Arthritis. Advice?
- Thread starter bdickens
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macadore
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The Sig P226 also absorbs recoil quite well. The Glock 42 is the softest recoiling handgun I would consider for self defense. I've never shot a 32 ACP but the Beretta 81 might also be a comfortable shooter.
bdickens
Member
I just had a follow-up yesterday. Different doctor who tells me De Quervain's (a form of tendonitis in the wrist near the thumb) in addition to the osteoarthritis.
The first doctor gave me the impression that the arthritis was very advanced. Second says it's not that bad & that the De Quervain's is likely the stabbing pain. I declined the steroid shot.
If that is the case, then my prognosis is probably less bad. I still need to find another line of work & continue to investigate my handgun options. I seem prone to tendonitis, since I have had repeated bouts of both radial and medial epicondylitis on each elbow.
First order of business is re entering the work force.
The first doctor gave me the impression that the arthritis was very advanced. Second says it's not that bad & that the De Quervain's is likely the stabbing pain. I declined the steroid shot.
If that is the case, then my prognosis is probably less bad. I still need to find another line of work & continue to investigate my handgun options. I seem prone to tendonitis, since I have had repeated bouts of both radial and medial epicondylitis on each elbow.
First order of business is re entering the work force.
bdickens,
Have you tried a light recoiling 9m.m. load in your GLOCK 19? I am thinking of the HORNADY Low Recoil FTX round using a 100 grain bullet and listed as Critical Defense Lite. You might be able to use it in the GLOCK 19 without a problem.
If not, I would consider either a medium frame revolver or a .380ACP. I shoot both.
I have a S&W model 12 with a 2 inch and another with a 4 inch barrel. Both are mid size guns, basically the S&W model 10 with an alloy frame instead of steel. With a pair of HOGUE or PACHMYER Gripper grips and using standard pressure .38 ammo like the HORNADY 110 grain FTX (NON +P) or the WINCHESTER 130 grain jhp Defend round of the TRAIN & DEFEND series, you would have a decent defense round. You could even try 148 grain wadcutters, which should work better than the old round nose lead police load.
I have used and used to carry the 5 shot revolvers like the S&W J-frame model 36 and 38, as well as the CHARTER ARMS 5 shot Undercover and 6 shot Police Undercover. I have also used the COLT Cobra and TAURUS 85. I would recommend all of them except the COBRA, because the grips on the COLT were so small, they made the gun uncomfortable to shoot. I tried PACHMAYR grips and they made the gun to bulky.
For the 5 shot models, I would switch to soft rubber grips and stick with standard pressure loads or wadcutters is you are using an alloy frame gun, like the S&W 38.
With a steel frame, I would use the FEDERAL HST 130 grain +P, but you may still find recoil to much.
I carry a GLOCK 42 in 380ACP when I am off duty. My wife who is very recoil and gun weight sensitive does as well. The GLOCK 42 has a very mild recoil.
If you can use a larger gun, I have found the BERETTA 84/85 and SIG 232 to be outstanding .380ACP pistols. The BERETTA 84 has a double stack magazine with 13 rounds and the 85 has a single stack. They are both large for a .380, but that means that they have soft recoil. They also have excellent sights, usually good triggers, very reliable, a useful safety that includes a hammer dropping feature on later models and are very easy to shoot fast. The downside is they are large for a .380, but not heavy due to the alloy frame.
The SIG 232 is more compact, has a very good trigger, excellent sights, the SIG hammer decocking lever on the side and in the base alloy frame model, one of the best factory grips I know of.
Also, the alloy frame model can be had with night sights and weighs just over a pound, so it is easy to carry, but not as concealable as a WALTHER PPK.
Last, I would recommend the old WALTHER PPK in .32ACP. I have never liked the stainless ones produced by INTERARMS or S&W and would stick with a blue model. Yes, I know this is the gun of James BOND, of Agent 007 fame, but it is really a very good, reliable gun. Looking like a smaller version of the SIG 232. it is almost always found with an all steel frame (alloy frame models are for collectors at the prices they command).
