Anyone else out there coping with a disability at the range. I had a stroke, it has made shooting very challenging. I've been able to get back to shooting off a bench with some success. I'm finding prone and off hand very challenging. I'd like to find folks who have found ways to minimize the challenge. I've found that squeezing a small sand sock in my left hand minimizes the tremor and I'm good to shoot some decent groups for about 45 minutes before I fall apart. I'm also interested in gear choices, prior to the stroke I shot Sig Tango 6 scopes on my 6.5 and a Vudoo .22. After the stroke , activating the level plex in the reticle requires me to break my final shooting position and start all over again, my balance is off so I can't rely on my internal level system. I went back to an external level on a Nightforce, that works well for me. Let's share our successes, failures and most importantly mitigation strategies.
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Shooters with a handicap
- Thread starter cpk357sig
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I am also working through some issues. My knees are toast, I have emphysema ( non-smoker), and developing a significant essential tremor. Knees killed my trap shooting, tremor killing my pistol shooting. Now fairly relegated to rifles on a range, but enjoy every moment of as I get to shoot with my daughter and son.
I'm working through some issues with a spinal cord injury (SCI) and reduced function/ROM in my left (gun) hand.
My strength is in the toilet, so I am mainly shooting pistol. 5 round groups otherwise the gun gets too heavy and they start wandering around the target. Lack of wrist function (ulnar deviation in particular) makes it difficult to lock the wrist over center for muzzle control. Lack of grip strength makes shooting consistently difficult. Shortened connective tissues in my hand and fingers means I have to really be diligent about stretching and pointing my trigger finger to mount the trigger properly so I don't "push" shots. I also found I was way too high on the trigger, requiring more pressure to engage the shot. I work harder now to get lower on the shoe and my consistency has improved.
This past fall and winter I started shooting trap with a 20ga pump gun and I really enjoyed it. Part of the reason for a 20 was reduced weight and reduced recoil. Even at 6ish pounds, I've found I have to rest the butt on my knee while the squad is shooting or my shoulders and arms get tired holding the gun. One big issue I had finding a shotgun that worked for me is the lack of ulnar deviation in my left wrist, mentioned above. Traditional stocks with their swept pistol grips are difficult, to not possible, for me to grip properly while being able to extend my trigger finger to the trigger. Shooting in the fall and winter cold makes it a lot harder to use my hands, they just don't work, so I have to keep them warm. 3 rounds of trap is about my practical limit.
Rifle shooting is sitting from bench only. I tried standing with hasty sling but couldn't keep the sights on target, even with a hunting rifle. Sitting, I have the same wrist and hand issues that affect pistol and shotgunning. I currently shoot a .270 and .243 Win and to be honest the recoil kind of beats me up. I'm putting together a .223 to hopefully get around this. I want to do positional shooting but am limited in prone with the neck/spine extension required. I can only play like 4 games of pool at a stretch for the same reason.
So, it's difficult. I keep working on my hands, keep working on my neck and they've been improving little by little. Around this time 1yr ago I don't think I was able to shoot a 9mm, so it's been improving. Hopefully I can start lifting again soon and I think that is really going to get things moving.
My strength is in the toilet, so I am mainly shooting pistol. 5 round groups otherwise the gun gets too heavy and they start wandering around the target. Lack of wrist function (ulnar deviation in particular) makes it difficult to lock the wrist over center for muzzle control. Lack of grip strength makes shooting consistently difficult. Shortened connective tissues in my hand and fingers means I have to really be diligent about stretching and pointing my trigger finger to mount the trigger properly so I don't "push" shots. I also found I was way too high on the trigger, requiring more pressure to engage the shot. I work harder now to get lower on the shoe and my consistency has improved.
This past fall and winter I started shooting trap with a 20ga pump gun and I really enjoyed it. Part of the reason for a 20 was reduced weight and reduced recoil. Even at 6ish pounds, I've found I have to rest the butt on my knee while the squad is shooting or my shoulders and arms get tired holding the gun. One big issue I had finding a shotgun that worked for me is the lack of ulnar deviation in my left wrist, mentioned above. Traditional stocks with their swept pistol grips are difficult, to not possible, for me to grip properly while being able to extend my trigger finger to the trigger. Shooting in the fall and winter cold makes it a lot harder to use my hands, they just don't work, so I have to keep them warm. 3 rounds of trap is about my practical limit.
Rifle shooting is sitting from bench only. I tried standing with hasty sling but couldn't keep the sights on target, even with a hunting rifle. Sitting, I have the same wrist and hand issues that affect pistol and shotgunning. I currently shoot a .270 and .243 Win and to be honest the recoil kind of beats me up. I'm putting together a .223 to hopefully get around this. I want to do positional shooting but am limited in prone with the neck/spine extension required. I can only play like 4 games of pool at a stretch for the same reason.
