Concealed Carry after shoulder surgery

[frayluisfan]

Hi, all.

Two weeks ago, I had major reconstructive surgery on my dominant (right) shoulder--three badly torn tendons and extensive cartilage damage. I will be in a sling for another 4 weeks minimum, followed by several months of gradual, gentle rehab. The doc thinks it may be 6-12 months before I'm back to normal.

Do any of you have advice on concealed carry when one arm is *totally* out of commission? For concealed carry, I usually take one of 2 options--Glock 20 at 4:00 in kydex holster, or S&W j-frame, either in front pocket or in holster at 4:00. Here are options I've considered for now.

1. S&W j-frame in weak side front pocket. This is working well, provided I wear cargo pants with a side pocket. Then left rear pocket=wallet, front pocket=j-frame, side pocket=keys, etc.

2. Either S&W or Glock in weak side holster at 3:00 or 4:00. Problem: the sling I wear has a strap that goes around your back, and it sits at about the same position as a holster would be.

3. Appendix carry--OUCH! I'm average in build, but whatever reason, I find appendix carry extremely uncomfortable. I've tried it with an Uncle Mike's IWB holster and couldn't take it. Am I just using the wrong holster?

Another general question: at this point, if I carry a semi-auto like the Glock, where do you put a spare mag, and how would you access it with only one functional hand?

Over the years, I have practiced enough with my weak hand to be confident with emergency use of a weapon up close. Also, reloading my j-frame from a speed loader or from a speed strip is a bit awkward, but doable--the right hand in the sling can assist enough for this to work. Reloading my Glock is painful, especially racking the slide, so I'm very reluctant to do it.

Any thoughts would be very welcome!

By the way, when I fell and injured my shoulder and found myself unable to lift my right hand at all, I was very grateful that someone advised me to always include weak hand practice in range sessions. Ya never know when you'll need to shoot weak hand only.

Thanks much,
frayluisfan

 

[bergmen]

I went through this exact same scenario a couple of years ago (rotator cuff repair on my strong side).

I immediately began practicing with my weak hand. I found my S&W Airweight to be perfect for this as I was able to use my strong hand (while in the sling) to assist in reloading. I practiced weak side one-handed draws from various locations, preferring pocket carry with a pocket holster in cargo pants or cargo shorts. I never even consider one of my autos because of the inability to reliably rack, let alone reload.

I went to the trouble of engaging the CCW instructors at our club to "re-qualify" me for weak hand CCW carry and sought their advice on my methods. This was not required but I did so in order to have my ducks in a row.

As a side note, I have developed weak hand skills that I did not have before. I had practiced on occasion but did not develop an all-encompassing routine. This is a great advantage no matter how you look at it.

Dan

 

[scaatylobo]

Total shoulder/off side

had my left shoulder total replacement done march 13 th

I carried a S&W .38 snub in both the 5:11 pockets [ my EDC pants ] and in a strong side OWB holster.

I also carried a Ruger LCP in the pants pocket while at the rehab center [ I am truly a believer in CCW zones ].

I was lucky to have my strong side as usable and I too have practiced the weak hand shooting as I lost the right hand use for well over a month --- back a few decades ago.

I see that the snub is the better way as the Glock [ my usual EDC ] needs a strong wrist and there is the possibility of a weak wristed shooting if not done with a snub.

AND there is the advantage of a contact body shot with the snub,that is not always possible with the auto's.

Heal fast,I am already shooting with both hands.

 

[340PD]

Last year I had both rotator cuffs repaired about six moths apart. Carried my j-frame in the sling on my arm. A little ingenuity, and very handy to get at with my other hand.

 

[gbran]

Kel-Tec PM30 pistol. 30 round mag, 22wmr. They're making some new personal defense ammo in 22wmr. The PM30 is not real smal, but not large or heavy. Lots of ammo downrange without reloading.

 

[Teachu2]

Last year I had both rotator cuffs repaired about six moths apart. Carried my j-frame in the sling on my arm. A little ingenuity, and very handy to get at with my other hand.

+1, did the same thing.

 

[orionengnr]

That was the first thing I thought of--use the sling as a holster.

Talk about taking lemons and making lemonade...

 

[FlyingScot]

Just got out of sling

I feel your pain. April 25th had 3 anchors for rotator, SLAP tear repaired, collar bone trimmed, bone spur removed, and long head of bicep tendon ruptured (not repaired yet). 1 week ago got out of sling. This is going to take a while...

