Arthritic Hands...

[Ron In MD]

For those like me, who are getting old(er), do you find an L frame revolver to large for your arthritic hands, or to heavy?

I’ve given up on semi auto’s due to racking the slide. But I have given thought to a DAO only semi.

Right now I have an Ruger SP101, while it’s an fairly nice piece, it is small and heavy. I’m thinking of a little larger and not as bulky. Maybe a K frame?

Anyone want to buy an Ruger?

Thanks for your input .

 

[bigggbbruce]

I feel ya'

My hands are not liking heavy recoil anymore either. I still like my N frame 44's. So reloading light keeps me shooting them.

I've had many L frames but they just don't float the boat, my favorites are K frames, and my favorite carry is a J frame.

I can still do semi's, but I have had days that my hands hurt so bad I couldn't hold slide to rack it..

Getting old 'aint for wimps..

ADD: Racking a semi can be done using a hard edge, catch the sights and rack. Many rear sights made with a cocking cut.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I never cared much for excessive recoil but my old man's hands can still handle K, L, and N frame revolvers easily. I refuse to fire a J-frame in a magnum caliber and won't even use Airweights any longer. But .357 Magnum caliber in the larger guns doesn't bother me a bit. Yet. Emphasis on YET.

Pistols don't bother me yet, either.

 

[H Richard]

I don't mind normal recoil, but avoid magnums is light guns. In fact avoid full magnums in almost any handgun.

 

[lkabug]

For those like me, who are getting old(er), do you find an L frame revolver to large for your arthritic hands, or to heavy?

I’ve given up on semi auto’s due to racking the slide. But I have given thought to a DAO only semi.

Right now I have an Ruger SP101, while it’s an fairly nice piece, it is small and heavy. I’m thinking of a little larger and not as bulky. Maybe a K frame?

Anyone want to buy an Ruger?

Thanks for your input .

I love my range time! Like you I'm at that age where my arthritic right thumb just hurts too much. Seems revolvers are easier on my hand then semis.
I finally broke down and bought the Smith 380 EZ. It was a game changer for me and my lady. (She liked mine so much I had to purchase a second.) It did take some getting used too, however i have mastered the 380ez.
I also use shooting gloves at times.

 

[joe44va]

Pachmayer Diamond Pro grips have helped me a bit. This is two Ls and a J:

 

[rwsmith]

I'd go with....

I'd go with a K frame, lighten the trigger and use mild loads. Changing the grips may help, too. I find the Pachs and Hogues to be easier to hold the gun all the time, not just when you are shooting.

Model 66, Model 19, Model 64, 14, etc..... Several choices, some with target sights and decent length of barrel. There's even an 'airweight' if you want to go that way.

I wouldn't recommend a J frame as they can smack your hand even with big grips.

 

[shouldazagged]

My hands are buggered with arthritis. I can't rack a slide anymore, or shoot magnums. I carry a steel J-frame, not an Airweight or Gnatweight.

I've never owned an L-frame, but a K suits me very well.

 

[Goldstar225]

It seems as time has passed, my hands have gotten smaller . Arthritis has an effect.

Though I've owned a few, to my everlasting regret N frames never fit my hands. K & L frames with open backstraps were naturals. Now I can use them when deliberately shooting but quickly drawing and firing doesn't work as well.

Now I find myself using J frames with small grips or open backstrap and single stack semi-auto's. The 1911 and Kahr's still work fine but even a Glock 23 doesn't "fit" me.

At least I'm still shooting and expect to do so for many years to come.

 

[moosedog]

I'm late 60's and have it though out my body especially in my feet and hands. If I'm going to shoot a lot of heavy calibers I switch to rubber grips and wear a thin leather glove.
My daily regiment of Ginger, Apple Cider Vinegar, concentrated Cherry Juice and an aspirin really helps keep the inflammation down. I also carry a grip sweezer in my vehicle to exercise my hands. Good luck.

 

[federali]

S&W .380 EZ

The New S&W .380 EZ has a slide that's especially easy to rack. Yes, there are those here and there who will poo-poo the .380 in favor of something that can stop an 18-wheel semi but the .380 will do just fine for threats likely to be faced by the average CCW.
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKSYWNVCKs8[/ame]

I too have arthritis in my thumb joints, compromising a firm grip. At times, I can't undo the cap on a water bottle. Don't apologize to anyone. Buy what works for you.

