Getting Older and Autos

[ColColt]

The Chief in The Outlaw Josey Wales talked about age creeping up on him. I can identify with that recently. I'm finding it a bit more challenging to rack the slide on my SW1911 or most 1911's for that matter. The SW1911 seems a bit stronger than most. No problem with the 4506, however.

Nevertheless, I can't help wondering if some point down the road I'll have difficulty racking the slide on any of them when I may need it the most-home invasion at 2:00 am for instance and I'd be in big trouble then. I don't keep one in the chamber so, I'd have to rack it and could do it quickly. In short, I'm thinking about just using the good ol's six shooter as a stable for house gun. At 66 now, I've lost muscle mass and don't have the strength I did at 40 or even 50 for that matter. Skin is beginning to sag on my arms and wrinkles appearing everywhere it seems. That's not to say I'm an invalid or decrepit yet but, you have to notice the hand writing on the wall. You can't be 30 forever, unfortunately.

Currently I have but three revolvers, SP101, Ruger GP100 and the M29-3 in six inch. I'd love a 3 inch 686 but they're not exactly easy to find. Have I all but lost confidence or is this just a matter of reality? Would you continue to ignore the inevitable and go on or switch at some point to the revolver? My under the pillow HD pistol is the 4506 and I'm thinking of trying the 4516-1 as a CCW piece. Both are fairly easy to rack...now.

 

[Old cop]

We're the same age and I understand what you're saying. The difference is that I exersize 3 days a week and while I'm no longer a young man I can handle the slide on my autos, but it is not as easy as it once was. That said my autos are strictly range guns. I rely on a revolver for all defensive senarios.

If you've not shot your wheel gun in awhile I'd suggest a trip to the range. They handle much differently but w/practice are every bit as accurate as the autos.

I wish you the best. Getting old is no fun but it beats the alternative!

 

[fiasconva]

You can always change your philosophy and keep one in the chamber on that 4506. One quick click on your decocker and you're good to go. It's all SA after that first shot if you need it.

 

[Stu Honea]

I'm the same age,but not having any difficulty with that yet. However,I do have the visible symptoms of aging as you described. I stay active though,actually work pretty hard around here,and stay pretty fit.
The slides of striker fired pistols are easier to operate,but I realize that's not everyone's cup of tea.I use both and like one as well as the other.
Nothing wrong with the wheelgun,but I'd prefer having two ready instead of just one. I really don't see any reason to not have a round chambered in any auto though,unless of course,there are children around who may access it.

 

[cmort666]

A semi-automatic pistol with an empty chamber is just an expensive, poorly balanced club.

Age simply doesn't enter into it. 18 or 81, NEVER, EVER assume that somebody willing to break into your home and maim or kill you is going to ALLOW you to chamber a round before they do what they came there to do.

Last year, there was a guy here in Ohio who was jumped by a couple of druggies while pumping gas. They double teamed him from front and rear. He was able to break free and shoot one of them twice in the abdomen. By his own admission, had he not had a round chambered, he might well have not prevailed, resulting in two violent predators with his gun and him totally at their mercy.

The time to chamber a round is BEFORE the fight.

 

[zonker5]

Even in my younger days I used a wheel gun as my house gun. Nothing to remember in the middle of the night; rack the slide, safety off and the like. Just point and pull.

 

[REM 3200]

The time to chamber a round is BEFORE the fight.

There is wisdom !

 

[ColColt]

Of the six autos I have, the SW1911 is by far the most difficult to rack-not sure why unless they put an 18 pound spring in it. The easiest is the 3rd Gen Smith's and next to that would be the HK 45 Compact. and Commander.

I guess I've never really known whether keeping one in the pipe with decocker down in the 4506 would actually compress the trigger spring so, I've always just left the magazine in without one in the chamber. I didn't want to wear any springs prematurely since some springs are increasingly hard to get as are other parts. I can't vouch whether any springs are under compression or not for sure with it loaded, hammer down. From where the bedroom is to the most vulnerable area-the back door that leads to the deck is a fair distance apart(about 35 feet) and I figured I'd hear glass breaking or the alarm going off and would have time to reach under the pillow, rack and wait.

I like the revolvers-I just can't shoot them as well DA as the autos which is the way you'd be firing in a defense scenario.

 

[C Islander]

I'm over 60. I have semiauto's, but have always preferred a revolver. That's what I carry, and that's in my night stand.

 

[Bat Guano]

Oh, yeah. Had rotator cuff surgery on both sides in the last few years. For a while my 60-4 Smith was preferred--light, small and easy to operate.

At the time I had a new Sigma 9mm, and the slide on that was stiff by any standard. Now between being broken in and smoother, and better healed, it's ok. My SA 1911 is noticeably easier than the Sigma and no problem at all. The easiest .45 slide I've run across has been the Ruger P-90 although I don't particularly care for it. In all cases I have a round in the pipe...

Nothing wrong with a good DA revolver, either.

