My 629 is destroying my thumb.

Z

Zak Smith

New member
I recently bought a used S&W 629. I can shoot my "plinker" reloads (180 or 240gr @ 1000 fps) all day, but a small number of full-power loads rips the skin off my right thumb, between the first and second joints, where the top rear-left of the hits it. My thumb turns into a bloody mess of blister after about 15-20 full-power rounds.

Does anyone else have this problem? What can I do to fix it. Is there some way I can change how I hold the revolver?

thanks
Zak
 
same thing if you are getting hit by the cylinder latch-particularly with one handed shooting. This happens with me with 4" barrels, magna or target grips. TheDX combat grips on my mountain gun cancell it very well as to hogue rubber grips. It's not a problem with 800 fps loads. Shooting high thumb works two but it's not what I do with most of my revolvers.
 
Poor thumb

Smithz:
I can still feel the pain. I once owned the original S&W 6 inch blue square grip frame 29 (dirty Harry model) 44 mag about 10-12 years ago. Evertime I went out to shoot 44 mag loads I came home with a sore thumb, macerated bleeding thumb. I tried padded bandaids, shooting gloves, weight lifting gloves, you name it!. I sold the gun. When the 629 came out with the roundback grip frame I found that if I took a low hold on the wood roundback grip I could shoot full powerhouse handloads or factory rounds without blistering the thumb. I still use the shppting glove as much as I can. In my opinion it was the roundback grip that made all the difference.
Herb:)
 
I must hold em wrong. Have yet to be bit by an N frame. I do like the smallest, thinnest grip available, but the stock ones are OK too for me.

Sam
 
Sorry, I forgot to proofread my post. The top left rear of the grip, where it makes the almost right angle down along the backstrap.

This ia a round-butt version 629, and currently wearing a nice Hogue full-butt wood stock. I replaced the rubber monogrip that came on the gun (which produced the same problem, BTW).

I use essentially the same grip as I use on my semi-autos, which means a high thumb. BigG, should I put my thumb on the same side as my fingers, or just lower on the grip?

thanks
Zak
 
I lay my thumb down firmly over the end of the middle finger. I do it the same with all frame sizes from I to N. Amount of thumb/finger overlap depends on grip size. Same with autoloaders.

I only use high thumb with thumb rest target stocks.

Different strokes n all that.

Sam
 
BIG GUNS BAD THUMBS

Was admiring my thumb scars as I reread this post for the fifth time.

What works for me is Pachmayr Decelerators (four Redhawks, two GP's, one M38) combined with a very 'high' grip.
The skin now stays put (but real heavy loads crush my joints).

I shoot virtually always in the DA mode, even when testing. Okay, so the first one out may be SA.......until I know how bad it's gonna be.......
 
And that's why they're called "thumb busters". The Ruger Security Six & Redhawk factory grips skin me the same way. GP100 and Super Redhawk are great as they come. Only thing I found for 29s so far are the Pachmayr rubber grips. I am soon to try Herrett "Jordans" in wood. If it works, I'll post back here.
 
get the thumb down, wrap it around the grip... gotta hold revolvers different than auto's... easy loads don't tell you why... but the Full House loads do... (as you noticed)
 
I am glad I did a search before I posted.

I am looking at a band aid on my right thumb, protecting the area that has no skin because it was gouged out by the cylinder release button on my 638 airweight.

I am gripping the revolver similar to how I grip autos with my thumbs pointing towards the target. In reading this thread so far, it sounds like I should be pointing my strong hand (right) thumb should be pointing down.

I experimented with the thumb down grip and it seemed like it would interfere with my trigger finger. Maybe my thumb was not down far enough.

My thoughts were to have the cylinder release button smoothed out so it would not carve into my thumb. Maybe I should adjust my grip more.
 
Fitz Grips with big thumb rest

Take a look at the Fitz SWM target grip with a big thumb rest that can protect your thumb on a K or N frame Smith or Colt Officers Model. fitz_grips fitz_grips@hotmail.com. They have been in storage for 23 years and this old timer is selling out at 1979 prices
 
Tried Herrett's "Jordan Troopers" on M29, 4". Smooth and fairly wide up by where the sharp angle was at top. Helps take the recoil nicely. A little more hand filling than GP100/Super Redhawk. Positions trigger finger very nicely for DA pull. No padding for hotter loads, Pachmahrs get the edge there.
 
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