Grips to reduce sharpness of recoil

I have read a number of threads concerning grips to give one a better hold on the Shield. Little has been said about grips specifically to reduce the sting of recoil.

I would appreciate any recommendations regarding a brand and model of grips that you think would better buffer the shock to my arthritic hands than gloves.

Practicing with my .40 Shield is a pleasure except for the punishment I receive from the recoil during a session in which I put between 150 and 250 rounds downrange.

Don't know if any grip will help too much with recoil on a Shield 40. That being said, I've had the Handall Jr. and now have the Pachmayr Grip Glove, and out of the two the Pachmayr has a softer more cushiony feel. Possible it might help a bit.

PAST, and several other companies make recoil reducing shooting gloves that utilize a thin layer of gel in the palm area to reduce recoil. They work well, and are great for range use.

Any time you put a cartridge with snappy recoil in a small, lightweight platform, Newtons Law comes into play...

Larry

A added over-grip or grip material may give you a more slip resistant grip or a better hand fit to the grip, but it will do very little to reduce "felt recoil'. I use the term "felt", as that is what it is. Two people can shoot the same gun and have completely different opinions as to the felt recoil. If you have a proper grip and the gun is not slipping or moving in your hand, the felt recoil is directed to your wrist(s) and arm(s).

The best way to reduce felt recoil is to build up you hand, wrist, and arm strength. Take a 6, or 8, or 10 pound barbell and do wrist curls with palm up, palm down, palm left (wrist movement up and down), and palm left but raised behind your head for the opposite curl direction. Do each curl until muscle fatigue. Do both wrists. Get a compression ball, or foam rubber, or a small pillow and do finger and thumb squeezes. Squeeze as hard as you can for 10 seconds and release and do each hand 10 times. I use a small foam pillow and do both hands at the same time. Lastly do wrist and arm isometrics. Start with your wrist in a shooting position but slightly up, then forcing your wrist up with the opposite hand and push down with the shooting hand, again as hard as you can for 5 seconds. Repeat with the other hand. Do the same isometric for the elbow joint with pushing down. Do 10 repetitions of each isometric. It takes me about 15 minutes to do 3 sets of all, with a few minutes rest between sets. I do these exercises consistently every 2-3 days. In a few weeks you will gain strength and reduce felt recoil. The exercises are mostly to build the muscle strength opposite to the recoil direction and to produce a stronger grip on the gun.

Remember what most shooters feel is the flip up, from the recoil. The exercises are to strengthen the hands, wrists, and arms to counteract the recoil flip. This will keep the flip to a minimum and the gun reasonably level with little rise. With a proper stance and strong grip the rearward recoil will be absorbed by the upper body and will be very minimal. Give the exercises a try, and soon the felt recoil will be much less noticeable. It works but it takes time and dedication. If you have injuries or arthritis, take it easy and don't overdo. I have the Shield 40 and recoil is not an issue for me, even with very powerful CorBon SD ammo.

Bob

robkarrob said:

The best way to reduce felt recoil is to build up you hand, wrist, and arm strength. Take a 6, or 8, or 10 pound barbell and do wrist curls and reverse curls, for all four directions. Get a compression ball, or foam rubber, or a small pillow and do finger and thumb squeezes, squeeze as hard as you can for 5 seconds and release. Lastly do wrist and arm isometrics. Start with your wrist in a shooting position but slightly up, then forcing your wrist up with the opposite hand and push down with the shooting hand, again as hard as you can for 5 seconds. Repeat with the other hand. Do the same isometric for the elbow joint. Do 10 repetitions of each, every 2-3 days. In a few weeks you will gain strength and reduce felt recoil.

Remember what most feel is the flip up, from the recoil. The exercises are to strengthen the hands, wrists, and arms to counteract the recoil flip, to keep the flip to a minimum and the gun reasonably level with little rise. With a proper stance and strong grip the rearward recoil will be absorbed by the upper body and will be minimal. Give the exercises a try, and soon the felt recoil will be much less noticeable.

