There is a price to pay for shooting those big boomers over decades. You can't tell the youngsters because they know it all and are full of testosterone. You are luck it is just your thumb. This kind of stuff can also do a number on your elbow tendons. My "big gun" now is a 45 Automatic of the Colt variety.

Art has invaded my left thumb, right hand has a swollen "median nerve" that Dr. hasn't been able to resolve, physical strength is suffering and front sight wobble is a real problem...getting old brings these things. But I still get to shoot
Carry on Brother.

OK you guys, don't think I'm nutty for suggesting this - I didn't think it would work until I tried it. I began having arthritis pain in my left thumb joint a few years ago, likely stemming from an old injury. After trying numerous remedies, none of which worked, I made a bracelet out of twisted copper wire and began wearing it on my left wrist. It seemed to help a little. Then I found a copper ring that was large enough to fit on the affected thumb. After wearing both the ring and the bracelet for a few days the pain in the joint subsided and I have had very little trouble with it since. I've since upgraded to some better-looking copper jewelry than my homemade stuff.

I know this sounds like witchdoctor hoodoo, but danged if it doesn't seem to work. If I were to take a SWAG about how it works, I would say that the two copper objects set up a weak galvanic current between them that runs through the affected joint and somehow reduces the pain and swelling.

Good luck in your battle with old Arthur. Gettin' old ain't much fun but it beats the alternative!

I experienced"trigger finger" earlier this year and it drastically affects how I shoot. As a result, I've played with several different grips with which I can keep shooting my j-frames effectively.

The discontinued Fitz Gunfighters are a close second in terms of comfort and shootability to the radical Delta Ergo Grip. I need to do some more shooting before deciding what grip to keep on which gun.

Note how much of the gap behind the trigger is filled, to the bottom of the rear of the trigger guard, however, the belt-and-suspenders Tyler k-frame adapter and Herrett Shooting Aces actually feel pretty good if my little finger is tucked under the bottom of the grip.

Recoil has also become a problem and the heaviest loads I shoot in the 640 PRO are 38Spl +P's, no 357's. The alloy M37 and 2 flat latch j-frames shoot only factory 148gr HBWC's, which are also my carry loads in those guns. I'll occasionally shoot heavier loads in the Model 60, mostly standard 158 SWC or 130 FMJ's.

And my big bore handgun which I shoot is a lightweight Commander with 185 gr SWC midrange target loads.

It may be just a spice, but it really does works for Arthritis pain and inflammation.