Older Guys and Concealed Carry

Kanewpadle

Kanewpadle

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For you older guys that carry a gun everyday.
(I'll let you decide if your older.:p )
Have you noticed that your skills have diminished slightly? Or a lot? :eek:

If so, what have you done about it? Has it changed the type of gun you carry? How or where you carry it? Have you changed calibers? Do you practice more often?

Proficiency with a firearm is a perishable skill. Do those skills go away quicker with age? Or does it get better with age like fine wine and stinky cheese?:eek:

I don't expect you to reveal your closely guarded secrets because us older guy need every advantage.;)

But do share your wisbangdom with us less older guys!!
 
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When I was younger I carried a 6 in. .357 in a shoulder holster. I could see good enough to take advantage of the long sight radius and the .357 shoots flatter than a .44 and it wasn't any trouble to put on a shoulder holster. Now that I am old, stove up and about half blind the only reason I carry is to blow something off of me. I belt carry most of the time because a sholder holster is hard to get on and off and it is hard to sit with a 6 in. so I now carry a 3 in. 29-4. I use a 240 gr. SWC at 944 FPS. That is about all my arthritic hand can hold but it should be enough to dislodge any thing that grabs ahold of me. Larry
 
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I have developed a tremer in my left arm and hand. I need to use both hands to drink. Thank God I am right handed. On top of that I need to wear suspenders even without wearing a gun. The fact is your shooting doesnt improve with age. Nor does your eyesight. Maybe you get wiser to give you a general edge to either not put yourself in peril or if you do, you have less to lose.
 
I carry a three inch j-frame now most of the time rather than a two inch. It is a little easier to control. That extra inch seems to make a big difference. I do practice a little more now, but that is because I have more time.
 
For me it is eyesight issues, just can't see the sights as well. Probably not an issue with a defense handgun at close range. The other thing is probably attitude. As feralmerril says, not as much to lose. Brings to mind the old saying " Don't "mess" with old men, they will shoot you".


Charlie
 
feralmerril pretty much sums it up for me.

Think more about your situation and accept the fact that your reactions are not going to be what they once were. I have learned that from practice and more practice. Eyesight does not improve but you can keep on top of that _somewhat_ by keeping current on your eyeglass prescription.

But with all the problems, its still better than the alternative.
 
In my mid 60's I know I'm not the man I once was and I conduct myself accordingly, mostly by minding my own business. I carry a J frame daily, but always have (edit: 3/16 changed to the M&P .380 of late). In retirement I have more time to shoot so my skills have not erroded (regular trips to the gym help some) and my LEOSA scores remain in the high 90's.

Don't fear aging, accept it because there's not much you can do about it. Besides, it's all about attitude and for me this is a great time of life.
 
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My experience, and my outlook; matches Old cop. I still shoot often, and; have maintained my skill & proficiency. I carry a primary (357) and a BUG (38) each and every day; it is what works for me. Because of age, wounds, surgeries, three joint replacements; and two pulmonary embolisms; I can't run away from trouble. I don't look for for it, but am cognizant that it may find me; thus I WILL STAND MY GROUND.

"Don't pick a fight with an old man, for he can't fight you; but he will kill you."
 
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The old saying, I'm not as good as I once was, but I'm as good once as I always was applys to a lot of things as we age. I'm older and have my share of health issues. I carry a gun, and can make that one shot as well as ever. Don't mess with old guys!
 
If anything, as I age, I find that I carry more often as I am less enthusiastic to go fisticuffs. I shot today and I see no real difference in my abilities. I have however shifted to guns that have much larger sights just in case I have to shoot without my glasses. I also find myself carrying and shooting fewer guns. I used to carry a variety of guns but these days I use those few types that I am completely comfortable with...

IMG_3602.jpg


As an aside, my rifle shooting doesn't seem to be as precise, but oddly enough my wingshooting has never been better.

IMG_5540.jpg


Drew
 
I find that I can no longer see the sights. I've had to practice more so I am proficient at point shooting. My groups are tighter at 10 yards and under point shooting than they are if I try to use the sights.

Remember if you look like prey, the predators will try to eat you. Do not be prey.
 
I'm 72. From the inside looking out the world looks pretty much the same as it always did. Pictures of me tell a completely different story however. These days I seem to have less tolerance for people that annoy me. I still love high school girls, I get older but they never do.
I have trouble focusing on sights and target at the same time but I can still get most of um inside the 7 ring at 10 yards. I carry the lightest revolver I could find but with my belly bigger than my butt my britches are hard to keep up. I usually just keep it under the car seat.
I've become so lazy my or a loved ones life would have to be in imminent danger before I would shoot someone because of the paperwork hassle.
 
When I saw "older guys" I thought you were calling me.

I'm OK with hand control, but here is the kicker. The other day I came in, put my stuff away; later - I couldn't find my snubby. Duh, my brain must not be getting enough blood.

Like my wife: she will spend twenty minutes looking for her keys, they are right in front of her. Guess it's contagious.
 
Mid 60s. I shoot more often to maintain some skill level. Age hasn't impacted what or how I carry, except that I am picky about sights on my carry weapons. I have a more difficult time picking up very small sights and black-on-black sights, so stay away from them. For my M36 shown in the avitar, I had to go with CT laser.
 
They eyes don't have it at 65. I wear tri-focals now and it is very hard to get the sights lined up with the proper part of the lens. For the rifles that have rails, a red dot is a life saver. Otherwise, it is a challenge. Sing along with me now, :I wish I were 17 again..." But I enjoy shooting way to much to give up, I will continue to shoot until the gun drops from my hand.
 
Early eighties,

and still carry two guns from get up to get down. Today a 329PD in a Sparks IWB, and a 642 in a pocket holster by Null.

Cancer this year and radiation treatment that has had some effect on vision, so all carry guns have fiber optics, and three have Crimson Trace.

I usually shoot about 10 matches at our club each year, but way down this year due to radiation and side effects. Hope to be back up to a reasonable par in 13.:)

My shooting skills are about par for me, just slower.:D

As my old friend says about old men--can't run, can't fight, so just one choice is left:eek:
 
Kanewpadle said:
For you older guys that carry a gun everyday.
(I'll let you decide if your older.:p )
Have you noticed that your skills have diminished slightly? Or a lot? :eek:

If so, what have you done about it? Has it changed the type of gun you carry? How or where you carry it? Have you changed calibers? Do you practice more often?

Proficiency with a firearm is a perishable skill. Do those skills go away quicker with age? Or does it get better with age like fine wine and stinky cheese?:eek:

I don't expect you to reveal your closely guarded secrets because us older guy need every advantage.;)

But do share your wisbangdom with us less older guys!!
Click to expand...

I'm more competent and confident today than I've ever been in my 60+ years.

And I'm working on getting better.

Thank you, but you did ask. :)

primary, IWB
CCOa-1.jpg


BUG, SmartCarry
001-1-1.jpg
 
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