Shooting Problem

[Old Moss]

    Hi Gents

Need some help with a kind of personal problem that is affecting my shooting ability.  A little embarrassing, I have developed "Tremors" -  really bad shakes when shooting handguns.  The doc said it was "essential tremors" a neurological condition, no good treatment and no cure.  It has really effected something that is very important to me - I love to shoot handguns and now I am embarrassed to shoot at the range; competition is out of the question.      Any others out there with similar problems?  Any advise?  Thanks Old Old Old Moss.   

[kynardsj]

Maybe shooting from a good rest like sandbags can help steady you a bit.

[Savage]

Guess we all face new challenges as we age. Sorry it has to happen. Might be time to try some different shooting games like IDPA. Most shots are close and can be made by point shooting. No need for slow careful precision shooting in most stages. You might turn in decent scores this way and prolong your fun shooting years. My speed and accuracy have suffered due to my advanced years as well. No way I could shoot bullseye. I still have a great time shooting action pistol sports like IDPA and USPSA, with a little steel challenge thrown in. Don't give up shooting, just find a new game you enjoy!
Savage

[timothy]

No problem, plenty of things need to be shot at close range where dead steadiness isnt neccessary. Maybe develop an appreciation for fixed sighted guns along the way. Good luck 

[Uncle Harry]

I had a kidney transplane 5 years ago and the drugs I have to take daily have caused tremors. At first, I couldn't even eat very well.  Eventually the docs revised my meds to tame the tremors to a hardly noticible level-that is until I pick up a pistol and try to align the sights.
 
I ended up getting one of these:  http://www.midwayusa.com/product/892295/shooters-ridge-steady-point-pistol-shooting-rest  which works quite well.
 
Though I'm now relegated to mostly paper punching, I still enjoy my weekly range sessions and reloading and I believe I'm still competant enough for handgun self defense situations.
 
I feel for your predicament but as we all age, we gotta adapt to the hands we're dealt and continue on.   
 

[johnnyb]

I can't remember where I read it but I have tried it and it works great. Use a stoney point tripod ( or any other would work) and take the leg that attaches to the bi pod leg,pull it out straight and prop it on your shooting hand shoulder. The bi pod supports the handgun and the leg that is on your shoulder supports your hand and arm. You can lay your head on the shoulder stick and look straight down to your scope or open sights.  It has increased my handgun accuracy quite a bit, and I can use this set up still hunting or in a blind.

[SHOOTALL]

I shot IHMSA with a shooter who suffered from that. He was a great natured guy . He found that he could shoot well enough to compete by shooting from a creedmore position. It involved laying down and bracing the gun on his hip and leg. He also would say he had to trust his shake. I would suggest you try a monopod or other steadying device. I found out about 3 years ago I am now Diabetic which was accompanied by a slight shake , depending on blood sugar level . The first 2 years I hunted mostly with a shotgun . But now feel comfortable with a rifle . No I won't be making 500 yard shots off hand. But 100 or so are doable. What I learned to do is the old make a circle and shoot as the sights line up. The idea is to realize you will move so control the movement if possible.

[rockbilly]

Years ago when I was shooting completive, I shot a match in Shreveport, LA.  On my left was the “Distinguished Master,  Jim Clark” (also one of the finest pistol-smiths I ever met.).  During a discussion in the practice session a gentleman approached him and asked about a similar problem, Jim’s answer stuck with me to this day, he said, “try to train yourself to cut a small sideways figure eight over the target and learn to squeeze the trigger as you reach the center of the figure.”  He demonstrated with a .45 and to everyone’s surprise, with the gun moving,  he cut the X ring out of the target. I later ran across the gentleman and he told me he was not back to the completive form he once was but that Jim’s hint had helped.

My hand is not as steady as it once was, I have tried Jim’s suggestion and it seems to help,   I think spending some time dry firing at home might help to.

Give this a try and give us a report if it seems to help.

[williamlayton]

I have the tremors and the figure 8 doesn't help much but what has helped the most is keeping the gun moving and shooting to point--not reall aiming.
Blessings

[Old Moss]

  Thanks Gents,

Rockbilly, I am familiar with the technique you mentioned; I was taught to me by a Army Sniper instructor for off hand shooting with open rifle sights.  Never thought of using it for handguns.

I think that a little more practice and dry firing will help (can't hurt) 

The hard part is that I will need to find a new range to shoot at.  The one closest to me will not allow any rapid type of firing, no IDPA or USPSA type practice.

If I can rest my hand against anything I can control the shakes 100% its really only when I try to shoot off hand only.

Thanks a lot your support is a big help in its self.  Have a Blessed evening Old Moss   

[oldandslow]

Sorry to hear about your tremors, Old Moss. I have had them for several years now and they have slowly become worse. I was referred to a neuroligst two years ago. The bad news is they will get worse and there is a possibility your head may begin to shake also. He also told me there are a couple of medications that will help but it wasn't time to start using one. He didn't go into detail but it makes me suspect some side effects to the medication that aren't fun.
 
Good luck and keep shooting.

[odoh]

I've been diagnosed as having PD w/Resting Tremors. Doesn't affect shooting but sure to mke the RM nervous.
 
Chk w/your Dr and inquire if the Deep Brain Stimulator (DBS) implant would help your type of tremor.
I've tried all the meds and had bad side affects like falling asleep at the drop of a hat and major impact on my vision (Read: nearly blinded & unblinking). I understand mine was an exception ~ Of course, YMMV