OP
Triggernosis
Member
I have a set of Compacs on my 337 and, yes, it's a different beast. But I got the 642 as a small pocket or waistband gun. Once I add Compacs to it, it's diminutive size starts going out the window.
I do NOT like my 642!
- Thread starter Triggernosis
- Start date
LeftHand-Fu
Member
With a steel J-frame I've shot 450 rounds in one session, no problem.
With an aluminum J-frame...I'd rather not shoot unless I have to. Seriously.
I too chose Pachmayr Compac grips after trying many others.
They fill the hand, help accuracy, and cushion the recoil.
Instead of that hip grip, maybe try a Blackhawk Inside-the-Pants hoster, size 8.
It clips to my pocket very well. Bonus points for the left-hand version.
My faves: a Model 36 Classic, and a 1955 pre-Model 37 Airweight.
With an aluminum J-frame...I'd rather not shoot unless I have to. Seriously.
I too chose Pachmayr Compac grips after trying many others.
They fill the hand, help accuracy, and cushion the recoil.
Instead of that hip grip, maybe try a Blackhawk Inside-the-Pants hoster, size 8.
It clips to my pocket very well. Bonus points for the left-hand version.
My faves: a Model 36 Classic, and a 1955 pre-Model 37 Airweight.
Bill In Texas
Member
I think you should teach the little beast a lesson and send it to me for proper training! LOL!
That being said, I'm always amazed at who felt recoil bothers and who it doesn't. The last two ladies that went shooting with me wanted to try my 637. I tried to warn them against it, and brought full sized revolvers and semi autos for them to shoot.
They both feel in love with my 637 and wanted one. The recoil didn't bother them at all. I think it had to do with the gun fitting their hand so much better than the FS guns did.
That being said, I'm always amazed at who felt recoil bothers and who it doesn't. The last two ladies that went shooting with me wanted to try my 637. I tried to warn them against it, and brought full sized revolvers and semi autos for them to shoot.
They both feel in love with my 637 and wanted one. The recoil didn't bother them at all. I think it had to do with the gun fitting their hand so much better than the FS guns did.
LeftHand-Fu
Member
A lot of felt recoil has to do with hand geometry, bone size, padding...
(No, I did not just call you fat, Honey. Honest. I'm just talkin' hand harmonics. And I get stronger vibrations from you than any gun anyway, Baby. You know I do.)
(No, I did not just call you fat, Honey. Honest. I'm just talkin' hand harmonics. And I get stronger vibrations from you than any gun anyway, Baby. You know I do.)
Double-O-Dave
US Veteran
Triggernosis:
Maybe you don't care for them, but I really like the Crimson Trace LG-405 laser grips on my Airweight J-frames like my Model 38-0 or 638-1 (pictured) as well as on my 642-1. This model (LG-405) is a boot cut sized grip, and has an air chamber along the back strap that helps with the pain associated with recoil. I have arthritis in both hands, so my hands always hurt. If it weren't for these grips, I'd probably have to dial down to a really low recoiling round like a .22LR. Also, I have a Model 649-0 (2nd photo, on the bottom) which is an all steel version of the Model 38. The extra weight does help with the recoil, and I use it for lengthy range sessions. Finally, you may have heard of the Delta Ergo grips (also pictured - 1st photo on the right sde). They are unconventional in appearance, and are too bulky for me to use for pocket carry, but some people like them. They're not that expensive (around $20.00/pair), and may be worth a look.
Good luck,
Dave
Maybe you don't care for them, but I really like the Crimson Trace LG-405 laser grips on my Airweight J-frames like my Model 38-0 or 638-1 (pictured) as well as on my 642-1. This model (LG-405) is a boot cut sized grip, and has an air chamber along the back strap that helps with the pain associated with recoil. I have arthritis in both hands, so my hands always hurt. If it weren't for these grips, I'd probably have to dial down to a really low recoiling round like a .22LR. Also, I have a Model 649-0 (2nd photo, on the bottom) which is an all steel version of the Model 38. The extra weight does help with the recoil, and I use it for lengthy range sessions. Finally, you may have heard of the Delta Ergo grips (also pictured - 1st photo on the right sde). They are unconventional in appearance, and are too bulky for me to use for pocket carry, but some people like them. They're not that expensive (around $20.00/pair), and may be worth a look.
