Fading loyalty to Smith and Wesson

[Mr. Vito]

For many years my faithful 642 has been in my right front pocket in a Desantis Nemesis holster every time I leave my home. But my last range visit I decided to fire this little revolver which I had not done in several months. I was surprised at how much the recoil hurt my hands, which admittedly suffers increasingly severe arthritis. I could barely shoot 15 rounds before having to stop for the day with this particular gun. So while it is of no fault of Smith and Wesson, I have switched to a daily carry of something else, primarily my Glock 26. Yes, its a bit thick for pocket carry, but very do-able when I am wearing jeans (which I do 95% of the time). And I have found that I can fire this Glock a lot more accurately than I ever fired the 642, but that's on me as well.

 

[TJm15.38]

I can relate to your comments. I like my S&W 638 and carry it some. Nevertheless, it is harder to fire fast and accurately and the recoil in the airweight revolver makes it much harder to get quick and accurate follow-up shots. These days I carry a Glock 42 or a Kel-Tek P32. The P32 on a belt clip is preferable for summer.

 

[mikerjf]

CSX makes a good J-frame pocket replacement, and you won’t have to change your S&W tattoo…

 

[T44spl]

I Don't know if that's reason to fault S&W. While I am in the Bluest of the Blue states and Don't have CCW in my locale i Don't begrudge anyone or any gun manufacturer. Be that as it may, people constantly change primary EDC firearms for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it may be only to justify buying the latest & greatest, newest toy. Whatever it is we have the freedom to do so here in the US of A. The positive outcome of this is you made this discovery Before you had to use this firearm in a defensive situation. By your own admission your arthritis had increased in severity so it really behooved you to have performed an equiptment check earlier.
Again Not faulting you But a fading loyalty to S&W? Why? In any event Happy Holidays to All, stay safe and stay healthy.

 

[fried_]

I recently got a .32 HR Mag J frame and the difference is night and day. While I don't suffer arthritis or anything (knock on wood) I can comfortably shoot 50-100 rounds in a practice session and not have any issues or fatigue.

 

[stansdds]

The joys of the aging process, ain't it just wonderful? Yep, with arthritis and decreasing hand strength, a change of defensive weaponry is often required.

 

[snubbyfan]

Ya do what ya gotta do.
For many years, my regular carry's been a 442 in a belt holster.


I do enjoy shooting it and have gone through 50 plus rounds at range visits.
Lately though, I've been carrying a Glock 33 in .357SIG. I like the idea of having more ammo on board in a harder hitting caliber and faster reloads.


Although .357SIG is a harder hitting round, the recoil really isn't all that bad.

 

[BrBa]

I swore off j frames years ago because the web of my thumb would get bloody every time I fired more than 5-10 rounds of carry ammo. My LCR .38+P weighs 1 ounce less, but no bloody thumb. Even the smaller Hogue Tamer boot grip has enough cushion covering the backstrap to protect the web of my thumb. Perfect size grip for pocket carry, and the sides are smooth nylon which doesn't snag in the pocket.

Ruger LCR: Black Rubber Bantam Boot Tamer Cushion Grip without Finger Grooves

 

[Fastbolt]

Yep, shooting the diminutive J-frames can become a bit more difficult as time marches on, especially with the lighter weight models and the use of +P loads.

When there eventually comes a time I find the +P loads in my +P rated J-frames may become too intolerable, I'll switch to standard pressure loads ... and if that becomes intolerable, I'll get out the steel J's.

Nothing wrong with switching to another small handgun that isn't as harsh on the shooter, though. Especially if it's easy to wring accuracy from it.

 

[AJ]

I sold my S&W 342 Ti due to being recoil sensitive (read arthritis in shooting hand). I switched to a Model 60 Ladysmith, with Hogue grips. This set up works well for me. I also took a S&W Model 30-1 and converted it to H&R 32 Magnum. It handles well to me, also has Hogue grips.

 

[Bald1]

I only shelf’d my 2” J frame because I struggled with the sights. Some would say you only need the front sight for protection. But I like hitting what I’m aiming at while practicing. At the end of practice I hit 20x24 silhouette 10 out of 10 times at 50 yds with my P365. Not sure I’d hit it once with my 36.

 

[VictorLouis]

I recently got a .32 HR Mag J frame and the difference is night and day. .

You didn't mention your grips. Perhaps a change to something with rubber on the backstrap would mitigate it enough. Anyhoo, this poster has it down.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Precisely why I carry a Kimber K6. Much heavier especially in the pocket. But the extra weight dampens recoil.

Larger more comfortable grips would help but it would make it harder to pocket carry.

 

[AJ]

My 30-1, now in .32 H&R Mag. with Hogue grips.

 

[minconrevo]

I've found the trick to enjoying shooting S&W revolvers is primarily in choosing the best grip for YOUR hand. For K, L and N it is Miculek in my case. For J it is the now-mostly-unobtanium rubber copy of the Ahrends Boot Grip. Really tames recoil in my average size hands. I have "prettier" grips that even feel okay on the gun until I pull the trigger; perception changes then.

 

[madmikeb]

For years I carried a 640 Pro in the summer, and a 586 L-comp in the winter. Now that I'm in Arizona I carried a P365 all summer, this winter I've switched to a K comp.
I still prefer revolvers, but I do like the P365 when I'm on my bike.

 

[.38SuperMan]

I’m in the same boat. I used to carry a 3” 1911 45 and had no issues but as time passes I’ve moved down to a Colt Cobra 38 (new stainless model) or a Ruger LCP 380. Sometimes I’ll carry my Smith 640 no dash with silver tips. I had a 442 but it was brutal to shoot and traded it a few days after acquiring it. If my arthritis continues to progress I’ll be carrying a Colt Cobra 32 or a Smith 30-1in 32cal.

 

[alwslate]

I carried a S&W model 37 for years but it stays at home now. My Glock 42 .380 is easier to shoot well, conceals better and is easier to reload with an extra magazine.

 

[Rpg]

Smith J frames are the most difficult handguns to shoot of any commonly owned handguns. Most are never shot more than once. They’re not fun guns to shoot.

 

[Inkgardener]

It’s not fading loyalty, it’s choosing the best tool for the job.

For me, I do shoot my G19 better than my 642, but the biggest concern for me in this day and age is 6 or 15…and that number definitively makes the decision.


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