Heaviest weight for ccw

[Ernie Bass]

Or you'll just get stronger.

Your opposing muscles will not get stronger, they will just become tighter. Think of muscles like silly putty. If silly putty is not stretched and warmed up it will just break. Most back aches that lay people up for a few days is when they sit for long periods, carry heavy objects on one side etc. and then bend over quickly. The tight muscles tear and do it quickly. Tight muscles are constantly pulling on the spine. Over time, many will get a herniated disc.
Start with your shoes. Even bad shoes will get you in the hospital. Take a well worn pair of shoes. Is the wear pattern the same? Look at the body of the shoe. Does the shoe Pronate (rotate inward) or suplinate (roll outward)?
Not only back aches, but foot injuries, knee injuries etc. They are all connected to work in unison.
At the very least make a visit to a chiropractor and get xrays. You most likely have one leg shorter than the other and may have one hip shorter. And get into a serious stretching program. Proper stretching three or 4 times a day. If necessary buy a heel lift and proper shoes. It would not hurt to get a deep massage once a month as well. Carrying a gun is more than just a holster and belt. It comes with a cost.

 

[Stophel]

Sounds like carrying a gun at all is hazardous to your health.

 

[JohnKSa]

Everything we do comes with some level of risk, and generally has both associated advantages and disadvantages.

 

[Ernie Bass]

There are ways to reduce the risk. Even avoid them entirely with a little knowledge. If you have ever been in a Chiropractors office, in most cases he will ask you to step on a scale. The first thing you notice is the scale is actually two. Each weighing both sides of the body. Ever had Plantar fasciitis? Do the shower test. Walk with wet feet and then look at your foot prints. Do you have flat feet? One foot flat, one foot with a arch? If so, your body might be telling you something.

 

[JR24]

It is possible an exercise regimen or physical therapy could help with the issue. Just continuing to wear a carry rig that's causing problems is more likely to cause the problems to get worse, not better.

I had nightly and morning lower back pain for quite a few years, always blamed it on one thing or another, driving for work, bed, chasing kids, armchair, pillow, etc. Visits to the chiropractor helped for a week, maybe two before the pain was back. Probably 5 years of it.

Then one road trip it was particularly bad, and I had to stow my EDC for a few days and the pain vanished after a night or two.

Lightbulb went off and I changed to a lighter carry gun and, poof, the nightly and morning pain was gone. I have a good belt and use quality holsters, but it just turns out my back will accept up to about 36 oz, loaded, and a couple mags on the off side.

I suppose I could try suspenders but carrying a heavy gun doesn't mean that much to me when Glock 19s exist (and other guns on that size range, lightweight 1911, EDC X9, CZ P07, etc).

Edit: I'm no old guy either, only 37.

 

[Ernie Bass]

I coached Runners for years. Got to the point I could just watch a runner and tell if he or she would come down with injuries. Knee, back, foot etc. Not every one was blessed with Great Bio mechanics. The goal was to keep the runner going through the season by correcting the imbalances. Correct shoes, weight training and of course stretching. Any pain is the way the body is telling you something is wrong. Many runners now, especially women will carry a firearm during training. Wearing anything on the hip would be disastrous. Work outs with the Core muscles is essential. And of course watching body weight is very important.
The shooting community seems for the most part to ignore these issues. Do a google and there are blogs etc that will give some great advice. Think about how much you walk during the day, sit etc. Repititious movements with a imbalance gradually take it's toll.
Again, one issue you see a lot is Plantar Fasciitis. One leg shorter than the other and the body constantly coming down on one side. A good Shoe that supports the arches is one very simple remedy that can same the EDC owner. And this is common. I would be many get this and never once attribute it to carrying a heavy weapon on one side of the body.

 

[Whiskeyhotel2020]

My EDC is a Gov't model 1911. But every now and the I'll carry my coonan .357. I'm 5-11 160-65#. I can't remember the holster maker off the top of my head, but it's an avenger type. When I find it I'll edit my post.

 

[sisyphus]

my CCO carries comfortably, my CZ 75 D you hardly know it's there, my Arex Zero 1 (Sig P226 clone) surprisingly carries very well and I do even though I never intended to carry it when I bought it

my full size 1911 feels like you have a cinder block back there, can't do it

 

[JR24]

my CCO carries comfortably, my CZ 75 D you hardly know it's there, my Arex Zero 1 (Sig P226 clone) surprisingly carries very well and I do even though I never intended to carry it when I bought it

my full size 1911 feels like you have a cinder block back there, can't do it

Odd, fully loaded they are probably about the same weight. Holster design difference?

 

[sisyphus]

Odd, fully loaded they are probably about the same weight. Holster design difference?

I think it's the size and shape compared to my others. I have a Galco pancake for it, so it's a good holster and it wears fine at the range. Just not comfortable for carry like my others.

 

[JR24]

I think it's the size and shape compared to my others. I have a Galco pancake for it, so it's a good holster and it wears fine at the range. Just not comfortable for carry like my others.

Happens, seems like you have plenty of excellent options that work!

 

[Rexster]

I tended to carry my duty pistol, or its near-duplicate, during much of my personal time, since the mid-Eighties, until my retirement in 2018. (The major exception was 2002-2006, when I tended to carry a pair of SP101 snub-guns, during personal time, while carrying then-mandated double-stack forties on duty.) The heavies, among these duty handguns, included 4” N- and L-Frame revolvers, all-steel 5” 1911 pistols, and 4” GP100 revolvers, all of which are in the low/mid-forties weight range, in ounces, empty

In retirement, one might think that an aging handgunner would want to take a break, and carry something small. Well, small handguns, that fire serious duty/service cartridges, tend to hurt my aging thumbs and hands, especially if the grip does not extend all the way to the “heel bone” of my hand. So, I am still likely to tote a GP100, a Speed Six, or an all-steel 5” 1911. A sturdy belt is extremely important, in this equation. A holster that does not carry the weapon too high is also helpful.