Need guidance - my S&W 442 bites me

[PaulL]

A lot. The cylinder release removed a fair chunk from my thumb yesterday. Can I get some grip suggestions? I've got big hands, so I suspect that's a lot of the problem. I know there's a better way, though. I've googled and looked at a few options, but I'm interested in what the membership here has to say.

I'd also like to know if there are any favorite 'smiths out there who can properly smooth and maybe (BIG maybe) lighten the trigger for me. My wife struggles with the trigger weight, and I want her to be able to shoot it well. She's very good with semi-autos and a good shooter in general, but she just doesn't have the finger for the 442. If practice is the best solution, that's fine - I'd like to know that, too.

Other than those issues, it's a great gun. I'm surprised at how accurate the short barrel is. I was shooting 2 inch squares consistently at 7-8 yds. It fits great in a pocket, as well. I prefer this to the .380 offerings I've owned.

[willowofwisp]

Do you mean the cylinder release? If so try and move your thumb over. For the trigger wait another month or two and apex is releasing a drop in trigger kit.

[Sam]

The cylinder release bite is common, especially among the lightweight J frames. If you feel up to it, you can polish the lower edge and corner of the cylinder release, that should cure the problem. If not, any competent gunsmith can defang the latch for you.

[PaulL]

Thanks, I may try getting the release re-shaped a little.

Moving the thumb is not that easy for me. It's a bigass thumb...

[John_Wayne777]

I would suggest going on the Shooting USA website and looking for the revolver lessons written up by Jerry Michulek. He uses a j frame grip technique that is, in my opinion, the best small gun grip out there. It offers a level of control you just can't get with any other grip. As an added bonus, since using that grip I haven't been bitten by the cylinder release.

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[LHS]

When I got my first J-frame, I got a rude awakening regarding thumb bite. I just started shifting my thumb to the left, and solved the issue.

As for lightening the trigger, check out Nelson Ford in Phoenix. The man does wonders with J-frames (or any S&W wheelgun, for that matter). A friend of mine has a DAO heavy-barrel Model 10-8 .38 that is just slicker than snot, thanks to Nelson. My J-frame is night-and-day better after a visit to his shop, and the turn-around time was pretty good too.

[John_Wayne777]

This is a decent picture of the grip I mentioned:



Video of Jerry explaining the grip:

http://www.myoutdoortv.com/shooting/...-revolver-grip'

I modify it slightly by placing my left thumb slightly below the base of my right thumb. This helps ensure clearance when I'm shooting my LCP and helps lock down even further on the 442. This grip is also great for ensuring you can operate the laser button on the Crimson Trace LG-105 grips.

[mariodsantana]

I'd also like to know if there are any favorite 'smiths out there who can properly smooth and maybe (BIG maybe) lighten the trigger for me. My wife struggles with the trigger weight, and I want her to be able to shoot it well. She's very good with semi-autos and a good shooter in general, but she just doesn't have the finger for the 442. If practice is the best solution, that's fine - I'd like to know that, too.

I had this same problem. I was surprised by how easy and beneficial the fix was: lots of dry-fire! When I started dry-firing daily, I would use my EDC semi-auto for 10 minutes in the morning, and the J frame in the evenings. That difficult trigger is a great workout, and keeping an empty 38spl case balanced on top of the gun is pretty difficult at first!

In any case, after a few weeks of daily dry-fire, maybe 3K trigger presses total, I started to suspect that the trigger was lighter. My wife can now pull that trigger with no problem. She still hates shooting that gun, though. I hate shooting it, too, but it's a hell of a good teacher!

[.45fmjoe]

A lot. The cylinder release removed a fair chunk from my thumb yesterday. Can I get some grip suggestions? I've got big hands, so I suspect that's a lot of the problem. I know there's a better way, though. I've googled and looked at a few options, but I'm interested in what the membership here has to say.

I'd also like to know if there are any favorite 'smiths out there who can properly smooth and maybe (BIG maybe) lighten the trigger for me. My wife struggles with the trigger weight, and I want her to be able to shoot it well. She's very good with semi-autos and a good shooter in general, but she just doesn't have the finger for the 442. If practice is the best solution, that's fine - I'd like to know that, too.

Other than those issues, it's a great gun. I'm surprised at how accurate the short barrel is. I was shooting 2 inch squares consistently at 7-8 yds. It fits great in a pocket, as well. I prefer this to the .380 offerings I've owned.

Send it to S&W for a factory action job. One of their gunsmiths, Gene, did an amazing job on my 27-2.

[snappy]

This is a decent picture of the grip I mentioned:



Video of Jerry explaining the grip:

http://www.myoutdoortv.com/shooting/...-revolver-grip'

I modify it slightly by placing my left thumb slightly below the base of my right thumb. This helps ensure clearance when I'm shooting my LCP and helps lock down even further on the 442. This grip is also great for ensuring you can operate the laser button on the Crimson Trace LG-105 grips.

This grip made all the difference for me, and the trigger pull has definately smoothed/lightened with practice as well. The accuracy of the little barrel is impressive! Love my 442.