 

[Pote]

Of the six autos I have, the SW1911 is by far the most difficult to rack-not sure why unless they put an 18 pound spring in it. The easiest is the 3rd Gen Smith's and next to that would be the HK 45 Compact. and Commander.

I guess I've never really known whether keeping one in the pipe with decocker down in the 4506 would actually compress the trigger spring so, I've always just left the magazine in without one in the chamber. I didn't want to wear any springs prematurely since some springs are increasingly hard to get as are other parts. I can't vouch whether any springs are under compression or not for sure with it loaded, hammer down. From where the bedroom is to the most vulnerable area-the back door that leads to the deck is a fair distance apart(about 35 feet) and I figured I'd hear glass breaking or the alarm going off and would have time to reach under the pillow, rack and wait.

I like the revolvers-I just can't shoot them as well DA as the autos which is the way you'd be firing in a defense scenario.

know this though, a spring under compression does nothing to tire the spring itself. Its the constant compression and release that wears out a spring, so technically speaking you could keep say a 1911 c&l pretty much for decades and it will have no ill effect on the spring. Not saying over that long a period other variables couldn't come into play, but just saying that the science of springs (especially modern day springs) dictates that they are fine in a relaxed or compressed state without harm.

 

[harleyvato]

I had carpal tunnel several years ago, thank god it got better and I haven't required surgery,anyway what I found to be helpful was to cock the hammer and then pull the slide back. It seemed to take enough pressure off so racking the slide was doable.I believe in a round in the chamber, but regardless of when you decide to chamber a round this may be worth a try.

 

[Steve in Vermont]

Even in my younger days I used a wheel gun as my house gun. Nothing to remember in the middle of the night; rack the slide, safety off and the like. Just point and pull.

Very well said. I'm knocking on 70 and have arthritis in both hands, most noticeable in my right hand and in the knuckles of my trigger finger. I shoot regularly with various revolvers and have found that exercise and Advil are the best things available. As part of my exercise program I've found something that helps me with hand strength, that being what you would call "nutty putty". Sit in the chair in the evening and squeeze it like putty. And daily exercise is a must, including walking and upper body strengthening. As Red Green said, "We're all in this together, I'm pullin for ya".

 

[ColColt]

I get little exercise. After working 4/10 hour days, coming home, cutting grass once a week, general house duties, taking care of my Corgi and walking him as much as I feel up to doing, cooking for us, etc. leaves little time for purposeful exercise. I'm the same weight I was in high school, 155 pounds but have shrunk from 5'-10" then to about 5'-8 1/2" now. Sitting at the computer at work doing electrical design work won't exactly give you a lot of exercise.

The most exercise I've had recently has been cleaning the deck. That's been a real pain as I don't use pressure washers but mix oxygen bleach called Stain Solver commercially, and spray or mop on the solution, run a brush over it and then hose dry. Then comes the staining part later. that's the extent of exercise other than the occasional yard work. I guess I'll just do the best I can...maybe get a 16# spring for the SW1911...maybe lighter. A good 1911 should run with a 14 pound recoil spring.

 

[GyMac]

I carry a Makarov, but a Model 10 is the gun we keep ready, upstairs and downstairs. It's a better choice for my wife and there's nothing wrong with it for me, either. I use a grip strengthener while I'm watching TV. It seems to make a difference, and coincidentally, the pain I used to have in my hands at night has gone away.

 

[hope2]

Glock, bedside table, one in the chamber, no worries.

 

[ColColt]

Glock, bedside table, one in the chamber, no worries.

Unless your prone to nightmares.

 

[cmort666]

From where the bedroom is to the most vulnerable area-the back door that leads to the deck is a fair distance apart(about 35 feet) and I figured I'd hear glass breaking or the alarm going off and would have time to reach under the pillow, rack and wait.

That doctor in Connecticut probably thought the same thing. He was wrong and it cost him pretty much everything but his life, and almost that.

If you don't keep a round in the chamber of a semi-auto, you are indeed better off with a revolver.

I never assume that a violent assailant is going to work to my strengths or my time table.

 

[KJM]

Dedicated to ALL of us!

Toby keith I ain't As Good as I once Was - YouTube

Get the revolver and sleep good!

 

[corgiS&W]

The Chief in The Outlaw Josey Wales talked about age creeping up on him. I can identify with that recently...
I'd love a 3 inch 686 but they're not exactly easy to find. Have I all but lost confidence or is this just a matter of reality? Would you continue to ignore the inevitable and go on or switch at some point to the revolver? My under the pillow HD pistol is the 4506 and I'm thinking of trying the 4516-1 as a CCW piece. Both are fairly easy to rack...now.

I'm 72 and understand your plight. I looked for a 686 for a while, and finally decided to buy a new one since the price differential was not that great. Even the 3" is heavy for CC; The Colt Magnum Carry is preferable.

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

BTW, I have two fluffy Corgis.