Author Topic: Recoil-related injuries from shooting handguns? (Read 1648 times)

Questor · « **on:** March 19, 2003, 03:40:39 AM »

What kind of recoil-related injuries have you had from shooting heavy-recoiling handguns? I pretty much gave up shooting 44 mag recreationally when I realized that I was getting some pain in my wrist after shooting. Now I just shoot the 44s to practice for hunting.

I've spoken with guys who have fused hand bones, arthritis, elbow damage, etc.

Is the price of recoil worth it to you?

jhm · « **Reply #1 on:** March 19, 2003, 04:12:10 AM »

NO. I believe if I had it all to do over again in my youth the big magnum rifles and handguns would never had been fired other than to sight in and then to hunt with the casual shooting of them has taken some of the pleasure out of being able to enjoy being retired where you have much more time and resources to enjoy the shooting sport but cant as to sore sholders, hands , wrists, etc, etc, not to say I wouldnt have had all the pain anyhow but I know the years of just SHOWING everyone of my buddies how much recoil we can endure does add up in later years.

JIM

Original Ken · « **Reply #2 on:** March 19, 2003, 10:19:22 AM »

Regarding recoil injuries I was doing a lot of Bullseye shooting with 45 ACP as well as 357 mag on PPC course. This was in the late 70's. Wound up not being able to hold a coffee cup in the right hand due to the classis "tennis elbow". After two surgeries I gave up the shooting altogether until about a year and a half ago. Now I still shoot a weekly league but most of it is with a Ruger 22. I still use the 45 ACP for league shoots but not on a regular basis as continued use of it brings the old pain back again. To make a long story short I paid the price for all of the recoil and the doc said it came from heavy recoil as I sure am not a tennis player. Now I enjoy the heavy stuff in moderation (as everthing else should be also) and am getting by ok. Hope the info helps about recoil related injuries. With the introduction of the new S&W 50 I understand from one shooter that you have to keep your wrists and elbows flexible in order to absorb the recoil. If you lock up like you do with a 45 then you WILL have the hammer enbedded in your forehead. Not my idea of having fun. Thanks but no thanks. JMHO

volshooter · « **Reply #3 on:** March 20, 2003, 12:08:46 AM »

Not only did shooting alot do some damage, but work did more than ever realized. Now consider this, Carpenters who use air nailers every day as well as the power nailers (nails drove into concrete or steel using a .27 cal blank) really took their toll. For folks who never used a framing nailer I can tell you they can recoil like a .38. The "ramset" type guns recoil like a .44 spc. when long pins/nails/red shot/blanks are used. We drove hundreds of thousands of these during the 80's and 90's. This is still the method used. Most of the damage is to the thumb/hand joint and elbow. I still shoot the larger cal. and that does aggravate the exact work related damage.
Rick

Tom W. · « **Reply #4 on:** March 21, 2003, 05:05:21 PM »

I don't have much trouble with my handguns, and I do have tendonitis in both elbows, as a result of using calipers to measure wood in a sawmill every day for a number of years. I know what it's like not to be able to pick up a coffee cup, or for that matter a pencil, or to move a mouse around. I have some bands that I wear below my elbow that offer some relief, and MUST wear it when I go fishing or shooting the handguns.
I did find out that the handloads I loaded up for my son's .480 Ruger, while not the heaviest loads available, got my attention real quick. I could manage about 40 rounds before I had to put it down. I also was able to shoot 100 rounds of fairly stout .45Colt loads in the same session.

Afterwards I took 3 tylenols and 4 Advils. :oops:

1badmagnum · « **Reply #5 on:** March 23, 2003, 02:12:18 PM »

you guys need to start handloading!
I have worked up plenty of great huntiong loads,and can load some target rounds in big bore calibers that even my wife can shoot.
handloading has so many advantages I cant even list them all,the only thing that prevents me from shooting is the cost of bullets!
45 acp and 44 magnum are the easiest on my wallet about 20 cents a piece shooting jacketed ammo,and the largest calibers maybe cost 35 cents each.
of coarse 9mm is great for cheap plinking at about 10 cents.

volshooter · « **Reply #6 on:** March 23, 2003, 04:37:23 PM »

I own no factory ammo at this time. Factory is only good for the brass anyway. Years of heavy reloads and work have rendered these big rubbery hands almost useless, unless you need to beat something to death. I'm lucky to pick up a dime with these stiff mauls.
Rick

Tom W. · « **Reply #7 on:** March 24, 2003, 04:16:32 PM »

The only factory loads I own are for my .22 rimfires, and my shotguns... My .45acp shoots mostly cast, but I inherited a few JHP's. the .45 Colt has NEVER fired a factory load, just cast, and my .44 mag doesn't understand anything BUT cast. I detest having to pay for bullets!

Duffy · « **Reply #8 on:** April 25, 2003, 07:26:53 PM »

I asked my wifes physical therapy instructor about exercises that can be done to help strengthen wrists, elbows ect. He showed me a few stretches and twists that seem to help. He also said don't keep shooting when you get sore because sooner or later those "ritus" brothers will show up and that Art is the worst one!

Mike C · « **Reply #9 on:** April 26, 2003, 02:44:52 AM »

It's old age, that's all. One could argue that a certain activity in ones youth makes their later years more painfull but even folks that set in an office their whole lives are stiff and sore when they get old. I would rather look back on a life of enjoyment of the things I love than a life of fruitless worry over the inevitable future of old stiff and sore. If statistics interest you the fact is that there are more permanent spinal column and joint injuries per year in high school sports than occured in the total duration of the Vietnam war. And what activity do you think is the most physically dangerous of all in high school/college athletics? Cheerleading!
Mike C

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #10 on:** April 26, 2003, 09:19:20 AM »

courpal tunnel (spelling?) had surgery to fix it. I have a permently swelled middle nuckly on my shooting hand and Ive wore the sights of my .500 and .475 a couple times when I wasnt paying enough attenion :eek:

Graybeard · « **Reply #11 on:** April 26, 2003, 12:13:12 PM »

I have arthritis in my hands so bad that some days it is painful to even hold a gun. I also have tendonitus in my wrists that never goes away. Even picked up bursitis in my right shoulder from long gun recoil. Doctor has adviced me to stop shooting all together but that ain't gonna happen. I am however greatly reducing the level of recoil in guns I shoot these days. The big boomers will definitely put a hurting on you sooner or later if you use them enough.

GB

willis5 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 26, 2003, 05:28:16 PM »

Are you guys following what Graybeard is doing? Even with your pain, the question is, are you still shooting? Will you Still shoot... I think I can answer that question for many of you including myself.
Heck Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cheers, Willis5 :-)