I came across a pre-war model, made in GERMANY (post war models were made in FRANCE) and it has been 100 % reliable with any ammo besides the WINCHETER White Box garbage.
The sights are smaller than the SIG and the trigger not nearly as smooth, but the pistol is very reliable and accurate enough for my agency qualification drill.
No pistols in .32ACP or .380ACP, including the usually always reliable BERETTA 84/85 series works 100 % with that ammo.
For awhile, my wife used the BERETTA Tomcat 3032, which did not recoil that hard was easy for her use as she did not have to retract the slide. On this model, like the smaller .22 and .25ACP models, you load and unload by flipping a lever which releases the barrel to pop up and allow a round to be loaded or unloaded.
I have one for very concealed carry and use it with a mix of fmj and FIOCCHI XTP 60 grain hollow point.
I recommend the above guns because I have used all of them and know that they work and are reliable.
If all else fails, consider a large .22LR semi-automatic like the RUGER, BROWNING or one of the old COLT or HIGH STANDARD models with a 4 to 6 1/2 inch barrel and load it up with STINGER ammo. It is a minimum power option that would be controllable and accurate enough to somewhat offset the very low power round. The drawbacks are the large size of the gun, not a problem at home and perhaps in a car, but probably to large for concealed carry.
Good luck,
Jim
Have you tried a light recoiling 9m.m. load in your GLOCK 19? I am thinking of the HORNADY Low Recoil FTX round using a 100 grain bullet and listed as Critical Defense Lite. You might be able to use it in the GLOCK 19 without a problem.
If not, I would consider either a medium frame revolver or a .380ACP. I shoot both.
I have a S&W model 12 with a 2 inch and another with a 4 inch barrel. Both are mid size guns, basically the S&W model 10 with an alloy frame instead of steel. With a pair of HOGUE or PACHMYER Gripper grips and using standard pressure .38 ammo like the HORNADY 110 grain FTX (NON +P) or the WINCHESTER 130 grain jhp Defend round of the TRAIN & DEFEND series, you would have a decent defense round. You could even try 148 grain wadcutters, which should work better than the old round nose lead police load.
I have used and used to carry the 5 shot revolvers like the S&W J-frame model 36 and 38, as well as the CHARTER ARMS 5 shot Undercover and 6 shot Police Undercover. I have also used the COLT Cobra and TAURUS 85. I would recommend all of them except the COBRA, because the grips on the COLT were so small, they made the gun uncomfortable to shoot. I tried PACHMAYR grips and they made the gun to bulky.
For the 5 shot models, I would switch to soft rubber grips and stick with standard pressure loads or wadcutters is you are using an alloy frame gun, like the S&W 38.
With a steel frame, I would use the FEDERAL HST 130 grain +P, but you may still find recoil to much.
I carry a GLOCK 42 in 380ACP when I am off duty. My wife who is very recoil and gun weight sensitive does as well. The GLOCK 42 has a very mild recoil.
If you can use a larger gun, I have found the BERETTA 84/85 and SIG 232 to be outstanding .380ACP pistols. The BERETTA 84 has a double stack magazine with 13 rounds and the 85 has a single stack. They are both large for a .380, but that means that they have soft recoil. They also have excellent sights, usually good triggers, very reliable, a useful safety that includes a hammer dropping feature on later models and are very easy to shoot fast. The downside is they are large for a .380, but not heavy due to the alloy frame.
The SIG 232 is more compact, has a very good trigger, excellent sights, the SIG hammer decocking lever on the side and in the base alloy frame model, one of the best factory grips I know of.
Also, the alloy frame model can be had with night sights and weighs just over a pound, so it is easy to carry, but not as concealable as a WALTHER PPK.
Last, I would recommend the old WALTHER PPK in .32ACP. I have never liked the stainless ones produced by INTERARMS or S&W and would stick with a blue model. Yes, I know this is the gun of James BOND, of Agent 007 fame, but it is really a very good, reliable gun. Looking like a smaller version of the SIG 232. it is almost always found with an all steel frame (alloy frame models are for collectors at the prices they command).
