625 bites me

[bob finger]

My 625-8 bites my second finger knuckle with every shot. The bite comes from the bottom rear of the trigger guard. I've tried 3 sets of grips...factory JM's, Hogue rubber and Hogue finger grooves. I get bit with all of them. I'm new to revolvers so maybe it is something I need to learn...but

My fear is I will start to flinch...the bite is not severe and no skin has been broken...but I do feel it with every shot. I have less than 1000 rounds down the pipe at this point.

I really like this pistol...beats picking up brass from my 1911's and it is indeed accurate. Any wisdom from the assembled revolver masses here? Thanks in advance. bob

 

[torizus]

You may have confused your model numbers as the 645 is a 45acp semi auto.

 

[Pine_Worker]

Wrong forum!

 

[bob finger]

OOOps. fat fingers! I fixed the model number to an accurate 625. I don't own a 645, just a 745. Egg on face. bob

 

[Protocall_Design]

You may not be gripping it tight enough. You need to hold it firmly, not loosely. Also, grip high on the frame, with the top of your hand level with the top of the frame behind the hammer.

Could be something else, don't know.

 

[GaryHK]

Is this a one hand or two hand hold?

 

[bob finger]

Two hands, right index finger on trigger. Left thumb under right thumb. Same essentially as my 1911 hold. And I'm shooting single action...DA only dry fire so far...that is going to take some work. I'm conditioned to 3# triggers. bob

 

[GaryHK]

If you are allowing the trigger guard to bounce off your finger, you aren't gripping the revolver tight enough with at least your middle finger, maybe all of them.

The fact that you have tried different grips and have the same problem leads me to believe it's the way you are holding the revolver.

 

[jc2721]

Try Pachmayrs--I like the Gripper model. Works for me. Hard grip also works well.

 

[twodog max]

I have shot revolvers for 50 years and still have the same thing happen at times. My money is on how you grip the revolver. Some revolver seem more prone for me to do this but usually I can work around it.

 

[biku324]

All my N-frames wear identical Hogue because knuckle bites never happen no matter the load. The standard JM grips that came on my 625-8 were only good to look at.

 

[Arm]

Have you tried the round butt to square grip conversion type?

 

[Krogen]

Maybe the OP could provide a photo of him holding the gun. That might help us diagnose the issue.

While I have no troubles with double action revolvers, single actions are another matter. They rotate up in my hand. Some folks like that, but I'll tell you what, my Super Blackhawk with that doggone squared-off trigger guard nails me every time.

 

[Beruisis]

Pachmayer or Spegel grips.

 

[Vilkus]

Believe it or not on N frames I've had my best results with factory magna grips. My grip is higher and away from the bottom of the trigger guard. The ones I like best are the older ones produced by S&W. They seem to run a little thicker which helps spread out the impact on the web of my hand.

My apologies I just reread your original post (625-8). I didn't realize that your gun was a round butt model.

Sorry

 

[H Richard]

That's the reason I have only Square butt (or Rd to Sq butt) grips on any of my revolvers. The round butt grip doesn't fit my hand.

 

[LostintheOzone]

I have a set of these on my 625-8. No problems.

N Rd. Pau Ferro - Pau Ferro - Looks like dark walnut - Exotic Hardwoods - Full Size Grips - N Frame Round Butt - N-Frame Revolvers - Grips for Smith & Wesson - Handgun Grips - Hogue Products

 

[Jason Demond]

I have had that happen with one gun, and one set of grips. A model 14 with a set of Ahrends retro targets would wrap my finger pretty good on every single shot. Factory targets didn't, and oddly the Ahrends didn't when put on a different gun. I just can't explain why it happened in the first place.

 

[Dale53]

bob finger:
Many years ago, I realized that I had a problem with ANY revolver that has any recoil at all. I shoot right handed, and the base of my right thumb cannot stand any recoil at all. I also realized early, that Pachmayr rubber grips TOTALLY solves recoil problems with my revolvers as well as my Thompson Contenders (even my 375JDJ).

Having said that, keep in mind that each and every one of has different size and shape of hands. MY 625-8 JM Special is one of my all time favorite revolvers. I have been casting my own bullets, reloading, and shooting since 1950 (yep, 1950, that is NOT a misprint). I have medium/large hands with rather long fingers. I have a fellow club member that has hands so much bigger than mine that you would hardly believe it, so keep that in mind.

MY favorite Packmayrs for several years has been the "grippers" as illustrated on my 625-8:



I am more interested in "Performance" than I am in appearance, so rubber grips do NOT turn me off. My idea is to hit something, not look "purty" >)).

FWIW
Dale53

 

[sctman800]

N Frame Round Butt Bantam Cocobolo - Ultra Compact Bantam™ Grips - N Frame Round Butt - N-Frame Revolvers - Grips for Smith & Wesson - Handgun Grips - Hogue Products

These are what I have on my 625-8JM model that gets shot a lot. Bought it for IDPA but also carry at times, I shoot it better than any other handgun I own. Put these on for carry because the JM grips stuck out too much. After some practice found I liked them much better so they stay on all the time. Jim.

 

[DGNY]

Admittedly, this can hurt. My zenith was 210 JHP/~25:2400 (my revolver, not necessarily yours) in Ruger 4 5/8" NM Blackhawk 44 mag.

With Smith 629-4 4" barrel, round butt grips (stocks), and factory full loads....no problem.

But a firm grip, as in a good handshake (but not to tremble stage), really works.

Best of luck!

 

[gr7070]

Grip the gun as hard as you can with your shooting hand without affecting your accuracy or ability to pull the trigger.

Web of strong hand over the top of the top strap.

With your off hand grab it just about as hard.

I do not use the two thumbs forward typical auto loader grip. I cross my thumbs.

Rubber grips are the only way to go.

Just like this guy.

How to shoot a Revolver with world record shooter, Jerry Miculek! (handgun grip & stance) - YouTube

 

[Dale53]

I had to watch that video three times before I could do what he does!!

Yeah, RIGHT!

Jerry is phenomenal! and then some!!!

Dale53

 

[Groo01]

Two hands, right index finger on trigger. Left thumb under right thumb. Same essentially as my 1911 hold. And I'm shooting single action...DA only dry fire so far...that is going to take some work. I'm conditioned to 3# triggers. bob

Groo here
First, you are holding the gun incorrectly.
Grip the gun one handed as you would grip a hammer[thumb DOWN]
Then cup the other hand around the shooting hand with the offhand thumb over the shooting hand thumb.
The shooting thumb over the off hand thumb hold was started by
Target/speed shooters using autos greatly modified for this grip.
1911 pined grip safety, enlarged thumb safety and often a secondary off hand thumb rest forward called a "gas pedal".
Completely incorrect for revolvers and unmodified 1911's.
Also most people hold their guns too tight.
A tight hard grip works if ranges are short, you are shooting fast and trying to over power the gun.
Not so good for accurate ,distance shooting.
Shooting small groups, or distance hits require "sameness"
Same grip, hold, sight picture--allowing the gun to "kick" move the same each shot.
Old shots of Keith [hats off please] ,a long distance shooter for sure,
allowing his 44mag 4in to kick out of his support hand.
The same rotation you would get if shooting one handed.
Unless you intend to ONLY shoot 2 handed ALL the time,
Loose the shooting thumb over the offhand grip....
The guns just will not shoot the same place when shooting one handed[magnums or hard kickers]
For the finger , Rubber grips that fill the space behind the trigger guard
and stop trying to keep the gun down, role with it instead....

 

[bananaman]

These have been the best so far on my 625JM. They are made in Thailand. {my only set} Going to try some nice German stocks next. Bob

 

[Laketime]

That happens when you have a narrow towards the top grip. To correct this get a pair that is more hand filling which keeps your finger not so close to the trigger gaurd.

 

[Golphin]

I have had that a few times with hot 357 loads but never shooting 45acp even with the JM factory grips. It has to be the way you are holding the gun I think as 45 acp does not recoil all that hard.

 

[bob finger]

Conclusion!
Thanks to all of you who responded with ideas and suggestions. Most were valuable and appreciated.

Here is what I did;
1. Changed grips (stocks) to a Hogue 25002. It fits my hand better than the others I tried.
2. Followed Groo's and others advice and changed my grip. Now I wrap my weak hand thumb over my strong hand thumb. Now the embarrassing part. I have a good friend who is a dedicated revolver shooter who told me to do that some time ago...I did not listen. The old adage that an umbrella like the mind works best when open applies here.

My "it bites me" problem is solved. I also have had to re-zero my red dot on this gun, not much but with the new grip I was shooting left.

One additional point. I'm now using my "new" grip with my 1911's and it seems to work fine. One grip for both the 625 and 1911's might be a good thing.

Thanks again to all for the time spent to help me. bob