I bought the wrong gun, now what?

[Kanewpadle]

I think a hammerless Ruger SP101 will solve your problem. A little more weight to dampen recoil.

 

[rotor1]

You have admitted that you bought the wrong gun and nothing including new grips and ammo change will fix that. You have a very light gun and are recoil sensitive. I have a Ruger LCR in .38 which also is a very light gun and my wife whom is an excellent shot will not touch it even though I have hand loaded some very light ammo. The laws of physics will not change. Her carry gun that she can handle and it is easy to carry is a Kel-Tec p32 loaded with Underwood 55 gr extreme defender .32ACP. Not plus version. 7+1 rounds and they make a 10 round mag too. She also purse carries, easily shoots this and extreme defender ammo make a mouse gun an extremely proficient self defense gun. As a matter of fact, I pocket carry the same gun most of the time. Do not think that Kel-Tec is an inferior gun as the P32 has a stellar reputation. If you go conventional ammo use fmj and not hollow points. She does purse carry in a Galco Carrysafe holster. Your goal needs to be something that is easy for you to shoot, has sufficient capacity for your needs, and that will have the stopping power that you need. The 55gr Extreme defender bullets make this possible in a .32 ACP round. Plus, the gun is not expensive but it can be hard to find. Make sure you get a gen 2 version if you buy used. We got ours at Academy. I see them on Gunbroker for $330.

 

[cnette01]

ShootingFish - there are a lot of options for women for concealed carry today besides conceal carry handbags. I suggest you look around some at other options specifically for women. There are some sites dedicated to this topic and a number of specialty sites that sell good concealed carry options. My wife has several options for her Ruger LCR, including handbag, pocket holster, and a Flashbang (clamshell).

 

[Squib_Load]

... S&W 642 ... kicks the **** out of my hand ... I end up shooting my 686 4" 7 rnd .... Any thoughts/suggestions?

Guns are learning experiences. You will own several before you find what works for you. ONCE YOU DO don't let anyone talk you out of it no matter what their experience level is.

I'm 63. I've put several hundred thousand rounds down range with a 1911 45 ACP and I've owned over 50 handguns. Just like you, the light-weights hurt me. After only a few cylinders I always quit, thinking, "That's enough." (It really WASN'T enough practice.)

So, I learned my lesson - weight is my friend. I love shooting heavy guns. I can shoot 500 rnds in a long session. So I bought a nice stiff belt to go along with my heavier handguns.

The modern 38 Spl+P cartridge is just as good as any of the others for self defense and I think the S&W 4-inch, heavy barrel, steel-frame Model 10 is the best 38 Spl revolver in existence. Look for a good used one. But if they don't show up - order a new one. It's worth it. I have given them to family and friends as gifts.

At 34 oz it's not a lightweight but that helps tame the recoil. 38 Spl ammo is varied and plentiful. There are many after-market grips made for it. Holsters are easy to find.

Or, seriously, think about getting used to carrying your 686. It's a good gun. Good enough to give it a long try.

 

[silverstateS&W]

3" model 60 with the same CTC grip as the 642.
light loads shoot it enjoy it carry the 642.

 

[pwberndt]

BB57

So my carry is likely in a shoulder strap handbag. So I got caught up in the "hammer catching on something' in my bag which was a big influence in the 642 decision.
Thanks again for you response. Where in NC? Son lives in Mooresville.

Hi Shootingfish,
My cousin bought a strap handbag that has an opening on one end for storing your handgun. She doesn't have to open the purse to get to it. She carries a S&W EZ380 and has no problems. She loves the purse.

I carry a 642 Performance Center with the Hogue grip. It is loaded with practice .38's. I'd like to get a .22 magnum revolver in a small frame. Ruger makes one in the LCR but the quality and poor trigger put me off. I thought about buying one and having a smith clean it up, but the 642 does the trick.

Take care and avoid the large cities and most of the coastal states, they are the wild west and carrying in most of them is a real problem.

 

[KS_SW_guy]

Shooting Fish, tons of great advice above. As to carry methods, consider alternate holsters, my wife was comfortable with the flash bang holster which snaps to the center of her bra. They make several inside the waste band holsters with the "Utiliclip" which snaps securely to fabric only..no belt required. Concealed Carry Holsters for Women Also, the folks at Phlster make the Enigma which is a waste belt designed to be worn under clothing and allow the gun to be positioned in multiple ways...think light nylon shorts for running cycling, etc. Enigma | PHLSTER Kydex Holsters and Medical Accessories

 

[OLDFED]

Just back from the range with my 640. As expected, it's not a target gun but did do center mass on a target at 7 yards using 158 WCs. Switched to +P hollow points. The first was on center. Three in the torso and I think the last one is somewhere in Puget Sound...hard to do in an indoor range! When I was dumping my empties, three guys from other stalls came over to ask what MAGNUM are you shooting? They couldn't believe my little J-Frame made all that noise! A +P round in a 1 7/8" bbl is NOT quiet! I carry it in a DeSantis Criss Cross with standard grips to reduce "printing." Definitely for up close defense!

 

[ezb57]

Great advice on the bigger grips, lighter bullet loads. If it doesn't work out how about the Ruger LCR or Taurus in .327 Fed Mag?

 

[tires2burn]

Heavier is better

You're not the first one to this problem. I also am recoil sensitive and I went to a Stainless Model 60 snubby. I shoot 38 special Gold Dots 135 gr short barrel load for defense and 125 gr plated flat nose for practice. The weight of the M-60 soaks up a lot of recoil. The pistol carries very nice and is comfortable to shoot.
Good luck.

 

[3rdRRU_PhuBai]

Test drive a 3" 60-10.

 

[AVG]

The wife and I have been shooting together going back to 1980 shooting
revolvers. We moved to Florida "the land of the free" in 1990 and getting carry permits and that is when the trouble stated finding the right gun to carry. She could not fit here 686 3" in her bag so we went on buying spree to find the right gun for her to carry. After going thru ten different gun for many years. She got Sig P238 380acp which she has carried for the last ten years. A accurate gun easy on the hands. She also has a Kimber K6S 3" 38spl. which has a great trigger but is SS.

 

[Randomgunguy]

Try these Pachmayr grips.. I added them to my 642. Yes they are hard plastic, but the extra finger groove released with squeezing the grip does help with the recoil and accuracy. I love my 642. I just wish it was a 6 round. I actually qualify better for off duty carry than with my 4013tsw semi auto.

Planning on cerakoting my 642 in gun blue and gold plating the trigger this year. Hopefully it turns out nice...

[ame]https://www.amazon.com/Pachmayr-GuardianGrip-Revolver-Spring-Loaded-Extender/dp/B07BB18R9P[/ame]

 

[Birdhunter6]

Nothing wrong with a 642. Try a set of 20.00 ergo grips [Dillon sells them] and hornady critical defense .38 ammo in the pink box. The grips look weird but they do work. I tried various boot grips, wood and rubber and then a set of these. They totally change the way the gun feels by changing the grip’s angle and how your wrist is bent. These have stayed on my edc lightweight scandium revolver.

Great advice. My EDC is a 640 with the Ergo grip. Steel frame, no gap behind the trigger guard to give recoil a head start. I shoot .38 +P but the Critical Defense .38 loads are designed to offer both lower recoil and good energy transfer in soft tissue.

 

[jonh1373]

steel

Steel, always steel.

I agree. I had three alloy J frames and they are all history. I replaced them with three steel frame J frames. Back to enjoying the small revolver. A J frame with +P ammo is a goode defensive weapon without excessive recoil.

Almost forgot, get some Hogue rubber grips they really tame the recoil.

 

[NavySCPO]

Probably already mentioned, but you might consider the 327 Federal Magnum. Roughly 80-90% the power of the 357, and about half the recoil. Hard to find ammo, but a very effective round. Another plus is you can practice with 32 ammo in the same revolver. The Ruger SP101 and LCR both are available in the 327, and if memory serves both are also available in DA only. S&W produced it I think for only one year, so those are crazy expensive revolvers.

 

[Shootingfish]

Shooting fish, my daughter carrys a 642 in a belly band. She also changed grips. She's 5'2" 130lbs. Doesn't work with a dress. In that case she shifts to a carry purse or sling bag holster. The lady of the house here does the same, except she carrys a Shield Plus.
Belly band might work for you also.

I bought a belly band. That works best for me. I like being able to shift gun around without having to deal with where it fits on my clothes. Plus, it just feels secure.

I'll look for a sling bag holster too. Thanks

 

[Shootingfish]

Shooting Fish, tons of great advice above. As to carry methods, consider alternate holsters, my wife was comfortable with the flash bang holster which snaps to the center of her bra. They make several inside the waste band holsters with the "Utiliclip" which snaps securely to fabric only..no belt required. Concealed Carry Holsters for Women Also, the folks at Phlster make the Enigma which is a waste belt designed to be worn under clothing and allow the gun to be positioned in multiple ways...think light nylon shorts for running cycling, etc. Enigma | PHLSTER Kydex Holsters and Medical Accessories

Thanks for this. I have looked in local stores and gun shops but just haven't found anything. I think part of my problem is too many variables at once — ammo, gun, holster, grips... I'll get it though, I'm pretty relentless. Especially with all the help I'm getting in this forum.

 

[AJ]

My wife is petite and is recoil shy. I bought a 43c just for cheap practice. We took it out the first time, and she told me she loved it she did not like my 442 . She was able to shoot a 2 inch group with it. So I found some I believe federal punch. I would rather her have 8 22's, that she can shoot. I bought he sig 238 hd and she did not like it. I know many will the 22 is to weak, but she can put 8 holes in a 2 inch group rapidly. She also was not a fan of 380 bodyguards

Try the 351C, a friend gave me one when I was having trouble with my 342 Ti. It is .22 Mag, but only seven shots not eight.

 

[Shootingfish]

Guns are learning experiences. You will own several before you find what works for you. ONCE YOU DO don't let anyone talk you out of it no matter what their experience level is.

Or, seriously, think about getting used to carrying your 686. It's a good gun. Good enough to give it a long try.

Owning/trying several guns could really shoot holes in the the wallet. I've rented a few and ruled them out. Even non-revolvers. I guess I'm a romantic about the revolver - I want to look like Dale Evans and shoot like Annie Oakley. The 686 would be great if the assailant was more than 20 feet away. Close in, I wouldn't stand a chance.