Bob

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Good for some people. The OP is 82 years old with arthritis....

robkarrob, Fishinfool has identified my problem.

I do recognize and agree with your comments regarding the necessity to build strength in hands, arms and shoulders. In fact, I have been lifting light weights each day for the past twenty years.

My routine involves employing 10 lb dumbbells in each hand. I do five sets consisting of 25 curls each followed by holding both arms straight forward from the shoulder for 20 secs, dropping the arms to the waist for 5 secs and repeating this procedure 5 times.

It takes me about 1/2 hour to do these exercises. The result after many years is that my sidearm is held steady without movement at the target.

I have strength. I do not have health in my hands. They are arthritic. The shock of .40 caliber recoil is punishing after a few magazines.

It is too late and too costly for me to change calibers. I prefer finding a way to curb the sharpness of recoil by adding a grip (if one is made) to buffer the shock of recoil by my Shield.

I do thank all who have responded and wish one and all, MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Bottom line is there not sure fire way to reduce fell recoil short of a heavier handgun but with some kind a glove that aids with grip and control you'll just have to limit rounds fired. Instead of 150to 250 rounds fired at a sitting maybe max out at when ever you can no longer control group size . Take a .22lr pistol with you to break up shoot the light snappy shield.

I am not found of these padded gloves as they change you grip and that's ok for the "hunter" or target shooter but on a defensive handgun no . But thin nitrile gloves found in many lowes type stores do offer far improved grip for use during breakin .

I personal think a shooter in there 80's that can bang away 150 to 250 rounds of 40sw in a shield as being part superman !!

"I personal think a shooter in there 80's that can bang away 150 to 250 rounds of 40sw in a shield as being part superman !!"

Ha, ha, ah. ha . . . I never thought of it that way.

Next week I will reach the age of 83. Even so, my mind is still young though my body tells me in no uncertain terms that it is not.


Your prudent council to simply cut down on the amount of shooting I do during one session makes sense and is appreciated.



Merry Christmas

I comprehend the OP's situation. But alas you can only bend the laws of physics but so far. As noted there are grip sleves , etc to help keep the gun from twisting in the hand , but a small light gun in .40 will have signifigent ft lb going both directions , simply the nature of the beast.

The otherwise ill concieved Medimum Vel 165gr loads were intended to give a .40 a recoil level similar to a 9mm. If you handload , you could experement loading 165's as slow as still cycle the action at the range.

Otherwise : Shoot fewer rounds each session , and more with a .22lr of reasonably similar trigger. Or look into a trade for a 9mm shield.

First off, Merry Christmas

I hope I'm still able to shoot at 83! My first thought was maybe look into trading the 40 for a 9mm. Otherwise, if you still want to shoot the same amount of rounds per session, maybe take a few breaks, rest your hands/wrists/arms and maybe have a bottle of water and maybe a snack to break things up.

I'm never in a hurry when I go to the range, always take a bottle of water. I may only shoot 50 rounds per gun (2-3; 22 LR, 9mm, 45 auto) but I always seem to be there about 2 hours. I shoot different distances and take my time; shooting is supposed to be fun! Why rush?

Though they may not help with recoil, you might try some of the grip sleeves or some padded gloves just to see. No harm in trying different things. When I shoot outdoors, I sometimes wear gloves. I haven't since I've been shooting indoors. Best of luck and keep shooting!

Merry Christmas!
I was wondering why you are shooting so many rounds in a range session with what should be a self defense gun? I would not try shooting 100 rounds at a time with a 45ACP Derringer.

I typically shoot 100-200 rounds a week with my full size M&P 40 and while not painful, I get a little worn after 200 rounds. I can't fathom doing that with a smaller, lighter pistol. That's one of the reasons I've been hesitant to buy a Shield. I love my M&P FS but don't CCW and do all my shooting at the range. I'm afraid the Shield will be a safe queen until I decide to CC.

