S&W45Colt · Nov 13, 2013

I've tried multiple grips on the 642 and 442, wood, rubber etc. These are by far the best for handling the sting/recoil of the Airweight J's IMO.

New Products from Hogue for 2013

FYI, they cause me no issue pocket carrying my 442 if I want to carry it that way.

wildenout · Nov 13, 2013

Would you consider a 640? Maybe a little extra weight, and some of the grips suggested above would make a difference. I skateboarded and snowboarded very avidly in high school (wish I hadn't), but I have a lot of wrist problems now and I can't handle the airweights. I went with a 686 2.5" and have a Model 60 coming for summer carry, just a thought though.

TucsonMTB · Nov 13, 2013

I believe Mr. S&W45Colt has identified your next set of grips.

RGMoore · Nov 13, 2013

First off, you need to shoot your J frames. They need to be mastered and practiced with and they like it.
My 642 has the CT grips and shooting +P's is no problem nor is concealment.
Get some rubber grips that cover the backstrap and give it a try.
That said, I practice with light cast WC a lot and shoot my carry loads occasionally. Just realize that the faster loads will shoot lower than the target loads.

ISCS Yoda · Nov 13, 2013

The phrase, cliché, actually, that accompanies all little guns, especially Airweights, is that they are "designed to be shot a little and carried a lot". So, yes, you do need to shoot it at the range some, just so you know how it shoots, where it hits at various distances, etc. But you don't need to put 50 rounds down range at any particular session, just enough rounds to get the mental image/memory, then put the gun away. Hurting yourself shooting is a bad mistake. You can pick up a flinch you didn't have before and, well, you can just make it hard for yourself to shoot anything.

That said, I carry my 642 with Eagle's wooden boot grips, I like the way they look, I like the way they feel, they give me a good purchase despite being little, and they come out of my pocket easily (it's always in my pocket). I know the gun has some stout recoil but it's manageable and my range sessions never include too many rounds out of that particular gun. If I ever find I can't handle it I'll switch to my Model 649.

As for ammo, the wadcutters WILL do the job. I generally carry hollow points, Hornady XTPs or Winchester Silvertips, but I could switch to other ammunition and not feel suddenly undergunned. The Hornady Pink ammo, of which I have several boxes for use in my Model 12, didn't impress me as being of such light recoil that they were particularly useful in the 642 so I didn't put them in there. I'll try them again some time and report back.

***GRJ***

Need Help with 642 Recoil

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