Risk of Injury from Concealed Carry
- Thread starter Kleanbore
- Start date
My ccw causing damage during a motorcycle wreck has been a fear of mine for while now, actually since my last encounter with a deer about 8 years ago. I was lucky in that I didn't have any serious injuries but like you I would have sworn that I broke my hip where my 1911 was at too. I did have a spectacular bruise that sort of vaguely resembled the shape of the gun until it spread to cover almost everything from my lowest rib to my knee. Now that I've moved to appendix carry, I don't think that I will have an issue with that but I'm also not willing to intentionally test that theory.
Charlie98
Member
I've been injured by my carry piece. I have an old Alessi shoulder holster, not unlike the Miami Classic by Galco, for my .45's. I don't tether the pistol side. I realized that was a bad idea when I bent over to do something... and.... WHACK! ...that thing swung around on the straps and smacked me in the chops! I started wearing it a little 'higher and tighter' after that, which eliminated some of that tendency.
In all seriousness, however, I could see where a pistol could cause further injury in an accident/fall/tumble, etc. I also ride a motorcycle, and given the current state of where I live, I ride armed. I've tried different holster positions, but none of them really guard against potential injury... it is what it is. I carry for a reason, and it doesn't make sense to negate the access of a firearm by stashing it somewhere I can't get to in a hurry. I'm back to wearing it at 3 O'clock'ish like I always do.
It does bring up another point, however... firearm retention. None of my normal carry holsters have a retention strap, and I do worry about the butt of the pistol catching in the jacket and unholstering. I'll need to fix that... even if it's something like one of those crappy Uncle Mike's universal paper sack holsters... at least it has a snap retention strap.
In all seriousness, however, I could see where a pistol could cause further injury in an accident/fall/tumble, etc. I also ride a motorcycle, and given the current state of where I live, I ride armed. I've tried different holster positions, but none of them really guard against potential injury... it is what it is. I carry for a reason, and it doesn't make sense to negate the access of a firearm by stashing it somewhere I can't get to in a hurry. I'm back to wearing it at 3 O'clock'ish like I always do.
It does bring up another point, however... firearm retention. None of my normal carry holsters have a retention strap, and I do worry about the butt of the pistol catching in the jacket and unholstering. I'll need to fix that... even if it's something like one of those crappy Uncle Mike's universal paper sack holsters... at least it has a snap retention strap.
Simple Shooter
Member
Great post. Most of us don’t think about the orthopedic problems that can be caused by carrying a big chunk of metal up against the body.
I once slipped on icy steps while responding to a call. This forced a Colt SF-VI in an ankle holster into said ankle, causing a fracture.
I once slipped on icy steps while responding to a call. This forced a Colt SF-VI in an ankle holster into said ankle, causing a fracture.
GHinNH
Member
I carry all day every day and it never leaves my IWB at 4oclock position. Am getting older and have my share of "issues" but I work around them and haven't stopped being active and outdoors as much as possible with zero plans to stop ...ever...
One minute I'm rolling around underneath a vehicle, next I'm loading my trailer and truck off to do some chore or favor, the list goes on and on. I slip on wet concrete, snow, Ice, do a split or hit the floor/ground entirely, trip and all the other usual occurrences that happen when living actively.
When I drive or anything else it stays holstered because I don't want it flying around loaded in the event of an accident. I do take it off sometimes IF I'm in the garage for an extended period working underneath a vehicle, but that's about it.
I'm all for mitigating known risk, but never been much on speculation and worrying about what MIGHT happen, I just live my life.
People start that coulda-shoulda-woulda-maybe-might stuff and my usual response is,
Yeah.. well monkeys COULD fly outta my butt, but it's not likely.
One minute I'm rolling around underneath a vehicle, next I'm loading my trailer and truck off to do some chore or favor, the list goes on and on. I slip on wet concrete, snow, Ice, do a split or hit the floor/ground entirely, trip and all the other usual occurrences that happen when living actively.
When I drive or anything else it stays holstered because I don't want it flying around loaded in the event of an accident. I do take it off sometimes IF I'm in the garage for an extended period working underneath a vehicle, but that's about it.
I'm all for mitigating known risk, but never been much on speculation and worrying about what MIGHT happen, I just live my life.
People start that coulda-shoulda-woulda-maybe-might stuff and my usual response is,
Yeah.. well monkeys COULD fly outta my butt, but it's not likely.
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Twisted Chemist
Member
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- Nov 23, 2021
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- 140
I feel your pain, in the most literal sense. Bulging disk, DDD etc... etc... My EDC is a Shield in a DeSantis pocket holster. Light, easy to shoot but a little stiff to rack. Would like to try an OWB holster so the weapon is accessible while seated. I would really like to carry a 1911 but it keeps pulling my pants down.
buck460XVR
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- Feb 6, 2007
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- 10,085
Yep, and there have been a myriad of threads here regarding how to safely carry when riding. Most have been about increased chance of injury from the weapon when putting the bike down. Still, the risk of injury from a carry weapon is the least of my worries, as compared to the comfort of the carry and the accessibility and the ability to draw the weapon. Of all the possible methods of carrying, I would think ankle carry would have the least chance of a serious injury in a fall or vehicle crash. But since one never knows the scenario of an accident, it would be virtually impossible to determine what body placement would be best.
