Revolver bite

[RM]

I am a left handed shooter who recently started shooting my S&W 66 in IDPA competition. Most times by the end of the match I need band aid(s) for the several nicks and cuts I received while shooting and doing reloads. Is this an expected part of revolver competition or am I doing something wrong? Thank you.

 

[fletcher]

Where and how (when) are you receiving these cuts?

 

[RM]

I am getting the skin near the top my right thumb nicked while I am shooting- not sure how. And when I reload, I am getting cuts on the same thumb further down, probably from the gun frame as I hold the cylinder open.

 

[Old Fuff]

Make sure the cylinder release thumbpiece isn't catching the underside of the tip of your thumb. I don't see why anything should cause problems during reloading, but check and see if there is a sharp edge on the back of the stocks. There was a time when S&W fitted the stocks to each individual frame, but those days are long gone.

 

[BC Mike]

Are you using HKS speedloaders where you have to hold the cylinder to keep it from spinning as you twist the knob or the better Safariland with just a push on the top button to release? With HKS I used to jam my strong hand thumb while trying to use my weak hand to get the cartridges in.
Mike

 

[RM]

Since I am left handed, my thumbs are on the opposite side of the cylinder release. I'm using Safariland Comp 2 speed loaders.

 

[Biff]

Sounds like you shoot with your weak hand thumb pointed straight ahead. The flash from the cylinder gap is extremely high pressure, and if your thumb is alongside the gap, it will cut you! If you have ever watched revolver shooters in metallic sillouette matched use the "Creedmore" position, where you lie on your back and use your lower leg as a rest, you will see that they wear a heavy leather blast guard on their lower leg. It keeps the cylinder flash from cutting their pants, legs, or boots.

Keep all body parts away from the gap!

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

The S&W revolver thumb latch has been known to cut peoples' hands (it has never personally done this to me). Since you are shooting left handed, I would expect such a cut to appear on your first knuckle (where your finger branches out from the palm) of your index finger. If your trigger finger gets cut or abraded near the knuckle at the tip, this could be from the sharp edges on the trigger or pinching between the trigger and frame. Most DA revolvers (that are to be mostly shot DA) could stand to have the trigger rounded and polished.

 

[RM]

Thanks, Gentlemen, for your replies. I think the main problem I am having is what Biff described. In an IDPA match today, I wore two small band-aids on my right thumb- had no problems with nicks or cuts.