Arthritis changes things

[Haycreek]

This year arthritis has effected me in several places, including my hands and wrists. This has forced me to be limited to certain handguns that are easier to operate with arthritis.I find Glocks and 1911's are easier than some other handguns. Recoil becomes more of a problem now. I've enjoyed 44 mags and 357 sigs in the past, but now a 38 wadcutter in my 4 inch S&W is more comfortable. Double action trigger pull, racking some slides and loading some magazines, now becomes a problem. Have any of you been faced with this problem, and how did you solve it? My revolvers have action jobs, with lighter than normal DA triggers, they are also easier to load. My 4 inch S&W 64 is carried more now. thanks

 

[carpenter]

I use wrist braces of varying configurations, ranging from full wrist splints (for heavy recoiling semi autos with poor ergonomics) to a simple sports wrist wrap.

Plus I take Ibuprofin before I go to the range.

The affected area is still sensitive, but I can shoot whatever I want.

 

[TonyB]

I've been battling arthritis since 1986.....I've tried very possible medication too.....I'm now on steroids.Anyway.....because of the effect on my hands,I grip handguns differently.....also some autos(like 1911's)w/ beavertails beat the crap out of my thumb nuckle.I shoot mostly 9mm,38 and .45 and don't have a huge problem.I did shoot my airweight at idpa a few weeks ago,and shot about 100 rounds..that was a bit much and I paid the price that week.It may take a while to find comfortable shooting procedures.I have rubber grips on all my guns(except my glock)for one thing....I shoot very little 357's in my 357.I had the beavertail taken off my Taurus pt945 by gun smith(best idea I ever had)......I don't use gloves(yet)...also when shooting IDPA,I can't kneel or move as well as others.....in matches I tell the ro this,and take the procedural penalty for not kneeling.It usually works out to my advantage anyway,time wise.
Arthritis effects people in diferent ways,some can;t shoot autos,some can't shoot revolvers...I say don't give up,try as many different guns as possible if you can.Hey,there's always 22's..better thahn a sharp stick......
also long guns are out for me(bummer)I dont have the range of motion to grip the fore stock(unless it's a pistol grip type)I can't manipulate a pump that good either....but I'm more of a handgun guy anyway....good luck.

 

[Lonestar49]

Hopefully, something new in the near future for us

...

Oh yes, youth, desert motorcycle racing, crashes, sport injuries, twist and sprains, it's all been coming home for the last 10yrs. Had a great handle on it with Vioxx, but of course, those that took the path, more is better, and had known heart conditions ruined it for those of us that used it "as prescribed" and it worked like a charm, 24/7 when needed.

Well, using Celebrex now, nothing really to celebrate about using it twice a day, as it kinda works, sometimes, for so long, but life goes on..



All I can say is ~ the older one gets, the better it was ~



LS

 

[40SW]

Sorry to hear about your illness. I see what you are going through all the time. As an NRA certified pistol instructor in Florida, I have alot of students who are seniors and have arthritis. Many utilize Pachmayer and Hogue grips on their revolvers to help absorb recoil, Hey!!!, there is absolutely nothing wrong with a fine load in a .38 spcl +P or a .38 spcl SWC. I never feel undergunned carrying a Smith J Frame or a Taurus Clone. I always carry extra speed loaders , so I actually have one full cylinder and 2 speedloaders in a double uncle mikes pouch, so thats 15 rds total.
Its funny, I always hear this from new students who take the Florida Concealed Carry Course, ( NRA First Steps or Basic equivalent), that the gun shop owner told them, " you should carry at least a .40SW or a .45ACP), but I always tell the student, "Hey!!, if you can't accurately fire a .40SW or a.45ACP because of muscular or arthritic issues, why have a gun that you can never trully become proficient with?, better a .32H&R or a .38spcl than no gun at all!!!, am I right.!!!??!!!", heck, I carry a 10mm Glock 20 as my primary and back it up with a Smith J Frame, but I am only 38 years old and have my strength, If I had arthritis and similar issues, I would probably carry a revolver due to the dexterity it takes to rack a slide and I would have a nicely loaded .38+P or .38SWC. I wish you all the best, and you did the right thing, no use agrivating your medical condition by firing .357 full house loads and .40SW, better to have a gun that you can be proficient with, then to agrivate yourself physiologically and psychologically. I wish you all the best. You did the right thing.

