The Chief in The Outlaw Josey Wales talked about age creeping up on him. I can identify with that recently. I'm finding it a bit more challenging to rack the slide on my SW1911 or most 1911's for that matter. The SW1911 seems a bit stronger than most. No problem with the 4506, however.

Nevertheless, I can't help wondering if some point down the road I'll have difficulty racking the slide on any of them when I may need it the most-home invasion at 2:00 am for instance and I'd be in big trouble then. I don't keep one in the chamber so, I'd have to rack it and could do it quickly. In short, I'm thinking about just using the good ol's six shooter as a stable for house gun. At 66 now, I've lost muscle mass and don't have the strength I did at 40 or even 50 for that matter. Skin is beginning to sag on my arms and wrinkles appearing everywhere it seems. That's not to say I'm an invalid or decrepit yet but, you have to notice the hand writing on the wall. You can't be 30 forever, unfortunately.

Currently I have but three revolvers, SP101, Ruger GP100 and the M29-3 in six inch. I'd love a 3 inch 686 but they're not exactly easy to find. Have I all but lost confidence or is this just a matter of reality? Would you continue to ignore the inevitable and go on or switch at some point to the revolver? My under the pillow HD pistol is the 4506 and I'm thinking of trying the 4516-1 as a CCW piece. Both are fairly easy to rack...now.

We're the same age and I understand what you're saying. The difference is that I exersize 3 days a week and while I'm no longer a young man I can handle the slide on my autos, but it is not as easy as it once was. That said my autos are strictly range guns. I rely on a revolver for all defensive senarios.

If you've not shot your wheel gun in awhile I'd suggest a trip to the range. They handle much differently but w/practice are every bit as accurate as the autos.

I wish you the best. Getting old is no fun but it beats the alternative!

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

You can always change your philosophy and keep one in the chamber on that 4506. One quick click on your decocker and you're good to go. It's all SA after that first shot if you need it.

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Why duck?? It's a 9mm!

I'm the same age,but not having any difficulty with that yet. However,I do have the visible symptoms of aging as you described. I stay active though,actually work pretty hard around here,and stay pretty fit.
The slides of striker fired pistols are easier to operate,but I realize that's not everyone's cup of tea.I use both and like one as well as the other.
Nothing wrong with the wheelgun,but I'd prefer having two ready instead of just one. I really don't see any reason to not have a round chambered in any auto though,unless of course,there are children around who may access it.

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Blessed be the Lord,my Rock

A semi-automatic pistol with an empty chamber is just an expensive, poorly balanced club.

Age simply doesn't enter into it. 18 or 81, NEVER, EVER assume that somebody willing to break into your home and maim or kill you is going to ALLOW you to chamber a round before they do what they came there to do.

Last year, there was a guy here in Ohio who was jumped by a couple of druggies while pumping gas. They double teamed him from front and rear. He was able to break free and shoot one of them twice in the abdomen. By his own admission, had he not had a round chambered, he might well have not prevailed, resulting in two violent predators with his gun and him totally at their mercy.

The time to chamber a round is BEFORE the fight.

Even in my younger days I used a wheel gun as my house gun. Nothing to remember in the middle of the night; rack the slide, safety off and the like. Just point and pull.

There is wisdom !

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CSM, U S Army(Ret) 1963-1990

Of the six autos I have, the SW1911 is by far the most difficult to rack-not sure why unless they put an 18 pound spring in it. The easiest is the 3rd Gen Smith's and next to that would be the HK 45 Compact. and Commander.

I guess I've never really known whether keeping one in the pipe with decocker down in the 4506 would actually compress the trigger spring so, I've always just left the magazine in without one in the chamber. I didn't want to wear any springs prematurely since some springs are increasingly hard to get as are other parts. I can't vouch whether any springs are under compression or not for sure with it loaded, hammer down. From where the bedroom is to the most vulnerable area-the back door that leads to the deck is a fair distance apart(about 35 feet) and I figured I'd hear glass breaking or the alarm going off and would have time to reach under the pillow, rack and wait.

