SW638 - causing numb thumb in big guy - suggestions?

[Pendragon]

I put less than 30 rounds through my 638 on Saturday.

I also put about 300+ through my 1911.

At the end of the day, the pad on my right thumb was numb. I assumed it was from putting rounds in my magazines.

It is about 50% better today on Tuesday and I was kind of rubbing my thumb and realized that it is bruised on the inside and that the bruised part is "connected" to the numb part (all tingly and stuff).

I was shooting 158gr LSWCs on ~3.4 or of bullseye - a little stout, but not crazy (Lee says I think 3.3 min and 3.6 is max I think).

I think the recoil was just battering the nerve on the inside of my right thumb and caused this problem.

I had a hard time getting a good grip on the gun because my hands are so big. I did not find the recoil otherwise unpleasant, but this is bugging me. I really like my 638, but I need to find a way to make it work for me.

Any suggestions for a guy with big hands and long fingers? Would wood grips that add girth be helpful in distributing the recoil? Right now, I just have the rubber grips - I think they are original, (bought gun used).

Is there something I can do with my grip? I have my thumb resting under the cylinder latch...

Thanks revolver experts

 

[Jim March]

My very first thought is "grip swap time!". But to what?

Pakmeyer's "Compac" grip is rubber, holds all three fingers and covers the backstrap. Does your current grip cover the backstrap? If not, you'll get a big jump up in comfort, esp. with bigger hands...

 

[mikey357]

...my suggestion would be to try the Hogue "Monogrip" on the lil' guy...they cover the backstrap, and add a bit to the width of the grip area as well...they're the most COMFORTABLE grips I've found for the J-frame Smiths....mikey357

 

[Pendragon]

yeah - the backstrap is exposed.

I will look into the Hogue solution...

 

[Jim March]

Any rubber grip that covers the backstrap will help. Here's my Compacs on a J-class Charter 38:



Most good shops will have both Hogues and Pakmeyers for an S&W snub. Try both. If your pinkie fits well into the "pinkie slot" on the Compacs, it provides a wonderful "index" to the overall hold.

 

[BigG]

Pendragon, your thumb should be down, more like you are making a fist instead of up under the cylinder latch.

 

[DeltaElite]

I prefer the Pachmayr Compacs on my 342, they cover the backstrap and fill the hand better than the either set of Hogues I have used.
The Pachmayrs are also slightly shorter than the Hogue monogrip.

Good luck and let us know what transpires.

 

[DeltaElite]

Jim,
Are those "The Fruit of the Loom" undies or "The Firing Line undies"?