Revolver bite

[vulcanian]

There was a thread with this same title before, but that person had a different issue.

I've got a 686-6 with a 4" barrel, running .357 loads (American Eagle 158 gr, 1240 fps). It's spirited but not bad. Each time I fire, the upper near corner of the stock wooden grips digs into the web of my strong hand. After a few rounds, my hands feel fine but I'm bleeding from the web of my thumb.

I fire with thumbs locked down and a very high grip. I love the look of the wood grips, but might have to pull 'em off and go to rubber.

Is this a common problem with a known solution? I've had a couple more experienced revolver shooters look and they feel my grip's ok.

 

[rcmodel]

Not to my knowledge.
I usually get ate by the thumb latch is all.

If you can identify the offending sharp edge?

Sand it off rounder & smoother and put some stock finish on it.

rc

 

[Jim K]

You can usually sand down those grips a bit without ruining the looks. If you take that route, a little stain and a touch of spray spar varnish will restore the factory look.

Jim

 

[Haywood]

I have a callus on the inside of my thumb from years of shoveling asphalt. Some guns rip on it and draw blood. I carry band aids in my Range Bag and cover it when shooting.

 

[WestKentucky]

Sounds like a grip size issue or a grip stance issue. If your hands are small on that bigger gun get thinner grips that you can hold better and lower. If your hands are large enough to hold the gun comfortably and securely then rotate your grip down a bit and it should cause more rise, but less "bite"

 

[vulcanian]

Thanks everyone

WestKentucky, I've mostly heard to go as high as possible to get the barrel axis into your hand. But what you're saying makes a lot of sense. I'll try a lower grip. I can take a little more time getting back on target. I'll do it with .38 Special first and see if that fixes the bite.

And rcmodel and Jim K, if a grip shift doesn't fix it I'll do the sanding. I just hate to muck up these pretty grips. Then again, I bought it to shoot it not put it in a glass case. I know how to sand fine, but what is the finish they use? This is a 686 SSR, and I guess it's Goncalo Alves, not at all sure of the finish.

Hear you, Haywood. Just got this gun and it drew blood right away. A bandaid let me get a satisfying number of rounds downrange on the first day and the next, without digging any deeper.

Thanks for the useful advice, guys.

 

[vulcanian]

I just have to say I'm loving running a revolver again. I hadn't shot one in decades, just various semi handguns for years. My range does rentals and on a whim I shot a 686-6 a month ago and drove home grinning.

To quote the guy in Independence Day, "I got to get me one of these!"

So I did. Just glad I remembered to thumbs down and stay away from the front of the cylinder. THIS problem is one I know I can address.

 

[sig228]

Gloves

There is a whole other thread on gloves, most think they are tacticool, but they sure do keep my hand from bleeding. Cheap walmart weightlifting gloves work just fine.

 

[Artym]

The back of the grip should be smooth, but you must be holding way too high. I used to shoot a model 19 with a 6" barrel and wooden grips without problems...that included magnum loads.
I have never been fond of the recoil of the 158 gr magnums and when I shot magnum loads, I liked 145, 125 medium velocity, or 110 gr loads. You really pound your hand with the 158s, and you can get in lots of shooting pleasure with less than this. Frankly, it can be fun to shoot a Smith 22 revolver model 17.

 

[RealGun]

686 SSR Pic

If you want to use a high grip, get rid of those grips, because they dictate where your hand web must be to handle the gun when fired.

Try these like I have:

 

[Sam1911]

There's no way I'd change to a lower grip just because the gun was a little rough on my hands. Especially considering the kind of shooting that SSR was designed for! If you're going to use it as intended, you want to be high on the gun for best control. The web of your hand will all but lap over the top corner of the frame.

A bit of sanding would not be out of order and as others posted, you can very easily touch up that spot so the correction is invisible.

Then, just get out and run that gun. Your hands will toughen up as you run up your round count in practice. Any hand skill -- even knitting! -- will give you a few little sore spots as you first get used to the new equipment and motions.

 

[Sam1911]

Here's a post from our resident revolver master, MrBorland that covers it well:

Another element of grip that's important is to grip that gun high. Too many grip a revolver too low. When you look from the side, you shouldn't see backstrap peeking out from your thumb/forefinger webbing. The pics below may not be the best on the topic, but note the high grip.

 

[hemiram]

I've never had a revolver bite me, no matter how I gripped it. I can't say the same for autos though. My only real problem when shooting revolvers was some of the ridiculously sharp checkering some of the grips had.

 

[MrBorland]

There's no way I'd change to a lower grip just because the gun was a little rough on my hands. Especially considering the kind of shooting that SSR was designed for! If you're going to use it as intended, you want to be high on the gun for best control.

