CraigC
Sixgun Nut
You're not shooting enough. Try going weekly or even more with your .22 until you work it out of your system.
Why the heck am I trembling? Really scared!
- Thread starter 19-3Ben
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I shoot weekly to biweekly, depending on availability. Do a competitive pistol shoot once or twice a month.
The trouble is, I mostly shoot rifles. If I go on a non-competition day I may only shoot my rifles. So on competition days I need to play around with the competition gun again (nothing with more kick that might induce a flinch) and let the adrenaline run its course.
The trouble is, I mostly shoot rifles. If I go on a non-competition day I may only shoot my rifles. So on competition days I need to play around with the competition gun again (nothing with more kick that might induce a flinch) and let the adrenaline run its course.
walksbyhimself
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I've actually been dealing with a similar issue. Here in Houston, TX, the heat index is often well over 100 degrees F. On especially hot days, particularly with no wind, my shootings gets much worse. My groups open up, I tremble somewhat, and find it more difficult to hold the sights where I want them. At such times, I immediately go back to fundamental shooting techniques. It seems to help focus the mind, and prevents the bad habits you might pick up while you're frustrated by poor shooting.
Same happens to me just for the first few shots of each gun. I am fine with a .22 but when I shoot my shotgun or mosin nagant, my legs twitch. after the first 10 or so rounds I am back to normal. I guess it is just scary shooting the first few rounds off in a gun if you havnt shot it in a few months.
It only happens to me on big calibers.
It only happens to me on big calibers.
kjeff50cal
Member
I had those tremors too after I shot my Polish P64 stoked with 115 grn (read HOT machinegun) loads. The RO said it was called traumatic fatigue. It is where your extremities experiences a physical shock or blow repeatedly and shaking is the only response your body has to deal with it.
Guns and more
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I get pumped up when shooting also. I'm a terrible shot. I try too hard and get my adrenaline going. I try to rest often, like after one magazine. Step back, watch others, take your time. If I shoot more than an hour, I find myself just emptying the gun, not concentrating.
I think the solution is to shoot more often, but in smaller doses.
I think the solution is to shoot more often, but in smaller doses.
BHP FAN
Member
does your range have a bathroom? Take a ''pit stop'', it'll do wonders.
Deltaboy1984
Member
Sounds like a case of Buck Fever to me. Relax, cut back on the cokes and coffee and Breath deep.
RainDownmyBlues
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Possibly mini-panic attacks.
I got them when shooting once in awhile, after I got back from my last tour. A little bit of PTSD/Shellshock after almost constant deployments for 5 years.
Panic attacks can come from nothing. That's the difference between anxiety disorder and panic attacks. Anxiety disorder is caused by a certain stimuli, panic attacks are random and not really connected to anything.
It is a possibility, and if you're getting them, they are small ones. The full blown ones feel like you're having a heart attack, and you get a sense of impending doom. Hard to explain, but I've went to the hospital twice because I thought something was seriously wrong. And I'm 24, two years younger than you.
Just a thought, it's all speculative until you figure it out.
I got them when shooting once in awhile, after I got back from my last tour. A little bit of PTSD/Shellshock after almost constant deployments for 5 years.
Panic attacks can come from nothing. That's the difference between anxiety disorder and panic attacks. Anxiety disorder is caused by a certain stimuli, panic attacks are random and not really connected to anything.
It is a possibility, and if you're getting them, they are small ones. The full blown ones feel like you're having a heart attack, and you get a sense of impending doom. Hard to explain, but I've went to the hospital twice because I thought something was seriously wrong. And I'm 24, two years younger than you.
Just a thought, it's all speculative until you figure it out.
VegasAR15
Member
Sounds like just a bit of excitement and adrenaline. Same sort of thing happens to me sometimes before I hit the dunes on my quad.
Didn't see where you mentioned which Kahr? what caliber. Kahrs are a different breed. they have a fairly straight stock which differs greatly from the Glocks. I have a Kahr CW 40 and PM45 the CW 40 has a crisp sharp recoil and the PM 45 has a solid shove. both Kahrs are slab sided so I have found a firm hammer anvil style grip with my left had placing the heel (fleshy part below the thumb firmly against the flat of the grip with the right hand firmly enveloping the other hand. practice pushing with the left hand while squeezing with the right. Again you are shooting two very dissimilar pistols. Sometimes it is hard to switch. Good luck. og
benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
What kind of hearing protection are you wearing? This can make a difference; if you're not already doing so, wear quality soft foam earplugs under good muffs, and that will often help, believe it or not.
A lot of guys are mentioning excitement but I haven't seen anyone ask if you are holding your breath while you are shooting. If you hold your breath in the time it takes to fire 4-5 shots your muscles will start to become deprived of oxygen and they will start to tremor. Make sure you are maintaining good breathing while you are shooting.