I like the revolvers-I just can't shoot them as well DA as the autos which is the way you'd be firing in a defense scenario.

I'm over 60. I have semiauto's, but have always preferred a revolver. That's what I carry, and that's in my night stand.

Oh, yeah. Had rotator cuff surgery on both sides in the last few years. For a while my 60-4 Smith was preferred--light, small and easy to operate.

At the time I had a new Sigma 9mm, and the slide on that was stiff by any standard. Now between being broken in and smoother, and better healed, it's ok. My SA 1911 is noticeably easier than the Sigma and no problem at all. The easiest .45 slide I've run across has been the Ruger P-90 although I don't particularly care for it. In all cases I have a round in the pipe...

Nothing wrong with a good DA revolver, either.

know this though, a spring under compression does nothing to tire the spring itself. Its the constant compression and release that wears out a spring, so technically speaking you could keep say a 1911 c&l pretty much for decades and it will have no ill effect on the spring. Not saying over that long a period other variables couldn't come into play, but just saying that the science of springs (especially modern day springs) dictates that they are fine in a relaxed or compressed state without harm.

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God Bless Our Troops.

I had carpal tunnel several years ago, thank god it got better and I haven't required surgery,anyway what I found to be helpful was to cock the hammer and then pull the slide back. It seemed to take enough pressure off so racking the slide was doable.I believe in a round in the chamber, but regardless of when you decide to chamber a round this may be worth a try.

Very well said. I'm knocking on 70 and have arthritis in both hands, most noticeable in my right hand and in the knuckles of my trigger finger. I shoot regularly with various revolvers and have found that exercise and Advil are the best things available. As part of my exercise program I've found something that helps me with hand strength, that being what you would call "nutty putty". Sit in the chair in the evening and squeeze it like putty. And daily exercise is a must, including walking and upper body strengthening. As Red Green said, "We're all in this together, I'm pullin for ya".

I get little exercise. After working 4/10 hour days, coming home, cutting grass once a week, general house duties, taking care of my Corgi and walking him as much as I feel up to doing, cooking for us, etc. leaves little time for purposeful exercise. I'm the same weight I was in high school, 155 pounds but have shrunk from 5'-10" then to about 5'-8 1/2" now. Sitting at the computer at work doing electrical design work won't exactly give you a lot of exercise.

The most exercise I've had recently has been cleaning the deck. That's been a real pain as I don't use pressure washers but mix oxygen bleach called Stain Solver commercially, and spray or mop on the solution, run a brush over it and then hose dry. Then comes the staining part later. that's the extent of exercise other than the occasional yard work. I guess I'll just do the best I can...maybe get a 16# spring for the SW1911...maybe lighter. A good 1911 should run with a 14 pound recoil spring.

I carry a Makarov, but a Model 10 is the gun we keep ready, upstairs and downstairs. It's a better choice for my wife and there's nothing wrong with it for me, either. I use a grip strengthener while I'm watching TV. It seems to make a difference, and coincidentally, the pain I used to have in my hands at night has gone away.

Glock, bedside table, one in the chamber, no worries.

Unless your prone to nightmares.

That doctor in Connecticut probably thought the same thing. He was wrong and it cost him pretty much everything but his life, and almost that.

If you don't keep a round in the chamber of a semi-auto, you are indeed better off with a revolver.

I never assume that a violent assailant is going to work to my strengths or my time table.

Dedicated to ALL of us!

Toby keith I ain't As Good as I once Was - YouTube

Get the revolver and sleep good!

I'm 72 and understand your plight. I looked for a 686 for a while, and finally decided to buy a new one since the price differential was not that great. Even the 3" is heavy for CC; The Colt Magnum Carry is preferable.

I've thought about a 4506, but your post gives me cause to think harder.