I found my seecamp left handed was pretty good on left back pocket Akers holster. Occasionally P232 which I shoot pretty damn good with left hand...

 

[frayluisfan]

Thanks, guys , for your thoughts. I hadn't thought of carrying in the sling itself. I'll have to play around with that and see if I can get it to work for me.

Thanks again!

 

[rondog]

Wow, a lot of you having shoulder surgeries! I have a malformed bone in my r. shoulder that's given me grief all my life, moreso in the last few years, but I don't plan to have it fixed. JMHO, but I'd vote for the J-frame also. I have a Model 49 that's a real handy pocket Roscoe.

 

[scaatylobo]

@rondog

fyi - had both knees done [ total replacements ] and it was a biatch.

The shoulder was a cake walk and the only part that is discerning is the time for total recovery [ a YEAR ].

At my age I do not have the expectation of getting back to where I was [ power lifting & martial arts ] but to be pain free and able to do most of the normal stuff = including shoot WITHOUT pain .

 

[JTQ]

This article may be helpful

https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/ccm-columns/features/the-case-for-mirror-image-holsters/

 

[Jolly Rogers]

"...gradual, gentle rehab..." And you believed that???
First couple of visits, nice soothing heat and massage followed by electric stim. and ice packs.


Then the work started. What a change in demeanor. My therapist was a slave driver.
It is all worth it though.
Joe

 

[oldrevolverguy]

While my dominate arm was healing from surgery I pocket carried my 642. When I felt the need I Mexican carried my 4" S&W 64. The fastest reload is a second gun, particularly with a bad arm.

 

[ms6852]

After dislocating my shoulder and having limited range of motion I opted to carry the 642 with crimson laser grips. This made it easy to use weakhand. Regardless you still need to practice.

I always use 22 handgun to practice weakhand shooting, the crimson laser grips on my 38 levels the playing field a little faster but do not get to confident with it because you still need the practice.

 

[340PD]

To all of those of you that need but are afraid of the rotator cuff surgery. A couple of years back my Doc said I needed both repaired. Fearing the worst, I did a lot of internet research. Most people that posted had had horrible experiences. I did my first one two years ago May 10. Basically an out patient procedure, In at 7:30 home before noon. Full tear repair, five weeks strong arm in a sling. My doc sent me home with a imbedded "pain pump" Small three day only dispenser of some numbing agent that worked perfectly. Self pullout at home when it was empty. Never a Vicodin, or even an aspirin, needed the whole time. Although in a sling, you generally are not totally immobile with the arm after just a few days. I was able to walk four miles a day in less that three days. Truly this was no big deal. Lot's of rehab that I still do on a regular basis just because. I went in Oct. 1 that same year to do the other shoulder. To my surprise that was an arthroscopic procedure. Two days in a sling and lots more rehab, but again, even less of a big deal. Today my shoulders are totally pain free and I have virtually no restrictions at all. Pick a time when you have the least intrusions in your life and go for it.

I could tell you about both my hips being replaced over fifteen years ago due to osteoarthritis. Both hips are now titanium, pain free, golf handicap went down to 4, walk, bike, shoot, and love life.
Pain is a bitch. If it is fixable do it. Life is short.

 

[josephbw]

I just had rotator cuff repair, bicep tendon 95% severed repair, and bone spur removal surgery this spring. I had the sling with the big foam pad between the arm and side. I thought about hollowing out the foam pad just enough to conceal my Kel Tec PF-9.

Then when the drugs wore off a little more I realized that if I actually had to use the gun, I would be in deep doo doo if they did a drug screen on me after an incident. Then after the 2 week followup, the DR told me I didn't need the sling anymore, so I dropped that idea.

 

[mljdeckard]

I started a thread a few months ago about carrying after surgery on my wrist. I broke it on Jan 2nd, and it was determined that it was healing improperly, so they decided to do surgery, re-break it, take a bone graft from my shin, a bracket, and 8 screws. I am not yet convinced that it was the right move, I still have so much stiffness, I am looking at months before I am back to anything close to normal.

In the time I couldn't rack a slide, I carried a J-frame 642, and then my wife's XD-9. I figured the best plan was to make sure I don't need to manipulate any more than absolutely necessary.