Shooting with arthritis

imaoldcowhand · Aug 3, 2018

I have found that, as I age and getting arthritis, shooting sometimes has become a chore of sorts.

Shooting my shotguns aren’t to bad, but shooting my only pistol, a Colt 1911 seems to be a big jolt to my hands (joints).

Would giving up the semi auto for a revolver be a good option of eliminating joint pain?

Spur · Aug 3, 2018

shooting a 1911

Have you tried reducing your loads and the recoil spring in the 1911? I have RA in my hands and wrist and I don't believe just switching to a revolver will help you that much, unless you couple it with reduced loads.

lazarus · Aug 3, 2018

Yeah, only if you reduce loads. Revolvers have more recoil and a lot more flip for the same muzzle energy. Look for reduced power .45acp loads. If not using it, get a lula pistol mag loader, even for single stack it makes it easier to load magazines.

That said, if you only have one pistol, consider getting a .38sp +p related revolver. Downside is DA trigger pull can sometimes be rough with arthritis depending on pull weight and cocking it on each shot might also be rough. Depends on how the arthritis is affecting you.

Bullfrog · Aug 3, 2018

I'm no expert, but assuming a cartridge of similar power and firearm of similar weight, recoil from a revolver would be more intense, not less.

The recoil from a semiauto is used to push the slide back against the force of the recoil spring. The total amount of force is the same, but it's going to be spread out over time as the spring compresses. With the revolver, all of the force is going to go into your hand almost instantaneously.

Shooting a less powerful cartridge, or a heavier gun, or both would cause less felt recoil.

K31 · Aug 3, 2018

Have you seen a rheumatologist? Living with the pain, and more importantly the joint destruction, may not have to be an option.

John from MD · Aug 3, 2018

Buy a S&W Shield 380 EZ. It was made for people like you and me. I had to put skateboard tape on my semi auto slides as I have a hard time racking them. I wear gloves with the guns that will let me and that helps some. I still haven't found the perfect glove though.

If you don't reload, I suggest you look for target loads for your 1911. Usually these are 200 grain bullets that go about 700-750 FPS. You will find a difference with them.

My hands hurt just thinking about shooting but I am not going to give up until I am horizontal!

MaxVO2 · Aug 3, 2018

imaoldcowhand said:
I have found that, as I age and getting arthritis, shooting sometimes has become a chore of sorts.

Shooting my shotguns aren’t to bad, but shooting my only pistol, a Colt 1911 seems to be a big jolt to my hands (joints).

Would giving up the semi auto for a revolver be a good option of eliminating joint pain?

*****A heavier revolver, like a Smith & Wesson model 586 and 686 in a 6 inch or longer barrel with a standard 158 or so grain .38 special load should be very manageable versus a single stack .45, even with soft loads. You can get some thick and comfy Pachmayer rubber type grips.

Distributing the recoil over a wider area due to a thicker revolver grip can be very helpful for folks with arthritis in the thumb joint area in my experience.

I have both single stack type 1911's as well as revolvers, and going to soft and comfy grips on a larger revolver made it very manageable for my dad to shoot well into his 80's. He had pretty bad osteo arthritis in his thumb joint as well as wrists in both hands.

Good luck, and perhaps you can try someones heavier revolver at the range before you commit to buy one, but it was very helpful to my father who was used to only 1911's from his time in the service.

John from MD · Aug 3, 2018

OP where in MD do you live?

Biggfoot44 · Aug 3, 2018

Generic answer is less recoil .

The standard " bullseye" aka "softball" load of 200gr at nominal 775fps will have less recoil than GI- ish 230 & similar . Buffalo Bore offers a specific Low Recoil load with 185gr .

Go by your own experiences and results regarding type of pistol . I might be a statistical freak again , but most of the people with bad arthritis of my aquaintence prefered revolvers .

And for really bad arthritis , the most adaptive format are Single Action revolvers . ( Yes , seriously )

But living with Arthritis , is usually preferable to the alternative .

knastera · Aug 3, 2018

Have you thought about an AR pistol? I built one in 223 Wylde and the recoil is nominal, particularly if you get it with a brace (now that we are allowed to shoulder them).
In regard to the revolver, I have a Taurus Judge and I put a beefy Pachmyer grip on it. Shooting 45LC cowboy loads in single action mode is pretty easy on the hands and wrists. Just don't get one of the polymer framed models. As others have said, weight is your friend when it comes to reducing recoil.

imaoldcowhand · Aug 3, 2018

Thanks to all for the alternatives for dealing with my arthritis.
As soon as I’m able, probably not until next year, I’ll be trying out all the alternatives to see one(s) work best. You guys supplied me with some great information.
I just had my left thumb joint operated on due to arthritis. My hands (and the rest of my body) are riddled with arthritis. This was the main reason I stopped riding and sold my motorcycle. With working the clutch and brake levers and lower back problems due to arthritis it just wasn’t fun anymore.