I came across a pre-war model, made in GERMANY (post war models were made in FRANCE) and it has been 100 % reliable with any ammo besides the WINCHETER White Box garbage.
The sights are smaller than the SIG and the trigger not nearly as smooth, but the pistol is very reliable and accurate enough for my agency qualification drill.
No pistols in .32ACP or .380ACP, including the usually always reliable BERETTA 84/85 series works 100 % with that ammo.
For awhile, my wife used the BERETTA Tomcat 3032, which did not recoil that hard was easy for her use as she did not have to retract the slide. On this model, like the smaller .22 and .25ACP models, you load and unload by flipping a lever which releases the barrel to pop up and allow a round to be loaded or unloaded.
I have one for very concealed carry and use it with a mix of fmj and FIOCCHI XTP 60 grain hollow point.
I recommend the above guns because I have used all of them and know that they work and are reliable.
If all else fails, consider a large .22LR semi-automatic like the RUGER, BROWNING or one of the old COLT or HIGH STANDARD models with a 4 to 6 1/2 inch barrel and load it up with STINGER ammo. It is a minimum power option that would be controllable and accurate enough to somewhat offset the very low power round. The drawbacks are the large size of the gun, not a problem at home and perhaps in a car, but probably to large for concealed carry.
Good luck,
Jim
bdickens
Member
Well, a couple weeks ago I got sent to get a different wrist brace. This one has semi rigid stays on the radial and ulnar sides of the wrist in addition to one on the palmar side. The palmar stay is removable & the brace does not interfere with gripping when it is out; it is more like a fingerless glove that also restricts radial and ulnar deviation.
I did some dry fire & confirmed that manipulation of a handgun is pretty much unaffected.
Well, yesterday I nerved up & took myself to the range. I was nervous. I picked my Ruger P89 because it is heavier & would probably cushion the recoil more. I loaded up one round of 115gr FMJ. Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to focus on the fundamentals.
I pressed that long, heavy trigger.
BANG!
Well, sh___. That was no big deal.
I felt it, that's for sure. But no screaming pain.
I ended up shooting the Ruger & my Glock 19 as well. I even put 15 rounds of the 124gr +P Gold Dots through each. I shot both Left & Right handed (about 50/ 50) and did some one handed shooting.
I had never really paid attention to the difference before, but the Ruger is much softer. The Glock is still quite manageable, even with the +P stuff. I'm probably still going to back down to a standard pressure load, however.
Then, I broke out my 1911 and put 50 rounds of 230gr hardball through it & then a couple magazines of 200gr Hornady XTP. That was really no big deal either.
All said & done, I shot about 145 rounds, 70 or so with each hand. Didn't do too bad, either. There were a few fliers, but they were due to anticipation or poor trigger control and I knew it when it happened.
I still feel it a little bit today, but it actually hurts worse doing yard work. I don't think I can shoot for half a day. But now I am confident that if, God forbid, the unthinkable happens, the gun won't hurt me.
And I can go back to carrying Left handed.
I did some dry fire & confirmed that manipulation of a handgun is pretty much unaffected.
Well, yesterday I nerved up & took myself to the range. I was nervous. I picked my Ruger P89 because it is heavier & would probably cushion the recoil more. I loaded up one round of 115gr FMJ. Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to focus on the fundamentals.
I pressed that long, heavy trigger.
BANG!
Well, sh___. That was no big deal.
I felt it, that's for sure. But no screaming pain.
I ended up shooting the Ruger & my Glock 19 as well. I even put 15 rounds of the 124gr +P Gold Dots through each. I shot both Left & Right handed (about 50/ 50) and did some one handed shooting.
I had never really paid attention to the difference before, but the Ruger is much softer. The Glock is still quite manageable, even with the +P stuff. I'm probably still going to back down to a standard pressure load, however.
Then, I broke out my 1911 and put 50 rounds of 230gr hardball through it & then a couple magazines of 200gr Hornady XTP. That was really no big deal either.
All said & done, I shot about 145 rounds, 70 or so with each hand. Didn't do too bad, either. There were a few fliers, but they were due to anticipation or poor trigger control and I knew it when it happened.
