Minimizing Recoil in a small revolver?

[Martdrum]

Hi All I am new to handling guns having recently moved to the USA from Scotland
I was wondering if I get a snub nose revolver S&W 640 and use .38+p rounds, will it handle recoil better than an S&W 642 with the same rounds?
I intend to Concealed carry this and am wondering if this plan is viable? i figure a steel frame being heavier will be more stable but as i mentioned earlier..im new to firearms and I need some advice.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Martin

 

[Jimmyjones]

I carry a 640-1 because I'm more confidant with it. I struggled through a box of 50 with me 642, I can shoot the 640 all day.

Grips make the biggest difference. I run Altamont Combats on the 640, and Eagle Secret Service on the 642.

 

[ContinentalOp]

Yes, the steel 640 will have less felt recoil than the lightweight 642 with the same ammo.

That said, even a steel J-frame can be a handful, especially for someone new to shooting.

The general recommendation is to start with a full-size gun, or a .22 caliber gun. It'll help with learning the fundamentals without recoil being an issue. Once comfortable with the larger gun, you could then move to the smaller, more difficult to shoot guns.

However, I know that may not be feasible for some people and they need to start with a smaller gun. Not ideal, but certainly do-able.

First and foremost, I'd recommend taking an introductory course before deciding on a first firearm. Look in your area for a course that includes the option of trying different guns as part of the training. Many of these courses will also let you rent a gun to try if you don't already have one.

If you do decide to go with a 640, start with dry fire practice using snap caps. There are a number of threads available if you do a search covering practice ideas and safety tips.

When you can consistently work the trigger while maintaining good gun alignment and feel comfortable to try live ammo, start with light target loads, either 130gr full-metal jacket rounds or 148gr target wadcutters. Starting with rounds that may be too powerful can induce negative habits, like flinching and jerking the trigger. Part of the reason for going with a full-size gun or a .22.

When you're comfortable with that level of power, then you can try some of the stouter +P rounds.

Getting grips that fit your hand comfortably can help with recoil, but some of those grips can be on the large side and makes it harder to conceal the gun, which is the primary advantage of the J-frame.

Hope that helps get you started. If you only take one thing from my post, the most important point would be getting some training first because it can help prevent problems later on down the road.

 

[white cloud]

You came from a beautiful country. I visited there two years ago.

I think your assumptions are correct. The 640 will handle the recoil better if all things are equal. Your choice of grips also have a major effect on how much you "feel" the recoil. Lighter guns are a bit easier to tote around. Here again, your choice of holsters makes a lot of difference in how comfortable you are when carrying.

I carry a S&W 640. My lovely wife thinks it to be too heavy. She carries a S&W 642. Both are great choices. I would go to a range and try both before purchase.

 

[Backlighting]

I retired my Model 638 because practicing with it was not enjoyable. The recoil was substantial and about 20 rounds were all I cared to send down range during one session. My new EDC is a Ruger semi-auto compact in 9 mm. Less recoil, very concealable, more rounds, and a bit more power.

 

[MrMoose]

Martin,

Yes, an all-steel 640 will “absorb” a bit more felt recall because 640 simply has more mass than a 642. That’s just Physics. A 640 will still feel snappy with full-power loads, but not quite as punishing. The extra weight makes a 640 a little less convenient to carry than an Airweight 642 as well. Everything is a trade off. Grips play a part in the felt recoil equation too.

I’m sure you know if you intend to carry or keep a revolver for defensive purposes, you need to practice enough to remain proficient. If you can’t control +P enough to be confident, there is no problem with carrying standard pressure ammo. As long as you can draw, point, control the trigger, follow through and get back on target well enough to hit a paper-plate-sized target at twenty feet or so then, you should be good to go. If you ever need to use either of these revolvers in a defensive situation, it is doubtful that you will even notice or remember recoil. You just need to be able to place your shots where they count. Most folks I know consider 642 a pocketable solution and consider 640’s or 60’s best carried on the belt. I usually practice with standard pressure ammo, then fire a cylinder or two of defensive loads in each practice session.

Having said all of that, snubnose revolvers, while extremely reliable and easy to conceal, can be some of the most difficult guns to shoot well. If this is your first or one-and-only then, you may wish to look closely at a subcompact semi-auto like Shield, LC9, G43, P365, Hellcat, etc.

Good luck to you - I’m sure you will make a great choice.

FWIW; I carry an 340 with Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel ammo.

 

[Walter Rego]

I think a Model 640 is an excellent choice. I don't think it is too heavy for pocket carry in a jacket or coat but maybe too heavy for a pocket in a pair of cargo shorts. The Model 640-1 in .357 Magnum may be easier to find, but I don't believe it is necessary to have a .357 in a snubby revolver when good self defense .38 Special loads are available. Not withstanding that a .357 in a Model 640-1 isn't much fun to shoot.

Here is mine with the factory supplied Uncle Mikes Neoprene boot grips.

 

[Bill In Texas]

Welcome to the Neighborhood! My daily carry is a 640-1. I like to pocket carry it especially during our hot Texas summer. The extra 8 ounces don't bother me.

The recoil even with .38 Special+P's is very mild in my opinion. I carry mine loaded with Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 135 grain .357 mag. rounds however. This is a light.357 mag. load, not full power. Speer makes this same bullet in .38 Special, which is also a very good carry load.

I prefer a stainless j frame to an Airweight for carry. Other guys like the Airweights better. I've carried both.

 

[Sistema1927]

I prefer the lighter weight for carry, since that is what you do 99% of the time. In a life or death situation you probably won't be bothered by recoil, but you will be bothered carrying around extra weight all the time.

