shakey hands

[Ukraine Train]

I took my new-to-me Makarov out yesterday. This was the first time I've shot a handgun in a few years. After a few magazines my hands got shakey. I think it's probably because I'm not used to holding my arms up like that for extended periods of time. I'm going to start doing dry fire practice while balancing a dime on the front of the slide to see if that helps. Anyone with other suggestions?

 

[mete]

You can get spring gripping things to strenghten your hands or even use a tennis ball. When you're doing things like watching the tube get that arm out and build the muscles.

 

[cratz2]

I'm going to start doing dry fire practice while balancing a dime on the front of the slide to see if that helps.

A dime? Are you kidding? You'd have to have uber steady hands...



Edit... nevermind... I was trying to envision balancing a dime on it's edge on the gun...

Sheesh!

 

[larryw]

Also possible that you started to squeeze the grip too hard? If you're getting tired or recoil is starting to get to you, instinct is often to grip the gun harder, this will cause the hands to shake too.

 

[bountyhunter]

I think it's probably because I'm not used to holding my arms up like that for extended periods of time. I'm going to start doing dry fire practice while balancing a dime on the front of the slide to see if that helps. Anyone with other suggestions?

You are correct. You need conditioning of the rotator cuff muscles in the shoulder. You can do it watching TV. Hold your hands out in front of you as if gripping a gun and slowly raise and lower them. Repeat until your shoulders get tired. You can do this as often as you want to build endurance. Later, add a weight of a few pounds in hand and that will create more strength. It took me months to get my shoulders up to where they needed to be, but then I'm old.

 

[Monkeyleg]

I've got the same problem. Get a five-pound dumbell and hold it in front of you--the same way you'd hold your pistol-- for as long as you can stand it. Do this every night.

Dry fire. It really helps.

Also, when at the range, go for quality not quantity. Take a shot, then take a rest. If you're starting to shake, it may be that you're pushing your untrained muscles. Take a break, and then go back.

If you start to shake, don't take the shot. Relax.

Mind you, I'm by no means the best pistol shooter. But the above advice was given to me by an experienced Camp Perry shooter, and it really did wonders in improving my shooting.

 

[Ian]

After a few magazines my hands got shakey.

Drinking a bunch of Mountain Dew before shooting can cause this too.

(Not that I'd know, or anything... )

 

[bountyhunter]

If you start to shake, don't take the shot. Relax.

Actually, if you are to the point where you are shaky, the best thing to do is go home and save your ammo. You can't shoot worth a crap that way because it makes you rush the shot. And, you will have rounds flying all over the place when you rush the trigger pull. Practice only helps if you are practicing good fundamentals.

 

[Monkeyleg]

Must be different things for different folks, bountyhunter. I find that, if I hold the pistol up for too long, I start to shake. If I rest my hands and gun on the bench for a bit, then go back on target, the shaking has gone away.

Recognize, though, that my shakes are the result of a lack of exercise combined with about 450 mg's of nicoteine coursing through my veins.

 

[SW9mm]

i agree with bountyhunter. i sometimes have high hopes of shooting 200 rounds through my 1911 then 200 through my hi power then 200 more out of my 357. save your ammo. i know i've wasted a lot of bullets convincing myself i can shoot all that ammo accurately.

 

[RON in PA]

I think that your problem may not be one of strength, but the gun. By that I mean that the Makarov is hard on one's hands and wrists due to its harsh recoil from its blowback action and relatively low weight. I can shoot 3 or 4 times as much ammo in a locked breech 9x19 or 45 ACP of over 30 onces compared to a Makarov.

 

[euclid]

Low blood sugar can also cause the shakes. Make sure you eat well before you go shooting. In other words, don't skip breakfast and expect your morning range visit to go well.

cheers

 

[4v50 Gary]

Too much caffeine also results in shakes.