S&W 642-how do you hold it?

[38snapcaps]

I'm interested in this model revolver. I had some concerns about the fit, so I rented one and here's the problem:

I can't seem to get a comfortable hold on it. It points up, the cylinder latch chews on the top of my thumb if I hold it straight. If I curl my thumb down, which feels more natural, then the tip of my trigger finger bumps into it and hinders a full backward pull.

So many of you guys like the J-frame, why doesn't it work for me? By the way, I do not have large hands, really average to thin.

 

[Clemson]

One of the beauties of revolvers is that there are multiple sizes of grips available for them. I would suggest that you try one with a different grip than those that were on the 642 that you rented. For comparison purposes, rent a K-frame and see how that feels. Most shooters with medium sized hands feel that the K-frame grip is just about the berries of handgun handles, again depending on which stocks you have on the gun.

Clemson

 

[one45auto]

Hmmm...good question. I've never had a problem, but then again I do have small hands.

I'd just try a new sets of grips and see if that helps.

 

[ChristopherG]

Clemson's given one good answer; try different grips. If you want to hold this revolver like other revolvers--and, not coincidentally, experience the most pleasant shooting possible with it--get a pair of Pachmayr's Compac grips. they cover the backstrap and offer a beefy enough grip that you can drop your thumb in a conventional grip without interfering with your trigger finger. The down side is that they're bigger than normal j-frame grips, and can thus make concealment more difficult. For me, e.g., they are not compatible with pocket carry, which I frequently employ.

So, the other alternative is to use a smaller grip and do something else with your thumb. I put mine straight out alongside the frame below the cylinder. When shooting one-handed, this can lead to a bit of a thumb-beating; but my j-frame is a tool, and I shoot it only enough to be sure that my training with other revolvers carries over into how I shoot it. I'll be interested to see if others come up with other advice or solutions.
cg

 

[fastbolt]

Although I generally wear large men's gloves, I think I have medium size hands, so the little J-frame generally isn't a problem when it comes to "fit".

I don't allow the gun to sit quite as "low" in my hand as some people I see, so the cylinder latch never gets near my thumb ... which is curled down at the last joint. While my index finger may have the ability to occasionally touch the tip of my thumb at the very end of my trigger stroke, by that time the internal hammer has already fallen, and the pressure experienced between index finger & thumb tip isn't enough to bother ME. Subjective issue, though ...

I don't use a "horizontal thumb" position, as I've seen some folks use with small revolvers ... and which I've also occasionally seen result in varying degrees of thumb "gouging" when the latch, or even the rear of the cylinder, gets shoved back into the thumb.

I think if you have large hands you may need to try some different grips. Just realize that using larger grips MAY compromise one of the favorite attributes of these small guns, which is streamlined pocket carry for lawful CCW/off duty use. Then again, some folks have large hands & large pockets, and they don't consider slightly larger grips to be a problem. It's all a matter of personal perspective and desires.

When it comes to small "pocket" guns, J-frame revolvers can generally offer many advantages because of their size and caliber ... but on the other hand, they also have some potential disadvantages, as well. Smaller grip frame (as you're discovering), shorter sight radius AND less easy-to-"see" sights, long DA (or DAO) trigger travel, increased perceived recoil (perhaps magnified by the smaller grip profile) ... and they only hold 5-rounds.

The trick is to balance the advantages against the disadvantages and then decide whether the compromise achieved is good for YOU ... and even if you decide it's advantageous for you, they still take a LOT of frequent & consistent practice in order to achieve and maintain reasonable proficiency.

Did you also try and rent one of the steel framed models, like a 649 or a 640? You might find the "balance & heft" different, and it might offset the smaller grip issues to some extent. You gain extra weight, true, but that might be something that offers you a "better" compromise.

I've used larger grips on different J-frames over the years, but they've always turned into "belt guns" when I did that ... for ME.

 

[flip180]

I love my litte 642

I was also conscious of where my thumb could interfear with the cylinder latch but, I hold it with the fingers of my shooting hand semi-tight around the grip and the thumb of the same hand pointing forward over (but not touching) the clinder latch. The thumb of my non-shooting have is also pointing forward but resting directly on the gun's frame underneath the cylinder. Essentially both thumbs are pitinted at the target. 500 rds. through the 642 and it is what I found that work best for me that is.

Robert.

 

[Nick96]

I'm in the process of working that out myself. For some time I've been used to shooting a Ruger SP101 .357 with slightly oversized Hogue grips. I've favored a hold where the shooting hand thumb touches the first joint of the middle finger (a rock solid grip for better control). It's a bit more difficult with the J frame. However, where the Ruger tends to shoot a little low (favoring extending the thumb along the side hold) - the Smith tends to shoot a little high (favoring tucking the thumb in hold). In other words, it's backwards between the two. In neither case do I have a problem with the trigger finger hitting the thumb - or the thumb striking a cylinder latch (Smith) or cylinder wall (Ruger).

I got the Smith specifically for pocket carry - so the thumb along the side should facilitate the smoothest draw from a confined space. And since the Ruger tends to shoot a little low, I suppose I should get accustomed to holding the thumb along the side of the Ruger, and doing the same with the Smith - just canting it down a bit lower for better accuracy.

At typical self defence ranges though (under 20 feet), I don't suppose fine accuracy really matters that much - as long as the trigger finger goes far enough rearward to drop the hammer. At those ranges, both will hit within a 4" circle by just picking up the front sight and putting it on target.

 

[magsnubby]

If you don't carry it conceled than a set of Houge grips would work wonders. I really liked the boot grips it came with untill i loaded it up with +p's. Pachmayr's would also work very well and add very little bulk. The 642 is a fine little gun.

 

[flip180]

I personally am not a big fan of putting a set of bigger sized grips on a gun intended for pocket carry. It kinda defeats the purpose of buying the gun. I tried different grips on the gun and found that the factory grip are pretty much the best fitting grips for me. I too have smaller hands so the factory grips aren't a problem for me. I shoot standard FMJ's at the range with the occasional cylinder of +P's to keep acclimated with the hotter round but, they arent what I shoot as a primary round during a range session. +P's feel like a soccer player is kicking me in the hand everytime I shoot them. Most guns I've shot, I've had to modify something to have them feel better when first getting them. For me is is easier and cheaper to change little things about my self and the way I hold a particular gun than to change something on the gun itself. Eventually you'll get used to it. If not, you can easily sell it.

Robert .

 

[FunYet]

Bantam grips

I find that Hogue Bantam grips help a lot. They are molded with a slight palm swell and have a bit of cush to them to soften recoil. They do not add to the footprint of the gun. I have mid-sized hands. I hold the butt firmly in my right hand. I rest the right hand in the palm of my left hand and wrap my left fingers around the back of the right hand. Holding the gun high up on the blackstrap seems to help too. I also found that practicing point shooting and just relaxing a bit helps (as opposed t trying to make every shot a perfect shot using the sights). To tell the truth, I really did not like my first 442. I gave up on it rather early and sold it. Since then I acquired another 442, practiced and it's now one of my favorites. Takes time to get the hang of it but it's well worth the effort.