BTW, I have two fluffy Corgis.

I have the same problem, but I do spend a lot of
time on the highway. That gives me time to use a couple
of Pro-Med therapy balls for hand strength. One is squishy
for dexterity, the other is firmer. That one's for grip and
trigger pull. I still have to apply serious effort on pistol
slides. Just me and the dobie here, so one in the chamber
is not a problem. (Less he wants more treats; have to
watch him then.) TACC1

Col Colt,

For what it is worth, your slide racking problem is an easy fix, I have used it for many years as an instructor....actually I am surprised that no one else has suggested it.....

Assuming you are right handed, most people will hold the frame stationary and pull the slide back with the left.

I instead suggest, that you cock your 1911 first and then while holding your SLIDE stationary with your left hand, push forward/outward briskly with your string hand (right), that way you are utilizing your own bodies strengths and not it weakness.

This technique has worked VERY well for 10 year old girls to 93 year severely arthritic widows or anyone else that is having a problem.

Try it yourself and I am quite certain that your problem will be gone.

Randy

The 4506 is one of S&W's top five greatest pistols ever. It's the only one I've given HD status to over the years as it's never failed. I don't have any problem racking the slide on that one. With no kids or grand kids about, it resides under my pillow where it has been for years.

Fluffies? I'll bet that keeps you busy with all the grooming. I actually saw a fluffy Cardigan at a Corgi picnic a few years back...first one I ever saw.



Another cute Fluffy Pembroke from that same day...


I haven't heard of Pro-Med therapy balls. I may have to look into that. I have a 7 year old Corgi in the house-no one else so; I could leave one on the coffee table while at home. He's not rambunctious so no need to worry about his jumping on the coffee table. He will, however, jump on the couch with me when I mention the word snack. He knows exactly what that means.

Many thanks. Just tried that and it does indeed work! I'd never thought of it like that before. I did know cocking the hammer helped but not to do things in reverse.

I taught that same technique to female officers (Army and LE). It often worked much better for them. Never thought (as I approach 60) that I may need to use it myself someday, but a good skill to be aware of.

Make time to exercise. It does not have to be hardcore, but developing some muscle mass and tone will really help. And before you say you are too old: we have some older folks, well into their 70s or even older, that still rock the gym. The main cause of weakness and loss of both muscle and bone as we age is a lack of weight bearing exercise. A thorough checkup, some research on exercise physiology, and a little time to find a decent gym with a trainer who has a clue will pay off. The first step to dying is to quit living.

A lot of things you could do more or less with body weight - pushups, dips, chins. A lot of walking with the dog will continue to provide benefits. If you can stand to swim, do that - I swim like a brick and am very uncomfortable in the water, but it is low impact and can be good stuff. My Dad grew up in the Depression and like many then had a crummy period, but he started running at 40. He had chest pains instead of the big one at 65, and lived a good life until he did have The Big One at 75.

I survived a really sucky medication reaction a few years ago (at 48) and all the crud that came with it, largely because I have tried to stay active and in decent shape. People who know more than I tell me that 95+% of those who went through what I experienced would have croaked; I was inconvenienced. I'll admit that my favorite chiropractor and his staff of massage terrorists see me a lot, but it's worth it. Other than the gray, I can pass for a lot younger, and I do better than most my age. I worked nights for a long time, and I HATE getting up in the morning. I try to get up at 4 a few days a week so I can get to the gym and do various things (cardio some days, weights others); sometimes I got after work, but either way, it is worth it in terms of quality of life. There are too many worthless buggers who would be gratified if I croaked, and I want to be a pain in their backsides as long as possible.

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NHI, 10-8.

I just started shooting a 1911 in 38 Super, it was a pleasure to find out how much lighter the recoil spring is, 14 lbs, I believe. I also have carpal tunnel and arthritis, and find the recoil of full house 38 Super loads about equal to 45 target loads.I love my 45's and my 10mm Gold cup, but the Super is getting more range time. I use the Georgia Arms 124 gr Gold Dot ammo for defensive purposes. It chrono's an average 1361 fps out of my 5" 1911 and is very easy to shoot well.

