Limp wristing

[DaisyCutter]

I shot a comp last night and had 3 failures to feed. Note, this is the first time I've experienced a failure to feed, let alone 3 in one competition. I was using a Glock 41 and 30S, and they had 1 and 2 FTFeeds, respectively. In all 3 instances, the cartridge stopped at the front of the feed ramp. Twice the FTFeed was on the last round, and once mid-magazine. Every time, a *tap* sent the handgun into battery. Both Glocks were previously rock solid performers.

Here's the rub. I'm an experienced shooter. I didn't change my equipment or ammo, so I'm thinking it was my mechanics.

My only explanation is that I've been doing grip exercises, using one of those spring loaded hand gripper things. I race enduros this time of year, and a strong grip is needed on the motorbike. So a couple times a day I do a few hundred grip exercises, until my forearms burn and my hands seize. Is it possible this exercise actually diminished my grip strength sufficiently enough to induce limp wristing.

Note, I was shooting mildish 200 grain 45ACP handloads, which previously functioned flawlessly for several shoots.

I can't imagine both Glocks developing a problem simultaneously?!?

Has anyone else ever experienced something similar? Is my logic sound?

 

[PabloJ]

I shot three G20s (1 gen 3 and two gen 4s) and was not able to induce a single "limp wrist" incident. I shot Winchester, PMC, PPU, Federal, American Eagle, HPR and Remington ammo. The only problem arouse with Gen 3 gun and Winchester Silvertip JHP ammo. Every single pull of the trigger after first shot resulted in a jam. There was only one incident using same ammo with Gen 4 after about 300 rounds fired. Other than that I have nothing bad to say about my Glocks.

 

[eddd7]

"So a couple times a day I do a few hundred grip exercises, until my forearms burn and my hands seize. Is it possible this exercise actually diminished my grip strength sufficiently enough to induce limp wristing."

So heck yeah! You're overcooking (pun intended) your forearms. Basic weight theory says to do what you're doing.....exercise until muscle failure. BUT, only every other day. The weight work makes you weaker (temporarily). It's the recovery that makes you stronger. When you exercise, you're tearing down the weaker cells. When you rest/recover, new cells replace the ones you "burned" out. Of the new cells, some will be weak, some strong.

Your body responds to the stress by adding additional cells during recovery. So yes. Work whatever muscles until failure. Do two-three sets.
Then repeat the day after tomorrow. Only work out every other day.

 

[psyopspec]

How many rounds through the guns? And, if up near 10k or higher, when was the last time the RSAs were swapped?

 

[DaisyCutter]

The Glock 41 has maybe 600-700, the 30S about 200-300. No upgrades. No prior malfunctions. I've been shooting Glocks for over a decade. My first malfunctions ever, honestly.

My handloads are close to "starting loads", so they may not have quite the *pop* to cycle the pistols in a weakened grip. Also, 2 of the stoppages occurred on the last round of the stage, so I may have been relaxing my grip in anticipation of finishing.

I'm glad my muscle fatigue induced limp wrist theory is holding true. It may have highlighted weaknesses in my mechanics. Now I can address them.

 

[wally]

In my experience you can blame stovepipes on limp wristing -- I've seen it done with a .25ACP where the gun follows the empty and the slide catches it as it moves forward.

Feed failures you need to blame on something else IMHO. Taping the back of the slide to chamber the round means there is too much friction somewhere, possibility the slide not taking a full stroke in recoil for whatever reason.

 

[gbran]

I may or may not have had a limpwrist malfunction. I don't really know. I don't know if limpwrist malfunctions are real or myth. My 1st SA pistol was an Army 1911 in the 60's. I have 14 handguns right now, 6 of which are SA pistols. I've had more over the years.

BTW, I haven't exactly looked into this even though I've heard or read this for many years.

 

[TanklessPro]

Due to the grip angle, IMO Glocks are easier to limp wrist. I have a wide variety of manufacturers and calibers, except Glocks. I have had only one time that I believe I have had a limp wrist issue and it was with a friends Glock. Therefore I do not own a Glock.

 

[W.E.G.]

My handloads are close to "starting loads", so they may not have quite the *pop* to cycle the pistols in a weakened grip.

If its something that suddenly came on when you started using some sort of new handload, its the ammo.

 

[eddd7]

It's Interesting

It's Interesting that the default positions of problem solvers here, focus on Glock grip angles, ammo reloads, this or that, rather that what you admitted to in your original post.......that you fried your forearm muscles past functionality.

 

[C0untZer0]

Here is my workout:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=9256437&postcount=19

But I only do it 3 times a week and I don't do a workout before shooting because I need at least a 24 hour recovery period. I don't shoot well if I go shooting the day I do one of these workouts or even the day after.

 

[boatdoc173]

Due to the grip angle, IMO Glocks are easier to limp wrist. I have a wide variety of manufacturers and calibers, except Glocks. I have had only one time that I believe I have had a limp wrist issue and it was with a friends Glock. Therefore I do not own a Glock.

I find the opposite. due to the grip angle, you are forced t lock your wrists to sight properly thus preventing the limp wrist issue

 

[ku4hx]

Due to the grip angle, IMO Glocks are easier to limp wrist. I have a wide variety of manufacturers and calibers, except Glocks. I have had only one time that I believe I have had a limp wrist issue and it was with a friends Glock. Therefore I do not own a Glock.

My 110 lb. occasional shooter daughter would agree with you, my wife would have early in her shooting life but no longer and I've never been able to force "limp-wristing" even on a bet.

The Gun's fault? I think not, but as is the usual case, YMMV.

 

[Sunray]

Highly unlikely to be limp wristing. Far more likely the mag lips got bent in a tick during transport.
And if you're arms/hands are getting sore from exercise, you're doing it wrong. Possible that you damaged 'em like eddd7 says. Quit doing that.
"...Due to the grip angle..." Has nothing to do with it. Limp wristing is caused by relaxing the hand too soon.

 

[murf]

it's getting colder. your rounds may be losing power. if you live in the valley of the sun, your temp change from last month to two days ago could be the problem.

murf

 

[PabloJ]

I think Glock "limp wristing" is a myth propagated by the likes of the trio of Glock experts shown on these forums previously that religiously load their gun magazines with one round less than full capacity.

 

[Grumulkin]

I had problems with failure to feed with a Glock 19 that was cured by a new recoil spring.

 

[JFrameTwitch]

If you have been shooting Glocks for over a decade and it coincidentally happened in both guns then it's your handloads. Considering your experience, If you had both hands on the pistol with any sort of grip at all I doubt limpwristing caused it. Supposedly the Limpwrist causes a stovepipe type malfunction. I would suspect your hand loads before anything else.

Repeat your workout tomorrow and then immediately go fire a few hundred good factory rounds through each. I bet they run fine.

 

[JFrameTwitch]

Although trying to shoot a basketball after a heavy lifting session can be an issue.

 

[Thompsoncustom]

Probably just need a new RSA. Tho glocks designs is more pron to limp wristing if you haven't had problems before I don't think your wrist/arms being dead would cause it.