Last night I took my 2" Model 60 J frame to the range and was very happy with the results. Most of my shooting was done at 25 yards at a 8" gong as well as a 6" plate rack. Simply because I wanted to see how I would perform at distance. I shot 150 rounds 100 being LSWC and 50 being LSWCHP +P. This morning my hand hurts and my finger has a blister that makes writing with a pen at work really sucks. I was using the discontinued Uncle Mikes boot grip. I wanted to try my Hogue monogrip but I couldnt find the stirup that the screw goes in. I found that after shooting a while and getting hot that the gun would jump out of my hand. I know most of this was fatigue but some was the fact my hands had gotten sweaty. I like the current grip for pocket carry but I rarely pocket carry. I am considering a Pachmayer grip because that is what I am using on my K frame. Oh well it was a good time. I came home to order more ammo and Georgia Arms says they are out. That stinks.
Extended range session and distance with a J frame
- Thread starter camsdaddy
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Hometeached1
Member
A grip that I really like (mostly pocket carried with it.) is the Pachmayer Compac.
It's a very nice grip and allows you to get all your fingers on the grip.
I had to trim part the front to allow the use of speed loaders.
It's a very nice grip and allows you to get all your fingers on the grip.
I had to trim part the front to allow the use of speed loaders.
The J-frame is descended from the older I-frame, and only a little larger and heavier. The I-frame in center fire calibers was available in .32 S&W Long and .38 S&W. With these recoil was quite manageable.
I point all this out because today folks are in affect using the same platform, but chambered in .38 Special and even .357 Magnum. The result is recoil that is (as you discovered) painful, abusive and likely to help flinching develop. None of this is conductive to improving marksmanship.
It may be argued that .32 S&W Long and .38 S&W are inadequate for serious self-defense, which is a matter of opinion, but in any case if one believes that the more powerful cartridges are necessary they should do themselves a favor and move up to a S&W K-frame or Ruger SP 101. Both the condition of their hand(s) and marksmanship will likely show improvement.
I point all this out because today folks are in affect using the same platform, but chambered in .38 Special and even .357 Magnum. The result is recoil that is (as you discovered) painful, abusive and likely to help flinching develop. None of this is conductive to improving marksmanship.
It may be argued that .32 S&W Long and .38 S&W are inadequate for serious self-defense, which is a matter of opinion, but in any case if one believes that the more powerful cartridges are necessary they should do themselves a favor and move up to a S&W K-frame or Ruger SP 101. Both the condition of their hand(s) and marksmanship will likely show improvement.
Panzerschwein
member
Old Fluff speak many truths.
However, I've found the SP101 to be on the heavy side for me. It might work well in an IWB holster, but I prefer a set of Barami Hip Grips for snub revolver carry as they are so compact and don't print much at all. I'm a smaller individual and have had a tough time with printing. The Baramis are the best thing for me yet.
I love shooting my 642-1 at the range. The thing is just a hoot, yes recoil can be sharp with some loads. I have found the Winchester 130 grain FMJ white box target loads from Wal-Mart to be consistent, fairly low recoil, and in general very nice to shoot. I buy some when I can find it. It's worth a try, it is IMHO a great practice load for .38/.357 J-frames.
I haven't shot my J in a while, and last week at the range I did and the results weren't so hot! I kept thinking to myself "I remember having much tighter groups last time!" but last time probably was too long ago. These little guns are especially sensitive to degrading marksmanship, and as shooting is a perishable skill, I'm afraid I'm not as good with my J-frame as I used to be. But, I'm planning on getting back to where I once was.
OP, I've found the proper grip and a nice firm hold go a long way in reducing J-frame pain! I feel you on that one. The web of my hand invariably gets sore after a session with Lil' Jay.
To help, I recommend one of the grip strengthening exercise tools. These can really help you control the gun better, reducing fatigue and pain. I have the "grip master" brand (I think) in the "red" model, which is intermediate strength. It has helped me I think both in steadiness and grip strength.
Might be worth a try!