Anyway, if you reload, I recommend 3g Red Dot under a 180g bullet for 9mm-like recoil. Use that load for more trigger time with less recoil after the first 50-100 full power 40 shots. Otherwise, if you can afford it, get a full size M&P and do most of your range shooting with it and just enough shooting with the Shield to ensure mastery of the gun with full power loads.

I tip my hat to you for being able to survive that many shots with that gun on a regular basis but honestly, you shouldn't be punishing yourself that way. Extended beatings like that will take a toll on your body parts. I hear of too many long time shooters with ailments from prolonged shooting with handguns who don't condition their wrists/hands/elbows.

By the way, your shooting is awesome. You could be making ragged holes with the full size.

Not sure I have any suggestions for your original question. However, I have an uncle with arthritis as well and was strictly at .40 guy as well. Shooting more than 50 rounds was painful and his hands were sore for days after. After some convincing, he gave 9mm a try and hasn't looked back since. He's more accurate, is more able to enjoy shooting again and, most importantly, can put 100-150 rounds down range without any pain or discomfort after. I'd suggest the same thing. Trade your .40 for a 9mm and give it a go or rent one at a range. I hope this helps.

Except for the extreme heat of summer and the bitter cold of winter, I try to do range shooting once each week. During alternate weeks, I take either my Shield or Glock 27 and do defensive drills. During the other two alternate weeks, I take either my Ruger GP100 or Smython. At those times, I shoot strictly for recreational purposes at paper targets.

Regardless of the weapon I take, I have always sent about hundreds of rounds downrange. When I was a working man, shooting was the greatest source of stress release I had. After a session, I was refreshed physically and mentally.

My love of shooting is only exceeded by my love for my wife of 64 years and my utter addiction to cars.

After reading the posts in this thread, it has come through loud and clear that I should use what smarts I have left and reduce the number of rounds I shoot with my two small defensive sidearms. I might also rethink about reducing the number of rounds I shoot for recreational purposes.

Remember motion is lotion to joints that have arthritis. Use a really light weight or none at all. But move your hand and arm in the full range of motion. Add an oz at a time. I am 65 and have arthritis. I shoot a 45c 100 rounds a month and also a Bodyguard 380. They are my EDC. Maybe you should switch to a 9 shield. But do the exercises.

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carbuff

I agree that you are doing great for 83 years old. The issue as stated is the 40 caliber is somewhat snappy, compared to 9mm and even 45 acp. I shoot all 3 calibers and speak from experience. If you are shooting for fun and practice, why not move down to a .22 pistol. I feel they are "fun" to shoot. Very little recoil and very accurate, with lower sound levels. I have a Browning Buckmark and an inexpensive S&W 22A1. Both good guns and accurate, but they are not lightweights. Each weighs over 30 ounces, which makes them even easier to shoot with less recoil. I have seen the 22A1 selling new on Gunbroker for the low $200s, being sold by dealers. You can continue shooting, maintain your accuracy, and not punish you hands and wrists with a 22. Then you can take the Shield out and shoot a few rounds to stay familiar with it.

Bob

Because of my arthritis my right hand starts hurting after 25 rounds, I wear a half finger anti vibration glove on my right hand, it helps me immensly. This only my experience, may not work for others, it does not interfer with my grip or control.

Patient to doctor, "It hurts when I do this."

Doctor to patient, "Don't do that."

How about a barrel swap, and make the 40 Shield into a 9 Shield.

Indynick said:

How about a barrel swap, and make the 40 Shield into a 9 Shield.

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Hey, I never even thought of this!

You seem to be able to put a 9mm barrel into a full size 40 S&W; can the same be done on the Shield? That would make a lot of sense for the OP. Good call, Indynick!

My wife (age 67 and small boned) has hand arthritis also. She originally tried a Kahr CW40 but found after 25 rounds or so her hands hurt too much, even with wearing a glove and applying a bicycle inner tube to cushion the grip. She switched to a M&P 9 Shield and does much better. She stops at 50 rounds per session and does not complain about sore hands. We shoot about once a week.

Maybe limiting rounds for high recoil pistols but using a .22 or full size for higher round counts would help. I understand the need to put more than just a few rounds down range.