Thanks again for the information.

Lougotagun · Aug 3, 2018

That picture is fresh in my mind. I just got my right hand done for the same issue. CMC ARTHROSCOPY WITH TIGHTROPE. I’m still in recovery, but I think this is better then constant pain. I’m doing my other hand this fall. Good luck to you. Don’t give up what you love to do.

imaoldcowhand · Aug 3, 2018

I still have a little life left in my right thumb. Doctor said maybe another 1 to 1 1/2 years before I need to get it done.
What I don’t get is that I’m right handed, but the left joint went first.

benton0311 · Aug 3, 2018

I agree with the previous posts on revolvers: All else being equal revolvers recoil a fair bit harder than auto-loaders. I love revolvers but the difference in recoil compared to an auto is not insignificant, that recoil mechanism soaks up a bunch.

Here's an idea: Why not pick up a .22 LR 1911? You can't shoot all day for peanuts with no recoil while using the same techniques and manual of arms as your 1911? A .22 slide kit might be another option but they cost about as much as the .22 1911 plinkers do so may as well buy a second gun for the same price unless you really need to use the same frame.

As for mitigating recoil on the .45 1911: Reduced power load, adjust recoil spring if necessary. Compensator. Suppressor as my suppressed 1911 with a boosterless can has just enough recoil to cycle the gun and nothing leftover to transfer to your wrist. It's damn near recoilless.

John from MD · Aug 4, 2018

I had to give up my boat and my bike due to to Osteo Arthritis. :sad20:

But I won't give up my guns until they pry them from my Cold Dead Hands. :mad54:

(thanks Charlie wherever you are)

Mr. Ed · Aug 4, 2018

John from MD said:
Buy a S&W Shield 380 EZ. It was made for people like you and me. I had to put skateboard tape on my semi auto slides as I have a hard time racking them. I wear gloves with the guns that will let me and that helps some. I still haven't found the perfect glove though.

If you don't reload, I suggest you look for target loads for your 1911. Usually these are 200 grain bullets that go about 700-750 FPS. You will find a difference with them.

My hands hurt just thinking about shooting but I am not going to give up until I am horizontal!

John, is there any chance you could post up a picture of one of them so we can see how you did it? I'm thinking about doing it, for the same reasons, and would like to learn from your experience. Thanks!

Watching one of the outdoor shows last night on cable, I saw a company called Arachnigrip that looks interesting, but they don't offer specific products for all of the pistols I'd like to upgrade. Plus, each piece of tape from them is about $23 (including shipping) and skateboard tape is dirt cheap.

John from MD · Aug 4, 2018

ED,

I tried Arachnigrip and it was hard to apply and didn't work as good as what I did. I bought a piece of anti slip material from Home Depot (6" x 12" or so) meant for putting on steps. Much cheaper than the stuff made for guns. I just cleaned the slide with alcohol and applied the tape. I will try to post some pictures later.

G O B · Aug 4, 2018

Weight lifter's gloves work with my arthritic old hands.

bartojb1 · Aug 4, 2018

All great ideas above.
But, one alternative that hasn't yet been mentioned has been diet. I have been enjoying a Keto diet, though, even if I have not been too calorie conscious lately, the symptoms for both of my knees (knee replacements that I have been told by a number of orthopedics that I needed a while back) seemed to have reduced drastically I was getting cortisone shots quarterly in both knees (with an occasional wrist and thumb visit with dr. needle), and have not had one since I started Keto over a year ago.

Possibly, dietary adjustments can help inflammation.

Plus, with keto.......BACON! :party29:

imaoldcowhand · Aug 4, 2018

bartojb1 said:
All great ideas above.
But, one alternative that hasn't yet been mentioned has been diet. I have been enjoying a Keto diet, though, even if I have not been too calorie conscious lately, the symptoms for both of my knees (knee replacements that I have been told by a number of orthopedics that I needed a while back) seemed to have reduced drastically I was getting cortisone shots quarterly in both knees (with an occasional wrist and thumb visit with dr. needle), and have not had one since I started Keto over a year ago.

Possibly, dietary adjustments can help inflammation.

Plus, with keto.......BACON!

Being a vegetarian I don’t think that I need to change my diet, but I could be wrong.

As for my knees, I’ve been getting gel injections since the cortisone shots didn’t work. I can get the gel shots when needed. It’s the alternative to knee replacements. The gel shots have been lasting me about 3 years before needing another one.

Shooting with arthritis

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