Well you, as well as myself and others, have several options - and probably more that I haven't thought of.
1. Pocket carry a small snubby, such as a S&W J-frame or Taurus model 85; both with boot grips making a combination that will work for pocket carry.
2. Do the same with larger stocks, but that will likely eliminate most pocket carry.
3. Forget pocket or ankle carry and go to a larger/heavier revolver that requires a more conventional holster (ISB/OWB, shoulder etc.) If nothing else this will help control abusive heavy loads.
In my case I usually load .38 Special mid-range wadcutters in the lightest/smallest pocket revolvers, and if (or when) I think that's not enough I'll forget the .357 Magnum altogether and carry my Taurus model 445 (K-frame +/5-shot/.44 Special/2"/all-steel/snubby) Of course this calls for a conventional holster, not pocket carry. I may meet in the middle with a 1950's era Colt Detective Special.
The point I'm trying to make is that which ever gun I choose it is matched with appropriate (from my point of view) ammunition. I believe in controllable recoil that will allow quick but accurate follow-up shots, not simply raw power to the exclusion of everything else.
Barami Hip Grips are a matter of personal choice, and it's not a bad one. But if you go that way and want to use heavier loads why not a larger gun? Within reason of course.
aarondhgraham
Member
I second Hometeached1 on the Pachmayer Compac grips,,,
I have Velda, a square butt Model 34 in .22 LR,,,
As well as Velma, a round butt Model 36 in .38 Special.
I installed the Pachmayer Compac grips,,,
Now the recoil of the .38 is completely tamed.
A side benefit that I didn't anticipate is,,,
The external shape of the grips is the same,,,
Regardless of the fact that they aren't interchangeable.
That is to say you must order grips made for round or square butt.
Now though, both guns feel exactly the same in my hand,,,
I wasn't expecting that.
They're not pretty,,,
But they function much nicer than the original wood stocks.
Aarond
.
I have Velda, a square butt Model 34 in .22 LR,,,
As well as Velma, a round butt Model 36 in .38 Special.
I installed the Pachmayer Compac grips,,,
Now the recoil of the .38 is completely tamed.
A side benefit that I didn't anticipate is,,,
The external shape of the grips is the same,,,
Regardless of the fact that they aren't interchangeable.
That is to say you must order grips made for round or square butt.
Now though, both guns feel exactly the same in my hand,,,
I wasn't expecting that.
They're not pretty,,,
But they function much nicer than the original wood stocks.
Aarond
.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
IMO shooting a J frame until your hand hurts is counterproductive and should not be done. That's when you can develop bad habits like holding the gun differently to prevent more pain. The J frame was not developed for extended range use although I do shoot mine a lot for practice but rarely 150 rounds at a time. When I'm doing a lot of shooting with a J frame like when testing reloads I put a set of full size Pachmayr grips on the revolver and that helps a lot.
Again, shooting a J frame until your hand hurts is probably counterproductive and at the very least poor practice.
Again, shooting a J frame until your hand hurts is probably counterproductive and at the very least poor practice.
35 Whelen
Member
I bought my a Charter Arms Pink Lady for my wife. At 12 oz. empty (10 oz. lighter than the S&W 60), you'd better believe recoil can and did become an issue. Recoil and muzzle flip were so prevalent that it was difficult to get a standard velocity 158 gr. SWC to hit point of aim even at 7 yards.
After firing several cylinders full I finally figured out that squeezing the grip more tightly with the ring finger and the pinky helps immeasurably in controlling muzzle flip and greatly enhanced accuracy.
Understand a 2" .38 was never intended to be a 25 yd. target revolver, but we've found that with practice one can hit targets at any reasonable distance.
35W
After firing several cylinders full I finally figured out that squeezing the grip more tightly with the ring finger and the pinky helps immeasurably in controlling muzzle flip and greatly enhanced accuracy.
Understand a 2" .38 was never intended to be a 25 yd. target revolver, but we've found that with practice one can hit targets at any reasonable distance.
35W
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