S&W 442: To quote Carly Simon...

[Frank121]

"I haven't got time for the pain."

I bought a S&W 442 a few months ago to be my conceal carry pistol. I loved the size of the 442 and it was accurate.

The problem? It hurt like hell to shoot it on the thumb joint in the web of my hand!

That nerve or whatever it is that you can move at that thumb joint would swell up and throb for days after taking the gun to the range. I tried holding the pistol differently, but the spine of the pistol seemed to ensure the result was the same.

I let it heal for a couple of weeks before taking it back out, but the swelling and pain always returned.

I thought about changing the grips, but I liked the size of the grips for my pocket holster conceal carry and even liked the texture of them.

It now has a new owner and I have a different conceal carry pistol that is plastic and is much easier on my hand to shoot.

Is this discomfort a common occurrence with the 442?

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Depends on the grips. While the answer isn't the same for every hand, factory grips and an aluminum RB J-frame .38 Special usually constitute a problem.

 

[eb07]

No. Even with a surgically repaired hand I had no issue with the stock rubber or Altamont boot aftermarket.

 

[mgriffin]

I use Crimson Trace LG-405 grips. They have a pocket at the top of the grip that seems to act as a cushion. My 442 never hurts my hand and I have the benefit of the laser. Also, they are semi slick and work great for pocket carry.

 

[orangehole]

Yeah most J frames are never "fun" to shoot. The lightweight versions are pretty punishing on your hand. Have you tried softer shooting ammo? The Hornady Lite 90gr are pretty soft. After 1 cylinder of +p in my airlite gun and I am done shooting the J for the day. The 640 steel models are no problem shooting all day.

 

[tcon]

I have a MP340 which is pretty much like your 442 but fires .357. I think with these J-Frames it's going to depend on your particular hand's physiology. If you are using the stock rubber grips, the recoil causes the corner edge of the backstrap to hit your thumb knuckle. The top of the stock rubber grip just pushes out of the way and offers no protection againg this edge on teh left side of the backstrap. What you need are wrap-arounds to completely isolate the web of your hand from the metal edge.

The construction of my hand - I have no issue with .38+P with stock rubber grips but with full power .375, I had blood. I knew it was going to kick but I had to do it. I now use Buffalo Bore reduced power .357 with wood round butt grips. There is more snap than .38+P but no blood.

 

[Daniel71]

Yeah most J frames are never "fun" to shoot. The lightweight versions are pretty punishing on your hand. Have you tried softer shooting ammo? The Hornady Lite 90gr are pretty soft. After 1 cylinder of +p in my airlite gun and I am done shooting the J for the day. The 640 steel models are no problem shooting all day.

My ex-wife and daughters own the 640 and the 642. They usually carry the 642. I own only the 640 (no dash). I like the size and the extra weight doesn't bother me when I carry it, and I like the extra weight when I shoot it.

My ex-wide, younger daughter and I use the Hornandy Lite ammunition - my older daughter insists on using the Hornandy standard or +P ammunition.

 

[Old cop]

I have a set of Pachmeyer grips covering the backstrap for long range sessions (100 +) w/my Js. That's about the only way I can get by w/o sore hands. I do swap them out for the small factory wood w/a grip adapter for my 10 round drills, shooting at a paper plate close in.

 

[scruffy]

Here ya go:
Pachmayr&reg Pachmayr your primary source for quality handgun grips and recoil pads

Hogue Inc.

Look at ones with a covered backstrap for round but J-frames. I prefer Pachmayr's. Others prefer Hogue. Can't go too wrong with either one.

 

[Bill In Texas]

This maybe your answer. Covering the backstrap helps alot. It may also be that you have your hand to low on the stocks and your thumb is taking the majority of the recoil. Try a higher hold on your gun. The only other thing that might help is to put a spring kit in it so that the trigger is smoother and easier to pull. Hope this helps!

Here ya go:
Pachmayr&reg Pachmayr your primary source for quality handgun grips and recoil pads

Hogue Inc.

Look at ones with a covered backstrap for round but J-frames. I prefer Pachmayr's. Others prefer Hogue. Can't go too wrong with either one.

 

[zumatodd]

LG-350G on my 642. As comfortable as can be and still works pretty well in a pocket holster in the front pocket of shorts.

Laser Sight for Smith & Wesson J-Frame | Official Crimson Trace

 

[bigwheelzip]

At the range today, there was a very large young man in the next lane who showed me his J-frame that looked like yours. He said he didn't like shooting it because it hurt. So it's not just you.

 

[DocB]

I load wad cutters in my wife's little Smith. You might get 600 fps from that short barrel. Better than throwing a rock, and she'll be able to unload it at a target without much recoil problem. They say wad cutters are a real problem if you're on the receiving end. Five of them should do the trick. . .a lot better than one hopped up light bullet that will probably wind up going into a wall somewhere.

 

[kaaskop49]

In 1979, I underwent surgery for removal of neuroma and fibroma from the web of my shooting hand. All was well until I moved out West in 2010 and began to shoot the lightweights. I bought a set of weight-lifting gloves from WM to cover the web between the thumb and forefinger. Much better. I rarely shoot more than 35-40 rounds with any one gun, anyway.

Some lightweights shoot harder/softer than others. Those with titanium cylinders are brutal (337, 342, 360Sc, 340PD). Those corresponding models with steel cylinders and weigh 2 ozs more (M&P 340) do not hurt as much. Go figure.

I'd follow the earlier tip and install Pach Compacs that cover the backstrap. Also, try service velocity LRN and 130gr range ball for practice to cut down recoil. Shoot fewer rounds each session: make every round count, don't just splatter rounds against the backstop.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[Iggy]

My wife carried a J-frame 38 for over 40 years and wound up with the same complaint.

Would you believe she went shopping and wound up with a Kahr .45 ACP. I was concerned about the recoil. Tried to convince her to look at 9mm or .380. She said I like this one. Leave me alone.

Well, my Mamma raised some dummies, but....

 

[scruffy]

Good suggestions on trying different ammo for range practice. Remington UMC 130 grain FMJ (MC, metal case is the same) at Wallyworld is currently running $17/box of 50. Has the softest recoil of any factory .38 ammo I've tried. WWB is same weight and only slight more, but a little snappier.

 

[KF-NYC]

I agree with Model520Fan, Bill and Old Cop - it's the stocks! Move on to Pachmayr or Hogue. One day I shot beyond my usual 50-100 rounds - shot about 200 rounds with my J Frame (a model 637 with some beautiful textured wood stocks). I finished up with a bleeding hand. Replaced those stocks with Pachmayr Diamond Pro Series and now I'm good to go. YMMV

 

[gnystrom]

LG-350G on my 642. As comfortable as can be and still works pretty well in a pocket holster in the front pocket of shorts.

Laser Sight for Smith & Wesson J-Frame | Official Crimson Trace

+1 on the LG350 from Crimson Trace grips.

 

[AJ]

I have a Model 342 AirLite II with Hogue Grips that tame it very well.

 

[Kifaru]

I have the 642, which is the same as the 442 only in stainless/bright finish aluminum. I don't shoot more than 50 rounds through it in a session, but I don't have any problems. I think it's the grips. I have an old set of Craig Spegel Boot Grips mounted on the revolver, and they seem to help. Even though these grips are wood and do not cover the backstrap, they are the ones made specifically for the Centennial models. These grips come up high on the recoil shoulder of the backstrap and help disperse the felt recoil over a slightly wider area. One of the positive features of the Centennial models is that the frame design allows a higher hold than with the models sporting an exposed hammer. This gets the bore axis a little lower in the hand. If you ever get a chance to shoot another one, choke up on 'er a bit, and see if that helps.

 

[BOMBTEC]

LOAD WAD CUTTER'S

I load wad cutters in my wife's little Smith. You might get 600 fps from that short barrel. Better than throwing a rock, and she'll be able to unload it at a target without much recoil problem. They say wad cutters are a real problem if you're on the receiving end. Five of them should do the trick. . .a lot better than one hopped up light bullet that will probably wind up going into a wall somewhere.

A load of hollow base wad cutter's loaded BACKWARDS give you a nice "nickle" sized splatter!

 

[dr. K]

Try a smaller bullet... Hornady Critical Defense 110gr .38 works well as a nice low recoil round.

 

[petepeterson]

And here I thought you were going to sing "Nobody does it Better."

 

[Edmo]

And here I thought you were going to sing "Nobody does it Better."

I was thinking anticipation...

Edmo

 

[bergermeister]

DeSantis Clip Grip

Clip Grips on a #442 will make you forget you are packing. Problem is, they beat the **** out of the web in your shooting hand. TRADE OFF IS you carry it a whole lot more than you shoot it; Better than leaving it because it is too heavy or hard to conceal.

 

[Frank121]

Feedback on 442 from the guy who bought it from me

I sold another pistol this weekend to the fellow who bought my 442. I mentioned the swollen nerve or whatever it was at the base of my thumb from shooting it had finally returned to normal size and feeling. I asked him how he liked shooting it.

He said he took it out with the Perfecta .38 Special 158 grain ammo I had given him when he bought the gun. He said it was quite a kicker to the web of his hand, so he was kind enough to share that with his fellow shooters. They agreed with his opinion of the gun and didn't ask to keep firing it.

He did say he changed the ammo to a lower grain and the result was a much more comfortable gun that he could shoot at the range without the discomfort.

I am glad it worked for him, because it pounded me!

 

[BUFF]

Some stocks and grips and some hands just don't go together. Continuing Carly's song, "They'll hurt you, then dessert you..."

The S&W wooden finger groove grips bang me hard at the base of the thumb and the base of the index finger and hurt. The shape doesn't work for my hand. It's not just the quantity of recoil that matters, it's where that recoil comes ashore in your hand.

The revolver has a big advantage over the semiauto pistol in that there are literally hundreds of different grips available you can try. The autopistol's grip frame needs to be a certain size and shape because it houses the magazine. You can generally make the stocks on one bigger, mebbe smoother or checkier (I just made up that word), but you can't make them smaller or much differently shaped; the pistol's frame limits that. It's an unusual revolver for which you can't find a grip or stocks that won't hurt your hand.

 

[Blackshirt]

Yes, J-Frames batter me with +P ammo. I'm not really recoil sensitive, but I feel the difference. For those that find their Airweight too snappy, I suggest that you try standard-pressure Nyclad cartridges (if you can find them). The recoil is much softer, but the terminal performance is pretty good...
Federal Premium Ammunition - Handgun

 

[gwpercle]

I can't believe you threw in the towel without at least trying Pachmayer's or Ahrend's . The Pachmayer grips worked well, they was just not that good looking . Ahrend's Concealed Carry Boot Grips , in dark red cocobolo , were just the ticket .
Kim Ahrend does an exceptional job of designing proper fitting and good looking grips .
Oh well , too late now the deed is done.
Gary

 

[Officerblue]

Some of the not so younger officers have worked with the range master and modified the way they hold the pistol. Also a grip sleeve might help absorb some of the bite. Good luck