As far as practice goes, at the range fire a cylinder or two of your preferred carry ammo, and spend the rest of the time with light target loads to hone trigger control, sight alignment, etc.

 

[KSDrifter]

Well, if you’ve just recently moved, I’m sure you know all the laws around carrying concealed in your state. Hopefully you’re in a Constitutional Carry state because if not, you might find it hard to carry legally.

Anyway, ya, everything that makes a gun easy to carry, makes it harder to shoot easily. Weight is a big one. The difference between 15oz and 22 is remarkable. As is a bigger grip. For that matter, porting, being it’s loud. Bullet weight and loads. All important considerations.

At the end of the day, for me, I chose a 442 that I load with +P wadcutters. It’s light recoiling and the gun is so light, I carry it everywhere.

Best of luck. Welcome to America.

 

[Jeppo]

For what it’s worth

I found that Hogue’s rubber Monogrip made the difference between hating to practice with my 442 and enjoying shooting it.

 

[LCC]

whatever Smith you choose, start with low recoil, manageable rounds that will allow you to develop good shooting, not recoil 'flinch' habits.
Cannot go wrong with 158 grain standard wadcutters, highly accurate, mild recoil, fine close range defensive round as well.

 

[ContinentalOp]

If you can’t control +P enough to be confident, there is no problem with carrying standard pressure ammo.

Agreed. The most important thing is that you can get quick, consistent hits on target. My airweight snubs are loaded with Speer .38 Special 135gr Short-Barrel Gold Dot +P. But I also keep a couple of different low-recoil loads on hand, including Federal 125gr Nyclad (my favorite low-recoil defensive load, but they're no longer in production) and some 148gr target wadcutters (a good choice for a low-recoil self defense load). With developing hand issues, there may come a time when I'll have to replace my +P loads with something more manageable. And there's nothing wrong with that.

 

[cowboy4evr]

I'm on my 2nd snub , both 642 airweights . I literally wore the first one out I shot it so much using +P stuff . Factory ammo , a 110 gr / 38special and 148gr std wadcutters are very comfortable . 158 grs had more recoil and for me , the point of aim and point of impact didn't line up -- shot high . Regards Paul

 

[snowman.45]

As others have alluded to, the heavier the handgun, the less felt recoil you will experience. In my 340 M&P, I use Buffalo Bore 158+p LSWCHP at about 1000 fps., and it isn't the most comfortable to shoot, but it is better than .357 mag. I think if you were forced to use it, you would probably not notice the recoil. In my 640 Pro, I usually use the Buffalo Bore, but due to its weight, some .357 is a bit more tolerable. 135 gr. GDHP .357 is bearable in limited quantities. In my old Model 60 and Model 36, although they are steel framed, are smaller. They are rarely fired anymore, as they are more keepsakes from my law enforcement days, but if they were to be carried or shot, It would be with appropriate lighter-recoiling .38 Special.

 

[Chukar60]

Welcome to America!! Glad to have you aboard.
I do not care for light weight anything in a handgun.
J frames especially. You can practice all day and night with lighter loads and mix a few carry rounds in all you want to.
The net result of a light weight handgun with potent loads is the same in practices as it is in practical application. Lightweight and short barrel = huge muzzle jump and if you are in a bind and need a second or third shot the time and effort to get your front sight back on the target is something you may want to think about.
I will carry the extra weight. If you are worried enough about your safety to carry a gun you best give some attention to how it handles when making multiple rapid fire shots. The weight you saved for carrying may become a liability.

 

[Rudi]

Training, get as much as you can. Practice, handle, dry fire. Range time, as much as you can.

 

[jtcarm]

Welcome from a descendent of Lanarkshire.

In my opinion, your choice of ammunition will be more critical than the choice of the 640 vs 642.

I very strongly recommend target wadcutters for .38 special carry.

There are several reasons:
Extremely light recoil
Wadcutters will generally shoot to point of aim.
Wadcutter bullets do not rely on expansion and performance is predictable. The bullet cuts a .full 36 hole and penetrates in a straight line as deeply as most +P rounds. There's no concern about the nose getting plugged and failing to expand.
They cost much less than +P ammo, allowing you to practice with the same round you carry.

The only downside is full wadcutters are slow to reload, but the first five in the cylinder are the most critical, anyway.

You can switch to +P for carry once you're more confortable with the gun (though I see no reason to).

All that said, I suggest the steel 640. It should be easier to shoot and build confidence more quickly.

 

[tenntex32]

Before purchasing something you might try looking at a couple of ranges that offer rental guns and see if you can locate a heavier steel frame snubbie and a lighter alloy frame snubbie for testing.

Everybody is different with regards to recoil sensitivity and you might surprise yourself with regards to how little or how much you can tolerate.

My wife has a 638 and I have a 642. There are numerous types of light recoiling self-defense loads on the market as I have bought several for my wife to test/carry. You can always start with something like that, or a target HBWC type load, and work up to standard and +P loads as your ability and recoil tolerance increases.

Dale

 

[Martdrum]

Thank you all for your input, I will look into the training aspect of this and see if there is somewhere I can try a few different options,
I applied and received my carry license (GA) a couple of months ago but have only recently decided to actively get something for defense, I bought a Glock 17 about 3 weeks ago (recommended by a friend) and have fired around 100 rounds through it and to my surprise I was pretty accurate, it was actually fun, of course, was in a controlled environment and there was no pressure on me at all, I keep it in a small safe at home,
This concealed carry gun, however, is the one I'm struggling with. Thank
you all once again for your help. I will let you know what i decide to get.
thanks,