Posted: 3/5/2006 5:14:58 PM EDT
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I'm only 34, and I'm beginning to think I'm getting old. In the last year or two, shooting full size 45s seem to have taken their toll on my wrist/hand. In the last 10 years I easily have fired over a half million rounds of .45ACP. In the early days there were some handloads, but most of that is 230gr ball. The typical session is between 200-500 rounds, one handed, both handed, weak handed, double taps, etc.. I excercise my wrists - do wrist curls, I keep one of the spring squeezer things in my car to build up my grip... I put 400rds through my 1911 on Saturday, and today, I had trouble squeezing the grip on my AR in a High Power Match. I think my .45 days are coming to an end. I'm making a appt to see a doc this week, but I'm not looking forward to what hes going to tell me. Anyone else go through this, or are your 1911s too pretty to shoot?  |
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I used to shoot alot, not in your league, but upwards to 1000 rounds a month. Had kids and bam! No time to shoot..not like I did. Recently we moved and I have a excellent club, 5 minutes from my house that I joined. In the last month, I have shot more than I did last summer...about 1000 rounds.. |
| I had a non-gun related wrist injury that prevented me from shooting so it could heal. While at the physical therapist we talked about my hobbies, and it came up. She gave me some tips on stretching and such that help me shoot longer and help keep the soreness afterwards down as well. Keep in mind this is after seeing two specialist Docs who didnt help with the pain at all. I would say try and do some physical therapy, and let them know whats going on with your spare time, they can help. |
Last week, Monday through Friday, I went shooting Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. In all I burned about 200 rounds each day of 45 ACP through 4 dfferent 1911's I am completing. Also function and proof fired 2 AR's I just re-barreled. I did not feel any adverse effects. I am 58 years old. Charles the Gunsmith. 
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Good luck BigBore! I hope that is not the case. I am 32 (OK 33 in a couple of weeks, YIKES) and just got the 1911 Addiction. I hope this will be a habbit I can carry on for a long time! Please keep us posted on what the Dr says. I bet he will give you an anti inflamitory and tell you to take it easy for a couple week and then you will be back to normal! You might want to consider one of those wrist supports like they wear in bowling hahaha I can only imagine the stares you would get at the range with that. |
Why would reloading bother you? I've been shooting nothing but factory the last 5 years. Buying in bulk, wholesale, and selling 55lb buckets of spent brass to the scrap yard is cheaper than loading my own. The local hospital had a lead screaning a while back, and only one person came back with a higher content than myself. That was the end of lead handloads for me. |
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Two years ago I traded my .45's and .44's for 9mm and a few .380's...I also had to go from .308 to smaller calibers... I am feeling better now and newer guns manufactured take recoil better than others making me want to get those calibers back. you'll miss them , too if you sell them off. My recomendation, since you are considerably younger than I, do not sell your guns... get smaller calibers and enjoy them...your wrists may heal up and eventually you'll wan to try the bigger shooters again. |
because my shoulder hurts after a couple hundred rounds. My wife says it's my rotator cuff. If I knew where to buy bulk wholesale I probably wouldn't reload either. |
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Hello bigbore, I don't want to seem disrespectful, but 34 is NOT old.he When we're young, we tend to think we're indestructable. And when things seem to start going downhill we always think "it's the end". Just remember - It ain't over 'til it's over! Have you considered that shooting as much as you do, and working out as much as you do you may have "repetative motion syndrome"? Have you considered taking some time off to heal? Many doctors will want to perform surgery. Many doctors will prescribe physical therapy. Many doctors will prescribe rest. I wonder what your doc will say? My advice to you is to take 6 months off from any activity that involves the painful hand/wrist. As of today, March 6, 2006, I walk a mile a day, both hands are very strong(I shoot my 10mm pistols with both hands) and only have minor arthritus(hip and knee). My pistols sure are "purty" but I shoot 'em anyway. That's what they were made for. And, I still shoot my 45-70 lever gun too. I wish you nothing but the best - but the body needs time to heal itself. Give it a break. Best regards and good luck.TraderJack |