shooting a 38 special for the first time today...

[holyroler]

just bought a 38 special. shooting for the first time today.

first,

Its a 38 special +p I can shoot 38 special right?

second,

is my hand gonna kill?

 

[Sir_Macadoo]

yes you can. no it wont.

38 special is a relatively light load with mild recoil - even 38 +P's are fairly tame. When you get to .357 Magnums however, those can kick like a mule depending on the gun. If its a big heavy 686 with 6" barrel for example, its a little tamer than a little air weight 340PD in .357. The lower the mass of the gun, generally speaking, the greater the felt recoil.

 

[Dirtypacman]

I don't mind shooting my snubbie 38. In the cold it bites more then in the warmth of spring or summer. Enjoy.

 

[ochmude]

Shooting my 442 is approaching unpleasant, especially with +p ammo. Shooting out of a 686 is a joy, however. It all depends on the mass of the gun and using a proper grip. I occasionally don't get the right grip on my 442, and it reminds me each time.

 

[bob68]

my old air weight 38 spl snubbie is not bad to shoot at all. my grandson shot it after shooting about a hundred rounds of 45 and after the first five from the snubby he said that the recoil felt worse than the 45. i had to explain to him that the 6 45 bullets weighed almost as much as the snubby. they dont but he understood what i was telling him.

 

[Sir_Macadoo]

yea so, holyroler, what are you shooting your 38's out of?

 

[Speedway]

38 special will not be overwhelming in most guns. Even +p+ in the bulkier guns doesn't feel like much at all. I wouldn't want to fire off too many in an aluminum alloy framed revolver though.

 

[holyroler]

my bad.

work got in the way of my job as a forum poster.

hahaha


i just bought a 642 off the classified section.

LOVE the feel of the gun, perfect size for my hand.

just hear that because its so light and alloy, it'll kick like a mule.

i'm not worried...just wondered.

 

[ochmude]

my bad.

work got in the way of my job as a forum poster.

hahaha


i just bought a 642 off the classified section.

LOVE the feel of the gun, perfect size for my hand.

just hear that because its so light and alloy, it'll kick like a mule.

i'm not worried...just wondered.

I have a 442 and carry it daily. Same gun, different color. I wouldn't say it kicks like a mule, but the recoil is certainly noticeable. It takes some getting used to if you're transitioning from semi-autos. It definitely has more felt recoil than my 1911 because of the light weight.

 

[Sir_Macadoo]

i just bought a 642 off the classified section.

LOVE the feel of the gun, perfect size for my hand.

just hear that because its so light and alloy, it'll kick like a mule.

i'm not worried...just wondered.

Yea, that may sting after a box.

 

[Brin747]

I shoot +P's in my 642 all the time. Doesn't bother me at all and I find it very controllable and easy to shoot. I'm not exactly petite though...

 

[Sir_Macadoo]

http://www.vintagepistols.com/range_report_S&W_642.html

 

[jasonj84]

I like to shoot .357 mag out of my 340PD Airlite. When I go back to +P it is like a kitten gently batting my hand

 

[TonyDedo]

Jose had a great post in a thread around here somewhere about tips for shooting lightweight J frames. He even posted a picture displaying the proper grip. You should check it out.

 

[saltydude]

just bought a 38 special. shooting for the first time today.

first,

Its a 38 special +p I can shoot 38 special right?

second,

is my hand gonna kill?

First: Sure ya can.
Second:From your post sounds like you might have a snubbie. If it's steel, no recoil problems. If it's alluminum, you're going to feel some. If it's scandium, You're going to feel it, even if it's not plus p (depending on model). I know cause I love my little S&W 337PD. The lightest J frame Smith ever built & even factory .38 feels like a bomb going off in your hand.

 

[vellnueve]

With a 642... if your hand kills, you probably should turn in your man card.

 

[WayneWong]

Any thoughts on something like this helping with the recoil?

http://www.gripswell.com/gs33.php

I know, other than "train like you'll fight."

 

[Knuckle Dragger]

I shot a .38spl S&W air weight snubby for the firs time today. It was almost painful and not very enjoyable. I'll keep packing a full-size semi auto, thank you very much.

 

[WEJ 1163]

I found on my Mod. 38 Bodyguard that a Hogue boot grip made it more controllable without making it more difficult to conceal. Shoots remarkably accurate with the right grip.

 

[ochmude]

LOL, I take it you didn't like it. It's cool, good learning experience for you at least.

WTS Smith and Wesson 642 - 38 Special Revolver

 

[M1911]

i just bought a 642 off the classified section.

I find it to be unpleasant. More so with .38 +P. It isn't unbearable, but it isn't a whole lot of fun.

 

[holyroler]

I shot it. Only my pride hurt.

I didn't put it on the paper....well, maybe twice.

 

[DukeInFlorida]

Notice in the following picture, that the +P is right on the barrel.......

If your frame doesn't have that +P on it, then you DO NOT HAVE the +P model, and S&W does NOT suggest that you shoot +P's from it.

If, on the other hand, yours DOES have the +P on the barrel, then congrats, have fun, and shoot all the +P's you want....

So, which model is it????

 

[Larry Legend]

I'm guessing he didn't like it. He's already put up a classified add for it.

I chuckled when I saw it. Wish I had that kinda money.