JMTCs.
jmorris
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- Sep 30, 2005
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- 24,211
Getting old sucks but it beats the alternative. I do miss those days when I could injure myself and watch it disappear before my eyes.…or was that a movie…
Charlie98
Member
That's kind of what I decided. I wear my helmet all the time... I can't put it on just prior to an accident, in much the same way I don't carry my pistol in a tank bag... and instinctively know when I need to dig it out for defense.
It's kind of like trying to find the 'best' SD ammo. Instead of worrying about how a bullet performs in test media, I worry more about how well I can deliver that bullet to where I want it.... once you launch it, it's at the mercy of every other unknown, anyway. You do your job, it'll do it's job.
Electrod47
Member
Fine Figure of a Man
Member
Very low on my list of things to worry about, and I rarely worry about the stuff at the top.
JTHunter
Member
Count your blessings.
I'm over a year away from 70 with arthritis from the skull down to the tailbone. Had 2 discs removed (L4/L5 & L5/S1) when I was 17, have had 4 motorcycle accidents any one of which could have been fatal, and now walk looking like an old Chinese coolie carrying a heavy yoke (hunched over) with a cane.
But I'm still here. Only God knows why though.
Agreed, I wear glasses, if an airbag deploys on me while I'm in a car I have a chance of injury to my eyes or face.
I'm not going to stop wearing glasses.
Exactly, falling down stairs, car/motorcycle accident, to many variables from one accident to another to even consider.
I think the only thing we can "learn" about a discussion like this is being in an accident, and getting older sucks!
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It's not so much about carrying, or not carrying as it is about thinking about the issue in advance.
What position do I carry my gun in and how could that affect me if I fall or am in an accident? Maybe the answer is that you're already in good shape with where you carry and there's no need to change. Maybe you want to change the position to mitigate the possibility of a serious injury in case of a fall--particularly if your risk of fall is significant. Some people, for example, when they think about the potential for spinal injury in case of a fall or accident, decide that small-of-back carry is not for them. It's one thing to have your carry gun bruise you if you fall, or break ribs, it's another to potentially suffer partial paralysis.
What gun do I carry and does its size or other characteristics make it more likely that I will be injured badly if I fall? Could I significantly reduce my chances of a bad injury by changing to another gun that is smaller or in some other way less likely to cause injury if I fall or am in an accident? Maybe, after thinking about these questions you decide there's no reason to change or that you're willing to take the risk with the specific gun you're already carrying. Maybe you decide to make a change.
Are there some activities I engage in where the risk of accident is high enough that I want to forgo carry altogether in those circumstances, or perhaps change to off-body carry temporarily? Again, maybe you make a change, maybe you don't.
The point is that now you've thought about it ahead of time and had the opportunity to decide, in advance of an accident, if you want to make a change or not. It's just a box to check. Preparation for potentially negative events is something that people who carry guns generally value highly or they wouldn't be carrying in the first place.
What position do I carry my gun in and how could that affect me if I fall or am in an accident? Maybe the answer is that you're already in good shape with where you carry and there's no need to change. Maybe you want to change the position to mitigate the possibility of a serious injury in case of a fall--particularly if your risk of fall is significant. Some people, for example, when they think about the potential for spinal injury in case of a fall or accident, decide that small-of-back carry is not for them. It's one thing to have your carry gun bruise you if you fall, or break ribs, it's another to potentially suffer partial paralysis.
What gun do I carry and does its size or other characteristics make it more likely that I will be injured badly if I fall? Could I significantly reduce my chances of a bad injury by changing to another gun that is smaller or in some other way less likely to cause injury if I fall or am in an accident? Maybe, after thinking about these questions you decide there's no reason to change or that you're willing to take the risk with the specific gun you're already carrying. Maybe you decide to make a change.
Are there some activities I engage in where the risk of accident is high enough that I want to forgo carry altogether in those circumstances, or perhaps change to off-body carry temporarily? Again, maybe you make a change, maybe you don't.
The point is that now you've thought about it ahead of time and had the opportunity to decide, in advance of an accident, if you want to make a change or not. It's just a box to check. Preparation for potentially negative events is something that people who carry guns generally value highly or they wouldn't be carrying in the first place.
TomJ
Contributing Member
A few years ago a doctor botched a simple procedure resulting in my back and neck problems. I'm mostly recovered from them, but carrying IWB or OWB all day aggravates my back, so I pocket carry. That may be an option, Kleanbore, for times you're not able to or comfortable carrying OWB.
dfariswheel
Member
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- Dec 26, 2002
- Messages
- 6,656
Back in the revolver days, some cops suffered broken ribs when getting into the passenger side of a car and slamming the door.
