Does anyone else get the shakes after shooting for awhile?

Status
Not open for further replies.
T

TheOtherOne

Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2002
Messages
1,422
Location
Ogden
Last time I was out shooting I noticed it more than ever. I only shot about 150 .22 rounds, 50 7.62x39 and about 50 .40S&W but towards the end I was having a hard time holding any of the pistols steady.

What can you do to overcome this?
 
I shoot hundreds of rounds per session and never experienced this. If I had to venture a guess, you might be grasping the weapon too tightly and making the tendons in your hands fatigued to the point where they shake afterwards.

Without being able to see your technique, it would be hard to diagnose. Talk to an orthopedic hand surgeon if it continues. You don't want to create long-term damage.
 
I get this pretty regularly shooting. I usually use it as an excuse to practice weak hand shooting. The real problem is that I sometimes get the shakes for no reason. Usually when doing light, delicate tasks like turning pages, or picking up small gun parts. It has gotten bad on occasion. It absolutely infuriates me when shooting. Trying to maintain a proper trigger pull when I can't even keep the gun still is pretty hard.
 
Don't forget to breathe. Also, make sure you're hydrated and well fed. Could also be due to the impact of the recoil, similar to the shaking you get after a few minutes of holding onto a cheaper gas powered week wacker. Some hand strength exercises could help.
 
Caffeine maybe? If you're a caffeine drinker try avoiding it before shooting and see if that helps. Also, if you're not a breakfest eater and go shooting in the morning, eat something.

Come to think of it, if you can shoot weak hand without the shakes it's probably just muscle fatigue.
 
Yeah, maybe too much caffiene as materdei said. Or... had you not eatten anything thusfar that day? Blood sugar could have been a little low.
 
This can also be caused by a partially blocked carotid artery. I had tremors in my right hand and had nearly given up shooting until I got my left carotid cleaned out.

John
Cape Canaveral
 
stress

from what i was alwasy taught, shakes is caused by muscle stress (aka fatiuge). the best bet is to either take some rest every once in awhile or loosen up your grip and arms a tad. not neccesarily(sp) alot but enough to where it feels more comfortable.
 
I suppoose this could be due to a medical condition that requires treatment, only your doctor can tell. That being said, I will also say I see shooters shake all the time while shooting. Some right from shot one, others after a while. The thing is that each and everyone of them is almost choking the grip to death while trying to maintain good gun control. This usually makes them shoot all over the place and they can ot figure why their groups get worse the harder they hold their handguns. Gripping that hard causes rapid onset of muscle fatigue and you begin to shake. Once I get, or got (as I no longer instruct), them to ease up their grip, the shaking went away and the groups got much better.

Another time you will notice shaking is if you are ever in an armed confrontation. You don' even have to fire your weapon, you will wind up shaking. That is from the let off off of adrenaline.
 
Could also be due to the impact of the recoil, similar to the shaking you get after a few minutes of holding onto a cheaper gas powered week wacker.
Click to expand...

Yup, heavy recoil and long sessions with the weed eater does it to me too. :(
 
Yes, shooting is hard work. It requires concentration, coordination, and muscle control. I'm only good for a coupla hundred rounds max after which I'm just wasting ammo.
 
I used to have the problem too that I fixed it by changing my grip. I use a modified Weaver stance now. I poke my right elbow out to the side a little instead of having my arm straight and grip the gun more on the sides than front/back. I used to get the shakes after shooting maybe 100rds from a pistol but no problems since I modified my grip.
 
I have low blood-sugar, and I've found that mental exertion and intense concentration can drain me just as quickly as physical labor. I usually have a "stash" in my car, and I stop to take a break and eat something every 30 minutes or so.
 
I sometimes get the shakes, but I think that's just because I'm weak. Holding a pistol or rifle out for a long period of time will tire out your muscles. I found that after I worked out on a frequent basis, the shakes disappeared or were minimized.

Try holding your arms out for a couple of minutes. They'll shake naturally. When you add the weight of a gun, it will be more exagerated.
 
Might also be tendonitis, especially if you tend to suddenly drop things for no reason at all, and sometimes have cramps along your wrists and forearms.

Tendonitis sucks. :(
 
I get this when firing my Glock 22. I think I may have the starting of carpal tunnel in my right wrist, and the Glock grip angle exacerbates this after only a couple of mags. I can't hold it steady after maybe 20-30 rounds. When I shoot my 1911, I can shoot well over a 100 rounds without fatigue. The .40 is a snappy round, and the grip angle of your pistol may have an effect on the stamina of your wrists.
 
Only get the shakes if I haven't shot after about 2 weeks.
Click to expand...
Some people only get the shakes when they have not had a shot in two weeks... LOL
 
I get the shakes after about 25 rounds of 12ga. or so. It's like getting your butt kicked and then trying to shoot a pistol. Ain't fun.
 
I expierenced the same exact thing the last time I was out, and started a thread on it(here). I can to the conclusion it might be stress, but since I have no shot in awhile I can't say for sure.
 
I get the "shakes" also but it is most likely due to muscle fatigue. What works for me is taking a short break then going back to it.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

A
  • Locked
What to do about the shakes?
Replies
12
Views
854
Antjo
A
C
  • Locked
The Shakes
Replies
23
Views
1K
HiWayMan
H
T
  • Locked
Anyone else kind of nervous at the public ranges?
2
Replies
40
Views
2K
Bill4282
B
D
  • Locked
Does .40S&W seem really loud to anyone else?
2
Replies
25
Views
4K
Mike86
M
W
  • Locked
Rhumatoid Arthritis and Shooting
Replies
14
Views
1K
gym
G
Back
Top