 

[notsofast]

I’m getting there and it sucks. Fingers lose strength, loss of dexterity, joints don’t bend easily
Never had an age that made me feel old until my sixties, wasn’t quite ready

 

[max503]

Recoil never used to bother me. Now, I avoid more than 5 or 10 heavy loads out of my Airweight S&W 638 snubbie. I even have a hard time writing my name after half a box of my 148 grain target wadcutter loads out of that gun. I've taken to loading very light 105 grain semi-wadcutters for DA practice from the Airweight. Good thing I reload.

 

[DeafSmith]

For those like me, who are getting old(er), do you find an L frame revolver to large for your arthritic hands, or to heavy?

I’ve given up on semi auto’s due to racking the slide. But I have given thought to a DAO only semi.

Right now I have an Ruger SP101, while it’s an fairly nice piece, it is small and heavy. I’m thinking of a little larger and not as bulky. Maybe a K frame?

Anyone want to buy an Ruger?

Thanks for your input .

K frame for sure. Find a nice vintage 2 inch S&W 64 .38 spl. or, my favorite, 2 1/2 S&W 66 in .357. That way the recoil with .38s won't be bad at all and the DA pull will be easy once a bit of smoothing and maybe the rebound spring replaced.

You can always add rubber stocks to soften the piece a bit more in needed.

 

[Ron In MD]

I’m Thanks to all for the replies and suggestions.

Past couple of days I have visited 6 LGS’s to look at what’s available.
First thing I did was rule out a semi, personally I just don’t trust their reliability at being 100% if ever I needed one in an SD situation. The S&W EZ 380 while nice enough, just wasn’t for me.

I did mention that I do have an Ruger SP101. It is the Wiley Clapp Model with the 2” barrel. I think the problem with that model is with the short barrel, it’s like a big chunk of iron in my hand. I was ale to fondle the 3” model and, surprisingly it felt more comfortable to hold. Still a bit bulky, but nice.

I did handle some K and L frame models. The L frame definitely is a no go. Just a tad to much to wrap my hand around.

Now the K frames were the best to hold. Just the right size and weight, even with a heavy barrel. The frame size seemed to make all the difference.

Now I’m wrestling with myself, in my head:
.38 sp vs 357 mag, I probably wouldn’t shoot 357’s, but the option is there.
An 5 shot vs 6 shot revolver.
An 3” barrel (which felt like it had a better balance) or a longer barrel.

Decisions decisions decisions.

The biggest problem with my hands is that, in July I had my left thumb joint operated on. It’s still in the healing process. I’ve lost some gripping ability. Looks, actually feels like, next year I will need to have the right thumb joint operated on. Every joint in my hands are affected by arthritis.

From the replies I’ve received and read on other posts, arthritis affects a lot of the older shooting community.

Three years ago I had to give up motorcycle riding. I hope that I won’t have to give up shooting now.

Thanks again for all the replies and suggestions.

 

[Bronco89]

I'm very interested in this thread. I'm 50, but I have large hands, so my L frame fits me just fine. As a matter of fact, it's the small grips that bug me. But, more importantly, my older brother had his hand crushed, and has steel pins in his bones. He is about done with his Sig 226, due to difficulties practicing with it at a range. I've been thinking of a K Frame for him with a good set of Pachmayrs. Then turning him on to HBWC loaded with a fast powder.

 

[DeafSmith]

Decisions decisions decisions.

Ok Ron, look for a 3 inch S&W 64 in .38 Spl. I see police trade in specimens all the time. You might look into some online companies that specialize in police trade in handguns.

One can get such a K frame, slicken the internals, get a DAO hammer, and have real smooth piece.

That or a Ruger Speed Six 2 3/4 inch barrel. Here are a few examples. My Speed Six and my S&W 64 2 inch sub with DAO hammer.

 

[zogger]

Ron_in_MD:

I am 66 and my thumb joints are giving me issues as well. I have begun to shoot more (but not exclusively) a Model 18 (K frame 22LR) with a 4" barrel. Fun to shoot, cheap on ammo, easy on the hands, and accurate.

 

[wproct]

This has been an interesting thread for me. I have large hands and always had a good grip etc. Now that I'm in my 70s, I have some arthritis in my thumb joints, losing some strength in my hands, and suffer from bruising and skin cuts and tears more easily. Oh the joys of getting older.

On the plus side, I have never been a fan of shooting magnum loads and I tend to favor larger heavier handguns, all of which makes it easier to tolerate shooting a handgun. My carry gun is a steel framed Smith & Wesson model 60, and it is chambered for the 38 special, no worries about shooting magnums.

