Back problems and pistols

[Gork10]

Recently I've been having lower back problems so carrying my normal CZ P-07 has been a challenge. So, I went out and found a used S&W shield m2.0. out the door 400 bucks including the IWB holster the shop is building me. Haven't shot it yet. Hoping it does well with my preferred 147 grain JHP.

 

[LV Gun]

A friend of mine who I shoot with on and off has one it is a great gun they are softer shooting than my Springfields . Enjoy!!!

 

[Cornhusker77]

Those are dandy little guns.

 

[dodo bird]

Recently I've been having lower back problems so carrying my normal CZ P-07 has been a challenge. So, I went out and found a used S&W shield m2.0. out the door 400 bucks including the IWB holster the shop is building me. Haven't shot it yet. Hoping it does well with my preferred 147 grain JHP.View attachment 1210210

I am no medical professional fwiw. I have had similar lower back issues and carrying a more full size pistol was miserable. Daily stretching has helped me. Especially toe touches for 20 seconds at time. Either way nice find on that shield. I fired one recently that a friend had. Good pistol.

 

[4v50 Gary]

I went back to an ancient shoulder rig. Slower but no weight on the hip.

 

[Hartkopf]

I went back to an ancient shoulder rig. Slower but no weight on the hip.

Weight on the hips seems to be a large part of my back problems. I haven’t gone to a shoulder rig yet but I have gone to a lighter gun. And pants with some stretch. If I sit down and everything pulls tight, my back gets cranky quicker.

 

[tarosean]

Another thing to consider is ditching your wallet. If your walking around with a wallet that’s several inches thick your putting unnecessary stress on your lower back

 

[Armored farmer]

Imho, there's not much needed of a heavy edc pistol when there are lighter options like your new Shield, Sig 365, Hellcat, G43, etc.
I have heard great things about S&W Shield from many THR members.

Good luck with the back. Btdt....ice and ibuprofen. A Smoky Old Fashioned around a campfire helps too.

 

[trackskippy]

For me, back and knee issues seem to be more directly related to my weight and physical shape, more so than what Im carrying. Keeping my weight in check and trying to be at least reasonably active and trying to keep fit, make a major difference too, both of which have been more of a challenge since Ive retired.

Gun related, Ive always found wider, stiffer, actual "gun belts" have been the better choice for waist carry, and IWB was better than OWB, as my pants bearing on the holster help support the gun. Skinny belts tend to not offer enough support and want to cut into you the more you tighten them. The wider belts help with support and help spread the weight.

 

[.308 Norma]

A Smoky Old Fashioned around a campfire helps too.

 

[Gork10]

Imho, there's not much needed of a heavy edc pistol when there are lighter options like your new Shield, Sig 365, Hellcat, G43, etc.
I have heard great things about S&W Shield from many THR members.

Good luck with the back. Btdt....ice and ibuprofen. A Smoky Old Fashioned around a campfire helps too.

An old fashion and campfire is the best cure. I agree about not needing a heavy EDC pistol. Love my Hi Powers but they do get heavy overtime, even with a proper holster and belt.

 

[redneck]

I wouldn't feel undergunned with a shield despite my daily carry lately being an M&P compact. They shoot great and are nice and light.

I did want to add though, that at one time I threw my back out severely to the point I could hardly walk for a few days. I found that wearing carpenters style suspenders (wide web with a lot of stretch, literally bought at lowes with the tool belts) let me keep my belt pretty loose and still held everything in place enough for me to have a fighting chance while I was laid up. I wore the suspenders over my T-shirt but under my cover shirt. It was comfortable and barely noticeable.

 

[Eutycus]

The title of this thread really caught my attention.

 

[Eutycus]

Another thing to consider is ditching your wallet. If your walking around with a wallet that’s several inches thick your putting unnecessary stress on your lower back

Or at least rotate, this pocket today, that pocket tomorrow. I've had a chiropractor tell me that.

 

[Eutycus]

I think we are little too "casual" to be wearing a shoulder holster. I wear my suspenders under my shirt. Keeping a shirt tucked with a tight belt is a little more than my back needs at the moment. Luckily untucked shirts are in style but is there really a "style" now days?

 

[Lo-Profile]

I live with back, hip pain daily. Have for years, it's due to Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis (DISH), also known as Forestier's disease, is a condition that causes the ligaments in the cervical spine to calcify and ossify.

I've learned a good belt helps a lot. Mine is a double layer bullhide belt. I still carry either a Sig Sauer C3 or Sig Sauer P365xl daily. Both in OWB leather holders, 2 extra mags in leather as well.

 

[dweis]

Another thing to consider is ditching your wallet. If your walking around with a wallet that’s several inches thick your putting unnecessary stress on your lower back

I'll second that. I have had back issues since an injury I got in the Corps at age 27. In my early 40's I had a nagging lower back ache. I saw a my Doc and he asked to see my wallet. I showed it to him. He said first prescription: get rid of all that stuff your are carrying. I did that. I carried a small thin wallet in my front pocket that neatly held my DL, CCP, CC, and AAA. card. Pain gone. Still do the same thing today and I am 82.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I started out with the first generation Shield when they first came out and now I'm using the PC Shield Plus ported and I've never felt that I needed any more protection than the Shield Plus. My first gen Shield was only an 8 shot with one in the pipe but the one I carry now is a 12 shot with one in the pipe and with an extra mag that's more than I'll ever need. Hopefully.
Those are good guns, it should serve you well.

 

[JDeere]

Nerve pain from lower vertebrae here. Neurosurgeon says surgery not an option to fix old age and wear and tear so pain management it is. ESIs help tremendously and last about 3 months. Sig 365XL IWB is my daily carry now days...

 

[Gork10]

A physically demanding job all my life and 25 years of martial arts has taken its toll on my back. As I seen it put in another thread here, the bills are coming due for an active life. I already carry a thin wallet and keep myself in good shape. Just have to listen to my body. When it tells me enough is enough for the day it's time to take it easy for the rest of the day.

 

[jstert]

mild daily exercise and a joint supplement have helped me greatly. i also avoid too much recoil out of a small handgun. when it comes to a daily ccw my default choice is a keltec p32 pistol or a s&w 642 revolver (loaded with softer wadcutters).

 

[bassjam]

I switched to appendix carry because I tried several guns and 3x times that holsters in the IWB position from 3:30-4:30 and no matter what ended up with back pain after an hour or two. I tried thick leather gun belts and thick nylon carry belts with a core, didn't matter.


The smallest guns were an LCP and a 337 Airlite and I still had pain, but I can comfortably carry and all steel 3" K6s appendix with a thin crappy nylon belt.

 

[Ks5shooter]

G43x for me and G42 pocket carry in summer.