Getting Older and Autos

[TACC1]

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

 

[growr]

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

 

[ColColt]

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

BTW, I have two fluffy Corgis.

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 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

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.

 

[ColColt]

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

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.

 

[ASA335]

Excellent advice.

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

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.

 

[Doug M.]

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.

 

[TANKER]

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.

 

[ColColt]

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.

 

[Roundsworth]

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!

 

[TANKER]

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.

 

[ColColt]

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.

 

[zonker5]

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?

 

[ColColt]

...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.

 

[GerSan69]

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!

 

[ruger480]

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.

 

[amazingflapjack]

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.

 

[Doug M.]

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.

*
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.

 

[OFT II]

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.

 

[McBear]

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.

 

[Kanewpadle]

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?