Elbow Pain.

[mark5pt56]

If I mantain a slight bend in my right elbow wont I lose my ability to control the recoil of my handgun? I am trying to get my handgun to recoil straight up and down.

You won't loose anything, the slight bend kind of gives the weapon an avenue back, a good wrist lock will assist with managing the flip. That straight up and down is usually over emphasized by some. Yes, it moves some, but not that much. And remember the Chinese quote about the Oak and the Willow.

Why the eye roll?

[Linea_de_Fuego]

Next week I'm there Mon, Wed, Thurs & Fri. Yes the book shows pics of the stances, grip etc. I immediately noticed better times and accuracy and control using the new techniques. If you want to be a better shooter it's certainly worth it, especially if you want to shoot with little or no pain.

I Googled this to try and find images of the grip but couldn't clearly see one.

Is the weak hand wrapped around the strong hand just a little more so that the finger tips are on top of the knuckles?

[Robb Jensen]

I Googled this to try and find images of the grip but couldn't clearly see one.

Is the weak hand wrapped around the strong hand just a little more so that the finger tips are on top of the knuckles?

Here's a pic of an LEO using this technique shooting a Glock 21.

[Joe R.]

GotM4 already hit the nail on the head. It sounds like tendinitis or "tennis elbow"

One way to help alleviate the pain is to strengthen the area around the elbow. This can be done by doing straight arm wrist curls in both a pronated (palms down) and a supinated (palms up) position. The weight should be light, in the area of 5 pounds with higher reps, 15-20. This will help strengthen the area around the wrist and elbow (believe it or not) and help reduce the pain from shooting.

As gotM4 also pointed out you should have someone with real experience check out your shooting stance. Your elbows should NOT be locked. A slight bend in the elbows will allow the gun to track right back into position and less stress on the body.

[Linea_de_Fuego]

Here's a pic of an LEO using this technique shooting a Glock 21.

I think I got it; the strong hand thumb rides behind the weak hand thumb joint rather than in front of it.

[NightFighter]

You won't loose anything, the slight bend kind of gives the weapon an avenue back, a good wrist lock will assist with managing the flip. That straight up and down is usually over emphasized by some. Yes, it moves some, but not that much. And remember the Chinese quote about the Oak and the Willow.

Why the eye roll?

No reason. I am just trying to learn a way of shooting that will let me enjoy the activity without any pain.

[NightFighter]

GotM4 already hit the nail on the head. It sounds like tendinitis or "tennis elbow"

One way to help alleviate the pain is to strengthen the area around the elbow. This can be done by doing straight arm wrist curls in both a pronated (palms down) and a supinated (palms up) position. The weight should be light, in the area of 5 pounds with higher reps, 15-20. This will help strengthen the area around the wrist and elbow (believe it or not) and help reduce the pain from shooting.

As gotM4 also pointed out you should have someone with real experience check out your shooting stance. Your elbows should NOT be locked. A slight bend in the elbows will allow the gun to track right back into position and less stress on the body.

Thanks for the exercise suggestions. I was wondering if there was any specific exercises that would increase the strenght in my elbow. When I tried the suggested exercises I felt the area where I have the pain flex and move. it hurt a little but after a while the pain went away. Thanks a ton. I dont have anyone at this time who is an experienced shooter who can diagnosis my shooting stance and/or grip. So that is why I have to bother the people on the forum for assistance. I have started bringing my elbows in closer to my sides and allowing a slight bend into my elbows. I will let everyone know if all this helps over the next couple of weeks.

[Bulldog1967]

I have SEVERE tendinitus of the elbow in my shooting hand and am having surgery/therapy on it next month. NOT cool.

[Robb Jensen]

Thanks for the exercise suggestions. I was wondering if there was any specific exercises that would increase the strenght in my elbow. When I tried the suggested exercises I felt the area where I have the pain flex and move. it hurt a little but after a while the pain went away. Thanks a ton. I dont have anyone at this time who is an experienced shooter who can diagnosis my shooting stance and/or grip. So that is why I have to bother the people on the forum for assistance. I have started bringing my elbows in closer to my sides and allowing a slight bend into my elbows. I will let everyone know if all this helps over the next couple of weeks.

Look at Daves (Sevigny) stance (upper body only as he's moving).



The elbows should always be bent slightly (mark5pt56 already said this too). This gives sort of a spring for recoil, you'll have to try the method to see if it works. You maybe gripping the pistol too hard as well. The firing hand should have about as much grip pressure as you would on a baseball bat. Most of the grip pressure should come from your support hand.

Also poke around on the Brian Enos forums, here's the Tips for Improvement forum within that forum.
http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showforum=17

And Handgun Techniques.
http://www.brianenos.com/forums/inde...ilter=all&st=0

I also recommend getting some professional instruction since you earlier talked about getting into competitive shooting. Local to NoVA is the NRA Range (intermediate pistol) or http://www.nvtactical.com/ (from Tommy Thacker). I shoot with Tommy in USPSA a little, he's a good shooter and instructor.

[mark5pt56]

No reason. I am just trying to learn a way of shooting that will let me enjoy the activity without any pain.

Hey, with my limited excercise knowledge, I've been taught that for connective tissue, you need 30-50 reps to truly benefit them. Weight should be appropriate to work them vs. the muscle group around it.

I don't know what kind of program you do, but be careful not to overwork to where you are either injuring or on the verge of it. Soreness from workouts are actually injuries sustained to the tissue. Adequate rest and recovery is important. When I powerlifted, I could tell by week 3-4 in a program(8-9 week ones worked best for me) if I was overworking.

To avoid potential long term, I would see a good doctor to insure you aren't making it permanent. I was told by a Chiropractor that there are two types of injuries, the ones you know of right away and the ones you get when you're 60-from the stuff you did years ago.

Hope that helps

Mark