Helping out a bad shoulder

[Sydearm]

Hey guys I’m hoping I can get some help in here, I love shooting shotguns, but recently I had to shoulder replacement surgeries and lost most of the bone, pain level is still around to be noticeable, after a long road of healing I decided to get back out and start shooting more but I’ve ran into a issue, after 5-10 rounds of any loads my arm is out for a few days, I was told to look into recoil reducing stocks and a shooters vest to help out, so I’m wondering what stocks would you great people recommend to help with the recoil and help me keep shooting/hunting. If needed to be know I shoot a Remington 870 and a clone variant of the same shotgun. Thanks for any advice and before you suggest a smaller gauge or going to rifle no thanks it’s shotguns and pistols for this guy!!

 

[George P]

Personally, I would first check with my doc for any advice. Assuming you have the OK to go, I would start with something along the lines of a 410 or 28 gauge, in a gas operated semi. If that is not a viable option, then look into reloading a reduced payload with reduced velocity. My go-to reloads for my 12s and 20s is a 3/4oz payload - the equal to a 28 gauge. Very light in the recoil department. You might also look into making sure your gun properly fits - and that might mean a visit to an actual stock fitter - a properly fitted gun will work wonders on reducing felt recoil. Actual recoil will be by using the heaviest gun you can handle with the lightest and slowest load that works. Stay away from the 1-1/8 and heavier loads; stay away from anything over 1200fps.

Good luck!

 

[12Bravo20]

I'm interested in what everyone recommends also. I have a bum shoulder and waiting for the VA to send me to physical therapy. I can shoot my AR rifles in 5.56 and 9mm just fine along with my 410 shotguns. I tried shooting my 12 gauge and one shot was all I could handle with my shoulder. I haven't even thought about trying my 308 rifles after shooting the 12 gauge.

 

[George P]

And I wouldn't even bother with a .308. If you are awaiting PT, then you aren't healed yet - don't push it and make it worse. Get your doc's OK! Maybe .22lr rifles for a while?

 

[cdb1]

I have a bad right shoulder, three operations. Have had it since 1974. In addition to George P’s advice which I second I use an EvoShield shooting shirt.
https://www.evoshield.com/en-us/shooting
An article by Randy Wakeman turned me on to them. It works really well for me and is much less bulky than a Past Pad.

To sum it up use a heavy gas semi-auto sub-gauge with slower velocity and smaller payloads. If that doesn’t work I’d look into a Gracoil, Bump Buster or Isis recoil reducing system.

 

[12Bravo20]

And I wouldn't even bother with a .308. If you are awaiting PT, then you aren't healed yet - don't push it and make it worse. Get your doc's OK! Maybe .22lr rifles for a while?

That is exactly why I have been sticking to my 410 and 223 or smaller calibers for now.

 

[cdb1]

Understood. Going to a gas-semi over a pump will help with shotguns though.

 

[Armored farmer]

That is exactly why I have been sticking to my 410 and 223 or smaller calibers for now.

That's what I have been doing.
I did buy a recoil pad that straps over your shirt.....haven't tried it yet.
The thought of touching off my 3.5" waterfowl gun this fall makes my lip quiver.

 

[PoPo22]

"Understood. Going to a gas-semi over a pump will help with shotguns though."
^^^...This will help considerably if you are insisting on a 12 ga. (pump shotguns are not the most pleasant to shoot, semi-auto/gas systems produce a lot less recoil) also might consider putting on a thick "limb-saver" type pad on. I had a "lever-rifle" that was unpleasant beyond 5 rounds and a "limb-saver" did wonders for the recoil.

 

[George P]

That's what I have been doing.
I did buy a recoil pad that straps over your shirt.....haven't tried it yet.
The thought of touching off my 3.5" waterfowl gun this fall makes my lip quiver.

Well, that could mean it is a good thing or a bad thing..........I know for me, it would be a bad thing

 

[Sydearm]

Let’s say all I have access too is a pump action, would a ati or Knoxx stock make a difference in helping with recoil or should I just add weight to stock and front tube? And add a limb saver and use a shooter shirt, I don’t mind recoil but with half my clavical bone gone to much can snap my collar and shoulder apart, and I just love a shotgun to not shoot a shotgun if you know what I mean.

 

[George P]

If you reload, you can reload 12 gauge down as low as 5/8 oz which is between 28 gauge and 410. You want the heaviest gun you can handle shooting the lightest and slowest load possible to minimize recoil Adding extra pads can cushion it some, but Newton is Newton and to reduce ACTUAL recoil (the kind that can snap that clavicle) you need to reduce the weight and velocity of the payload, and increase the weight of the gun itself.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I agree on adding weight if lifting is no problem. I have 12 ounces or so in the stocks of my O/U guns. Factory 1 ounce 8s are easy in the shoulder.

I have a gas gun with no weight added. It is very soft shooting as is. I guess a little weight would make it even better.

Another option is to look into a Gracoil.

 

[cdb1]

The fastest way for you to reduce felt recoil and about the least expensive is a PAST Pad followed by an EvoShield shirt.

 

[Drail]

Two words - physical therapy. I know you did a bunch but really, it never ends. You have to keep doing those excercises pretty much for the rest of your life - trust me on this. I went through a number of physical therapists and finally found a GOOD ONE. He saved my life. I eat good food and got off the painkillers. Look into CBD oil. It works. Stay away from heavy kicking magnum guns.

 

[1942bull]

@Sydearm, your shoulder is aching because it is sending you a message. It is telling you to lay off. Bone injuries take time to fully heal. Your replacement is like having your shoulder crushed and put back together. It has to have time to heal so the ligaments and tendons and muscles can get to maximum strength. The bones has to fully encapsulate the implant. Therapy will get you where you want to be faster. I would lay odds that your therapist will give you exercises to do, and will tell you that when you fell pain to the shoulder are to do only a few more reps and then stop. My advice — shoot a handgun for a while, and a]save your new shoulder.