Having received my SIG .22 kit, I was planning to go to the range for the first time this past Friday. Before heading out, I decided to do some dry firing. Result? I could not pull the double action trigger simply because my hand and forearm muscles had atrophied so much. There’s not a whole lot of valuable SIG DA/SA training to be had if you cannot pull the DA trigger, so I cancelled the range trip.
Nonetheless, I’m going tomorrow to get whatever I can out of the day. If nothing else I’ll get a chance to see how my elbow responds to recoil (I’ll shoot at least some of my normal Federal 124 +p HST carry ammo).
I see my physical therapist twice this week and my oncological orthopedist who did the elbow replacement. I’m going to get their opinion on whether they think the trigger finger strength issue is something that can be overcome. If so, I’ll drive on and just get some finger-specific exercises to work on. If not, odds are that I’ll need to switch to a different type of pistol with a lighter trigger pull. That’s definitely not my first choice, but having a gun I can’t shoot is definitely my last choice.
Train hard & stay safe! ToddG
Thanks for taking the time to document the challenging times you are going through. I think it will help others in similar situations.
While I have no way to know all the things you are going through, I’m sure someone of your skill and dedication will succeed.
I have seen good shooters switch to their support hand in order to stay on the job. It was an uphill battle but they not only did it, but shot exceptionally well.
Hopefully you don’t have to go to such an extreme fix, but it does show what a motivated person can do.
Hang in there and take care of yourself. You’re in our thoughts.
Maybe a Sig P-226 SAO?
justonegun — I’ve been aware of the potential need to switch my dominant hand since my right elbow first began giving me trouble. Unfortunately, the SIG is not ideal for left-handed shooters. It’s doable, but some other guns are much better.
The other issue is that I’d obviously rather have a gun I can shoot with either hand in an emergency, so one that only works left-handed wouldn’t be optimal anyway.
VP9.
Keep hanging in there, Todd. I imagine typing isn’t too easy these days either.
Hang in there and keep us posted.
Okie John
Todd, I had a stroke about 5 years ago and it resulted in loss of use for most of my right side(dominant). Like you I could not fathom not being able to shoot for pleasure or protection so I switched to left handed shooting. It was a struggle to say the least but as I practiced I found that I maintained greater accuracy by staying right eye dominant when aiming. With practice, strengthening my wrist via exercise and more practice, I am back where I was pre-stroke. I have found that it is not “what I can’t do” but rather how can I do it now.
Rumor is that you may be able to get your hands on one of these things. As much as I’ve looked I’m pretty sure you have the only two in existence!
http://box2263.temp.domains/~juliegol/pistoltraining/archives/6936
Glad to see you are trying, most people give up at the thought of an uphill battle. You continue to be an inspiration in more ways than your shooting! Have fun tomorrow!
That sucks…but I know you can shoot so you don’t have to demo; when can we have you back to Clackamas for Aim Faster Hit Smaller or whatever you call the class after AFHF.
Continued thoughts and prayers for you, Todd.
Back to a 1911?
I would think there are a few options… probably more so for a carry and training weapon than a year-long test? 1911, P30 V1 LEM, not sure about their striker-fired weapons and so on.
Keep your head up… It’s always a pleasure to receive e-mail notifications telling me that something was written. You and your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Just wanted to let you know I’ve been a long time reader and first time poster here (actually made my first post on the pistol forum but was banned “forever” by Tom_Jones with moderator note: PF isn’t really the place for astroturfy “online marketing”) …
Anyways, what I was trying to say is that I think you’re a certified bad*ss buddy. Sucks that a lifetime of training is getting interrupted by this major surgery.
My dad is working through a similar situation. He did carpentry his entire life and just lost a lot of fingers due to a saw accident. Thankfully, it was his non-dominant hand but he’s still having trouble having to work his way back.
I’ll pray for ya bud — I’m sure you’ll be back out there embarrassing all us average shooters in no time 🙂
All my best,
Caleb
Todd I wish you all the best in your recovery. Maybe you should switch to the Sig P320. I think a long term evaluation of this pistol is due.
Hang in there!
I’ll be praying for you and also maybe it’s time to break out the Warren 1911?
I’ve been following PT.com for a long time. Since your last post in March, I was checking this site periodically just to see if you’re OK. Hang in there!
Still just glad you’re back.
Still want to take AFHF.
🙂