Breaking in 1911, broke my wrist. Preventing injuries

What I neglected to mention in post #39 (above) is that, once you develop tendonitis, it takes awhile for it to heal. And if you continue using the injured [whatever], it just prolongs the healing period. I've read reports of/from people who had to give up shooting (or limit themselves strictly to .22) for six months or more to allow enough time to recover from tendonitis.

As for my being ancient ... the young Turks in my Jeep club don't say I'm older than dirt for nothing.
 
No I really do appreciate the advice. I’m gonna limit the number of rounds next time, no need to test the limit of the wrist.

I do however want to explore the subject of 1911 thumb over safety hold. It seems the smaller Magpul grips or maybe the triangular tent like shape allows for a more relaxed grip. I feel less pressure on the beaver tail and thumb.

The mag release cutout on the Magpul is more ergonomic than the vz. You could easily rest your right thumb in the cutout “shelf” and shoot it without riding the safety. Left thumb just locks over right thumb. The thumb stays way clear of the safety so you won’t accidentally engage it. Not the “cool” way of shooting 1911 but hey thumb over safety is not the “right” way either
 
Many people (and many trainers) think that the left thumb riding the safety IS "the" way to hold a 1911. That grip doesn't work for me, but I'm a dinosaur as well as a Luddite.
 
About a half century ago I was taught that the right thumb sweeps the safety off (down) during the draw, on its way to the proper position lower on the grip (below the safety).

This was before beavertails, speed bumps and extended safeties or any of the other game gear items many people seem to think the pistol requires today.

I don't play speed games, I don't do "round count" measuring contests, and I'm not going to use an unfamiliar, uncomfortable and awkward grip hold because someone else says it works "better". I don't shoot any pistol with a high thumb, it just doesn't work for me, and some of my guns will hurt you if you do that.

And on the subject of hurt, do be aware that if you have damage, it may not be fully healed when it stops hurting. And that can lead to even more serious damage if you do too much, too soon.
 
Before I installed a beaver tail grip safety, I would put a band-aid over the web of my hand were the grip safety met my hand. Otherwise I would need a band-aid afterwards. My daughter had the same problem with the original grip safety digging in. So I kept a few band-aids in the case with my M1911.

If you want to talk about fatigue, I find I start getting tired after a couple hundred .357 Mag rounds.

I've never made it that far with my .44Mag and I'm not going to try either. I found lower power cast bullet loads from that handgun way more fun...

Tony
 
There are variations of grip.There are other good vids.
IMO,Mr Jerry M has had some practice and what he does works.
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The interesting point is that Jerry points out that when shooting a semi-auto, if your non-dominant hand isn't very tired after 200 rounds, you are not using it correctly to control muzzle rise. This is from a man who has literally shot millions of rounds.

For me, a typical range trip runs 100-150 rounds of mostly 9mm or mostly .45 acp, depending on the trip (some revolver shooting thrown in, too). After 150 rounds, I get shooter's fatigue and accuracy goes down. My physical strength is only average because I sit at a desk all day and, when I go to the gym, I focus on cardio. I'm not worried about high round counts or shooting .500 SW Magnum, etc. The measure of a man is more than shooting the biggest gun or throwing the most lead downrange.

As far as a 500-round break-in, I've only heard of that for a Baer 1911. I do believe in a break-in/familiarization period of about 250 rounds for any 1911. However, I will put 100 to 150 rounds through a new 1911 in one session, then take it back and clean and lube it. While doing this, I'll inspect it for any unusual wear. That's just my protocol, however.
 
About a half century ago I was taught that the right thumb sweeps the safety off (down) during the draw, on its way to the proper position lower on the grip (below the safety).

This was before beavertails, speed bumps and extended safeties or any of the other game gear items many people seem to think the pistol requires today.

I don't play speed games, I don't do "round count" measuring contests, and I'm not going to use an unfamiliar, uncomfortable and awkward grip hold because someone else says it works "better". I don't shoot any pistol with a high thumb, it just doesn't work for me, and some of my guns will hurt you if you do that.

And on the subject of hurt, do be aware that if you have damage, it may not be fully healed when it stops hurting. And that can lead to even more serious damage if you do too much, too soon.
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Well worth re-reading...and I'll add...hand sizes vary greatly and what works well for one of the top scoring "games" shooters may not be usable for you. I have size "L" hands and fingers, and ride the safety with my right thumb....my supporting thumb locks down over the right.

And more importantly, I wouldn't expect to fire 250 rounds let alone 500 rounds of most any caliber without painful consequences...matter of fact, 500 swings with a badminton racket would probably leave my 73 yo shoulder sore.

