Risk of Injury from Concealed Carry

[Kleanbore]

Recently, three female friends of ours were involved in two serious automobile collisions that destroyed their cars. Airbags deployed, but the shoulder belts caused severe bruising and broken ribs. I do not know ifeither car was equipped with belt pre-tensioners.

It has occurred to me that if one were inan accident with a belt over a concealed handgun, the injury could be rather serious. Just a thought for discussion here.

On a related subjuect, a little over five years ago I had open heart surgery. For a peoid of time my slide-racking stenght was impaire--I could not rack the slid of my XDS 9 4.0, but I could manage with my STI Guardian .45. The problem was that the holsster I had for the .45 is a Milt Sparks IWB holster. I prefer OWB carry.

I happened to slide feet-first down a flight of stairs. The grip of the gun caught on every step, and the holstered pistol did a number on my ribs. There were no fractures, but there was severe bruising. The doctor predicted that it would hurt for a couple of months.

Sixty moths was more like it. I'm finally getting over it, after a lot of physical therapy.

I carry a Smith and Wesson EZ 9 in a Crossbreed Super Slide holster. The injury was behind 3 o'clock, so I carry in front of that. The EZ 9 is flat and light and is comfortable for concealed carry OWB. I have to be careful to not twist my back wrong.

If you can learn from this or have any comments....

For some time, I chose to not carry whan heading across the street on an icy day, to avoid the risk of falling on the gun. More recently, walking on any kind of less than ideal surface is to be avoided.

As I said, a slim semi-auto is preferable for carry for me, but I have always had a strong affinity for service-sized double action revolvers. I think the weight might cause my back problems to recur. And it occurs to me that the impact of the cylinder in a fall or collision could be an issue.

Thoughts?

 

[jar]

Getting old ain't for sissies.

But it can provide humor for some, too often not you though.

Trying to get mobile after an extended stay in the hospital so I tried to ride my bike. Foot slipped and down I went with the bike tangled up with my legs ...

... and the garage door opener in the pocket that was on the bottom of the pile. Every attempt to get untangled seemed to push the button so the garage door was in worse spasms than I.

Several of my neighbors (55 & Older community) did offer help and advice. And enjoyed the show.

 

[Pudge]

Kleanbore, I've found that a revolver carries well for me iwb at about 11:00-11:30. Standing, sitting, riding in a car... I can't imagine falling on it. I frequently carry a 3" K frame. A Simply Rugged pancake holster with the iwb straps is most comfortable for me.

 

[Jonesy814]

My back is in rough shape. Have vertebrae fused, and degenerative disc disease. I can carry my Shield OWB but anything heavier doesn’t cut it for all day carry. An Airweight J frame in my pocket works well for me though and I’m not even all that old (60).

 

[Bill_in_TR]

Very interesting post. The only intelligent comment I can make is that it makes me aware of a potential problem I hadn't actually considered before with regards to concealed carry. Old guy here and I too have been through open heart bypass surgery. But it seems the kind of problem you point out could potentially happen to anyone, young or old. It is more likely to happen to us older less robust folks I suppose. I will have to give some thought to my carry habits with this in mind.

 

[nettlle]

A gun is no different than a chainsaw, weed eater, running a tractor with equipment, etc. If I don't feel up to par I set these things aside until things improve.

 

[JimCunn]

I'm only 81, so when I trip and fall, I just get back up and truck on.

 

[chicharrones]

Truthfully, I don’t think much about a firearm hurting me in everyday carry.

I’ve been injured in car wrecks, motorcycle wrecks, on the job, playing sports . . . just seems like the possibility of getting injured going through life is part of life.

My biggest challenge has been increasing my ambidextrous abilities over the last 30 years due to waiting for injuries to heal. I tweaked my right elbow something fierce three months ago on the job, and I’m still nursing it. I’ve been using my left arm and hand much more in the meantime. Shooting included.

 

[jstert]

i haven’t fallen on one but i do like the bond arms derringer for hiking up a nearby rocky trail. it is flat and tough (albeit an expensive niche piece). in a fully enclosed holster its smaller profile is less likely to hurt me if i fall on it. all of this is theory though.

a good holster system is key.

 

[Tallball]

Yes. You could get hurt that way. Putting the CC in the console when you're going to be driving a ways is something to consider. Not carrying right next to the hip bones when walking on icy pavement is another.

 

[JDeere]

I'm only 81, so when I trip and fall, I just get back up and truck on.

I'm not quite there with you yet but that's how I roll. Drives my wife crazy sometimes. If I'm going to carry it's going to be right where I need it and not worry about the what ifs...

 

[Ironicaintit]

Not carrying right next to the hip bones when walking on icy pavement is another

Oh man I did that. Slipped and fell right on my Hipower. That sucked! My hip was sore for a couple of days. I still carry it there though

 

[12Bravo20]

There are risks of being injured from your handgun during an accident no matter what you do or how you carry. Each person needs to weigh the risks for themselves and make their decisions. I never let things such as an accident stop me from carrying in a vehicle or on motorcycles. And yes I did go down once on a motorcycle while carrying.