I still feel it a little bit today, but it actually hurts worse doing yard work. I don't think I can shoot for half a day. But now I am confident that if, God forbid, the unthinkable happens, the gun won't hurt me.
And I can go back to carrying Left handed.
herrwalther
Member
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Great news that you are not affected with your new brace. I have wrist problems in both hands. When mine are bothering me I slather on menthol rub, put on a wrist brace, and typically carry my PPS instead of a full size.
1911 in 9mm?
I think the FN Five-Seven is a pretty soft shooter but I suspect the ammo prices rule it out.
The Shield.380 EZ is basically the size of an M&P .22 and a really soft shooter. Basically it's close to G43X size.
PS Just read about the wrist brace. Glad to hear it really helped.
I think the FN Five-Seven is a pretty soft shooter but I suspect the ammo prices rule it out.
The Shield.380 EZ is basically the size of an M&P .22 and a really soft shooter. Basically it's close to G43X size.
PS Just read about the wrist brace. Glad to hear it really helped.
bdickens
Member
No, the 1911 is a .45, just like God and John Browning intended.
tactikel
Member
Two trains of thought.
Shooting advice: fit your Glock with a hogue sleeve, and wear a shooting glove. Add a low recoil pistol to your range rotation- think .22 target pistol. Shoot light target ammo in both. Limit range time.
Physical: for Osteoarthritis you should be on NSAIDS ( ibuprofen or naproxen) take a dose 1 hour prior to range. Consider daily use of : aspercreme, capsaicin, or bengay. Upon return from the range redose with nsaid when appropriate, and ice your hand.
Shooting advice: fit your Glock with a hogue sleeve, and wear a shooting glove. Add a low recoil pistol to your range rotation- think .22 target pistol. Shoot light target ammo in both. Limit range time.
Physical: for Osteoarthritis you should be on NSAIDS ( ibuprofen or naproxen) take a dose 1 hour prior to range. Consider daily use of : aspercreme, capsaicin, or bengay. Upon return from the range redose with nsaid when appropriate, and ice your hand.
Bill460
Member
I started taking CBD Oil just last week. And my constant lower back pain has all but completely subsided.
d2wing
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Interesting. Hate to give up meat. I have quit eating cold cereal and instead eat eggs and sausage for breakfast. It has improved my blood tests.
flightsimmer
Member
Best arthritis advice is, don't get it.
bdickens
Member
I'm gonna just assume you're being silly.
I'd also rather not be getting $140 or so a month for my knee through the VA, but things happen....
I'd also rather not be getting $140 or so a month for my knee through the VA, but things happen....
Do you mind listing the brand name of the wrist brace? I could use something like that. Mine are a bit tight.
Buzznrose
Member
Cold cereals are not all equal and many have lots of refined sugars and GMO’s. Unrefined oats with some flax or hemp daily will really help your heart issues and will positively impact your gut health.
How are your inflammation markers? The Keto/Paleo has lots of success for short term weight loss and improved bloodwork in folks who have really bad numbers, but there are long term consequences if you aren’t careful.
https://www.health.com/weight-loss/keto-long-term
bdickens
Member
I wish I could help. There is no label on it. I got it from the VA. Maybe some medical supply place would have one like it.
I should look myself so I can get a spare one.
Thanks. At least from your picture and description, I know what to look for.
macadore
Member
It's called a cock up wrist splint or brace (not making this up). You can find them at Walmart, Amazon and several other places.
d2wing
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I have braces something like that but they also have a metal brace and wrap for my thumb. They help but are not very practical for doing anything. The VA gave them to me. I need them for both hands.
bdickens
Member
I would caution against getting steroid shots. They really only mask symptoms and recent research has shown that long term use can actually be detrimental.
bdickens
Member
Great that you're feeling better!
Chronic pain is a bear and it can really wipe you out physically and mentally.
Bill460
Member
It's been around 2 weeks now, and the CBD Oil is working fantastically! If you have never used this stuff, I strongly recommend you try it. Today I went Trap shooting, (100 targets), came home, cleaned my gun, and my lower back has never felt better. It's made me a believer, that's for sure.
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