So, it's difficult. I keep working on my hands, keep working on my neck and they've been improving little by little. Around this time 1yr ago I don't think I was able to shoot a 9mm, so it's been improving. Hopefully I can start lifting again soon and I think that is really going to get things moving.
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I'm pleased to hear from fellow shooters still rubbing some dirt on it and moving out. Keep up the great work. We may not be as good as we used to be but we can still be effective.
Tremor reduction is my biggest challenge
Tremor reduction is my biggest challenge
For me, shooting is a hobby that I've gotten back in to since my injury. Basically put down the firearms for a bow when I went to college. But now, with my injuries, many/most of my hobbies are no longer available to me and I had to find something 'new' to keep going. Figured I could maybe at least shoot.
Were you able to get specialized care after your stroke?
I was in physical therapy for about 18 months after my stroke. I started in a wheelchair, progressed to a walker for about a year, now I walk with a cane. I couldn't remember the combo to my gun safe until it popped in my head about a year after the stroke. I new I wasn't safe to use firearms at that point, I trained with a laser training device, moved to a airgun and when confident I could be safe went to the range supervised with a handgun. I still have my failures, I cant count the times I had to zero my rifles over and over again. I kept moving the elevation dial while attempting to set the zero stop. These aren't the best days I've ever had at the range, but it sure beats being back where I was.
Drive On! You can do it!
Drive On! You can do it!
This grip helps me. https://rykerusa.com/collections/gear/products/fist-grip It allows me to pull my AR in with left hand ( my left hand is like Michael Jackson's glove, it's there for no apparent reason.) The other sling that helps is the SAP sling from short action precision. These days Police Sniper School seems like it was just a dream. But never give up.
That looks interesting, really slow today as it took me a while to visualize what it did. Would love to see it installed, I do like the SAP sling!
Went to the pistol range after work and put 100 rds through it. I'm mainly still working on a lot of basics and fundamentals with the larger, heavier, more recoiling pistol (p320 X-Five Legion). As compared to the .22 at least.
This was my favorite target. Shot at roughly 7 yards, 3rd "groups", 1x rd per mag, 3x mags. Gun starts empty retrieved from a table. Furthest 2 shots measure right at about 3".
Not the fanciest shooting for some folks, but I've had to re-learn how to use my left hand and it's a journey that's not entirely over yet. I'm content, while understanding there's room for improvement. And there's a certain victory in that.
This was my favorite target. Shot at roughly 7 yards, 3rd "groups", 1x rd per mag, 3x mags. Gun starts empty retrieved from a table. Furthest 2 shots measure right at about 3".
Not the fanciest shooting for some folks, but I've had to re-learn how to use my left hand and it's a journey that's not entirely over yet. I'm content, while understanding there's room for improvement. And there's a certain victory in that.
Attachments
After seeing pictures of the Ryker grip installed the light bulb went off on how it's helpful. Seems like a pretty interesting product, I may try one for shooting rifle weak-hand.
It sounds like you're adapting and over-coming, keep at it!
On black guns, I found the IWI Carmel controls will work better with my uncooperative left paw. I ordered one today. On my precision guns I'm moving to easier to use scopes on my Vudoo .22 and my Bergara 6.5 creedmor. My Bergara was in a chassis, I'm going to a Grayboe stock that mirrors the Vudoo. It's expensive being handicapped, but you can't take it with you. It's worth it to keep fighting.
I had neck surgery earlier this year. A laminectomy and fusion from c2 to t1, and it also left me with issues in my left arm and hand. Then, I had my right rotator cuff done and bicep tendon reattached six weeks ago.
I'm hoping in a month or so, I'll be able to drive myself to the range, take my .22 rifle out of the case, put it on the bench and get behind it. At some point, I'll put a .223 barrel on my Origin and try that. Baby steps.
I'm hoping in a month or so, I'll be able to drive myself to the range, take my .22 rifle out of the case, put it on the bench and get behind it. At some point, I'll put a .223 barrel on my Origin and try that. Baby steps.
Yeah baby steps, the bicep tendon (20 years ago) for me was tough as I have never had a strong left. I had my left shoulder replaced 5 years ago and it was clear that any lifting was limited for 3-4 months to about 7-8 pounds to let the rotator cuff muscles mend. Now it is back to full strength but just twitches a lot
. Do the table and wall stretches the doctors prescribed.I knew he was going to do something with my bicep tendon, but my focus was the rotator cuff. When I went to my post-surgery visit, I complained about the irritating spot in my under arm. He told me there was a big incision there where he moved my bicep tendon. I was like, well good to know. lol
Here's my latest laugh. I used to use the CSAT rear sight on my AR's. I spent several hours doing one hand mechanic work to change two flip up rear sights to the CSAT rear sights, microscopic ball bearings and springs flying to unknown regions, crawling on the floor to find them. I finally got it done, shouldered the two rifles proudly. My eyesight has changed and I cant see the notch in the CSAT blade. I'm laughing today, was quite a flurry of F bombs yesterday.
