Background - Have a 625 5" that I love to shoot. Everything about it is great except that I considered using it (somehow) for concealed carry. Finally came to the conclusion it was too big and heavy. Considered looking for a 625 with a 3" barrel but I wondered if that would be enough improvement.
A few weeks ago I looked at a new 325 PD and thought it might be what I need but it was much too expensive. A little later I came into some unexpected cash and I found a very nice used 325 PD which I bought. I didn't think I was very recoil sensitive, but I found shooting more than a few rounds of personal defense ammo (Golden Saber 185 gr.) rather painful. An angle on the nice looking Ahrends cocobolo stock grips cut into my thumb just above the lowest joint. Got a bruise and a blister.
Read here or on another forum that the special Hogue/S&W rubber grips on the 500 Mag might help and I ordered a set. They are great for reducing felt recoil. Cut it in half, at least. The problem with these is they are too large and "grippy" for effective concealed carry.
Current/Future - After getting used to shooting this with the Hogue/S&W grips, I'd like to find some nice looking wood grips that are not too big and distribute the recoil energy across more of my hand than the original Ahrends. Any specific suggestions or am I stuck with experimenting with possibly several different grips (at $60++ a pop) to find some that work?
Also, it looks like I found a great holster for this and have it on order: http://www.hoffners.com/inn07.jpg
Alan
A few weeks ago I looked at a new 325 PD and thought it might be what I need but it was much too expensive. A little later I came into some unexpected cash and I found a very nice used 325 PD which I bought. I didn't think I was very recoil sensitive, but I found shooting more than a few rounds of personal defense ammo (Golden Saber 185 gr.) rather painful. An angle on the nice looking Ahrends cocobolo stock grips cut into my thumb just above the lowest joint. Got a bruise and a blister.
Read here or on another forum that the special Hogue/S&W rubber grips on the 500 Mag might help and I ordered a set. They are great for reducing felt recoil. Cut it in half, at least. The problem with these is they are too large and "grippy" for effective concealed carry.
Current/Future - After getting used to shooting this with the Hogue/S&W grips, I'd like to find some nice looking wood grips that are not too big and distribute the recoil energy across more of my hand than the original Ahrends. Any specific suggestions or am I stuck with experimenting with possibly several different grips (at $60++ a pop) to find some that work?
Also, it looks like I found a great holster for this and have it on order: http://www.hoffners.com/inn07.jpg
Alan