It has finally happened to me

[.38SuperMan]

If you don't mind the extra weight, your 640 seems like a good choice, especially if you're experiencing pain when you shoot.

Maybe keep an eye out for a .32 snub. The new magnums give you a lot of power and recoil options.

With the right rubber grips I can still shoot my 640 no dash with standard velocity 38’s. I wouldn’t shoot a very many but I can manage it most days. Grips make a difference and full coverage rubber cushion better than the ones with an exposed back strap.

I recently picked an unfired 1953 Colt Cobra 32. What a joy to shoot. There’s almost no recoil and I can comfortably shoot a hundred rounds with no pain. In time I’m seeing this as the answer to my problem.

 

[Doug M.]

Small autos often need stiffer springs to function and can be a bear. I have a 4" PC Shield with RDS and and the extra barrel length makes it a better platform for shooting. I have a short .45 and the spring is ... stout. It was a vile job to strip and reassemble and I may never strip it again.

J frames can be hard to shoot well due to ergonomics and the ability to get a good trigger on one is limited by the design. If one is going to go rimfire, there is a good argument for a .22 Magnum. A good round in it seems to be far better performing than one would expect, and there seems to be less problems with rimfire unreliable ignition.

Whatever you go with, remember the placement is the first critical issue in ballistic performance. If all you can shoot well is a .38 WC target load, that beats a pencil and strong language. Standard velocity SWC are a good performer with adequate penetration and relatively easy to shoot. A K frame has far better ergonomics than a J. I dress as I want, so I rarely worry about platform size as a carry/concealment issue. A 3" K is a decent compromise platform, although with my eyes most factory fixed sights are a problem. An aftermarket front sight that is more visible is a big help. (I'm partial to XS Big Dot Tritium ...)

 

[JAREDSHS]

I admit that my following comments are based solely on reading the thread title and your opening post and a few of the responders. Here goes…….I am 87. I have arthritis. I pretty much know what you are going through .
I can truthfully tell you that it will only get worse for you. You have two choices…..if you continue with an autoloader you will have to eventually rely on some trusted friend to load and charge your gun for you and always have a loaded weapon on you maybe 2 of them. Changing to a revolver may be an answer. I changed to revolver and feel well protected. I finally settled on carrying a Lady Smith .357 magnum. I replaced the big factory fancy grips with slim old original
Walnut S&W service grips which allows my arthritic hand to grp high and tight and hang on to control the recoi. I carry one reload in a speed loader in my left jean pocket. The lady smith goes in my right pocket. Cell phone in my hip pocket .Oh forgot to mention that I have Glaucona so right eye is about gone so any shooting will have to be close range. Anyway my advise is take your time working thru your problem , all is not lost and dont give up, l did not notice your age, but just be prepared to learn that the older you get……mother nature works on your whole body and mind…keep it simple so when under stress you don’t have to think about where the weapon is or where the speedloader is… it will be automatic.
.

 

[sjs]

75 and the same problem. I carry a revolver and shoot revolvers for fun. I got over feeling uneasy with the capacity of a revolver by reminding myself of the statistics of actual gunfights involving a citizen in self defense, indicating in a short time with only a few shots fired one or both parties are either down or running away.

My arthritis required me to change my grip on the revolver to fire DA but I adapted to that fairly quickly. I also carry a fairly large one, a 3 inch 686, and practice with just a few 357 rounds and then shoot mild 38 rounds in range trips. In my case the extra weight and size is not a problem for my pain as much as the finger and hand movements and stiff recoil so the weight helps.

Now and then I cheat and carry a light 442 and figure I will just tough out the pain if I have to use it.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

I’m not sure people that don’t have arthritis really understand what it’s like. It’s not just strength in your grip, it’s piercing pain in your joints that prevent applying the strength you do have to accomplish what you’re trying To do. I describe it like someone driving a spike through your joints.

I have good days and bad. The bad are really bad and the good I can function pretty well. One thing I’ve learned though is not to abuse those joints on the good days because you’ll pay for it the next day.


Best of luck and hope you find a good solution for you.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is very serious and most people do not understand our pain.

Great advice and thank you for sharing.

 

[SWFan27]

You should look at the S&W EZ.
I guess the name takes because the slide is not so sprung.
I’m looking at this pistol in the near future.
My thumb “saddle joint” is already arthritic and I’m only 55.

Papa

A woman at the range was raving about her EZ. Her son is a LEO and they go to the range together.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Do any of you have issues with the stiff DA trigger on many revolvers?

