Hand pain

[jeepguy]

Took my 40ve out yesterday for some fresh air. Only put about 40 rounds through it. It shot perfect (me, on the other hand....). Managed to keep everything on a shoe box lid at 10 yrds off hand. Even shot just as well one handed. Mix of WW 165 grain and Mag Tech gold 180 JHP.

My shooting hand was in pain for the rest of the day. I have some physical ailments that caused me to sell off my 1076 and my 4053 a couple years ago. So I usually shoot 9mm, but got the .40 for hiking in the woods. Is there a softer shooting practice round anyone knows of for the .40? Unfortunately I don't handload.Thanks

 

[jeepguy]

Took my 40ve out yesterday for some fresh air. Only put about 40 rounds through it. It shot perfect (me, on the other hand....). Managed to keep everything on a shoe box lid at 10 yrds off hand. Even shot just as well one handed. Mix of WW 165 grain and Mag Tech gold 180 JHP.

My shooting hand was in pain for the rest of the day. I have some physical ailments that caused me to sell off my 1076 and my 4053 a couple years ago. So I usually shoot 9mm, but got the .40 for hiking in the woods. Is there a softer shooting practice round anyone knows of for the .40? Unfortunately I don't handload.Thanks

 

[shawn mccarver]

Originally posted by jeepguy:
Took my 40ve out yesterday for some fresh air. Only put about 40 rounds through it. It shot perfect (me, on the other hand....). Managed to keep everything on a shoe box lid at 10 yrds off hand. Even shot just as well one handed. Mix of WW 165 grain and Mag Tech gold 180 JHP.

My shooting hand was in pain for the rest of the day. I have some physical ailments that caused me to sell off my 1076 and my 4053 a couple years ago. So I usually shoot 9mm, but got the .40 for hiking in the woods. Is there a softer shooting practice round anyone knows of for the .40? Unfortunately I don't handload.Thanks

Are you experiencing an arthritic type pain in your hand and wrist? Or, is it a pain in the V-area between the thumb and first finger?

The first is common and is caused by the really heavy trigger pull weight. The solution is to go to a different pistol with a lighter pull. The SIGMA has about a 10 pound pull. You could get an M&P and go to about a 6.5 pound pull. Or, you could get a 1911 and have 5 pounds or so, unless you got it lightened by a gunsmith to 4 or so.

The second problem requires you go to a smaller caliber. Jeff Cooper always recommended the 22 Long Rifle cartridge in a handgun for those who by injury or ailment could not handle the recoil of a .45. Unlike pipsqueak centerfires, such as the little 32s and such the 22 is cheap, which encourages lots or practice, and which allows you to get really good and shoot for the eyesocket of your attacker.

 

[jeepguy]

The problem is NOT from the trigger pull weight. My 10-5 has about the same DA pull. I usually shoot 9mm in a XD. Like having the extra umph of the .40 for special occasions. Just looking for an idea of lighter loadings of the .40 that might be out there to plink with.

 

[RON in PA]

I appreciate your problem as I find that as I get older my tolerance for recoil has decreased. The 40 S&w has a well deserved reputation for being a snappy caliber and in my experience the generic 180 grain loads are the softest shooting. One box of them is enough for me though. I have found that the two-handed isosceles shooting position is the best for recoil management. Since I reload I have found a reliable reduced load for my M&P40 that enables me to comfortably shoot many rounds.

 

[Sgt Preston]

Sgt Preston here. RON in PA would you please share your recipe for your "comfortable" re-load so that some of your fellow reloaders could try a few. Thanks. Sgt Preston USMC LLA.

 

[tlen]

Originally posted by jeepguy:
The problem is NOT from the trigger pull weight. My 10-5 has about the same DA pull. I usually shoot 9mm in a XD. Like having the extra umph of the .40 for special occasions. Just looking for an idea of lighter loadings of the .40 that might be out there to plink with.

Perhaps you might want to try a "PAST Professional Shooting Glove" . I use one ocassionally and it really helps.

 

[dmd45]

at age 70 I have the same probs w/.40 loads--so I try and stay w/9mm ammo--I have found the 180 grain fmj to be the "softest" factory .40 load--HTH--dmd

 

[Double-O-Dave]

Originally posted by jeepguy:
Took my 40ve out yesterday for some fresh air. Only put about 40 rounds through it. It shot perfect (me, on the other hand....). Managed to keep everything on a shoe box lid at 10 yrds off hand. Even shot just as well one handed. Mix of WW 165 grain and Mag Tech gold 180 JHP.

My shooting hand was in pain for the rest of the day. I have some physical ailments that caused me to sell off my 1076 and my 4053 a couple years ago. So I usually shoot 9mm, but got the .40 for hiking in the woods. Is there a softer shooting practice round anyone knows of for the .40? Unfortunately I don't handload.Thanks

Jeepguy:

In my late 40's, I started experiencing a lot of pain in my left hand - specifically, the left thumb. There was no history of injury to that hand. I consulted several doctors without success - no diagnosis, no treatment, no relief. I finally consulted another hand surgeon - one that specialized in sports injuries and rehabilitation. He diagnosed arthritis in the left thumb. The only effective treatment was a surgical repair. I held off on surgery until I couldn't zip my jacket shut anymore. The surgery was no fun, and it took almost a year before my hand returned to normal. Long story short, go and have a hand surgeon look at it. Try to find a surgeon that specializes in sports rehabilitation, and don't be afraid to get a second or third opinion. By the way, a lot of plastic surgeons will do work on the hand. Don't settle for that. I would only seek out a hand surgeon who only works on hands - ask him how many surgeries he averages a week, and then ask him (or her) how many procedures are on the hands.