As my junior high track and football coach would say spit on it and rub it and get back to it.
I am partially blind in my shooting eye, there is a dead spot in my vision.
Still do pretty well though although it has made shooting irons and my bow more difficult but the body just seems to find ways to adapt.
I am lucky in that other than Cataracts that will need attention in a couple of years and Bifocals, my only problematic vision issues are old eyes that just don't like irons anymore.As my junior high track and football coach would say spit on it and rub it and get back to it.
I am partially blind in my shooting eye, there is a dead spot in my vision.
Still do pretty well though although it has made shooting irons and my bow more difficult but the body just seems to find ways to adapt.
I had four blood clots to my lungs a few years ago and that put an end to my shooting. I could no longer walk and had to have 24 hour care. I was determined to get better. After a five years being in a wheelchair I started PT and riding my stationary bike. I even rode for 20 miles each morning and got off the wheelchair on used a walker.
A friend started picking me up every Friday and taking me to the range. That was a big help to my recovery. Then, COVID hit.
I was getting better but my friend got sick and would not leave his house for two years.
I made sure I'd visit him once a week and eventually talked him into going to the range with me. Now it was my turn to pick him up to go shoot.
Every Tuesday I go to Ben Avery Shooting Facility North of Phoenix and shoot my CZ 457 22lr from a bench while in my wheelchair. Yes, I'm back in the wheelchair. Twice a month I shoot Steel Challenge matches.
Shooting has really helped me to get better. I won't give up my guns.
Steven
A friend started picking me up every Friday and taking me to the range. That was a big help to my recovery. Then, COVID hit.
I was getting better but my friend got sick and would not leave his house for two years.
I made sure I'd visit him once a week and eventually talked him into going to the range with me. Now it was my turn to pick him up to go shoot.
Every Tuesday I go to Ben Avery Shooting Facility North of Phoenix and shoot my CZ 457 22lr from a bench while in my wheelchair. Yes, I'm back in the wheelchair. Twice a month I shoot Steel Challenge matches.
Shooting has really helped me to get better. I won't give up my guns.
Steven
My issue at the range is changing targets. the walk down to the target frames is a rocky mess that tends to make using my rolling walker unstable and I move slowly anyways which aggravates the other shooters who have to wait. I have heard a few nasty comments they thought I would not hear. I now try to get my son to go with me to change the targets.
EDIT: Sorry for the whine, Venting is not my style
EDIT: Sorry for the whine, Venting is not my style
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I'm lucky enough to have a golf cart at my range to set up and change targets. Everyone is a tough guy when they think the subject of the conversation can't hear them. It's not a whine, just a fact of life these days. When I was using my walker in stores, I heard people complain that they had to wait to put groceries on the belt because my walker took up room in the lane. I'd just look them in the eye until they would stare at the floor and shut up.
Yeah, geez, you’d think that people would offer to help with your targets if it’s obvious that it’s taking a while. I know I would.
Hopefully the offer would not offend.
Hopefully the offer would not offend.
Those offers do happen and are appreciated at least by me, My whole thing is to not impact others while still being able to enjoy things that go BANG
. Also the range often tries to help but range officers time is limited and better served keeping Idiots from pointing things at others.
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This bipod is working well for me on the bench.
I struggle with the prone position. Horrible shoulders (I need two more surgeries but am not pursuing them on my shoulders), a spine that sucks and resultingly caused a boatload of nerve damage. @Short-bus called the nerve damage my superpower because I could cut myself, burn myself and not realize it before my spinal surgery. Sensation has come back a bit since my spinal surgery which only took care of the worst discs in the C-spine and not T or L-S. I was offered a cervical spinal stimulator but I am also hesitant about that one. Lifting my head up while in the prone is really not comfortable at all but then again my shoulders suck something fierce (tore my labrum and have some rotator cuff issues and other stuff)!
Started seeing the Hand Therapist again as I've been having increased stiffness in my wrist and fingers, and an intermittent stabby pain in my forearm. She did some tissue work and stretching with me, I felt really good and had better range of motion.
2 days later I decided to practice pistol handling, had the gun gripped for about 30 seconds and when I put it down my forearm was barking and knuckles were stiff. That was Sunday and the forearm stabbies remain.
I suspect the range sessions are really aggravating things, but, ya gotta have something to do...
2 days later I decided to practice pistol handling, had the gun gripped for about 30 seconds and when I put it down my forearm was barking and knuckles were stiff. That was Sunday and the forearm stabbies remain.
I suspect the range sessions are really aggravating things, but, ya gotta have something to do...
Yeah you do need to still live and enjoy what you love. I have been seeing my neurologist to try to gain som control over my left arm, so far no great success but it only makes distance pistol shooting difficult so spending most time on my rifles.
