Concealed EDC for limp-wristed, weak-fingered, new shooter?

[MNblockhead]

I don't have grip strength issues, yet, but to help prevent them I bought this pair <http://www.amazon.com/Gripmaster-Prohands-Medical-Exercisers-X-Heavy/dp/B00CK2VAFK/ref=sr_1_20_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1450869954&sr=8-20&keywords=gripmaster+2-pack+strengthener> to use while watching TV, switching the medium red and heavy black from side to side. I like that I can squeeze three and hold while slowly squeezing the trigger finger independently. Don't know if it helps my league scores, but it has helped me keep on target better.

I also bought these: <http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00596VWHK?psc=1> to balance flexor/extensor training, and move the joints both ways with resistance.

While using these devices, I also move my hands in different positions to maybe keep the wrists in tune a bit. I appreciate once nerves are damaged there are issues that cannot be overcome, but maybe these can help develop work-arounds, and keep what you have in tune. Just sharing what I found and use to keep my 62 year old carcass from decrepitude.

HTH

I've had the gripmaster on to-buy-later list on Amazon for some time, think I'll go ahead and get them. Haven't seen the Fexors before, I'll look into them. Thanks for the tips!

[tman]

But, for me, the Glock 42 is like having a gorgeous girlfriend who won't put out. Very frustrating. Despite how everyone raves about Glocks being incredibly reliable guns that are not picky about ammo, I've experienced the opposite with the 42. Constant stove pipes and failure of the magazine to feed. Some ammo like the Hornady Critical Defense, it just won't shoot at all. I've sent it to Glock and they sent it back with a new mag, which helped a bit, but not enough to rely on it in a life-or-death situation. I've worked on firming up my grip, making sure my hand it smashed up tight to the beaver tail, and that helps. I can now get through a couple magazines (which on this gun is only 14 shots) before a FTE. Whether I sell the Glock 42 or keep working at it, it certainly is not the gun for me for EDC, and instead of getting a long gun, which I was hoping would be my third gun, I'm once again researching compact handguns.

How about a Glock 43?

[bnelson06]

I don't have any strength issues but would like to say I'm not a big guy at 150 and my xd-s45 conceals easily in anything I wear. It even fits in the pocket just fine. Sounds like you may want to look at the 9mm version because of the wrist issue though.

[MNblockhead]

I don't have any strength issues but would like to say I'm not a big guy at 150 and my xd-s45 conceals easily in anything I wear. It even fits in the pocket just fine. Sounds like you may want to look at the 9mm version because of the wrist issue though.

Definitely thinking of giving the XD-S and XD-mod another look. Neither is likely to be as concealable as the Glock 42, but perhaps with some tailoring I can pocket carry in professional-looking slacks. I'm planning to go to the range and test a few more revolvers and pistols this week.

[MNblockhead]

How about a Glock 43?

I'm going to test one this week, but I am a little Glock shy right now. Leaning toward the XD-S and XD-Mod 2 right now because I like my XDM so much.

I didn't like the larger Glocks I've shot. They just were not a good fit for my hands, though I'm sure that with the right grip alterations, they would be fine. My problems with the Glock 42, however, make me hesitant to buy the 43, even if it seems nice at the range.

Also with the Glock 42 issues, I've gotten it into my head that a revolver would be the better way to go. At this point I am far more paranoid about a FTE in an emergency than I am with running out of ammo. Also, for home defense, I like the idea of a full-service pistol with a high-capacity magazine AND having a revolver in my pocket for a backup.

On my next trip to the range I'm going to try, if available to rent, a Ruger LCR, an XD-S, and an XD-Mod 2, and maybe a Glock 43.

[OldmanFCSA]

Maybe you should try reduced power loadings while re-training your hands.

But then you would need to reload as finding this ammo is near impossible.

I have grip-strength issues also, my left hand is much weaker than my right since breaking my left elbow, the whole arm is weaker.
Some may say my grip strength issue is too much grip as I have accidentally hurt those who give a dead-fish handshake. Riding my KTM530 with one arm while other was in a sling really built-up right arm strength and grip strength.

My hands are too small considering the proportions of the rest of the carcass. Small hands with thick fingers makes finding the correct pistol grip difficult.

[MNblockhead]

So I went to the range with and met up with someone I met on these forums who let me try some of his guns and gave me some shooting tips.

I think my Glock 42 doesn't want to be sold.

I had not one FTE. Not one.

I let the guy I met up with shoot my Glock 42 first, to see if he had any issue. I let him shoot a mag with the remaining hollow points I bought when I bought the gun that almost always gave a FTE after the first shot. He shot off all six without a single FTE. Okay, so it is the shooter, not the gun. Then I loaded a mag with FMJ .380 and shot off all six shots without a single FTE.

The guy I was with told me to switch my thumbs. The way I was holding the gun, the trigger hand thumb was on top of the supporting hand. He suggested that I put the supporting hand thump on top of the trigger fingers hand.

I shot of another 6 rounds with no FTE.

Then I filled one of the original mags that game with the gun when I bought it (which some say have issues that have been addressed with newer mags, of which I have one). Again, I shot off 6 rounds with no FTE.

By this time I was both embarrassed and excited. Embarrassed because it was like the problem I've been bitching about doesn't exist. Excited, because I'm liking this gun again. I've decided to keep it, but and will save up for a revolver instead of selling the Glock 42.

The guy I was with also let me shoot his Glock 19, Glock 27, Walther PPS 9mm, and S&W Bodyguard .380. Not one FTE with any of them. The only problem my hands gave me was I found it hard to pull the trigger of the Bodyguard all the way back. It wasn't so much that the trigger pull felt to heavy, but more that it was too long. I had to move the trigger up to my middle knuckle to fire it. The Walther PPS was a surprise. Didn't feel the most comfortable in my hands, but for a novice shooter like me, shooting a gun I'd never shot before, I got the best groupings with that gun of any that I shot today. Have the mag release on the trigger guard took some getting used to, but after a little practice, it became more natural and I could see the benefits.

Anyway, good day at the range. I'll have to take my Glock 42 to range again by myself and see if she acts up again when nobody else is watching. As for why I had no FTE this time, when I've always had them in the past:

1. Perhaps because I was shooting under scrutiny, I was paying more attention to grip, stance, etc.
2. With all the talk here and all the reading I've done, perhaps something finally clicked and my grip was better
3. The tip on thumb placement seemed to help, though the first 6 rounds were fired with the grip I'd been using in the past and I still had not failures. But certainly having the supporting hand on top gives a stronger grip.
4. The gun has a mind of its own.

[Ghost]

Missed this post before.

On my short list of guns to get is the new 327 Federal Magnum LCR, I have a thing for revolvers that can shoot several different calibers.

From a 3 1/16-inch revolver, the 100-grain Soft Point .327 Magnum load develops 100 fps more velocity than a 125-grain .357 Magnum from a four-inch revolver, and delivers only 35 ft/lbs less energy. The recoil of the .327 Magnum 85-grain Personal Defense load is less than half the recoil of a 125-grain .357 Magnum.

The trigger pull force on the LCR builds gradually and peaks later in the trigger stroke, resulting in a smooth, non-stacking trigger pull that feels much lighter than it actually is.

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2015/10/robert-farago/new-from-ruger-lcr-revolver-in-327-federal-magnum/

Presently, the majority of .327 Federal Magnum ammunition is topped with 85- to 130-grain bullets. And while availability is typically not a problem, there isn’t a ton of different rounds to choose from. However, shooters need not fear about fodder for a LCR in this caliber. It’s fully capable of shooting .327 H&R Magnum, .32 S&W Short and .32 S&W Long rounds as well.

http://www.gundigest.com/guns/handgun-reviews-articles/ruger-releases-lcr-327-federal-magnum

[MNblockhead]

Missed this post before.

On my short list of guns to get is the new 327 Federal Magnum LCR,

Nice! I'll try to rent one and try it out.

[Randygmn]

So I went to the range with and met up with someone I met on these forums who let me try some of his guns and gave me some shooting tips.

I think my Glock 42 doesn't want to be sold.

I had not one FTE. Not one.

I let the guy I met up with shoot my Glock 42 first, to see if he had any issue. I let him shoot a mag with the remaining hollow points I bought when I bought the gun that almost always gave a FTE after the first shot. He shot off all six without a single FTE. Okay, so it is the shooter, not the gun. Then I loaded a mag with FMJ .380 and shot off all six shots without a single FTE.

The guy I was with told me to switch my thumbs. The way I was holding the gun, the trigger hand thumb was on top of the supporting hand. He suggested that I put the supporting hand thump on top of the trigger fingers hand.

I shot of another 6 rounds with no FTE.

Then I filled one of the original mags that game with the gun when I bought it (which some say have issues that have been addressed with newer mags, of which I have one). Again, I shot off 6 rounds with no FTE.

By this time I was both embarrassed and excited. Embarrassed because it was like the problem I've been bitching about doesn't exist. Excited, because I'm liking this gun again. I've decided to keep it, but and will save up for a revolver instead of selling the Glock 42.

The guy I was with also let me shoot his Glock 19, Glock 27, Walther PPS 9mm, and S&W Bodyguard .380. Not one FTE with any of them. The only problem my hands gave me was I found it hard to pull the trigger of the Bodyguard all the way back. It wasn't so much that the trigger pull felt to heavy, but more that it was too long. I had to move the trigger up to my middle knuckle to fire it. The Walther PPS was a surprise. Didn't feel the most comfortable in my hands, but for a novice shooter like me, shooting a gun I'd never shot before, I got the best groupings with that gun of any that I shot today. Have the mag release on the trigger guard took some getting used to, but after a little practice, it became more natural and I could see the benefits.

Anyway, good day at the range. I'll have to take my Glock 42 to range again by myself and see if she acts up again when nobody else is watching. As for why I had no FTE this time, when I've always had them in the past:

1. Perhaps because I was shooting under scrutiny, I was paying more attention to grip, stance, etc.
2. With all the talk here and all the reading I've done, perhaps something finally clicked and my grip was better
3. The tip on thumb placement seemed to help, though the first 6 rounds were fired with the grip I'd been using in the past and I still had not failures. But certainly having the supporting hand on top gives a stronger grip.
4. The gun has a mind of its own.

I've owned and carried .380's for over 20 years. Starting with the best .380 ever made, the Beretta Cheetah series. It's a bit big for your applications. Currently, the Glock 42 is the best 380 on the market. I got mine in January 2014, the week they came out. I have over 5000 rounds through mine without any trouble. I'd recommend buying some Lehigh Defense extreme penetrators in 95 grain. It's a game changer when it comes to 380 ammo. The design allows ball ammo penetration but the cutouts still leave an impressive permanent wound channel.