S&W 642 revolver is burning my thumbs like crazy

[daveshrews]

I have a fairly new Smith and Wesson Airweight 642, and every time I shoot it I can feel hot gases coming out and they eventually cause burns to my grip hand. It's been bad enough to cause bleeding on my thumb. (I shoot left-handed, for what it's worth.) I don't shoot hot loads... just standard PMC and American Eagle ammo, and I don't necessarily think my grip is to blame, although I don't know what else it could be. Here's my regular grip:
http://imgur.com/Y2AbB.png (pardon the gloves... I was tired of getting my hands whalloped)

Even though I have big hands, I know my thumb doesn't get in front of the cylinder at all. Are there other places that hot gases would be escaping that would burn me?

Is there anything I should try, or should I send it back to Smith and Wesson for service?

Here's another pic of the gun after shooting... it looks like the only hot areas are the front of the cylinder. http://i.imgur.com/siZcd.jpg

Here's a slow-motion video of me firing a couple rounds at the range: http://drop.io/rguns1234

 

[yanici]

It sounds like the 642 might be shaving the bullet and you're getting the spit from it on your thumb. This would be caused by the cylinder just a bit out of alignment with the forcing cone. The fix would be to hav S&W check it out. A smith could check it with a rod if you want to go that way. Personally I like S&W customer service and would use them.

 

[one-eyed Jack]

Too large a cylinder gap? Do you have feeler gages? Jack.

 

[daveshrews]

Too large a cylinder gap? Do you have feeler gages? Jack.

Unfortunately I do not... I inspected the cylinder gap and compared it to pictures of other 642's... I realize that's not exactly a scientific method but nothing seems out of place at all. I also compared it to my older Model 36 Chief's Special and the gap size looks the same to my eyes.

I'll probably end up sending it to S&W and having them take a look at it.

 

[yanici]

Too large a cylinder gap? Do you have feeler gages? Jack.

Good call. Do you know what the gap is supposed to be? I'm too lazy to search the S&W Forum.

 

[daveshrews]

Oh wow, I just did a search for issues with the cylinder gap, and I'm seeing similar problems with other revolvers (not this one yet though) really ripping up people's hands. That could very well be my problem!

 

[one-eyed Jack]

Good call. Do you know what the gap is supposed to be? I'm too lazy to search the S&W Forum.

You can get that from S&W. I have feeler gages because I used to need them to set the spark plug and points gaps on my vehicles. Remember those days? I you have mics, you can measure "thin" things to shove into the gap. Jack

 

[Len-2A Training]

Call S&W Customer Service. They will send you prepaid label to ship it to them with a letter explaining the problem. They will correct it, regardless of the cause and it will cost you Nothing!

 

[daveshrews]

Call S&W Customer Service. They will send you prepaid label to ship it to them with a letter explaining the problem. They will correct it, regardless of the cause and it will cost you Nothing!

I just did exactly that. I'll be shipping it back as soon as I get the label, and will post an update and let you guys know what they say. Thanks!

 

[geno1077]

I have S & W 642 and never had that issue. They do have good customer service though!!! Good luck with it. I think it is a great gun!!!

 

[ptanks56]

automotive feeler gauges can be had for a few dollars. Or a buddy next door may have a set.
Tank

 

[Jasper]

ive got 6 or 7 thousand rounds through my 642, never an issue like this.

although you are holding that thing LOW. it's a centennial, no hammer to worry about nabbing your hand, get right up on that thing, nice high grip (help with recoil too)

 

[JimB]

your doing the right thing sending it back.

 

[RichM]

I've got 6 or 7 thousand rounds through my 642, never an issue like this.

although you are holding that thing LOW. it's a centennial, no hammer to worry about nabbing your hand, get right up on that thing, nice high grip (help with recoil too)

That was going to be my comment as well. The higher you can grip the revolver, the better you will manage the recoil (I know, that was not what your question was). With a higher grip, your wrist will not be cocked as much, and the recoil will force the gun back into your hand better, instead of trying to flip the gun up and out of your grip.

Was your original thumb issue with your shooting thumb or your support thumb? In the pics & video you were shooting only with a one-handed grip.

I wonder if you were simply hitting a nerve with each shot and feeling a non-existent burn? Looking at your picture of the revolver after a range session, I don't see any unusual discoloration from heat or gasses.