Think I went limp-wristed, suggestions?

[Hammerhead6814]

I'm testing out a Hi-Power before I buy it. Today was my second test (rented at range), but unlike my first I couldn't hit squat this time. Difference: I twisted my wrist the wrong way last thursday, and it swelled up. Monday it started feeling normal and today I felt good enough to go shoot.

It felt fine during shooting. But my shots all landed low and to the left. I think I may have gone "limp-wristed" or something.

Anyone else ever sprain a wrist and have trouble shooting afterward? What'd you do to get back on target?

 

[David E]

"Low left" is typical shot placement indicative of flinching. ie; anticipating the shot and pulling the gun low left a micro second before the shot is actually fired.

You probably subconsciously wanted to protect your injured wrist. Wait another week or two and try it again.

 

[MedWheeler]

This can also happen of you shoot a lighter load or load containing a lighter bullet than you previously did. In anticipation of more kick, you tighten up and the lighter shots go low. Were you shooting the same load both days?

 

[jpwilly]

Check this out:

 

[James T Thomas]

makeshift brace

If you are not going to rest it any further, try grasping your wrist from underneath with your free and and gripping it like an applied brace would.

 

[MrCleanOK]

I would guess (as others have) that you are flinching as a subconscious effort to favor your injured wrist. You need more time off.

Also, I'm not sure you understand the term "limp wristing". Limp wristing is the practice of not holding a pistol firmly enough. When the gun cycles, the frame rotates too much and shortens the travel of the slide, which can cause malfunctions.

 

[Drail]

Really you should give it time to heal. I had to take an entire year off from IPSC (.45 ACP) shooting because of a wrist injury that took a long time to heal. Wrapping it up in an Ace bandage can help but you have to give it time or you will pay dearly as you get older. Read some of John Taffin's articles where he describes all of the surgery he went through from shooting big bore handguns. Very expensive and not fun.

 

[GRIZ22]

Let your wrist heal. Good time to work on your weak hand shooting.

 

[BCRider]

...or shoot .22 to keep the eyes and grip in practice. Shooting .22 will also help kill the flinch you would appear to have developed.

 

[Hammerhead6814]

MrCleanOK:

Didn't know that. I was under the impression that it meant a weak wrist. Which I thought I had but given what's been said here I must be protecting it. It's possible.

 

[m2steven]

Hell, i've gone shooting and had trouble shooting afterwards

 

[jigglyjames29]

Yeah, don't shoot with wrist injuries. The wrist is comprised of many small bones and ligaments and crap... very complex machinery. I fell off a garbage can when intoxicated two years ago and have had wrist issues up till now. Shooting my friend's G29 made my ring and pinky finger numb for hours... compression of the ulnar nerve. Not good.
Work on your weak hand shooting until it's fully healed.