Carrying with a bad back

[Pig Hunter]

For over 10 years I have been carrying daily a1911 or N frame of some sort daily. Now I have a bone spur on a vertebrae and a bulging disc that occasionally make that very uncomfortable. I have a 66 2 1/2" I carry in a shoulder holster, but it isn't as versatile. The main issue is my back side isn't big enough to hold everything up without cinching up tight. Suspenders don't work with an untucked shirt. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks Mark

 

[bigggbbruce]

I have too many problems with my lower back to even start..

I carry AIWB..1911 LW Commander fits right in front of my pelvis and holds itself up...

 

[Eddie Southgate]

My back has been broke three times and I have five damaged vertebrae in my neck plus arthur kicking my hind end as well so I know how you feel . So far my only comfort has been pocket carrying a J frame or my old short butt Colt Cobra and keeping something more substantial handy in the vehicle or my computer bag .

I carry my N frames , Gov Model 1911 and SA's only when that is what I really need . Not being LE that usually means hunting only these days.Might try a Star PD instead of the 1911, it's a lot lighter and not a bad gun .

 

[Pig Hunter]

I have a Ruger LW Commander so weight isn't so much the issue. It's the belt being tight because of the billfold, knife, keys, flashlight, etc.. Something has been at3:30 on my right hip for so long I will have a devil of a time not having my hand go there if something does go wrong. Thanks for your insight and I hope you don't hurt today at least.

 

[ben_g1]

I pocket carry a J frame. A 66 even with the 2 1/2" barrel is a little heavy. Might look into a 342 or 340PD. Their not so much a range gun, but at 11.2 Oz make a great pocket carry. You would be surprised at what a few Oz lighter can feel like.

 

[Walkingwolf]

I pocket carry a J frame. A 66 even with the 2 1/2" barrel is a little heavy. Might look into a 342 or 340PD. Their not so much a range gun, but at 11.2 Oz make a great pocket carry. You would be surprised at what a few Oz lighter can feel like.

Might be time for a quality poly framed semi auto, possibly a Shield, Kahr, or Glock.

 

[jimmyj]

Consider "Down Sizing". Model 1911s, S&W "N" frames, and "K" Frames are a mite heavy when dealing bad backs, necks, and hips.

Another Poster recommended a Star PD .45. If you prefer "Wheel Guns" consider a Charter Arms .44 Bulldog ( I like the older model w/3" barrel and exposed ejector rod).


I would begin with a lightweight "J" frame 2" RB in a pocket carry.

 

[Mister X]

Age and ailments will catch up to all of us eventually and a lightweight snub makes a lot of sense as outlined here... Age and the Snubnose >> The Snubnose Revolver Files

 

[AlHunt]

IWB, close to 12:00. It keeps the weight centered. My choice of weapon is 26oz, loaded.

I struggled with extreme lower back pain for a couple of years. It still isn't right but about 95%.

 

[Walkingwolf]

Consider "Down Sizing". Model 1911s, S&W "N" frames, and "K" Frames are a mite heavy when dealing bad backs, necks, and hips.

Another Poster recommended a Star PD .45. If you prefer "Wheel Guns" consider a Charter Arms .44 Bulldog ( I like the older model w/3" barrel and exposed ejector rod).


I would begin with a lightweight "J" frame 2" RB in a pocket carry.

Carrying a small gun is better than not carrying a big gun. I prefer a full size gun, but sometimes I must ultra conceal. My heart doctor allows carry at his office, but it is not the best place to have people notice I have a gun. People just don't expect guns to be there, so I carry a NAA mini revolver at the doctors office. Not ideal but better than nothing.

 

[rmelton]

If you want to try suspenders wear a t-shirt under them then you can wear whatever shirt you want to.

 

[kthom]

If you want to try suspenders wear a t-shirt under them then you can wear whatever shirt you want to.

And the best suspenders that I've found for this purpose are those made by the Perry Suspender folks. They clip on to the belt intead of your pants waist. Makes it very easy to drop your britches when nature calls without having to take your cover garment off. Just unclip the galluses and leave them in place! I've worn this brand for many years with very good results. Got used to wearing a tee shirt while in the army so that's no problem for me!