And rcmodel and Jim K, if a grip shift doesn't fix it I'll do the sanding. I just hate to muck up these pretty grips. Then again, I bought it to shoot it not put it in a glass case. I know how to sand fine, but what is the finish they use? This is a 686 SSR, and I guess it's Goncalo Alves, not at all sure of the finish.

Of course, I agree with Sam1911.

Rather than modifying the nice original grips, look into a set of rubber grips, then use a razor to trim as necessary. My preference are Uncle Mike's, with the bottom finger groove razor'd off (see pic). They're getting hard to find, but there are other rubber grips (Hogue, Tamer, Pachmayr) that're easy to trim as well.

 

[Jaymo]

Don't know why my post disappeared.
Anyhoo, I agree completely about the high grip.
Mr Borland and I disagree about the thumbs forward grip, but not about the high grip.
It's much more controllable, and comfortable (for me).

I first learned to love a high grip when I got my first 1911.

I've actually had an issue with the trigger of my GP100 biting my trigger finger when shooting hot magnum ammo.
the front corners, where the face and sides of the trigger meet, is a bit too angular for my sausage fingers.
Guess I need to whip out the flap wheel and smooth it up.

I also agree with Mr Borland about the bottom finger groove.
They never seem to fit my paws.
The entire reason I never use Hogue rubber grips is because their finger grooves don't fit me.

Mr Borland, judging by the pic you just posted, I presume you're an L frame fan.
I HATED L frames, and GP100s, until I actually shot them.
I thought they were ugly.
Now, I find them beautiful.
I wouldn't trade either for all the tea in China.

 

[Sam1911]

Don't know why my post disappeared.

(Hmmm...the system doesn't have any record of another post? Must have skipped the Post button.)

I too use the rubber grips that came on my 629, but I ground the finger grooves off.

 

[Jaymo]

I had a bullpup air rifle with a finger grooved pistol grip.
It was uncomfortable to my paw.
It was hard plastic, so I used a half round file to take the huge peaks between the grooves down to nubs.
I then filed off the shelf at the bottom front.
Sanded it all smooth and it was very comfortable.

When I had to sell it, the buyer was skeptical that I'd "bubba'd" it.
Then he handled and shot it and thought it was the best idea ever.

Even I have a good idea sometimes.

 

[MrBorland]

Mr Borland, judging by the pic you just posted, I presume you're an L frame fan.

I am indeed. I have a 686SSR as well. I like K-frames, too, but when things speed up, I just happen to shoot & reload L-frames a wee bit better. The GP100 can be tuned up nicely, though, and if I had need for another full-sized revo, I'd seriously consider one.

Grips aren't immutable or, in the case of rubber grips, very expensive, so I'm all for swapping out the originals and modifying the new ones to fit, especially when it preserves the originals.

 

[Confederate]

The wood grips in the photo seem to be poorly designed, though i'd have to hold it to be sure. I've always liked the rubber grips as far as shooting, but the original wood grips (below)
are fine for me. You might see if you can pick up a pair. I think Smith & Wesson tests its grips with the same group of chimpanzees that sandpapers its stainless guns! (At least Taurus has polished finishes and better designed grips than Smith. Now if it could only get its tolerances right.)

 

[vulcanian]

Well I swapped out the wood grips for the rubber ones that came with the SSR. Heaven! It was just that sharp corner on the wooden grips.

I do really prefer the high grip because I can settle the muzzle much faster.

The 158s have some snap but they're better in this than in the S&W Airlight I tried first!

I've only been shooting this revolver for a couple weeks, but I am doing a lot of dry fire (using snap caps) every night, and I see I'm getting steadier, literally daily. Went to the range yesterday and found my groups with my Glock are also much, much tighter. I am definitely finding that my trigger discipline is improving quickly thanks to working with this DA pistol (I don't use it in SA at all).

 

[RealGun]

I too use the rubber grips that came on my 629, but I ground the finger grooves off.

I bought the new Pachmayr Diamond Pro grips for my 629.

 

[Wil Terry]

YOUR HIGH GRIP might well be most of it. Back off a 1/4" down at a time until the hurt stops, and it will.

 

[Jaymo]

Me Borland, there is nothing like a nice K or L frame.
As much as I like my GP100, my 586 no-dash will be buried with me.
SA & DA pulls to die for.
Enough weight to make max pressure magnum ammo pleasant to shoot.
What's not to like?
Not that I'd ever sell my K frames.
My 10s seem to think they're 14s & 15s.
Who am I to tell them they aren't allowed to shoot as well as my 15s?
My 10-5 2" shoots as well as my 4" Ks.
Except for more muzzle flip.

RealGun, how do you like those Diamond Pros?
I'm a big fan of Pachmayr Grippers and Compacs.

 

[RealGun]

Jaymo wrote: RealGun, how do you like those Diamond Pros?
I'm a big fan of Pachmayr Grippers and Compacs.

I recommend them.