Good luck,
Dave
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Now I have a pink set of boot grips that came on my wife's 642......maybe we can work out a deal....LOL
BWT, Just kidding, no offense intended. I got a kick out of your original post. Mrs. bought hers, fired one cylinder of 38s and said, no thank you.
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peachhead
Member
My wife has a 642. She feels it a little but she enjoys shooting it a lot more than she did the LCP. Personally I thought it was great. I only quit because we ran out of time. Maybe I am just too dumb to know better.
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I can take the 442/642 with standard grips for 50 to 100 rounds. If I want to shoot a lot I have a second 442 with Hogue Tamer Grips. If I want total pleasure I shoot my Model 36 with Pachmyer Compacts. I shoot 125gr and 130gr. Standard 38 for 99% of my practice.
31FordA
Member
My 340, and my 640ND, are comfortable enough with the old Uncle Mike's boot grip. I never thought the hip grip type grips looked all that comfortable.
One thing I will never do again is shoot a PF-9. One of the most unpleasant guns I have ever shot. A friend had one, five or six of us shot it and we all hated it. He sold it the next day. I think the grip texture was mostly to blame, but I have no interest in trying another.
One thing I will never do again is shoot a PF-9. One of the most unpleasant guns I have ever shot. A friend had one, five or six of us shot it and we all hated it. He sold it the next day. I think the grip texture was mostly to blame, but I have no interest in trying another.
Edmo
US Veteran
They can be a handful... And you are a guy!
The three reasons I try to convince friends NOT to pick an Airweight snubbie for their "little ladies" are: The punishing recoil; Poor sights with a short sight radius; And the really heavy trigger pull.
For some strange reason some men think their women love these attributes in a handgun!
Edmo
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THE PILGRIM
Member
I still have the original grips on my 642. And I prefer Pachs or similar on all my carry guns.
I have practiced with some hotter ammo in 38 J's, but usually have them loaded with regular 38.
Nothing wrong with some mild Milton ammo for practice - like 130 grain ball. Or wad cutters.
Now the 357 J Frames - I find them as uncomfortable to shoot with 357 ammo as apparently some of you guys find the 38.
I load them with 38 +P.
The 63? I prefer mini mags, but shoot what ever I can find.
I have practiced with some hotter ammo in 38 J's, but usually have them loaded with regular 38.
Nothing wrong with some mild Milton ammo for practice - like 130 grain ball. Or wad cutters.
Now the 357 J Frames - I find them as uncomfortable to shoot with 357 ammo as apparently some of you guys find the 38.
I load them with 38 +P.
The 63? I prefer mini mags, but shoot what ever I can find.
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Michael deBethencourt and Claude Werner are both advocates of this setup for ankle carry. If anyone is interested, Michael has a pretty thorough analysis of this idea on his blog/site:
Snub Training – Re-Holstering the Ankle Snub – snubtraining.com
I'm using the DeSantis Clip-Grip for that purpose, but I'm less than impressed. I'm thinking of trying this next. Please let us know how this works out at the range.
typetwelve
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*Takes a looong breath in*
I have a long history with tiny revolvers, every time I get rid of them.
2004, Charter arms something or other. Bought from my dad...never really liked the thing:
Traded in 2006 on my first 637:
Tried to love it, I really did. I don't carry so it was a range gun only and honestly, 14.3oz is not all the much fun to shoot in such a tiny package (despise the stock grips, BTW. The one in the pic had some old ones my dad just gave to me). Either way, it was sold in 2007.
Moving on. 2010 I buy a Ruger Sp101:
Much better to shoot. At 26oz, I found it much easier to shoot, especially with anything in .38. .357 is a bit of a handful with stock grips, so I swapped them out for Hogue after taking that pic.
Sadly, I just couldn't grow to love that one either...so off it went in 2011.