 

[Old cop]

I've been forced to pocket carry either my 340PD or LCP for several years now due to physical problems. The one thing that's important w/little guns is regular range time to ensure your skills are kept up.

 

[stater61]

I have too many problems with my lower back to even start..

I carry AIWB..1911 LW Commander fits right in front of my pelvis and holds itself up...

I have a few lower back problems myself. I've also found AIWB to be SO much easier on my back and hip than carrying at 3:00 to 4:00 ever was, even before I had back troubles. It only took me a couple of weeks of drawing practice in the evenings after work before I felt I was good to go on the new draw position.

If you're not too keen on AIWB I feel a revolver especially one with a hammer or even bobbed hammer is about as safe as you can get in that position. You can place your thumb on the hammer and feel if it starts to move as you holster (that's where almost all of the problems come into play). The same goes for a DA or DA/SA semi.


If that's not acceptable I'd try a 329PD with 44 Specials in it at 3:00 it should help tremendously with the weight of all your carry items combined. If you don't care for that either than I would do as others have said and wear suspenders and a belt.

And if that's not working either than you're down to a light weight pocket gun or a J Frame in a holster or again my favorite position AIWB

 

[sigp220.45]

Empty your pockets, you don't need that stuff.

No belt. I haven't worn one since I retired. I hate them.

I carry IWB in the front. No reload. (I also don't carry an ice cream scoop or a slide rule, as they are about as necessary as a reload now that I am a retired gentleman of leisure.)

If your pants still fall down, get a fanny pack. No, they don't SCREAM GUN. They do whisper OLD MAN, but I'm ok with that.

 

[JM4151]

Bad Back

Take a look at the Sig Sauer model 365, 9 MM handgun. Not very heavy and extremely accurate and easy to shoot. Comes with Night sights std. I bought one a few weeks ago and have almost 450 rounds thru it without a problem. I really like it, and I have a sore back also. When I get up in the morning I take 2 aspirin before the pain goes away.

 

[Bat Guano]

Age and ailments will catch up to all of us eventually and a lightweight snub makes a lot of sense as outlined here... Age and the Snubnose >> The Snubnose Revolver Files

That's a good article...

Major heart surgery last year did a number on me. I too like 1911s and full sized duty guns. My problems started while I was on vacation and using a new Ruger EC9S 9mm in pocket carry. For about 10 months that has been my buddy. It's flat, light, and fires 7 rounds. It concealed well and weighed next to nothing. I did have some problems racking the slide and unloading, though.Putting strips of skateboard tape over the slide serrations helped a lot.

The other day I shot a 1911--first time since I went on that vacation! It was do-able, but not easy or fun.

I now do fairly well with my Browning High Power (with skateboard tape, too). Time will tell, but right now it is easier on me than any 1911. We'll see.

I have thought about the J frames; I have three--a dehorned M37 Airweight, a 442, and a 3" M60-4. But they ARE options...

Age and treachery are a good mindset, however.

 

[stater61]

As JM4151 stated the Sig 365 is a very nice little gun. A buddy of mine got one last week and we both shot it. I can't attest to the durability yet but it functioned without a hitch and it was very accurate.

I'm tempted to get one myself to wear in a thunderwear holster or in the top pocket of my waders. Being a flyfishing guide I'm either in my waders, my boat or both much of the time. It's hard to find a place for a pistol that you can get to in a hurry in waders but it's small enough, flat enough, and light enough that it would work. The 10 or 12 rounds is a plus also.

 

[BE Mike]

I think a tight pants belt will bother my back more than just about anything. Carrying a lot of stuff in my pants pockets just aggravates the issue. Shoulder holsters are better. That being said, my EDC is a Sig P365 in a kydex pocket holster.

 

[keith44spl]

The wife and I were dinning at an semi up scale restaurant last evening....

I noticed a gentleman seated near our table, he must of had a bad back too,
cause he was carrying a Baby Browning in a belt slide holster.

I suffer with sciatica back pain, but still need to carry a 1911 or an N frame.
Suspenders worn under a un-tucked shirt has helped a lot.

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