I shoot for fun, not to impress some range rat's idea of macho round count. And I'll agree, no 1911 should need 500 rounds to "break in".

Ymmv, Rod
 
And more importantly, I wouldn't expect to fire 250 rounds let alone 500 rounds of most any caliber without painful consequences...
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I don't think a lot of experienced shooters recollect their first time shooting a lot of rounds with a larger caliber pistol like a .45 acp and so it is hard for them to imagine there being any discomfort. I recall my first handgun course where we shot about 50 rounds on the range the first day with various calibers (.22 lr, .32 acp, .38 spl, .45 acp) and I stayed afterward to work on shooting my .45 acp 1911 and put 3 more boxes down range. I was definitely sore the next day when I went back to Day 2 of the class.

It is sort of like if you haven't ridden a bike in the last 10 years and after you get oriented with your new bike, you go on a 1 hour ride with your kids and discover your butt hurts from being in the saddle all that time. To any experienced rider, 1 hours is nothing in terms of causing discomfort.

With shooting and riding, your body adapts and learns to handle the new stressors.
 
First off, what is the point of firing 250, 500, what ever rounds in an hour? Is it some stunt for a slick paper magazine article?

Talk about hyperbole, a sore wrist equates with a "broke my wrist"? Ba humbug.
 
I don't believe you need to "break in" a new gun in a single day. I shoot a bunch. I start with 9mm, 45 acp, or 357 mag after a bit and I can tell I am getting tired I switch to 22's, Cheap and fun. Ruger MKII gives great practice and you don't flinch. WHEN YOU HEAL and are cleared by the Dr, take your 1911 shoot a mag or two and call it good. Pick up the 22 and enjoy.
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I don't believe you need to "break in, ie wear out" a new gun at all. It either works out of the box or I send it back unless I bought some kind of kit gun I expect to work on to make it work.
 
I was only able to make thru 250 rounds at the one hour mark before my wrist and arm started hurting and shaking uncontrollably and flinching.
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Everyone will fatigue and injury can occur to anyone, regardless of how strong you are.

For example, I'm a pretty strong guy and lift weights regularly, but I strained my upper back once (it hurt for weeks) just picking up a hamper of dirty laundry.

The body is a complicated machine.
 
Went through a spell where enjoyed shooting very quickly into suitable sized target. It is not just the size of the cartridge, but the repeated recoil (repetition). After several months was hurting in my shooting wrist.
 
Fishbed77 said:
Everyone will fatigue and injury can occur to anyone, regardless of how strong you are.



For example, I'm a pretty strong guy and lift weights regularly, but I strained my upper back once (it hurt for weeks) just picking up a hamper of dirty laundry.



The body is a complicated machine.
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I knew a SWAT guy that blew out his back lifting a jug in his basement. He had to crawl up the stairs to his phone and call his wife for help. He was dead set against calling 911and having to live it down with the EMTs.

I've done 20+ courses with firearms, from force on force to moving as a fireteam. I have never been hurt in those courses. In the meantime I've broken my foot falling off a ladder, torn my meniscus tripping on a baby gate, and the list goes on. As you say, injuries happen.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
 
I know we’ve been trying to establish my age, fitness, lifestyle, work environment etc

and that’s ok and all...BUT I AM NOT A C U P C A K E. Just wanted to set that straight on the internet
 
TxFlyFish said:
I know we’ve been trying to establish my age, fitness, lifestyle, work environment etc

and that’s ok and all...BUT I AM NOT A C U P C A K E. Just wanted to set that straight on the internet
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:D:D:D:D

First things first: get healthy.

I had a similar issue with shaking after a few dozen rounds with (of all things) my then-new Ruger LCP. Thing's heel kept stabbing me right in the palm of my hand, hitting a nerve cluster. Once it was aggravated, the shaking translated to other handguns.

I know your issue began differently, but I think the same cure applies. Stop shooting for awhile and get healthy.

Afterwards, consider changing your grip. Since my episode I changed my grip mechanics, and it's apparently made a world of difference. Now I grip the gun much higher and tighter than before, and have effectively reduced most muzzle flip, which is helping me with wrist/forearm fatigue. I am developing quite the callous on the side of the second knuckle of my strong hand from how tightly I have that finger jammed against the bottom of the trigger guard, but no issues with shaking anymore.

Basically I use the grip advised by Rob Leatham; grip the gun as tightly as you can until you start shaking, then ease off until you stop shaking. That's how tight you need to grip. It worked for me; maybe it'll help you a bit.
 
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