Some Shooting Today

[CZ93X62]

I took 2 previously-unfired handguns out today for their maiden voyages--the S&W Model 642-1 x 38 Special +P and the Ruger Single-Six #0662 (S/S, 7.5" barrel, scope rings and dovetailed barrel rib) with 22 WMR cylinder in place.

642--This little monster reminded me why I put Pachmayr grips on J-frame 38s and DON'T shoot J-frame 357s. The thumb latch bit the daylights out of my thumb's inboard surface. That new-pattern angled surface on the knurling doesn't help. I fired 50 rounds of #358429 atop 4.5 grains of WW-231, which is a semi-healthy load for a 163 grain SWC. They barked and bucked as expected. Hurry up, Pachmayr Compacs.

Ruger Single-Six--As usual, the plow-handle grips are way too small for my big ol' hands, but I still managed to keep the dinger plate clanking at 25 and 50 yards. 50 rounds of W-W 40 grain soft points made me happy. I doubt that the convertible's 22 LR cylinder will ever get usage. Its iron sights SUCK, IMHO.

 

[Ian]

That thumb latch won't bite you if you use the other hand

My first left-handed bolt action rifle took some getting used to. Who knew the other 85% of the world had to deal with that stupid bolt knob digging into their trigger finger knuckle?

 

[RBHarter]

The first time out with my first lefty I caught myself reaching over the scope with my right hand to run the bolt ..........

 

[david s]

Also being port sided I came to appreciate the Ruger 77 and No.1's with there tang safety's. Also lever guns and Remington 14's. I have a Remington XP-100 that works just fine for me but confuses most righties. This shouldn't be as it's a right handed action. But there it is.

 

[Bret4207]

I was never able to do much good work with my SSx32 Mag, and it's got the 9.5" barrel. I ended up putting an ancient Bushnell Phantom 1.3x scope on it to see if it was the sights or the loads. It was the loads! I have yet to find anything that makes that gun sit up and fly right. Shortly after I got the K32 and the SS sits in the dark to this day.

Little light guns and mag loads definitely get your attention, don't they?

 

[CZ93X62]

Little light guns and mag loads definitely get your attention, don't they?

No kidding. +P 38 loads are no day at the beach, either. We shall see if Pachmayr Compacs will work for the usual pants-pocket carry I give this noisy little monster, or if I am destined to chew my hands up when using the thing IRL, God forbid the necessity.

 

[Rick H]

Can you take a file/stone to those thumb latch serrations to dull them a bit? As a recruit I was issued a Model 66 with a serrated/grooved trigger that tore me to shreds shooting and dry firing it. I took a file and sand paper to it to make it livable.

 

[freebullet]

I've done that, even to plastic components. No sense having it tear your hands up.

 

[CZ93X62]

Filing or smoothing won't be my first reaction to this issue, re-positioning my strong-hand thumb might suffice, as might aftermarket gripsets. S&W had a really good thing going with their flat-latch thumb pieces, something like that would be a good idea. I don't imagine that such items grow on trees, though.

ETA--Well, I'll be powder-coated. Jack First actually has used flat-latch thumb pieces for sale. These attach differently than present OEM parts do, though. They also stock the straight-push thumbpiece, which mounts like the OEM angled thumbpiece does (cap nut). There are some options to explore, to include the Pachs.

I did get the guns we fired yesterday cleaned and secured. That done, I got the bench cleared enough to actually load some long-delayed 22-250 and 22 Hornet ammo. Manana!

 

[Ian]

Brownells has replacements for $40 if you decide to go the modification route with option to return to original.

 

[Bret4207]

Can you take a file/stone to those thumb latch serrations to dull them a bit? As a recruit I was issued a Model 66 with a serrated/grooved trigger that tore me to shreds shooting and dry firing it. I took a file and sand paper to it to make it livable.

That would have been grounds for charges and a week on the beach at my old agency!

 

[Rick H]

That would have been grounds for charges and a week on the beach at my old agency!

I hear you, didn't remove them, just "dulled them a bit". They never noticed and its too late to gig me now.