 

[DogBonz]

tip op barrels

my grandmother was a shooter all of her life. When she got older, my father bought he a Beretta with a tip up barrel. It made loading and unloading much easier for her.

 

[40SW]

DogBonz:
I love those little tip up Berettas, They come in .22LR, .25ACP, .32ACP, and some also in .380ACP. Great BUGS, better to have one of those than no gun at all.

 

[Ron James]

There is a simple recoil reducer that will replace the standard bushing on a 1911. The last place I saw them advertised I believe was Cheaper than Dirt ( about 20-25 bucks). They don't work for the intended purpose, however they work great for someone who has trouble racking the slide of a 1911. Place the muzzle/reducer against any hard surface , push the grip, instant cambering. ( of course with finger off the trigger). I brought one for a friend with arthritis and he's still thanking me.

 

[CWL]

I see nothing wrong with wheelie guns. Are you using pachymeyer type rubber grips to help dampen felt recoil?

 

[Haycreek]

Arthritis changes things

Thanks for the responses, the only Hogue grips that I have today are on a S&W 4 inch 629, one of my favorites, especially with 240 gr swc lead, at 900 feet per sec. The other is on a very good Ruger Speed Six 4 inch. The grips really helped both. The S&W 64 4inch has is excellent, and has S&W wood grips that needs rubber grips, perhaps with the laser. Someone mentioned the .22 cal, 10 accurate, fired very fast from a ruger should be effective ! I won't give up on 1911's, perhaps loaded a little lighter, maybe with a lighter recoil spring, or a Glock set up the same way.All my revolvers and pistols have action jobs,and are smoth, that has helped. I don't plan on stopping shooting, I may adjust the handguns to my condition. I am 72 years old and have used 1911's since our Uncle furnished me one when I was 18. Can"t stop now.

 

[Alphazulu6]

My father is up there 70+ and he cannot use autos. So he keeps a nice 38 +P revolver and for him thats perfect.

 

[Geronimo45]

You looked at replacing the firing pin stop with one bevelled at a different angle? Xavier's got an article on it, and I think there's a sticky on the 1911 forum on the subject... An angle closer to 45 degrees creates more resistance twixt hammer and slide when the slide is going backwards - thus using the hammer spring more effectively to reduce recoil. Seems to work pretty well for some folks.

 

[Dgindlesperger]

soory to red about things as they are. I had kneck surgery to take out to disc because of numbness and pain in my hands. Doc says it take up to a year for the nerves to heal. So for now I can shoot about anything but 1 out of 3 shots are on the money, the rest are a few inches off. Sucks to look at targets from a year ago and now, but atleast mine will get better, best of luck to you.

 

[BullfrogKen]

I have a problem shooting semi-autos when I'm dealing with hand and wrist problems. I have stopped carrying my 1911s because I don't feel I carry reliably shoot them for defensive purposes. I can induce a jam limp wristing it. I have been carrying Colt D frames lately.

A 1911 in 38 Super or 9mm might be something you can shoot without punishment.


Steroids clears it up for me, but those aren't long term solutions.


I view and use my guns primarily as defensive tools. So, I guess I just improvise and use what I can make work.

 

[Gary G23]

I can feel your pain. My doctor recommended thumb joint replacement five years ago. I'm still afraid of that option.

 

[Gator]

I hear you, Haycreek! In my case the arthritis is in my back and knees and makes it very difficult to get to the range anymore. It has gotten a lot worse in the past two years and loading up the van and carrying all that gear just isn't fun anymore.