My 686 Plus has a fairly heavy DA pull ...

No, I have a 686 Plus and its not bad. I keep it well lubricated.

 

[AJ]

One thing that helps me still enjoy going to the range is a shooting glove (actually I just use a tight workout glove). This gives good support to my hand. Another thing that helps is a wrist brace as I have had a broken wrist in the past that does not like recoil in large doses (read I sold my 4 inch M29-2 after shooting it a few times post recovery). The support that these give me helps me enjoy shooting. Also the days of shooting hand cannons are long past. Light loads in the target guns (.45ACP, .38 Special, etc) and some .22 both LR and Shorts suffice for now.

 

[Plinkasaurusrex]

I like your idea of switching to a revolver, despite the loss of double the rounds.

Two years ago I had "trigger finger" in 4 fingers of my left hand requiring surgery. My doctor told me to eventually expect it in my right hand, and from what I can tell I'll have the surgery in about January of 2025. I'm already thinking about the effects on my shooting hand as I'm right handed.

Lately I've been carrying my S&W Model 49 in preparation of the 4-6 months of recovery.

It sucks getting old(er).

As a retired hand surgeon, I can tell you that not all trigger fingers require surgery. Most of the time steroid injection into the tendon sheath can completely alleviate the problem. You should at least ask about that alternative before proceeding with surgery. I personally have had several trigger fingers injected with no recurrence. I've had no surgery for any of them. That's not to say that you might not need surgery if you get a recurrence. Good luck.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

As a retired hand surgeon, I can tell you that not all trigger fingers require surgery. Most of the time steroid injection into the tendon sheath can completely alleviate the problem. You should at least ask about that alternative before proceeding with surgery. I personally have had several trigger fingers injected with no recurrence. I've had no surgery for any of them. That's not to say that you might not need surgery if you get a recurrence. Good luck.

Doc, thanks for sharing. Steroid Injections worked for me too. Sarge

 

[AJ]

For some steroids are a godsend. For most folks they are nothing but a bandaid and wear off. Wasn't a doctor, but speak from experience. Was an orthopedic nurse for 14 out of 20 years as a nurse after I retired from the Corps. Have had them myself and they wear off in about 2-3 months. My wife had bad vertebrae ( three in her lower back are fused and five in her neck are fused). Has had enough steroid shots that she refuses them now. Put a bandaid on it or live with it, your choice.

 

[Doug M.]

I had a trigger finger episode a few years ago. My massage terrorist taught me a stretch that while uncomfortable for a while, worked and I have had no recurrence.

 

[Heinz]

I like 3rd Gen Smith autos with hammers and mag safeties. When you load up, cock the hammer before you rack the slide. A great deal of the spring pressure offis taken off by cocking. If you must unload with a round in the chamber, drop the magazine, cock the hammer and then rack the slide. Now you know what magazine safeties are for.

 

[Brian Parrish]

Handi-Racker!

Get this device!
Here is Chris demonstrating on YouTube:
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXsem_vBkFY[/ame]

You are gonna thank me
I was happy to help!

Best to you.
BrianD

 

[jdlii]

I haven’t carried my Shield since last winter but, I had to put this gripper wing thing on it to rack the slide.

A friend of mine has limited use of his right hand due to an incident in which resulted in a broken neck. His dominant hand is his right hand and he was a certified LEO.

He acquired an S&W EZ and attached the "gripper wing" on the pistol. He is now 100% confident carrying and using the EZ as his primary handgun.

 

[jeffrefrig]

I bought two of the girls a 380 and the 9mm, but do you really need that many rounds of a pistol? Okay, more is better but the M36 snub is fine with me with 5 shots but it’s so easy to front pocket holster carry. I usually carry a 9mm Ruger, back pocket. I know it stinks growing older and weaker, I’ve heard!

 

[MLS2GO]

Youth is wasted on the young.

 

[steelslaver]

Semper Fi buddy, arthritis might suck, but a DI isn't screaming in your ear while your dealing with it

 

[ruger 22]

Closing in on 84 I still have my EDC a 649-2 with standard loads. I now shoot mostly 22lr and occaisionally 38 and 9mm with the latter being much more kicky than the former.. When I feel really strong I will shoot the 500 but only 5 shots per session.

 

[Lobster Picnic]

.22 mag in a j-frame would have a very heavy trigger. I'd look at a steel J-frame in .38 Special. If recoil is an issue you can use wadcutters or that 90-gr pink Hornady ammo for women.