Best of luck,

Dave

 

[jeepguy]

After working as a auto mechanic for over 20 yrs, I began experiencing chronic pain in my upper body, arms and hands. I spent two years going to doctors and specialists. The diagnosis' ran from nothing wrong to fibromyalgia.
So I switched jobs and now teach other mechanics. This has helped with the chronic part, but things like shooting the .40, splitting wood etc still beat me up. I love the sw40ve and just want to find that majic load so I can shoot it more. But as Harry said, a mans got to know his limitations. So it looks like 25 rnds here and 25 rnds there. I'm better off than many.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

I have a Sigma 40F (1st generation Sigma) as well as a 4006 (3rd generation semi-auto) all steel, purpose built for the .40 S&W round. Of the two, the Sigma is the softest shooting. I use the generic Winchester 180gr. flat top rounds with good results.

Best of luck,

Dave

 

[RON in PA]

As requested, my reload for 40 S&W is a 180 grain commercial hard cast bullet over 4.4 grains of 231. Functions my M&P 40 100% and is quite comfortable.

 

[Sgt Preston]

Thanks for the load info Ron. That does seem like an "easy" load. I'll give it a try. Thanks for responding! Sgt Preston USMC LLA

 

[GWCustom]

I'll second that load (well almost). I shoot a 4046 and a 4053 and was looking for an easy shooting load in them. The load I settled on is 180gr cast bullet over 4.5gr W231. It is a great shooting load and isn't at all snappy.
Van

 

[speedshooter]

i shot my 40 ve at first then puchased a finger groove slip on grip seemed to me it was more comfortable to shoot put my hand higher on the grip .. maybe its just my mind playing tricks on me i also lightened and smooth the trigger group out (that stopped me from shooting low)FYI for target shooting i shoot winchester 108 gr full jacketed..still gotta get my reloader set up then i can go "play" more

 

[speedshooter]

Originally posted by speedshooter:
i shot my 40 ve at first then puchased a finger groove slip on grip seemed to me it was more comfortable to shoot put my hand higher on the grip .. maybe its just my mind playing tricks on me i also lightened and smooth the trigger group out (that stopped me from shooting low)FYI for target shooting i shoot winchester 108 gr full jacketed..still gotta get my reloader set up then i can go "play" more

180 grain (duh

dislexia)

 

[MK]

Dunno if I would *totally* discount the
trigger pull, even if the other one you use
is about the same. I've been doing a load of
dry firing with mine lately, as I had to work
on the trigger group a bit to cure a minor
problem.
The danged thing is giving me Sigma tunnel
syndrome.. No joke.. It's starting to make my
hand hurt, but only when I'm actually firing it.
I don't think it's the trigger pull alone, but
something about the way my hand fits the pistol
in combination with the heavy pull is causing
me to have pain when firing it. And it's not
recoil, as I'm dry firing.
Besides, recoil has never bothered me so far.
Anyway, you are not the only one getting some
pain from the Sigma.
For me the pain is right in the fleshy part
of the palm where it's connecting to the
trigger finger.
I never had this until a few days ago. Maybe
I pulled some muscle in my hand or something..
But it only hurts when I start pulling the
trigger. Otherwise, I don't notice any pain at
all as long as I'm not playing with that
pistol.
I tried it just now to check, and when I started
pulling the trigger, it started to hurt in the
upper part of my palm.
I normally dry fire quite often just for
trigger control practice, but I think I'm gonna
take a rest from that thing for a while.
I wish it was like my 10-22 with it's 2-3 lb
trigger... :/

 

[Ed333]

My answer, at 68, was to trade my .40 in

It (plus a revolver) went towards a new CZ 550Fs rifle in 6.5X55Swedish, with the full Mannlicher stock and Bavarian style cheekpiece...i am happy with the trade.
My motto, if it hurts , don't do it.

 

[MK]

Not totally sure, but I think I found out
what bugs my hand when shooting that thing
a whole lot..
Seems to be the mag release button digging
into my hand. I seem to tighten up the grip
when I pull the trigger, being it's a few
pounds..
When I do, the right hand mag release button
and molded part of the grip digs into my hand.
It's got kind of a semi sharp edge to it, the
way my hand fits it..
Anyway, I think that is what is causing that.
And the pressure point matches where I get the
hand pain.
This was after firing a whole lot though..
I had to dry fire it over and over to find out
what the problem was.
I did pretty much figure out the problem.
Seemed to be a very sharp edge on the end of
the striker where it meets the sear. The edge
was very sharp, and seemed to be causing it to
hang and not release if you used a slow pull.
You often had to "snatch" the trigger to get a
clean release.
Anyway, I very slightly filed down the sharp
edge with some emery cloth so it wasn't quite
so sharp, and it pretty much seems to have
cured the problem. I also had some grit in the
trigger group which was causing it to be a
little gritty. I totally cleaned it, and put
it back in with no lube..
Dang!!! Was horrible and very gritty.. Which I
found was due to no lubrication. So lubed it up
with some oil and presto!, was smooth as silk
again..
So anyway, the pistol is firing much more
consistently each time now, and I can do a
slow pull, and it releases at the normal point
of the trigger pull, but now my hand is so
sore from the workout, I'm gonna have to rest
it a while before I want to shoot it..