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Sore Hands?

Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 7:34 am
by Selina Kyle
Hi ladies!!!! I was wondering if any of you have exercises you do with your hands to keep them from getting sore after shooting a pistol? I shot quite a bit last week, and my palm of my hand is still a little sore. I don't know if it is bruised or if I just need to get stronger. Just wondering if anyone else has this happen.

Re: Sore Hands?

Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 8:17 am
by Longhorn-breeder
I seem to remember it more when I first started shooting. I initially shot an LCR and it was pretty tough. But gradually it got better, check your grip and hand placement

Re: Sore Hands?

Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 10:58 am
by MoJo
Selina Kyle you mention an LCP in your signature line. If that's what you were shooting, yes your hand is going to be sore after more than a few rounds. Guns like the LCP best carried a lot and shot a little. Try a larger gun with a full size grip and see the difference. This is the main reason I don't recommend the tiny .380 handguns except for a backup or deep cover gun. :tiphat:

Re: Sore Hands?

Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 1:31 pm
by Keith B
I'm not a lady, but I am in touch with my feminine side. :mrgreen:

If you can determine what portion of the grip is causing the soreness, you might be able to add a Houge grip sleeve that would help cushion the grip, as well as make it a little larger in your hand. http://www.hoguestore.com/index.php?mai ... ts_id=7332" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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If your hand is getting sore from the bottom of the grip edge, you might add a Pearce Grip Extension to add it to the magazines http://www.pearcegrip.com/Products/Ruger" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: Sore Hands?

Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 1:52 pm
by Crossfire
If you are shooting for an extended time, you might try wearing a glove on your dominant hand. And, while shooting gloves are OK, BICYCLE gloves are much better, as the palms are very well padded!

I had carpal tunnel surgery a couple of years ago, and was not a candidate for the "no-stitch" kind, so I had stitches in my palm. Shooting was still not comfortable for a while, but the bicycle glove sure made it tolerable. You can find them at Academy, a little cheaper than the bicycle stores.

Re: Sore Hands?

Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 7:47 pm
by Selina Kyle
Thanks so much, folks! While my LCP will be my CC gun, the one I shot most recently was the 1911. I went to the range to practice for my test, and a couple days later I took my test (with Crossfire!! :mrgreen: ). My hands are tiny, so maybe just too much action for them. I'll have to look into bicycle gloves. That's a good idea!!

Lol - I actually have that exact pink grip on the LCP.

Re: Sore Hands?

Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2014 12:49 am
by asbandr
I had the same issue when I first started shooting. My first gun was an LCP. I finally rented a Kahr P 380 and a Sig P238. The Sig was love at first shot and I bought one within a week. I couldn't shoot more than a few mags of the LCP without being really sore, but with my Sig I can shoot a few hundred rounds before I even get a hint of soreness. I recently bought a Keltec P32 to carry when I exercise, but shooting it is just as uncomfortable as the LCP was. So my advice is to be sure that you're going to train often with your EDC gun (and backup guns of course) and you won't train unless it's comfortable to shoot. If it doesn't get better it may be time to consider trying another. As thrifty as I tend to be, when it comes to guns I'm pretty much willing to spend the money for something good.

Re: Sore Hands?

Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2014 10:05 am
by MeMelYup
It appears that the gun does not fit your hand. Would you walk 5 miles in shoes that don't fit? Go to a gun store and handle as many different brands of 380's (if that's your preference) that you can. Find what feels natural and comfortable, then go to a range and shoot the brands and models that were comfortable. I'll bet your target acquisition and shot groups will be better and tighter. That will also reduce the sore hands.

Re: Sore Hands?

Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2014 10:18 am
by Selina Kyle
I think I need to clarify. The .380 wasn't what I shot the most. Thurs night, I shot 6 rounds through the LCP, then 50 through the 1911. A couple days later I shot another 50 rounds (for my CHL).

Thanks so much for the input!

Re: Sore Hands?

Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2014 10:28 am
by Keith B
Selina Kyle wrote:I think I need to clarify. The .380 wasn't what I shot the most. Thurs night, I shot 6 rounds through the LCP, then 50 through the 1911. A couple days later I shot another 50 rounds (for my CHL).

Thanks so much for the input!
Sounds more like a 'you over did it' sore hands issue. ;-) It's kind of like exercise, you need to do it frequently to build up stamina and keep your muscles from getting sore.

Re: Sore Hands?

Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2014 10:32 am
by Selina Kyle
Keith B wrote:
Selina Kyle wrote:I think I need to clarify. The .380 wasn't what I shot the most. Thurs night, I shot 6 rounds through the LCP, then 50 through the 1911. A couple days later I shot another 50 rounds (for my CHL).

Thanks so much for the input!
Sounds more like a 'you over did it' sore hands issue. ;-) It's kind of like exercise, you need to do it frequently to build up stamina and keep your muscles from getting sore.
Ahh, see that's what I was wondering! Clearly, I just need more time on the range. :mrgreen:

Re: Sore Hands?

Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2014 11:32 am
by android
My thumbs used to get sore from stuffing magazines more that my hands from shooting.

Then I got a UpLULA and it helps with that a lot.

http://www.maglula.com/product/uplula-9mm-to-45acp/

Re: Sore Hands?

Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2014 1:25 pm
by budroux2w
android wrote:My thumbs used to get sore from stuffing magazines more that my hands from shooting.

Then I got a UpLULA and it helps with that a lot.

http://www.maglula.com/product/uplula-9mm-to-45acp/
Love the UpLULA

Re: Sore Hands?

Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2014 1:52 pm
by MeMelYup
Yes, people with degenerative arthritis can load magazines with the correct Uplula.

Re: Sore Hands?

Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2014 4:44 am
by TexasGal
I never go to the range without my Uplula :thumbs2:
Selina, as Keith surmised, your sore hands likely had more recoil than they were ready for. Give them a few days to stop being sore then try shooting more often but less rounds per session for a while. That way you are still learning but without the distraction and influence of pain. The gloves Crossfire recommended are a great idea. Thanks, Crossfire, I think I will get a pair for myself. :mrgreen: