Small hand issue

[rainbows&unicorns]

Hi, all. I just bought at S&W 642. Sadly, it turns out that the gun is just slightly too big for my hand. (My hands are ridiculously small) As a result, when I shoot it, all the recoil goes directly into my thumb joint. All I can say about that is, "Ouch!" Any suggestions on grips that might be a touch more narrow? All I need is a few millimeters and I think it would work. Thanks for any input.

 

[Old cop]

Try a set of the S&W wood magnas. They're usually available used through this Forum. Another vendor I've used successfully is Gun Grip Supply, www.gungripsupply.com. They have a nice selection, but concentrate on the small wood or faux stag or ivory.

 

[TACC1]

r&u,
I can't match the eloquence shown above, but I'll give you
my answer. My 442 was beating up my hands bad enough to
preclude more than one cylinder-full per hand. Actually, less with
the weak hand. I picked up a set of LG-305 C-T grips from a
Forum member, (thanks again!), not for the laser, but for the
covered back-strap. They're actually a little bigger than stock,
but not enough to jeopardize concealability.
Another Forum member has found success with Taurus M85
boot grips, with just a minor modification.
It is No fun to shoot something that bites! Now I can practice
pain-free. Hope this helps, TACC1

 

[TACC1]

r&u,
I knew that posting about Taurus grips was recent. It was
just submitted by member chp. Works for him! TACC1

 

[Chuck1217]

That was my thought, even if the rubber grips aren't smaller they'll sure help with the pain. I had a Taurus Ultralight, fired a S&W with it- the rubber grips were a lot better. I put rubber sleeves on my autos because of that experience.
You probably know this but just in case- get the highest grip you can on that revlvr- might reduce reach to trigger and bring recoil more into the arm instead of thumb.
Good luck, that's too nice a gun to have to fret over.

 

[JoeGun]

Hi, all. I just bought at S&W 642. Sadly, it turns out that the gun is just slightly too big for my hand. (My hands are ridiculously small) As a result, when I shoot it, all the recoil goes directly into my thumb joint. All I can say about that is, "Ouch!" Any suggestions on grips that might be a touch more narrow? All I need is a few millimeters and I think it would work. Thanks for any input.

R&U,

Are you useing one hand or 2?

Joe

 

[StatesRightist]

Pachmayr gun grippers solved the sting issue for me.

 

[Ralph G. Briscoe]

I carry a 642. The stock grips fit my hand, however this was not the case with my 327pc. I ordered a set of magnas and that solved the problem...I imagine the same thing would work for you and your 642. However they will, if anything, make for more felt recoil. There are a couple of things you can do about that. A shooting glove for practice will help a lot, as will doing most of your practicing with light wadcutters or cowboy loads...saving the hot stuff for carry. Hope this helps.

 

[rainbows&unicorns]

Thank you so much for all the suggestions. In answer to Joe, I am using two hands. I'm not yet to the point where I'd feel in control of the gun enough to go one-handed. I don't mind the amount of recoil as much as the fact that where the gun hits my hand, there's nothing to disperse the energy. Darn stubby fingers! I've definitely tried choking up on it but it doesn't seem to make a difference. I am determined to find the perfect grips because everything else about the gun is exactly what I want for concealed carry. Thanks again for the suggestions. I will check into all of them.

 

[JoeGun]

Thank you so much for all the suggestions. In answer to Joe, I am using two hands. I'm not yet to the point where I'd feel in control of the gun enough to go one-handed. I don't mind the amount of recoil as much as the fact that where the gun hits my hand, there's nothing to disperse the energy. Darn stubby fingers! I've definitely tried choking up on it but it doesn't seem to make a difference. I am determined to find the perfect grips because everything else about the gun is exactly what I want for concealed carry. Thanks again for the suggestions. I will check into all of them.

R&U,

OK Good.

I think that you're on the right track then.

Once you get the optimum Grips,, along with experimenting with different ammo,, I think that you will get there.

Joe

 

[Hurryin' Hoosier]

Check Lowe's or Menard's for a set of hand-stretchers.

 

[rainbows&unicorns]

Hurryin' Hoosier, I'm 4' 10". I used to hang from the monkey bars by my legs trying to stretch them out. If that didn't work, I'm not sure there's much hope for me at Lowe's or Meanard's!

 

[ContinentalOp]

You might want to try PGS Hideout grips. They're very minimal grips. They cover the sides and a little bit in front of the frame. They're inexpensive, around $18-20 from Brownells. You can get them with or without finger grooves and either a smooth or rough texture.

The biggest drawback is that they interfere with speedloaders. If you don't use speedloaders, then no problem. If you use speedloaders you can Dremel or file a relief cut to clear the speedloader.

 

[thndrchiken]

Perhaps a Hogue monogrip, slim profile and tames recoil well.

 

[Doug M.]

2 variables will help. One is ammo. The 442 is a light revolver, so any significant ammo will recoil more. It's basic physics. My wife is not very big (but not trial sized like you) , and also has a bad back. She has limited strength and tolerance. She does ok with a 442 loaded with wadcutters. Search around the net and you can see some discussions that provide the basis for my position on wadcutters as a defensive load. I'm most of 6'2 and pretty strong, but I default to the WC on the rare occasions I carry that snubby (with something easier to reload with in my speedloaders).

Then you have the grips. The LG405 from Crimson Trace gives you the laser and some decent padding. Not cheap, but worth it, especially since the beating you are describing will make it hard to keep shooting.

 

[Badkarma 1]

You might want to try a pair of Pachmayer "Compact Professional" (their name for it) grips. They don't bulk up the revolver like regular compacts, but might interfere with speedloaders.
I like the magnas with a Tyler T-grip on my old m-60, and am currently looking for a set of them for my new 642. Dale

 

[Mphstiger1981]

R&U,

You might also check out the Hogue Bantam grips. They are about the same size as the grips that come stock on the gun, but they have palm swells and seem to absorb more recoil than the stock grips without adding any size. I found the grips that covered the backstrap increased the size of the grip, which if you have smaller hands, the additional increase might make them too big for your comfort.