Sore hands from shooting.

[kenemoore]

So as I posted in another thread. I shot 100 rounds at a local range, 50 rounds of 180 grn .40 hollow points (not +p), and 50 rounds of 158 grn .357 Magnums.
The next day, the web of my strong side hand is a little sore. Is it from age, lack of practice, or who knows?

Before I retired, I used to shoot 150-200 rounds per week. Now I shoot 100 rounds per month. (All I can afford).

Is my soreness age related, or just that I don't practice as much.
It only seems to affect the webbing between my thumb and pointy finger. Never noticed it when I shot a lot. And, I don't notice until the day after, leaning towards lack of practice.

[AJBert]

I would say lack of pratice/shooting. Pretty much the same if one has been lifting weights or running every day, and then takes a year off. They then jump back in starting the same routine. It'll feel great the day the start, but guaranteed they will lucky to get out of bed. Age does creep up on us and tends to limit us on what we used to be able to do, so it could be a combo of those two issues.

[berettabone]

Well, you were shooting .40 and .357. (My 2 favorite calibers;) ) A person's hands will take some punishment from those 2 loads. Did you have your hand/grip as high on the grip as possible? When you do that, the web of your hand will inevitably take the brunt of recoil. You don't mention the type of firearms.......................

[kenemoore]

AJBert, I think we are both right. Lack of practice.
So...to keep my hand from hurting, I need to practice more, which cost more for ammo.
Should I start a go-fund-me to alleviate my hand soreness?

On another note, I have thought about starting my on religion. A non-profit that praised firearms. The Church of Cartridge. The "Church" would be a firing range. Your tithe's would be tax deductible, and enable you to partake in the ceremonies. (sending lead down range). Not sure how the federales would feel about that.

[dustnchips]

Take your cane by the handle and wack the end on the ground as hard as you can 500 times. Repeat daily until your hand toughens up.

[yqtszhj]

I found that working out a little with two 10 pound dumbbells 3 to 4 times a week resolved a lot of my hand, wrist, and arm issues and helped out my shooting endurance. I was a desk jockey before I retired at 58 so I got no exercise.

Now 2 1/2 years later I’m up to doing 5 sets of 12 curls followed by 12 lifting the dumbbells overhead whatever you call that (total of 60 of each) 4 times a week. Other than the possible blisters from 250 rounds of .40 there are no longer the aches and pains even with the medical issues they are treating. I’m up to 60 squats to a chair level 4 times a week too, that gets the heart pumping in the morning for sure.

I try to do it in the morning before the wife gets up and starts interfering in my day. Bad thing is now I’m retired I can’t afford to shoot as much.

[mr surveyor]

................ Bad thing is now I’m retired I can’t afford to shoot as much.

Yep


jd

[BirdsThaWord]

The body has amazing recuperative capabilities if we give it what it needs. I recently got serious about the gym again and, although hurting/sore all of the time, in different areas, after just 1 month I am seeing less lower back pain and shoulder pain. As funny as it may sound, I think dustnchips is correct. Something like that would increase blood flow, stimulate the nerves and get nutrients flowing into that area. I think that’s why my back and shoulder are getting better.

[getsome]

It’s just age, I’m almost 67 and everyday I see something in the mirror that looks different and not for the better, I noticed that the web of my hands between the thumb and index finger the muscle has almost disappeared which doesn’t cause grip problems but makes shooting somewhat painful after a few rounds……The thing that really gets me is how in the world can you somehow get a decent nights sleep but still wake up feeling like you ran 10 miles, getting old really sucks………

[Armybrat]

It’s just age, I’m almost 67 and everyday I see something in the mirror that looks different and not for the better, I noticed that the web of my hands between the thumb and index finger the muscle has almost disappeared which doesn’t cause grip problems but makes shooting somewhat painful after a few rounds……The thing that really gets me is how in the world can you somehow get a decent nights sleep but still wake up feeling like you ran 10 miles, getting old really sucks………
Yes it does.

[Bawanna]

I get sore hands from just about everything. Gets to wear they cramp up even holding a screwdriver or a checkering tool. They say pain is a good thing, it lets you know your still alive. Not sure I totally buy that sometimes.

[berettabone]

I've been living the dream then....................i had to replace some step and deck boards and shore up steps that have been in place for 19 years. Of course, whoever built them had to round out half the screw heads and use 2 different types of screws. I really hate when things are not done properly. Surprised they didn't use nails. Had to crowbar most of them off. Some I had to Sawzall off. Whatever hardwood they used for the frame made it even worse. I'll be 69 soon and I am paying the price for the work. I hurt every possible place except for my earlobes. The wife asked mt where I was bleeding from. Hands, elbow, I told her to pick a place. This one will take some recovery time and shots of Limoncello.................................Have to recover before garden time and yardwork.....................

[Bawanna]

We're in the process of replacing the lower 3 feet of the siding on the house. Rotted, typical mobile home cardboard. Have a hired guy but I know him and his daughter who works with him so I'm working with them. Worked all day saturday in the pouring down rain. Wet, freezing. Friday we worked to 9:30 under the lights. He likes to works swing hours I guess, from like 11 or 12 to 7 or 8 at night. I don't recall ever being so tired and beat up as I was Saturday night. They were supposed to come yesterday to but talked them out of it. I was used up. Today thankfully they called it off on account of it raining. Supposed to try and come back Wednesday for a bit more. Maybe I'll recover by then.
I sure don't miss working out in the rain, especially when it's cold too.

[dao]

I hear ya Colonel. Seems that the older I got the less it appealed to me. Now, unless I'm forced to it doesn't happen.

[Barth]

Spent several days on vacation trying out various 357/44 Mangum rounds in my revolvers.
Definitely had a sore hand afterwards :(
I've switched to 38/44 Specials these days :)

[NeilWise]

So as I posted in another thread. I shot 100 rounds at a local range, 50 rounds of 180 grn .40 hollow points (not +p), and 50 rounds of 158 grn .357 Magnums.
The next day, the web of my strong side hand is a little sore. Is it from age, lack of practice, or who knows?

Before I retired, I used to shoot 150-200 rounds per week. Now I shoot 100 rounds per month. (All I can afford).

Is my soreness age related, or just that I don't practice as much.
It only seems to affect the webbing between my thumb and pointy finger. Never noticed it when I shot a lot. And, I don't notice until the day after, leaning towards lack of practice.

Hey there, I feel you on the sore hands after shooting! It's definitely a sign you got a good workout in at the range, especially jumping between those two calibers.


Back in the day, when I was shooting regularly, I could put a few hundred rounds downrange without a peep. But now that I only get to the range once a month or so, my hands definitely feel it the next day, especially in that same web area you mentioned, between the thumb and pointer finger.


I'm leaning towards it being more about the lack of practice than your age. Our bodies just get used to a certain routine, and when we throw them a curveball like a big range day after a long break, they're bound to protest a little. Moreover, I remember that training my hand grip helped me personally, for example, I did exercises with a hand expander, as well as doing push-ups and lifting dumbbells, which definitely strengthened my grip.


Maybe next time you head out, you can try easing back into it a bit. Start with a lower round count, maybe just the .40s this time, and see how your hands feel. You could also look into some different grip styles or gloves specifically designed for shooting. Those can help absorb some of the shock and prevent those sore spots.

[getsome]

Every time I get the urge to exercise I go lay down till it passes…….:tongue: