Have you ever wore out your forearm while shooting?

[SanSacto]

Okay, I am embarrased to bring this up...but I need some feedback here. I can already see the jokes coming!

My right forearm feels strained after shooting 200 rounds through my handgun today. I hand loaded the magazines and went through all 200 rounds in just about an hour. By the time I was on last few magazines, I was struggling to even pull the trigger. My forearm muscles tensed up and became really tired, making it impossible to even hit my target.

Am I just a wimp? What gives? Does it have something to do with my grip/shooting technique? I am mostly a rifleman but I know the basics of handgun shooting. Or did I wear out my forearm muscles while hand loading all that ammunition into the magazines? I am sure a magazine loader would help, but I don't have one for now.

I could use some reassurance here because I am feeling like a girly-man!

[Fot]

Okay, I am embarrased to bring this up...but I need some feedback here. I can already see the jokes coming!

My right forearm feels strained after shooting 200 rounds through my handgun today. I hand loaded the magazines and went through all 200 rounds in just about an hour. By the time I was on last few magazines, I was struggling to even pull the trigger. My forearm muscles tensed up and became really tired, making it impossible to even hit my target.

Am I just a wimp? What gives? Does it have something to do with my grip/shooting technique? I am mostly a rifleman but I know the basics of handgun shooting. Or did I wear out my forearm muscles while hand loading all that ammunition into the magazines? I am sure a magazine loader would help, but I don't have one for now.

I could use some reassurance here because I am feeling like a girly-man!

Start with a 22 and work your way up to the big boy guns..

[esskay]

Hand loading mags usually messes up your thumbs not forearms!

What kind of handgun was it? What type of grip and stance do you use?

Folks who shoot competitively easily go through 200+ rounds in a match (loading & shooting it), so assuming you're not a girly man , I'm thinking it might be your technique...

Perhaps if you had a death grip on the gun, and use Weaver stance (with the push/pull isometric pressure)? Maybe that might kill your forearms?

[cannon]

I suspect you are over clenching with your right hand. Ease up a tad on the grip and you'll be fine.

[johnrunner89]

Use a speed loader.

[roadwarrior1971]

What kind of gun were you using? Some have heavier barrels, trigger pulls if revolvers for example. Also, make sure you are not low on calcium, potassium and magnesium. Some bananas and goji berries should take care of that. I get this once in a while when I drink too many carbonated drinks-your body sucks minerals (important for muscle function) out of your bloodstream and bones to make a homemade antacid. I used to take diuretics and it would FLUSH my minerals leading to exhaustion and frequent muscle cramps. I now use Nutridine instead of diuretics and have ZERO muscle cramp problems. Read up on the minerals used in muscle function and foods rich in those minerals. Remember your heart is a muscle too.

[SanSacto]

Oh man, I am so friggin embarrassed! This never happens to Chuck Norris!

It was a S&W Sigma, but before you start pointing out how heavy the trigger pull is on those things I had the trigger smoothened out. Although the trigger pull from the factory is heavier than a F-150, I don't think that's the issue. I think I just rushed through loading and shooting because I was trying to keep it under one hour. Doing this probably caused me to use a jacked up technique. I also played a crapload of Modern Warfare 2 on PlayStation 3 and wrote a bunch of notes for my classes at school. Maybe that played a factor too...

...Or at least that's what I am telling myself!

[M47_Dragon]

200 rounds of loading-shooting-loading, etc. in one hour is probably pushing it. Without rest, you are bound to tire out. If you are going to do that, it's best to vary your style: two handed, strong hand, weak hand. Get a little rest and shake out your arms while checking out your targets for a few minutes.

Edited to add: Also, as a "workout" to get your arms/hands in shape, dry-fire A LOT. Not only does it help your shooting skills, but it's good muscle training as well.
After shooting a while, there will be a difference in your arm/hand strength. I was shooting for about a year when I saw some friends I hadn't seen in a while. I shook their hands as I normally do (or so I thought) and darn near brought them to their knees. Oops.

[Vinz]

I vote to work out more. Get a few dumbells in various weights. If you don't like weights go with push ups and pull ups.

Eat more bananas.


vinz

[SanSacto]

...yep...I am thoroughly embarrassed...wish I didn't create this post...

[bruceflinch]

...yep...I am thoroughly embarrassed...wish I didn't create this post...

OK, now go over to the OT forum & post on 45David1' thread about mistakes you have made...

[JeffM]

watch more pron.

[Vinz]

...yep...I am thoroughly embarrassed...wish I didn't create this post...

haa haaaa thats not what i meant....Bananas help you from cramping up....little trick I learned in dive class.

watch more pron.

you said PRON. LOL
vinz

[joelberg]

Sounds like you need to "exercise" your right forearm more often lol...

[Beelzy]

watch more pron.

Are you talking Shrimp??? Or did you really mean Clams???

To the OP: WIMP!!!!!