Shooting Comfort: Autoloader vs. Revolver

[JJNA]

This is something I've noticed for a while. For some reason, I cannot find a revolver that is comfortable for me to shoot (most autoloaders do not cause me any discomfort).

Even with dry-firing, I get some discomfort in the web area of my shooting hand when pulling the trigger on a revolver. I don't have as much discomfort, oddly enough, with my weak-side hand (but I cannot duplicate -- mirror -- that with the strong-side hand).

In an attempt to be proficient with the revolver, I take the discomfort and shoot it anyway, but I'd like to know if anyone has a suggestion to make it feel better. What am I doing wrong with the strong-hand grip?

 

[Majic]

Try changing stocks/grips.

 

[Boats]

First, what kind of revolver? Some are more amenable to changing the grips than others.

Second, there is always Herrett's custom stocks.

 

[TarpleyG]

Are you holding the revolver correctly? By this, I mean you should have the web of your hand all the way up, in line with the bore axis. It is hard to explain and even harder to get used to. Maybe someone else will come along and put it in better words.

edit to add these pics...

See how high up you mist grip a revolver compared to the auto pictured below?

Gotta love Google...

Greg

 

[TonyB]

I find the opposite true for me...

Revolvers a way more comfortable for me to shoot..I have arthritis in my hands,so my grip is a little off..so if I'm shooting say a light 1911 the beaver tail slaps the crap out of my nuckle on my thumb.This doesn't happen with all autos,just certain ones.....like my glock 17 is no problem.....that's why I like to try other people's guns whenever I can,just to see how they would work for me.....

 

[Standing Wolf]

Try changing stocks/grips.

Bingo!

Most revolvers come with anti-ergonomic grips. Putting on good, well designed, well made wooden stocks can make an enormous difference. By contrast, replacing semi-automatic pistol stocks usually doesn't make a great deal of difference, unless we're talking about match pistols with heel and thumb rests, of course.

 

[unspellable]

grips

Grips are like eye glasses, what works for me won't for you and vice versa. I get along fairly well with factory target grips from S&W and a little better with factory target grips from Colt. But a lot of people don't like them.

There's usually a big difference in grip between a double action and a single revolver too. I don't do so well with factory grips on the usual singla action.

 

[JJNA]

I think the reason revolvers don't work for me is that they usually have a hump of sorts on the backstrap part of the grip. Revolver grips seem to be like a convex whereas pistol grips seem to be concave. The protruding hump of a revolver presses into my web when I pull the trigger.

 

[Shorts]

I found my revolver to be uncomfortable to shoot too. And as others have mentioned much depends on the grips. I never changed the grips out on mine to see if it would help. I just didn't enjoy shooting it enough period to warrant trying to enjoy it. I'll stick with Autos.

 

[grendelbane]

3 years ago I injured my hand. I think I hurt it at work, but I admit that shooting aggravated it. I spent 18 months with a sore hand, and was unable to shoot revolvers without suffering pain. (.38 Spl in a model 13 with Pachmayr grips would hurt!)

Gov't model pistols, OTOH, were quite comfortable to shoot. I even loaded some hot 10mm loads at this time.

Some kind soul on the internet suggested adding fresh pineapple to my diet. I did not try this for another year. When I eventually did, I was amazed at the overnight improvement!

It has to be fresh pineapple, not canned. The pasteurization destroys the enzyme which is responsible for the improvement.

It may not work for everybody, but it did work for me. I spent this afternoon shooting some hard kickers, and my hand feels fine tonight. I may keep that model 29 after all!

 

[c_yeager]

I think the reason revolvers don't work for me is that they usually have a hump of sorts on the backstrap part of the grip. Revolver grips seem to be like a convex whereas pistol grips seem to be concave. The protruding hump of a revolver presses into my web when I pull the trigger.

If im picturing this right i think you are holding the gun a bit too low on the grip. A lot of people who move from semis into revolvers believe that their hand needs to be below the cylinder and barrel for some reason. MANY of the shooters i have seen with revolvers are gripping WAY to low on the gun, and a lot of modern grips (fingergrooves) reinforce this. Whats worked best for me is to get as high as you possible can without getting speared by the hammer spur. Remember that revolver grips were made for holding the gun and shooting it and evolved over several hundred years to that end, semi grips were made to accomodate a magazine.

 

[1911 guy]

These revolver guys

are giving you some good info. I'm listening in and remembering the same conversation with my dad years ago. He's a consumate revolver shooter and couldn't understand my not liking them. I still prefer my "Gubmint" model, but I'm at least passable with a wheelgun, thanks to my dad. Everything he showed me had to do with proper grip. These posters are on to something.

 

[unspellable]

pineapple

Fresh papya will do the same thing, in sme cases better than pineapple.

 

[JJNA]

If im picturing this right i think you are holding the gun a bit too low on the grip.

In my particular case, the discomfort is worse the higher I grip the revolver. With a lower grip, I am less affected by the hump-like shape of the grip, but recoil management is worse due to higher bore axis.

 

[happy old sailor]

gee, i just dont know. i shoot both with no probs. changing grip and grips seems like good advice. i find Hogue grips to be very comfortable and inexpensive.

 

[Cosmoline]

I don't see it, guys. Grips made from tropical hardwoods are fine, but grips made from tropical fruit?

 

[medmo]

It could be grip. Not the grip on the gun but how you are gripping it. It is all about leverage. A good DA grip means you are pressing the trigger straight to the rear with the center pad of the index finger. This is between the tip of your finger and the first joint. If you are stroking the DA trigger with the very tip of the finger then you are adding more leverage to your finger and hand. These are guidlines for average hand sizes. Of course your hand might be larger or smaller than average. Try adjusting your grip where you are pulling the DA weight of the trigger with different parts of your index finger, (finger tip to the first knuckle), and you probably find your sweet spot.

 

[Smythe77]

I had a liking for the Hogue Monogrip with stippled nylon, swells to each side & memory for the fingers. They also leave the back strap exposed. Now at 75 yrs of age I must admit I have gone to exactly the same maker & model along with all the rest only with a rubber grips.

Having said my age I must admit that I am loosing the strength in my hands, though I work out in the gym & ride one of several sportbikes, so now a semi-auto suits my two handed style of shooting with best liking for those with the 1911 style & here I like good checkered walnut wood grips, but then front & back of the strap has been well checkered as well.