 

[JTQ]

I don't know if pictures will show for non-members, but this guy hit a Ford F150 while riding a motorcycle at 45 MPH, with a SIG P220 holstered IWB in a Mitch Rosen ARG-DL. He got some pretty heavy bruising, and his holster took some damage, but the gun stayed secure in the holster.

carrying on your scoot...

there are all kinds of ideas for carrying on your motorcycle, and just like any weapon the holster, belt and dress are considerations. on body carry, off body carry. some bikes have bags, seating position cruiser vs. touring or sport bike etc. and of course the way you carry normally. I...

forum.m1911.org

 

[chicharrones]

I don't know if pictures will show for non-members, but this guy hit a Ford F150 while riding a motorcycle at 45 MPH, with a SIG P220 holstered IWB in a Mitch Rosen ARG-DL. He got some pretty heavy bruising, and his holster took some damage, but the gun stayed secure in the holster.

carrying on your scoot...

there are all kinds of ideas for carrying on your motorcycle, and just like any weapon the holster, belt and dress are considerations. on body carry, off body carry. some bikes have bags, seating position cruiser vs. touring or sport bike etc. and of course the way you carry normally. I...

forum.m1911.org

Luckily, it looks like the gun and holster prevented the rider from getting road rash on his side.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

Considering my preferred armpit carry, most injury scenarios I can envision where the gun could be factor would probably involve broken ribs even if I wasn't carrying. The gun might even take a bullet for me, like the proverbial pocket watch, bible or cigarette case.

Something I'm more concerned about is how I carry my cellphone. When damaged, some lithium batteries can ignite fiercely, almost explosively. I put my phone on the passengers seat or center console when driving.

 

[jar]

Remember maybe the greatest cowboy star of all time was killed by his suitcase while riding his Cord.

 

[Pat Riot]

This is a good discussion @Kleanbore
Thanks for bringing it up.

I never considered how I carried my handguns in relation to what could happen in an accident or incident.
In 2017 I had a motorcycle crash. Normally I wore a heavy leather jacket and I carried my S&W 442 in an inside Napoleon pocket that put my revolver against my rib cage to the left of my heart. But on this day I chose to wear a Wrangler blue denim jacket. My revolver rode in a pocket holster in an internal pocket resting against my lower left abdomen.
I broke a few bones in my accident including 6 ribs on the right side. Had I worn the leather jacket I probably would have had more broken ribs on the left side.
Since then I definitely consider how I carry my guns in relation to what could happen in an accident.

 

[Kleanbore]

This is a good discussion @Kleanbore

Thanks!

I never considered how I carried my handguns in relation to what could happen in an accident or incident.

Nor had I, except to avoid small-of-the back carry.

 

[Mosin77]

Slightly OT but it’s nice to hear so many of us are motorcyclists.

I always figure my CCW piece has as much chance of helping me as hurting me should I have some kind of accident. I fell on my keister a few years ago going down some icy back stairs, which I throw out there lest anyone think this is only a concern for those of more advanced years. Gun didn’t get hurt (or hurt me) but that was a main and immediate concern.

 

[Barmcd]

In 2022, I hit a deer while riding my motorcycle in West Texas. I had a Springfield XD-S in an IWB holster on my right side and a spare magazine on my left attached to my belt. I don’t remember anything of that day nor the next two until I woke up in the hospital being lifted out of bed to go get more x-rays.

I had six ribs broken, several with displaced fractures, a shattered clavicle, collapsed lung and severe concussion. I also had severe contusions where the gun and magazine were riding when I went down. I would have sworn my right hip was broken, but it was just badly bruised. It took me a couple of weeks to stop limping.

The speed limit was 75 mph so I was going at least that fast given my riding habits. It was in a very isolated and dry area. The bike slid over 100’ and from the looks of my helmet, I went with it most of the way. I ride with motorcycle specific boots, Kevlar lined riding pants, an armored jacket, gloves and full face helmet. The gear took a beating, but I didn’t have any road rash.

I called 911 myself so at one point I was conscious. A DPS trooper showed up pretty quickly, but EMS took almost an hour to respond from time of the 911 call. Not one other car came by in that time.

My take is that yes, your weapon certainly can harm you in an accident, but I still carry when I ride. My gun and magazine stayed where I wore the throughout my wild ride.

 

[doubleh]

I'm only 81, so when I trip and fall, I just get back up and truck on.

I did the same at 81. I was still climbing ladders although having to wade through a lot of flack from my wife, children, and one doctor. Now that I am 86 I have become much more careful of what I do. Truckin' on gets more difficult with each passing year. A person's physical uphill climb is a low slope, then we hit a plateau, and then onto an increasingly steep downhill drop or least I have. Now I bruise with just a hard look. When I hit the 70 year mark I gave my Harley to my son and my bicycle to a neighbor kid. I recognized my limits. I am paying the consequenses of an active life now and am using a walker or sometimes just a cane to get around. It is no fun at all. I no longer carry as my gun hand is my cane hand.

 

[wayneinFL]

Remember maybe the greatest cowboy star of all time was killed by his suitcase while riding his Cord.

Tom Mix? I had to look that one up. I knew it had to be a long time ago if he was driving a Cord.

For the OP, I avoid carrying on the hip whenever I'm doing anything really physical. Or driving. If I am driving, the pistol is usually in a console, or it's far enough back on my belt it's behind the seat belt.

 

[Kleanbore]

If I am driving, the pistol is usually in a console, or it's far enough back on my belt it's behind the seat belt.

Sounds prudent.

 

[jar]

Tom Mix? I had to look that one up. I knew it had to be a long time ago if he was driving a Cord.

For the OP, I avoid carrying on the hip whenever I'm doing anything really physical. Or driving. If I am driving, the pistol is usually in a console, or it's far enough back on my belt it's behind the seat belt.

He should have been with Tony.