The 357 Magnum and my hands.

[Sappyg2.0]

I completely sympathize with the pain OP is experiencing. The temporary fix for me (until I replaced my grips) were these gloves. $10 for 2 pair at home depot. In my case the grips were too narrow. Especially in DA and, I think narrow grips may make the issue worse even for OP.

That said, I load magnum cases down to about 1000- 1100 fps and enjoy the experience much more than full blown mag loads.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Boy this thread more than anything else has made me happy I started loading my own.

Some day when I'm shooting magnums and find myself thinking "Wow this sucks!" my guns will still work for me simply because I'll download to levels I enjoy.

I genuinely feel bad for people facing these circumstances. I want to shoot whatever I want forever. Just isn't going to go down that way.

 

[Jeb Stuart]

Pain is pain.Big difference from just unpleasant. Pain is also the bodies way of telling you to stop. And no matter how you cut it, the 357 is a hammer blow to the joint. One of my favorite guns to shoot is the Ruger LCR9. For me it is pleasant to shoot.At the point before crossing over to unpleasant to Pain. Look at the recoil difference from Genitron. The LCR 9mm is rated at 7.2 ft lbs then jumps to 19.4 ft lbs. in 357. Forget the 357. I have shot it in that gun and there is no way I desire it or want it and my hand agrees.
Not to mention that if I had to shoot the 357. without ear protection, I would burst my ear drums.
I would bet the OP has arthritis. I have it in my joint of my off hand. Certain things I do will inflame the joint. Put a lot of recoil into the grip hand and that spot where a bone spur etc. could cause horrific pain. Keep it up and it will just get worse. Probably damage a nerve.
Obviously the OP has to adjust to a new game plan. Find a balance to afford frequent shooting without the pain. Probably the grip of the gun and the explosive power of the 357 is two fold. I applaud his ability to recognize that he will have to make a change. and personally do not think a glove or padding is the answer. I would just forget the 357 altogether and most like examine if the grip of the gun itself is a contributing factor in the pain.

 

[Walkalong]

A 158 Gr coated bullet at 1250ish FPS is a pleasure to shoot from a 6" Model 28. That's not as fast as you can safely push a .357, and the recoil junkies would scoff at it, but it is accurate, fun, and not painful to shoot in the right revolver. It's not even too bad in my 2 1/2" 686.

 

[Dave T]

The illustration sgt127 posted showing the base knuckle of the right thumb is where I have the greatest problem with recoil. Than knuckle is so swollen it appears as a large lump when I spread out my fingers.

For over 40 years I was primarily a 1911 shooter. I carried one on duty and off. I taught carrying one and competed in early IPSC, IDPA and steel combat matches. I was truly dedicated to the 1911 and the 45 ACP cartridge. Then age and arthritis hit. The last time I tried to qualify with a 1911 the back corner of the frame pounded that joint so bad I had developed a bad flinch by the time I'd fired 50 rounds. Not long after I gave up my beloved 1911s.

Now I carry 45 ACP Glocks, not because I like them but because the wide grip made of plastic acts as a shock absorber and doesn't impinge on that swollen knuckle. Don't like it but I have to live with it. Fortunately I can still shoot most revolvers...but not magnums.

Dave

 

[Jeb Stuart]

I have it in the location below. Fortunately does not affect my shooting. My biggest goal was to protect the area when I would do things that would aggravate it and stop doing activities that would inflame the area. I will wear Brace if I suspect I will be doing something that will cause it the inflammation.
I also started a :ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DIET that made a huge improvement!! Also before a activity I will take Ibuprofen which is a anti-inflammatory and immediately ICE the area after wards.

While I do not have the same condition, it is sometime slightly difficult for me to rack a slide. Not a problem yet, maybe in the future, (who knows). I may then have to start CCW and shooting a Revolver. Hey, I get tired of Magazines anyway. And get tired of the cost. Love the moon clips.

**and as I mentioned, the wider grip may be putting pressure on a Bone Spur from Arthritis.

 

[Sappyg2.0]

I also started a :ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DIET that made a huge improvement!! Also before a activity I will take Ibuprofen which is a anti-inflammatory and immediately ICE the area after wards.

**and as I mentioned, the wider grip may be putting pressure on a Bone Spur ]

Worth mentioning. Not for nothing but this issue has effected me to an extreme. My hands have taken a lot of abuse.

For the past several months I've been taking 1000 milligrams of vitamin C daily. It helps, IMO, with the joints but not the bone spur pain confessed by OP which I've experienced also.

I'm not a doctor but, I prescribed lots of 22lr rehab along with the reduced loads, proper grips along with the vitamin C and I'm hitting as good or better with no pain to speak of.

 

[Reeferman]

I've got severe arthritis in both shoulders and the knuckles of both hands are swollen into big lumps. Recoil never bothered me in my 20s, 30s, 40s, or 50s. Some where along about the 60s stuff started hurting. It's called getting old. Deal with it how ever works best for you. I shoot 45 ACP and 45 Colt these days and even some of them hurt. Dang I hate this!

Dave

Yup Golden Years my ass.

 

[sgt127]

 

[Reeferman]

View attachment 796886

Ha ha ha that is so true.

 

[MikeInOr]

View attachment 796371
I had extensive right hand surgery due to RA and found these bike gloves helped a lot. They were comfortable and not bulky feeling.View attachment 796369

I took my mountain biking gloves with me on my last trip to the range... the DB9 is MUCH more shootable with the MTB glove. I put a hundred rounds through the DB9 and would have no problems shooting more rounds through it. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Elm Creek Smith]

I turned 66 last month. The only magnum ammo I'm shooting in a K-frame is in my 4 inch Model 65-1, and only a few cylinders at the end of a range session. When working, it's loaded with Speer 135 grain "Short Barrel" .357 Magnum ammo since that doesn't feel like a bomb going off. All my other .38's and .357's are loaded with Winchester "Defend" .38 Special 130 grain bonded hollow points. All my range practice is with 125 grain, 130, or 158 grain .38 Special standard pressure loads.

 

[bikerdoc]

These bad boys will shoot 158 gr 357 all day long.

Will be 70 in 15 days. Thank god my hands are still strong.

 

[Eddietruett]

I didn't real all the post, so if this advise has already been suggested, I apologize. Have you tried the S&W X Frame Grips? I shoot a lot of full bore .357 this time of year getting ready for Hog and Deer Hunting. When I'm trying new loads etc and know I'm going to shoot several hundred in a session, I put them on my 8 3/8" and 7" L Frames. They make a big difference. I don't use them for hunting because for some reason I shoot more accurate with my wood target grips but they can be tough on the hands. I now keep +P .38 in my carry guns as I've found out with the less recoil that follow up shots are not only quicker but more accurate