From a health standpoint, I'm a little afraid of trying to run as I could years back. In 2004 I had to have bypass surgery on my left leg...arteries clogged from years of too many fatty foods and cholesterol was out of the roof and triglycerides were over 570. The doc told me he couldn't feel a pulse in my left foot, did some tests and found the blockage in the upper thigh. They couldn't do the balloon fix(whatever it's called-angioplasty?) so, they had to do the bypass. Its something like a piece of medical grade Teflon tubing. I was out of work for a couple months with ten staples in my groin from where the cut started and 22 staples in the thigh.(I thought everyone would like to know all this.) Four years later I had to have another operation on that same leg due to blood clots and nearly lost my foot as it was turning grey. Now, I'm on aspirin, Plavix and Warfarin. If I had an accident I guess I'd bleed to death.

At any rate, I'm always afraid if I do something wrong(running squatting, etc) maybe that artistic work by the surgeon will tear loose and then I'd bleed to death internally. In short, running or jogging is out of the question. It may be more mental than physical but, I'm not chancing it. I don't know what I'd do if I had to run.

Maybe some device to strengthen the hands would be good. I use to have a spring like device as a teenage shaped like an "A" with a strong spring holding to plastic handles together. It was a good piece of equipment for strengthening the hand for sure. I haven't seen one in years.

So far, no arthritis to speak of so, I'm lucky there. I wish I was 40 again.

I don't consider myself 'old' at (pert near) 52, but, I have been dealing with neuropathy in both hands, with osteoarthritis creeping in. In 2001 I had ulnar nerve transposition and carpal tunnel release surgery performed on both of my scrawny arms. In 2004 my right shoulder started slopping around in the socket, resulting in some wonderful spurs, arthritis and stretched ligaments. I had all of that repaired. I am right handed and have been using revolvers for quite a few years. My brother gave me a CZ 52 to play with, but I have great difficulty drawing back the slide with my left hand. I look at my left hand while squeezing the slide of the CZ and it just will not do what I want it to do. Shooting is a big part of my life, and I have had to make allowances for what is happening to my hands. It did give me a good reason to buy a 1929 vintage Parker Brothers 20 gauge, though. Gotta love that!

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GMC-USN, Retired/1978 to 2001

ColColt try this site for some best quality grip excercisers Captains of Crush hand grippers and training tools for building hand strength . I use the lightest one they make, about 60 lbs, I also use the elastic bands you'll see on the same site. I'm up to 50 reps with either hand, when I get to 100 I'll order the next one. I use mine while I'm surfing the net, that way I don't feel that my time is completely wasted.

I considered a 12 ga 870 in 18 1/2" barrel some while back but upon picking one up at the gun show a few months ago, I couldn't believe how heavy it felt. I had a Mossberg 500 with 18 1/2" barrel when I was about 30 and it felt like about four pounds then. This Remington felt like it weighed ten pounds. Even my old replica 1858 Zouave musket feels a lot heavier than it use to. I could probably use it as a bar bell.

I think you reach your peak strength around 32-36 years old and it's a slow trek downhill after that...very slowly and undetectable for a long time. Well, as long as I can still retract the slide on my 4506 and my soon to be acquired 4516-1, I guess I can't complain too much.

Roundsworth, you've sure had a rough road to be so young yet. Maladies and infirmities of the flesh can come at any age, no doubt.

Tanker-That's it-that's what I was trying to explain. It looks like the one I had in my teens only my handles were red but the same thing and mine had finger grooves. I didn't know they still made them. Thanks for the link.

As I get older I find the more I rassle with the slide, the less fun it becomes. Any want to trade a nice model 25 for a 1911?