"recoil junky" puts up red flags for me.
Some folks that shoot a LOT of very heavy handguns have had some problems. Your shakes
can evolve into a neuro disorder that can occur. In it's worst form, the brain thinks it is reacting to heavy recoiling handguns, 24/7. No cure, and it's not pretty. Disability for life, so far, with my friend that has it.
John Taffin had to have his shooting hand bones fused, IIRC, since the cartilidge/miniscus was pounded to mush.
MODERATION with big, hard recoiling guns, or some of the stupid light 357's.
Some folks that shoot a LOT of very heavy handguns have had some problems. Your shakes
can evolve into a neuro disorder that can occur. In it's worst form, the brain thinks it is reacting to heavy recoiling handguns, 24/7. No cure, and it's not pretty. Disability for life, so far, with my friend that has it.
John Taffin had to have his shooting hand bones fused, IIRC, since the cartilidge/miniscus was pounded to mush.
MODERATION with big, hard recoiling guns, or some of the stupid light 357's.
jglcolosprgs
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Do you lift weights? Heavy weight few reps?
Back a few years I was in charge of handgun training course for our SWAT team with a required qualification at the end. We put the troops through the course with a "walk-up", load and shoot format. Scores were pretty good.
This was followed by a one block hard run to the range, taking up postions and firing the same course on command. This phase was a DISASTER with a lots of testy complaints and few shooting well enough to qualify. The troops were told this was to be expected since they were sweating, breathing hard and not in a positive mind-set. They were told the training was realistic, street-type shooting and to FOCUS on breathing control, trigger squeeze and target picture -- and to BLOCK out discomfort issues.
The next course of fire, after the hard run, was actually outstanding with some very high scores. There were zero complaints and some senior officers suggesting more of this type of training. We expanded on this concept with success.
THE POINT: Before going to the range work off your nervousness by a short jog, weightlifting, etc. Follow this with some safe dry-firing at home, then dry-fire at the range. You have a negative mind-set going on - get rid of it. FOCUS on the basics of marksmanship and SLOW down. Relax and enjoy yourself. It is fun - no misery!
This was followed by a one block hard run to the range, taking up postions and firing the same course on command. This phase was a DISASTER with a lots of testy complaints and few shooting well enough to qualify. The troops were told this was to be expected since they were sweating, breathing hard and not in a positive mind-set. They were told the training was realistic, street-type shooting and to FOCUS on breathing control, trigger squeeze and target picture -- and to BLOCK out discomfort issues.
The next course of fire, after the hard run, was actually outstanding with some very high scores. There were zero complaints and some senior officers suggesting more of this type of training. We expanded on this concept with success.
THE POINT: Before going to the range work off your nervousness by a short jog, weightlifting, etc. Follow this with some safe dry-firing at home, then dry-fire at the range. You have a negative mind-set going on - get rid of it. FOCUS on the basics of marksmanship and SLOW down. Relax and enjoy yourself. It is fun - no misery!
sgt127
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I'm a bunch older than you. I've shot, a lot, for over 30 years. Every handgun you can imagine.
I get the EXACT same trembling when shooting a Kahr PM9. After about 100 rounds, my hands are literally vibrating. I have no idea why. But, it happens every time I shoot that Kahr.
It doesn't happen with revolvers or any other DA gun I have. I think there is something about the size of the gun, along with its recoil and the particular reach of the trigger may cause some weird position in my hands and the muscles cramp up.
I have dainty little girl hands (really, 8 1/2 wedding band). They are fairly tough and strong though, so, I don't think its a strength issue, just the size.
Anyway, unless I plan on getting into a protracted gunfight and all I have is my Kahr, its a non issue. When you get to about 75 rounds, stop shooting it for the day.
I get the EXACT same trembling when shooting a Kahr PM9. After about 100 rounds, my hands are literally vibrating. I have no idea why. But, it happens every time I shoot that Kahr.
It doesn't happen with revolvers or any other DA gun I have. I think there is something about the size of the gun, along with its recoil and the particular reach of the trigger may cause some weird position in my hands and the muscles cramp up.
I have dainty little girl hands (really, 8 1/2 wedding band). They are fairly tough and strong though, so, I don't think its a strength issue, just the size.
Anyway, unless I plan on getting into a protracted gunfight and all I have is my Kahr, its a non issue. When you get to about 75 rounds, stop shooting it for the day.
I too had this problem with auto pistols. A friend that shot competion taught me to not grip the pistol tightly with the 2 fingers closest to my thumb. Using the last 2 fingers for a tight grip cured my problem. I can now shoot an auto as well as I do a revolver.
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