TargetTalk

I've not suffered any injuries (knock on wood) but after reading the horror story in another thread about an elbow injury I thought I'd consolidate injuries and preventions into a single thread.

What are some of the common pistol injuries and the causes?

How could you have avoided the pistol injury?

Since starting a half year ago I really love the sport. But, after seeing and hearing about the injuries I'd like not to become another statistic and give up the sport that I love because I over-trained using improper form, been using a pistol too long barrel-wise and heavy for my wrists, etc....

Thank you in advance T.T. brain trust!

How about bowling it’s much more safe sport. Identified injury from past 98 years only with liver problem from drinking too much beer during competition. It’s time to change habit dear John WHO likes to shoot

Do not knock on wood. It is time to Use your own BRAIN!
How about new idea to have data bank for.... gymnastics-related injuries
("over 100,000 gymnastics-related injuries are treated in hospitals, doctors' surgeries, clinics and hospital emergency rooms in the USA alone")
or play ice hockey and be afraid of ice hockey related injuries.

Don't be afraid my dear.... go and work hard toward your goal if you have it, but if not do not waste good people time!

Assuming 'John likes to shoot' is interested in organised target pistol shooting, the most dangerous part is the travel to, and from, the range - even for the high accident sports this factor is usually the dangerous bit.

Hot cases burn skin - wear suitable clothing

Hot gasses and particulate can damege eyes - wear eye protection

Unprotected hearing can (will) lead to hearing loss - wear hearing protection

Spencer

I indeed think the elbow is a risky point. Maybe wrist as well.
Just dónt overdo/overtrain. Take sufficient rest between trainings and dont overdo in 1 session.
Also, be sure the weapon you use suits you. Too heavy can give injuries more easily. Maybe gripping too hard can cause (muscle)problems as well.
You could also train the specific muscles for pistol shooting with weights or something. Stronger muscles are less likely to get injured I suppose.
Bút dont overdo!

Suggest a thorough warm up before shooting, and regular general exercise.

Also don't shoot to much, if you're shooting off thousands of rounds you'll probably cause yourself an injury and chances are you're not really learning much.

I am not a medical professional. I'm just passing on information and experience I've accumulated over many years. Besides the obvious (preventing eye injuries and protecting hearing) one must use good hygiene when handling lead.

The biggest problem for pistol shooters seem to be overuse injuries, like "shooter's elbow". A lot of new shootes just jump in with both feet and start shooting and dry firing a lot. That is a mistake. Most folks wouldn't consider going from an inactive lifestyle of a couch potato to that of a serious runner or competitive weight lifter without building up slowly, but many don't consider pistol shooting as an athletic endeavour and therefore don't prepare their bodies for the sport. One must however have the patience to build up the shooting platform of his body before extensive training or the body will rebel. Start slowly using light weights and build up your strength and endurance. The United States Army Marksmanship Unit says that their shooters do stretching exercises every day and that their shooters (who shoot a lot more than the typical civilian) do not suffer from these sort of injuries. I believe that stretching is very important, especially stretching which targets the tendon of the arm near the elbow. I also believe that muscle-toning exercises of the shoulder, arm and wrist are very important. Building a strong grip with endurance is vital. There are special exercise do-dads (training aids) that can help like, http://www.pilkguns.com/gripmaster.shtml or http://www.pilkguns.com/dynaflex.shtml, but one can go a long way with a 1 gallon water jug, a piece of wooden broom handle and a 5' length of string. I avoided injury for over 38 years taking these preventative steps. My recent problems may be the result of a non-shooting trauma that finally caught up with me. Old age seems to bring out those old injuries. One must stay in tune with one's body. When a shooter feels some elbow pain, it is best not to ignore it. "Toughing it out" doesn't do any good. Every time I felt some pain in my elbow, I laid off for a while. That helped the most. I now believe that if one wants to stay healthy and active in the shooting sports in one's 60's, 70's and 80's, that he must put more "gym" time in than ever before. The muscles and tendons need more constant work than when they were young.

To sum it up, if you want to have a long pistol shooting career, you need to develop a physical training regimen which includes stretching and muscle toning exercises. Crawl and walk before you run full out.

A shooter at our club a long time ago broke his arm shooting Free pistol.
He finished early, laid down on the back seat and went to sleep.
He fell off the seat and broke his arm....Free pistol is dangerous.

David M wrote:A shooter at our club a long time ago broke his arm shooting Free pistol.
He finished early, laid down on the back seat and went to sleep.
He fell off the seat and broke his arm....Free pistol is dangerous.

This most funniest story I ever I've ever read!
Thank you David
A shooter at our club a long time ago broke his arm shooting Free pistol.
:))))

Hi dear friends, Thanks for sharing most useful information. If you have more information or any suggestion then please share with us.

Elbow injuries are common as are shoulder, neck, back and abdominal problems are all potential. But few of us really spend enough time shooting to really bring these out. Shoot with the USAMU and you could develop all these problems.

The elbow is probably number one because many of us like to squeeze the sap out of the wood grip.

All the other problems are time shooting and how many years you have been shooting on a serious basis (meaning training multiple times per week) related. Think about it. You are holding a pistol of 3 to 5 pounds out from your body with one arm. You are using a few muscles repeatedly. Are you doing anything with the opposite muscles or the other side of your body? Eventually, you may develop imbalances in muscle strengths etc. You will also over using certain muscles, tendons etc.

Is shooting the only physical activity you are involved with? Do the 12 oz lifts with your non-shooting hand. (actually, I have conversed with physical therapists that say there is a documented condition for people who lean their non-drinking elbow on the bar for hours at a time!)

I had a double hernia repair this summer. Caused by shooting? Well, we will never know. But one thing I read that is a typical cause is standing for very long periods of time. Also, the one activity that would cause me discomfort was shooting an AP &/or FP match.

The preventions are an overall physical training program that maintains the muscles balances and strengths. I have seen of US team members that finished their match by doing sixty lifts with their non-shooting hand. There are specific exercises for shoulders, backs an so. Train your entire body, not just the shooting arm.

Tomorrow I run a 10 mile race.