...or an almost new XSE Commander for a 3 inch 686? Odd since we've been talking mostly about health, just within the hour I had a package delivered to the outside of my garage door. It was 70 pounds of lead alloy I had ordered for casting bullets. I had to open the door and roll it end over in to get it inside the garage about six or eight feet. I couldn't pick it up. I tired but no dice. This is the sort of thing that really hurts. Knowing what you once could do now becomes a real chore or struggle-if at all.

Hey, I feel for you guys. I'm recovering from joint replacement surgery on my left thumb...right thumb is next. I have trouble with the slide on a .380, never mind my 3913. And let's not go into loading magazines!
I decided it's time to return to my roots and give up semi-auto duty guns. Yep, if the youngsters thought I was an "old school" cop before, wait 'til they see my Model 10!

I'm 74 going on 75, and yes, racking the slide on both my carry Kimber UCII, 45 acp, 3.5 inch and the 5 in Kimber Royal Classic 45c cp, aan be difficult when the arthritic hands get swollen. I bought a used S&W 649J with a 2 inch barrel as a backup, but the 357 magnums sure make a hand sore! The .38 spl aren't bad though. Only problem with the 649J is it's 5 rounds, and most of the quick loads hang on the side grip of the pistol with the wheel opened to load. I did have a 22lr Derringer American Arms, 5 shot revolver, but that proved unsafe, as I had a powder and brass round blow back spraying hands and face, because of the lack of protection behind the unchambered rounds.

I was going to suggest that same basic method for charging a pistol-holding it in the "weak" hand, sideways, with the ejection port down (or up, if you are left handed), and then clamp the rear of the slide under the thumb, and between it and the index and middle fingers coupled together-underneath, holding it there while pushing away with the weak hand. That thumb is a powerful little sucker. And, as I often suggest to men over 40, where strength and/or energy or stamina are considered, you might want to ask your Doc about a blood test that determines the amount of testosterone your body's chemical factory is producing; not how much is present, but specifically how much it is "making." Flapjack.

*
Most of the serious folks I know advocate avoiding the .357 in a J frame for a variety of reasons of that nature. I have plenty of chest hair, and no need for more. There is also not likely to be a performance difference that matters. For myself, in a J frame, I think the winner is a good quality wadcutter - low recoil, good sharp edges, decent penetration, no need to rely on expansion. They are not easy to reload - the answer to me is a second gun set up the same.

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NHI, 10-8.

Well, I'm 67. I can still jack the slide on most autos (my old Astra 600 is pretty darn hard) without much problem. But I have noticed the last few years I shoot revolvers more at the range mainly because I don't have to pick up my brass off the ground. Oh, and did I mention that the cylinder is easier to load than a magazine is.

I'm either getting old or lazy or both.

At 56 [57 in 10 days] I didn't think I would be in on this conversation this quick. But a 36.5" blood clot after blowing out a quadriceps tendon proved me wrong. Between time in ICU and recovery life provides surprises. My 250# body is now 220# with less muscle mass [good news/bad news].

No problem racking a slide or absorbing kick BUT, one thing I tend to recommend to folks is, at the range do some practice WITHOUT YOUR GLASSES ON. In the dead of night I find that groping around to grab my glasses is somewhat time consuming, time that needs to be opening the drawer and snagging the Mod13. Or if there is a scuffle, those glasses can come off.

I used to recommend, when living in Harlan, KY and the "range" was a quarry that folks would remove their glasses and run 100 yards and then shoot down range. The elevated BP and breathing helps replicate "some" of the feeling of adrenaline but certainly not all. The lack of glasses for the "dead of night" element. Low light would be another option but I never liked shooting at the quarry in the dark.

There's not much difference in keeping one in the chamber on a semi auto as there is in keeping a revolver around.

Do you still have the strength in your hand to pull a DA revolver trigger?

If that's for me, yes-no problem at all. Moreover, most autos I can rack the slide ok. It's just a couple I have that are more difficult. I thing one of the problems with the Commander is I put an EGW fps and honed a small radius on it and replaced the factory stop with this one. It takes a bit more strength to pull the slide back due to that one modification but, I sure don't have to worry about the extractor clocking and it gives the slide a bit more time to slow down so the magazine rounds can catch up...no more slide outrunning the mag.

ColColt,

Growr's suggestion in post #22 is good advice. It is a technique that is taught at Tactical Defense Institute. I am working to teach this to my wife, who just had her 31st twenty-ninth birthday. Her primary gun is a revolver, but she needs to know the manual of arms for a semi-auto. Revolvers are great for normal defense but we may need a little more firepower when the zombies come.

I'm 63 and work out a fair amount. Like other posters have mentioned, load bearing workouts are good, no matter what your age. For a lot of us "youngsters" running is no longer an option for a variety of reasons. About two years ago, I bought a combination rower and recumbent bike. The brand name is Stamina and I got it from Amazon for about $600. It is well designed and built, sturdy, virtually silent, and folds up. If I could only do one exercise it would be rowing. It is a whole body workout with no impact. You can do it any time you desire. The resistance is adjustable in 8 ranges, thru a magnetic resistance arrangement. Rowing will definitely help your grip and forearm strength. Just a thought.

S/F,

RAS

Just had a thought, how about one of those back sights with the ledge on it that let you rack the slide by pushing the sight against a hard object. They also make slide rackers for race guns running big optics, they stick out the side but it probably wouldn't matter on a house gun.

Doug,the wadcutters are good solution for a number of problems,and I don't think enough people are aware of this.Good call,IMO.

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Blessed be the Lord,my Rock

I LIKE full Wadcutters.

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NRA Pistol/Rifle Inst. RSO

Working out for us southern "fellers" is mowing the grass, weed eating, washing the car, walking the dog, cleaning the deck, etc. Even in my younger days I think I went to a gym maybe twice as a guest. I don't have the stamina and endurance for gym type work outs-wish I did. My dog probably need that more than me. A treadmill would help him immensely.

About four months back I took a five gallon bucket to one of the tire stores to see if they had any wheel weights so I could melt them and produce some bullets. He swapped me the bucket he had for mine and his was nearly full of wheel weights(and other stuff not worth melting). I couldn't even pick the bucket up to set it in the trunk. This buy was probably ten years my junior and picked it up like it was a bag of groceries and set it in the trunk for me. Tell me that won't work on your ego.

It is indeed and I'm gong to practice it. All in all, I don't have much trouble at all with most of the autos I have-just a couple. The two for HD are easy(so far)-the 4506 and HK USP-C 45.

Beretta made the Model 86 in .380 ACP and eventually it was discontinued.

With all the Baby Boomers, they could bring them back to life and make some serious money, especially in different calibers.

Tip up barrel, place in round, close, pull trigger, no racking needed.

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Doesn't hasta call me Johnson

That GP-100 should do job as a home invasion weapon. If you can't do it with that, you should have grabbed a shotgun!

Coincidentally, I just got off the phone with my father. He's been using guns of one kind or another for over 60 years.

Now in his mid 70's, he is also having a time with his semi auto's. So he's putting them away and digging out the revolvers.

Thankfully he's got a few to choose from in 357 to 44 mag.

I well understand the issues associated with age. I'm 61 years young and don't take the time for exercise other than daily moving to and from. My CCW gun has been a 4006 or 4013TSW for some time. Just this year l picked up two 625s in .45 ACP and a 625 MG in .45 Colt. I'm thinking the .45 Colt is my new bedside gun, with a Benelli M2 12 gauge chock full of 000 buck... my biggest concern is my eyesight! Just remember... age is just a question of mind over matter... if you don't mind it don't matter! In other words, attitude, adaptability and access to your preferred weapon!

Blessings,
Hog

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Isaiah 55:8-9
Phil. 4:13