If they were sitting a little to close, the closing door hit the gun and broke ribs.
Some action shooters got broken ribs in prone position when rolling over on a steel lined holster. Steel doesn't give, ribs do.
If they were sitting a little to close, the closing door hit the gun and broke ribs.
Some action shooters got broken ribs in prone position when rolling over on a steel lined holster. Steel doesn't give, ribs do.
Riomouse911
Member
I got two instances where my uniformed back up gun caused me issues, one long term and one not.
My long term issue was caused by sitting on a S&W 640 .38 Spl. I carried it in a pocket holster in my left rear pocket for several years. I quit doing that when the nerves in that area got irritated enough that my leg started “falling asleep” on me. Twenty eight years later I still can’t put a wallet or bulky items in my rear pockets, they always ride in the front ones.
I then moved the ccw to an ankle holster, riding on the inside of my left boot. A few months later this caused the short-term injury, I somehow clicked my ankles together during a foot chase, tripping me and bruising the heck out of my right ankle.
After this it went to a custom pouch worn under my right armpit with a Velcro closure to my uniform shirt allowing access.
Stay safe.
My long term issue was caused by sitting on a S&W 640 .38 Spl. I carried it in a pocket holster in my left rear pocket for several years. I quit doing that when the nerves in that area got irritated enough that my leg started “falling asleep” on me. Twenty eight years later I still can’t put a wallet or bulky items in my rear pockets, they always ride in the front ones.
I then moved the ccw to an ankle holster, riding on the inside of my left boot. A few months later this caused the short-term injury, I somehow clicked my ankles together during a foot chase, tripping me and bruising the heck out of my right ankle.
After this it went to a custom pouch worn under my right armpit with a Velcro closure to my uniform shirt allowing access.
Stay safe.
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clutch
Contributing Member
I'll never carry small of back. I was watching carpenters working on my nephews house. They were climbing ladders with a hammer on a holster small of back. Landing on your spine with something hard there seems like a trip to a wheel chair for life.
3 o'clock and seat belts could hurt. I've been in a head on collision but carrying off body that day. Let me tell you, seat belts and air bags help but you are going to hurt like heck. A gun at 3 o'clock would have hurt a lot more that day.
3 o'clock and seat belts could hurt. I've been in a head on collision but carrying off body that day. Let me tell you, seat belts and air bags help but you are going to hurt like heck. A gun at 3 o'clock would have hurt a lot more that day.
Old Dog
Member
Worked with a female detective once upon a time. She was exiting her vehicle with a prisoner in the jail's salle port. Slipped on icy or wet pavement. Fell with all her weight on her concealed S&W 6906 which was in a Mitch Rosen SOB holster. Fractured a couple vertebrae. L&I (workman's comp in other states) for months, ended up having to take a medical retirement before she even had her twenty in.
SOB carry is as stupid as it gets.
SOB carry is as stupid as it gets.
.308 Norma
Member
Agreed. I have a buddy (Gary), who even though he still gets around okay, is rated 100% physically disabled by the VA.
What happened was, the guy that was walking in front of Gary on a patrol in Vietnam one day tripped a booby trap. The blast blew Gary backwards 10 or 12 feet, and he landed on his back. He'd caught a piece of shrapnel in his belly, but the worst injury was to his lower spine - because he was carrying two canteens that day, one of which was in the small of his back.
dobedo
Member
I have a Kimber Micro Black Ice in 9mm and a Kahr K-40 in 40S&W. I pocket carry in each of their perspective custom holster.
FL-NC
Member
My thoughts is that risk management is good as long as it doesn't produce a pyramid of what-if phobias.
StrykerByte.45
Member
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- Feb 8, 2022
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- 278
Yeah man injury can happen from caring. You got to think about that. When you choose to carry and where you choose to carry, I mean how you choose to carry. That's one of the reasons I don't like appendix carry. I don't want some freak accident to happen and hurt me in that section. Not to worry about an accidental discharge, but like you said a car accident or falling. Carrying on the small of your back. I think it's pretty dangerous too. You fall backwards pretty much paralyzed yourself from the waist down. I'm sure it's happened before, it's just not very much heard of. I really think 3:00. Carrie is the safest, or anywhere between 2 and 4:00 and also the opposite side.
jar
Contributing Member
One thing not mentioned except indirectly is just how violent even a low speed car crash can be. An unsecured or only poorly secured handgun can itself become a deadly missile in an accident. A handgun tucked between the seats or in a door pocket is very likely to become a projectile.
That was what killed Tom Mix. He would almost certainly have survived his car crash except one of his suitcases strapped to the carrier on the trunk broke free and also broke his neck as it flew forward.
That was what killed Tom Mix. He would almost certainly have survived his car crash except one of his suitcases strapped to the carrier on the trunk broke free and also broke his neck as it flew forward.