You'd think the story would end there...but no, I'm an idiot and just cannot learn. later 2011, I get the "itch" again so I get a Bodyguard .38:
Again...at 14oz that thing can be a handful...especially with +P loads. Despising the grips was also a problem because there wasn't anything available on the market to replace them.
I did hold on to that one until 2015...then I traded it...on what you may ask? Yeah...another 637 (see a pattern forming here?)
Again, I tried to love it. (BTW, The fit/finish was just fine as it was with all of them), but the sucky grips got replaced...and just like the rest, I didn't like shooting it and had no plan to carry it.
So it was traded on a 627 back in Dec.
In the end...if I had it to do all over again and carry is NOT my goal. I guess I'd get a SP101. I guess I just don't like small revolvers.
I have a long history with tiny revolvers, every time I get rid of them.
2004, Charter arms something or other. Bought from my dad...never really liked the thing:
Traded in 2006 on my first 637:
Tried to love it, I really did. I don't carry so it was a range gun only and honestly, 14.3oz is not all the much fun to shoot in such a tiny package (despise the stock grips, BTW. The one in the pic had some old ones my dad just gave to me). Either way, it was sold in 2007.
Moving on. 2010 I buy a Ruger Sp101:
Much better to shoot. At 26oz, I found it much easier to shoot, especially with anything in .38. .357 is a bit of a handful with stock grips, so I swapped them out for Hogue after taking that pic.
Sadly, I just couldn't grow to love that one either...so off it went in 2011.
You'd think the story would end there...but no, I'm an idiot and just cannot learn. later 2011, I get the "itch" again so I get a Bodyguard .38:
Again...at 14oz that thing can be a handful...especially with +P loads. Despising the grips was also a problem because there wasn't anything available on the market to replace them.
I did hold on to that one until 2015...then I traded it...on what you may ask? Yeah...another 637 (see a pattern forming here?)
Again, I tried to love it. (BTW, The fit/finish was just fine as it was with all of them), but the sucky grips got replaced...and just like the rest, I didn't like shooting it and had no plan to carry it.
So it was traded on a 627 back in Dec.
In the end...if I had it to do all over again and carry is NOT my goal. I guess I'd get a SP101. I guess I just don't like small revolvers.
Those LOOK good.
These [ame]https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KOVCFI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1[/ame]
Feel good, shoot good, and tame the recoil.
bowzette
Member
If you want to carry a small revolver I suggest an all steel J frame and carry IWB. For me they are heavier than I want to carry in a pocket. I have a Ruger LCR .357 (for the additional 4 oz over the .38) but carry GD 135 +P and practice with 158 gr standard pressure. Not a great pocket gun due to grip but the grip makes shooting it rather pleasant with .38 even the +P. For pocket carry I have a Ruger LCP ,380-very accurate and reliable,but many find the recoil an issue. But there are other softer shooting .380s that are light weight and work well for pocket carry. So you may want to distinguish a true pocket carry gun from a heavier revolver you can belt carry IWB or OWB. You might find a K frame works for you for that purpose.
DevilDog72
US Veteran
I have the 642-1 nl myself... or rather the wife does now. It is wearing S&W Banana Grips which made the little thing very manageable and that is why she absconded with it. I replaced it with a 640 nd and put a set of Pac's on it. I do have other grips... a box full, but, these are the ones I use.
I carry both a M60 and a M637 (642 with a hammer).
Both do what I bought them for, neither is any good as a "range toy".
The guns in the J-Frame series are all working guns.
The SP-101 and 586/686 are much better suited for range shooting or woods carry. The J-Frame is the gun you have with you when you need it.
Both do what I bought them for, neither is any good as a "range toy".
The guns in the J-Frame series are all working guns.
The SP-101 and 586/686 are much better suited for range shooting or woods carry. The J-Frame is the gun you have with you when you need it.
^^^^what he said. Working my way through a case of Federal 130 grain FMJ range ball. I finish my sessions with 5 CCI Blazer 158gr +P FMJ rounds. To be honest, virtually no difference in control between the 2 loads.
Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
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