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First Handgun!

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bk09:
Well after a calculus test this afternoon I rushed home like a little kid excited to watch his favorite after school cartoon. Except I was rushing home to check the mailbox. With a shimmering glow as I opened the box, I saw what was the most beautiful thing in the world, an envelope from the sheriff's office. I thought, "oh what could it be golly gee willikers?" And I was quick to tear open the little white paper and find a big joy that awaited my signature. I quickly signed the permit and got back in my sleigh, then headed to Scheels to where my debit card would...er um take a kick in the nuts  :blank:... I peered in the cabinet at the little .38's, and before my eyes there was a smith 642. After some paperwork and a long drive to the north, I arrived at Thunder Alley where my gun was brought forth. I shot and I shot to my hearts content, but unfortunately now my thumb hurteth.



I'm feeling pretty good with this little guy/gal (reminds me I need to name it). Except I am looking for some pointers on how to hold it to avoid the thumb bite seen here. Was able to have some pretty decent groups shooting 158gr SWC with 3.1 and 3.4gr of bullseye. The point of impact was about 3-4 inches high at around 5-7 yards, so that will take some getting used to. I was surprised at how this little thing kicked. I saved $30 buy getting one with a little wooden croc grip instead of a rubber one because I figured I could buy another grip for less than that if I wanted to upgrade. I think I will keep that little wood grip on it since this is meant to be a pocket carry gun and will have less resistance on the draw. Now I'm excited to start cleaning this beauty of a 642 and think of a name. After a few hundred more rounds I will probably sign up for a ccw class! I could probably pass it now but I would rather be more comfortable with the gun for everybody else's safety.

bkoenig:
Excellent choice!  I carry one almost daily, unless I'm wearing clothes that will conceal something bigger.  I run at night and it's a great carry gun for that purpose in a belly band type holster.  It's so light I don't even notice it.  They are surprisingly accurate for such a short sight radius.  The trigger is HEAVY, but that's what you want in a pocket gun.  Dry fire it about a thousand times and it will really smooth out.  The trigger on mine is still heavy and long but smooth as silk.

You'll want to grip as high as you can on the frame.  That helps the recoil a lot, but no matter what these are always going to be nasty little buggers to shoot since there's just not much mass to soak it up.  The first day I got mine I through 50 rounds of +P personal defense ammo and my hand hurt for two days.

wallace11bravo:
Congrats!

Sorry I can't be much help with the grip on that particular model and with your particular hands. Would prolly require some hands-on coaching. I know Husker XDM would prolly be more than happy to help you out with that, he is also a CCW instructor. The only thing I could say is maintain a straight thumb grip with your firing hand, just below and clear of the cylinder, and ensure that your support hand is not altering your grip, particularly your thumb placement.

SemperFiGuy:
bradkoll

A.    Congratulations on all that's going on wrt your new permit, handgun, etc.    [Christmas in March, already.]

B.    Just wait until you shoot some Buffalo Bore .38SPCL Hollow Point +P Defense Loads in that Little Barker!!!!!

Fact is, all those Little SD Guns do tear your hands up.    My Kahr PM9 sells a lot of band aids.   What I've learned to do---after drawing my own blood from shooting---is to clearly mark where my hands are habitually torn up and put a band aid thereon before ever the trigger is pulled.

[BTW, you'd never notice the hand hurt in an actual SD situation.    Kinda like deer hunting.    What recoil???]


sfg

bk09:
I was just looking through the s&w website to see if there was anything special about this gun since it has the different wood crock grip. Turns out it is a Talo edition 642. The only difference I see is the grips though... So it is a customized gun with only 1 change... :-\

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