 

[Old Corp]

You guys are scaring me a bit! Just attained 61. Still strong, have no issues with real recoil, but know I have arthritis.
It really shows up after running a chainsaw for any real length of time. Inflammation and discomfort in hands and wrists for about 2 days.
This better not start messing up my shooting!

 

[M E Morrison]

You guys are scaring me a bit! Just attained 61. Still strong, have no issues with real recoil, but know I have arthritis.
It really shows up after running a chainsaw for any real length of time. Inflammation and discomfort in hands and wrists for about 2 days.
This better not start messing up my shooting!

just be patient - it's on the way.....

 

[jnichols2]

My thumbs seem to do OK with revolvers.
Still shoot my N-Frame .44 Mag.
My Colt Model 1917 sometimes needs both thumbs to cock.

Some semi auto slides are harder to rack. I did buy a S&W 380 Shield EZ, and it makes slide racking a snap. I'm 71 now, and later on the EZ will probably be a blessing.

 

[H Richard]

I'd like to to thank federali for posting the review of the S&W EZ380. My wife has been indicating her interest in self defense, and I have taken her shooting a couple times. (She is actually a pretty good shot), but has difficulty with heavy slides, and triggers. I tried to steer her to a revolver as I know she won't practice, and semi-auto's do have a learning curve, but she hasn't liked any I have run out yet. This EZ may just be a viable possibility.

 

[3ci]

Arthritic shoulder

I too have arthritis in my hands, but I guess that is to be expected at 73. My left shoulder was slightly injured and later has developed bad arthritis. A recent range trip convinced me that my 1911 was just too painful to rack and was no longer pleasant to shoot. I decided that I would return to the J frame for my CCW, repeating my practice of many years while working.

No problem shooting my 36, 442, or 340pd with hot 38's.

While at the gun store, i spotted a new model 19 Carry Comp and decided to take it home. I find. as others have suggested above, that the K frame is a good solution for arthritic hands. I'll still tote my 442 as a pocket carry, but the new 19 will get a lot of work as well.

 

[lkabug]

You guys are scaring me a bit! Just attained 61. Still strong, have no issues with real recoil, but know I have arthritis.
It really shows up after running a chainsaw for any real length of time. Inflammation and discomfort in hands and wrists for about 2 days.
This better not start messing up my shooting!

No need to be scared. It will find you. Be patient.

 

[RGPM1A]

For those like me, who are getting old(er), do you find an L frame revolver to large for your arthritic hands, or to heavy?

I’ve given up on semi auto’s due to racking the slide. But I have given thought to a DAO only semi.

Right now I have an Ruger SP101, while it’s an fairly nice piece, it is small and heavy. I’m thinking of a little larger and not as bulky. Maybe a K frame?

Anyone want to buy an Ruger?

Thanks for your input .

You might try a 9mm 1911 or a CZ 75 they have pretty light recoil springs and its fairly easy to rack the slide on them.

 

[joe44va]

Remember that inside every 73 year old is a 23 year old wondering what the hell happened. And how did it happen so quickly.

 

[Jerry in SC]

Yeah, it sucks getting older. I just stick to my steel J frames if I shoot a lot. The years have taken a toll on my hands and have some issues with tendonitis.

 

[SeamasterSig]

I did handle some K and L frame models. The L frame definitely is a no go. Just a tad to much to wrap my hand around.

Now the K frames were the best to hold. Just the right size and weight, even with a heavy barrel. The frame size seemed to make all the difference.

I hope you don't have to give up shooting like you did riding. But is the L-frame that much different than a K-frame? The grips are identical and the distance to the trigger should be the same, too. Aren't they just a tad heavier due to the bulkier frame?

I would guess a 3" barrel K-frame or a steel-framed J-frame in 38 special (or std or +p) with the "right" grips would serve you well. If you want a little more velocity, a 4" K-frame balances pretty well, too. Beyond that, they get barrel-heavy.

 

[Chubbo]

I would like to share a few words of wisdom, gained from experience. Arthritis, and "Advanced Maturity" at 87 gave me no choice, and I'v had to give up shooting altogether. My only use of a firearm now, is to carry a .32 Seecamp pistol, concealed, for self protection. I'v placed others in strategic places around our house, to discourage unwanted visitors, should that happen. Be patient, folks, and enjoy shooting as long as you can, as your shooting days will inevitably end also.