Elbow Pain from Shooting?

[XD Fan]

Anyone ever have elbow pain during and after shooting a handgun?

About three weeks ago my elbow was hurting while shooting my XD45. Since then, the last two times I have been to the range I also experienced elbow pain even though I was only shooting a .22. The pain is not severe, but it is annoying.

I will be seeing a physcian about this, but I was just curious if this is a common experience.

 

[230RN]

You sure it's not Beer Elbow?

Actually, I wonder if it isn't incipient arthritis.

Or, if you're like me, pressure on the elbow while it rests on the desk pushing the mouse around results in pains coming on once in a while when I'm not even at the 'puter.... it's my left elbow, so it's not from shooting. (But I'm 67 yo.)

The shock of recoil might "tickle" a sub-threshold irritation due to mousing.

Best advice: See an MD disunirregardless what you think it might be, and disunirregardless of whether others get these pains also.

 

[SoCalShooter]

try relaxing your arm more when shooting. If you are locking your elbow it might be to much.

 

[FieroCDSP]

Got the same problem. Combination of hereditary joint issues and playing drums, computer, etc... Maybe try Glucosamine supplements. Some people say it helps the joints.

 

[Lonestar49]

Try This stance

Quote:try relaxing your arm more when shooting. If you are locking your elbow it might be to much.
__________________
...

Catch Horatio ("H") on Miami CSI, and his stance.. Cool, calm, and accurate..

He's my hero.. and carries either a Sig P229 Carry 40, or 9mm, as well.


LS

 

[Hawkman]

100 rounds rapid fire of .45acp or more powerful will stiffen my elbow up the next day.

 

[coelacanth]

may be some latent tendonitis. . . . .

try using a "tennis elbow" brace before your next range session and see if that helps. You can usually get them from Walgreens or the local sporting goods store for $10 - $15.

 

[peterotte]

Maybe try Glucosamine supplements. Some people say it helps the joints.

Yes, absolutely. Glucosamine and Chondroitin with copper and zinc or something. My elbow pains (and knee pains) have reduced dramatically. But see your doctor anyway.

 

[HayseedDixie]

Only time I've experienced elbow pain was from firing my 629 for an extended period. It was odd though... no wrist or hand discomfort later that evening, but my elbows were clearly sore. I suppose it can happen.

 

[RNB65]

Sounds like it could be tendonitis or arthritis. I've never had any problems with handguns, but shooting rifles with more recoil than a .223 will sometimes give me elbow tendonitis.

Take ibuprofen for a few days until the pain goes away. Then try some strength training exercises using 3lb and 5lb dumbells to strengthen the muscles in the wrists and forearms. Do a Google search on tennis elbow and golfers elbow to learn about the exercises.

Back when I used to play a lot of golf I had constant fits with elbow and wrist tendonitis. The only thing I found that would prevent it was regular strength training with dumbbells.

 

[Werewolf]

The only time I've ever gotten elbow pain from shooting a handgun was when I shot full power .44Mag loads out of a S&W model 29 with wooden grips.

I can shoot full power .44Mag loads out of my Taurus Raging Bull with rubber grips all day.

GRIPS REALLY DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

 

[vtoddball]

I think this usually happens when you use a poor overhand technique when racking the slide.

Ouch.

 

[bdutton]

Classic tennis elbow. Do not lock your elbow or over extend the elbow. Some people have been trained to raise the arm palm up and then turn the wrist leaving the elbow locked.

Proper technique should be to grip the firearm like you are shaking someones hand. Elbow pointing out, not down. Then keep arm in that position when you raise the arm to shoot.

 

[ZeSpectre]

Don't lock your elbows, use your arms as shock absorbers not rigid rods.

 

[HammerBite]

Don't lock your elbows, use your arms as shock absorbers not rigid rods.

I agree. A long time ago when I got into NRA 2700 bullseye shooting the deal was to lock your elbow and try to have the recoil go straight along your arm This made sense because you wanted quick sight recovery during the timed- and rapid-fire strings. It wasn't stressful because the loadings used weren't stressful.

Then I got a .357 Python. The first few times out with it I was doing the same thing that I had been doing with the bullseye guns. The Python was evil!

Then I realized that with the .357 there was no way I was going to get the kind of sight recovery I was used to, so why use the same technique? I tried elbow to the side and slightly bent. The difference was wonderful.

I have long been fascinated by the video that appears on John Linebaugh's website. He is shooting one of the cannons he is known for, offhand and with the elbow slightly bent. He just lets the gun go where it will. It is interesting to note that his body, shoulder and head barely move, and when he turns back to the camera he appears about as unruffled as I would be after shooting a .22. I have read somewhere that he isn't a very big guy, yet he gives a very elegant performance.

 

[Smurfslayer]

I feel your pain...

Classic tennis elbow. Do not lock your elbow or over extend the elbow. Some people have been trained to raise the arm palm up and then turn the wrist leaving the elbow locked.

Proper technique should be to grip the firearm like you are shaking someones hand. Elbow pointing out, not down. Then keep arm in that position when you raise the arm to shoot.

You can get this problem even with proper technique via 'repetitive motion' or 'use'. I too got the brace suggestion as well as some stretching, heat and of course rest. If it's repetitive use induced, rest is the most important.

 

[XD Fan]

Wow, thanks for all the great advice. I have been shooting with my arm straight and rigid. I will try bending and relaxing the elcow.