TexasCHLforum.com

I have a problem. I have just (re)taken up shooting.

I am shooting mostly a .40 cal Sig 239 and a 9mm Sig 239.

About twenty rounds or so in to a session my right arm and hand begin to tremble significantly. Before I go out I can hold a full half gallon carton of milk at arm's length without this happening. An hour after I get back I can do this too. But in the middle of a session (after the initial twenty rounds) my right hand is almost palsy-like. It is annoying as hell.

This last time I made sure that I ate and only had one cup of coffee. I was not dehydrated or anything. I work out and can easily curl 25 lbs. 15-20 times with either arm.

Even when this trembling thing is happening I can do 20 or 30 incline push-ups with no dificulty so the problem should not be arm strength, rather it is a fine motor skill problem. It does not happen with my left hand...although I don't shoot as many rounds with my left.

Any ideas about this? Is the recoil a shock that has to be gotten used to or something? No history of stroke or hypertension. Blood pressure normal. The only other info that I can ad is that I am a heavy computer mouse user.

I feel like the "Waco Kid" in Blazing Saddles...for those that remember the joke.

Any CHL carrying Doctors out there that are off the clock?

I am not a doctor but I tend to get a little shacky as the shooting goes on. Here is how I deal with it
I think its more common than you think.

Lay off the coffee before I shoot.
Relax, A firmer grip just makes it worse.
Shoot 3 or 4 rounds go to lo-ready a lot lower the gun to holster or table. Dumping a mag full without without reassessing isn't very practical Shack out that arm.
Good 2 handed stance helps a whole lot.
Might consider getting some proffessional shooting help. These guys deal with these types of problems all the time.

Concentrating too hard can make this kind of problem worse.

Have you tried dry firing, to see if you have the same problem when there is no recoil?

Using a computer mouse is very hard on the wrist. I went to trackpad devices years ago. They give better productivity, too.

If you feel numbness or tingling at or below your wrist, that's a bad sign of neurological damage. If you want a medical opinion, you are probably going to have to make an appointment with a neurologist and pay for it.

- Jim

How tight are you holding your gun? Over gripping could lead to fitigue.

My ex wife says it isnt your biceps, its your Deltoids and rotator cuff muscles.

She says some front dumbell raises, lateral raises and front rows will help but it will take a few weeks.

Im not a physical therapist, but i would agree.

I agree with the "you are holding your gun too tight" crowd.

70% of the strength holding your gun should come from the left hand (a gentle pull)
30% from the right (should concentrate on trigger control).

Just my opinion......good luck!

Jason

jbirds1210 wrote:I agree with the "you are holding your gun too tight" crowd.

70% of the strength holding your gun should come from the left hand (a gentle pull)
30% from the right (should concentrate on trigger control).

Just my opinion......good luck!

Jason

I used to shoot PPC and bowling pin matches years ago. When you are tensed up and gripping too tight, it will cause muscles to spasm from nerves being compressed and fatigue in the muscles themselves. When I was in tight high pressure matches, I would sometimes start getting the shakes by tightening up too much. Relax and get a firm, but solid, comfortable grip, position and stance . Comfort is key to long shooting sessions.

Lochinvar wrote:I feel like the "Waco Kid" in Blazing Saddles...for those that remember the joke.

"Steady as a rock!"
"Yeah, but I shoot with this one!"

Maybe you could "knock back" a couple of shots of Jack Daniels before you shoot, Kind of like an old western movie!

Try shooting a session at the range with your weak (left) hand. If your grip is too strong on your strong hand, you generally won't see that carry over to your weak hand. Good luck, my friend.

Gripmaster may help. They come in three tensions. I've used them for years with good results. You may purchase them at most gun stores.

Can you describe your shooting stance: one or two handed, bullseye, strong or weak isosceles, weaver? How long between shots? Any drawing or rapid fire? This info may help.

Relax your shooting stance, if your arms/hands are extremely rigid for a long time its gonna make you tired and shaky. Get a nice firm grip still, but maybe ease up a bit, and try to ease the tension on your elbows.

I seem to remember a video on this, ill scrounge around youtube and try to find it.

I suffer from a condition related to Parkinsons, called Essential Tremor, at times I shake so badly that I can't make a decent group at seven yards, I just try to time my shots to the shakes.

Lochinvar wrote:I have a problem. I have just (re)taken up shooting.

I am shooting mostly a .40 cal Sig 239 and a 9mm Sig 239.

About twenty rounds or so in to a session my right arm and hand begin to tremble significantly. Before I go out I can hold a full half gallon carton of milk at arm's length without this happening. An hour after I get back I can do this too. But in the middle of a session (after the initial twenty rounds) my right hand is almost palsy-like. It is annoying as heck.

This last time I made sure that I ate and only had one cup of coffee. I was not dehydrated or anything. I work out and can easily curl 25 lbs. 15-20 times with either arm.

Even when this trembling thing is happening I can do 20 or 30 incline push-ups with no dificulty so the problem should not be arm strength, rather it is a fine motor skill problem. It does not happen with my left hand...although I don't shoot as many rounds with my left.

Any ideas about this? Is the recoil a shock that has to be gotten used to or something? No history of stroke or hypertension. Blood pressure normal. The only other info that I can ad is that I am a heavy computer mouse user.

I feel like the "Waco Kid" in Blazing Saddles...for those that remember the joke.

Any CHL carrying Doctors out there that are off the clock?

Since you said it happens after a few rounds, I would check with a chiropractor. The pounding from shooting may be aggrivating some nerves and a good "cracking" may get things aligned to where your nerves are all firing like they should.