The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > Hogan's Alley > Handguns: General Handgun Forum

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old August 10, 2011, 12:37 AM   #1
oo0juice0oo
Member
 
Join Date: April 4, 2011
Location: Colorado
Posts: 50
Can't stop shaking

So I've come across a problem lately with my pistol shooting. I've started shaking pretty badly. This used to only be an issue during extended range sessions, but now I can hardly make it through a single magazine before it starts. Any ideas on what could be my problem? I'm shooting a Glock22 utilizing a weaver stance.
oo0juice0oo is offline  
Old August 10, 2011, 12:41 AM   #2
BarryLee
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 29, 2010
Location: The ATL (OTP)
Posts: 3,942
There are a variety of health issues that could cause this, so you might want to consult your Physician. An easy thing to try might be to cut back on caffeine, energy drinks and sugar.
__________________
A major source of objection to a free economy is precisely that it ... gives people what they want instead of what a particular group thinks they ought to want. Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself.
- Milton Friedman
BarryLee is offline  
Old August 10, 2011, 12:50 AM   #3
stephen426
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 11, 2005
Posts: 3,840
The other thing is to make sure you have a good meal beforehand. If you are hungry or possibly hypoglycemic, you will be a lot less stable. Hopefully it isn't a medical condition.
__________________
The ATF should be a convenience store instead of a government agency!
stephen426 is offline  
Old August 10, 2011, 12:56 AM   #4
Edward429451
Junior member
 
Join Date: November 12, 2000
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Posts: 9,494
Make sure you're well hydrated also. It's been very hot lately and if you don't compensate by drinking more water you will become dehydrated and hello tremors.
Edward429451 is offline  
Old August 10, 2011, 12:57 AM   #5
kozak6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 16, 2005
Location: AZ
Posts: 3,113
It could be some dehydration, an electrolyte problem, or maybe low blood sugar. You could cut the caffeine and try some Gatorade and see if it helps. It could also be from a lack of sleep or stress.

Or, it could be a sign of a serious medical condition. Perhaps a doctor's visit is in order.
kozak6 is offline  
Old August 10, 2011, 07:16 AM   #6
jrothWA
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 11, 2006
Posts: 2,519
It sounds like you have...

over-exerted yourself, tryin g for the perfect shot.

RELAX and enjoy, now it the time to MAKE lousy shots, the paper doesn't mind it!

Have you ever tried a bowling pins shoot for instant reaction and effect of being timed??
jrothWA is offline  
Old August 10, 2011, 07:40 AM   #7
MikeNice81
Senior Member
 
Join Date: August 17, 2010
Posts: 579
It could be a sign that you need to start working out. I have seen my shooting improve as I have improved the muscle strength in my shoulders and arms.
__________________
Here's my credo: There are no good guns, There are no bad guns. A gun in the hands of a bad man is a bad thing. Any gun in the hands of a good man is no threat to anyone, except bad people.
Charlton Heston
MikeNice81 is offline  
Old August 10, 2011, 08:23 AM   #8
Doyle
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 20, 2007
Location: Rainbow City, Alabama
Posts: 7,167
Try an experiment. In the comfort of your home, get out your favorite pistol and pretend you are at the range. Hold it up, sight down the sights, and pretend to shoot. Do this for the duration you would normally do at the range.

If you don't get the shakes at home, then that would leave me to believe the problem is either fatigue, dehydration, or recoil/sound related. I.E, something that is introduced at the range itself.

If you do get the shakes at home, that would lead me to believe you have a neuro/muscullar problem (either lack of strength or a medical issue).
Doyle is offline  
Old August 10, 2011, 02:55 PM   #9
g.willikers
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 28, 2008
Posts: 10,442
You might just be gripping the gun way too hard.
That will start a case of the shakes in the gun hand and arm.
Unless you're shaking elsewhere, too, that is.
__________________
Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez:
“Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”
g.willikers is offline  
Old August 10, 2011, 08:48 PM   #10
Discern
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 30, 2011
Posts: 471
You may be gripping the handgun too hard or have muscles that are too tense. You may also not be breathing enough. Not breathing enough can cause muscle tremors. I would look at these possible causes to see what happens and STILL consult with your doctor.
Discern is offline  
Old August 10, 2011, 09:07 PM   #11
jephthai
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 5, 2007
Posts: 463
I notice that when dry-firing at home, I am much more stable than in real life at the range. I am convinced that it's a psychological phenomenon -- probably related to impending recoil and blast . It really disturbs me sometimes too, because I know I can do it without shaking, but my mind becomes my enemy.

I actually think this is one of the most compelling aspects of the shooting hobby. I'm really fighting against my own limitations, and every time I learn something that makes me better it feels like a real victory.

The comments on gripping too hard may be related too. I don't know if I dry-fire with a looser grip. I should do some experimentation...
jephthai is offline  
Old August 10, 2011, 10:14 PM   #12
Discern
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 30, 2011
Posts: 471
The grip should be like a firm handshake and not a death grip. The support hand also provides most of the grip pressure.
Discern is offline  
Old August 10, 2011, 10:19 PM   #13
zxcvbob
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 20, 2007
Location: S.E. Minnesota
Posts: 4,720
Sounds like "chicken finger". You need to practice more, using less powerful ammo and/or better hearing protection. Also you might be waiting too long to take the shot.

Lifting weights wouldn't hurt, but I don't think that's the problem unless you are waiting a *really* long time before you shoot.
__________________
"Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth
zxcvbob is offline  
Old August 11, 2011, 12:27 AM   #14
dajowi
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 2, 2005
Posts: 1,196
This might be a matter of having to take your gun to the doctor's office to demonstrate the condition so he can make a proper diagnosis
dajowi is offline  
Old August 11, 2011, 01:10 AM   #15
hemiram
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 6, 2005
Location: Toledo, ohio
Posts: 762
I had this happen once. I hadn't been shooting in a while, and was very shaky, even shooting a .22LR lever action. All it was was, apparently, was either dehydration or low blood sugar. I hadn't eaten or drank anything but water in about 14 hours. I had about a pint of OJ, more water, and ate a sandwich with a few carrots and I was cured.
hemiram is offline  
Old August 11, 2011, 01:24 AM   #16
PoorRichRichard
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 13, 2011
Location: San Berdoo
Posts: 269
I go to a public trap range that sells $2 beers. I shoot best between #2 and # 4. Before anyone get all Captain Crazy on me, let me state that I'm not breaking any rules, and that it's totally legal at this particular trap field. I'm not advocating drinking while shooting. This is just what works for me.
PoorRichRichard is offline  
Old August 11, 2011, 01:38 AM   #17
Nnobby45
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 20, 2004
Posts: 3,150
In my early fifties, after back surgery, I started lifting weights and doing other excercises as rehabilitation. (I joined a gym). Been doing it for over a decade, and I spend time on the bicycle, and then do weights--three times a week. Spa's nice, too.

It has made a noticeable difference, for the better,in my shooting. I'm definately steadier.
Nnobby45 is offline  
Old August 11, 2011, 10:53 AM   #18
microman
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 6, 2011
Posts: 428
Quote:
You might just be gripping the gun way too hard.
This is the first thing that popped into my mind. I've had this
happen to me before at the range. Sometimes I am waiting
for the recoil and hold on a little too tight.
microman is offline  
Old August 11, 2011, 01:21 PM   #19
oo0juice0oo
Member
 
Join Date: April 4, 2011
Location: Colorado
Posts: 50
I already workout 5 days a week, I've been power lifting with some old Corps buddies for a little over a year now, so I don't think thats a problem. And I doubt it's dehydration because I have a strange obsession with water, so I drink 3-5 gallons a day (it's a lot easier than you'd think). I'll try relaxing my grip a bit (I grip it like my life depends on it), and I'm gonna do some extended dry fire exercises at home. Thanks for all of the replies fellas! We'll see if this works out the dysfunction in my function.
oo0juice0oo is offline  
Old August 11, 2011, 02:18 PM   #20
TailGator
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 8, 2009
Location: Florida
Posts: 3,786
Quote:
I have a strange obsession with water, so I drink 3-5 gallons a day
That is an extraordinary amount of water for one person to drink in a day. You should see a doctor and get a chemistry panel and urinalysis done to see if there is a medical reason linking your obsessive thirst and the shaking. If your GP finds nothing, s/he may want to refer you to an endocrinologist. Diabetes mellitus ("sugar" diabetes), kidney diseases, hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's disease), diabetes insipidus, and other diseases should be evaluated with that much water intake. Although it seems counter-intuitive, with these and related diseases you can actually drink huge amounts of water and, because the kidneys are erroneously dumping more fluid that is appropriate, still be marginally dehydrated.
TailGator is offline  
Old August 11, 2011, 02:21 PM   #21
Nnobby45
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 20, 2004
Posts: 3,150
Quote:
I already workout 5 days a week, I've been power lifting with some old Corps buddies for a little over a year now, so I don't think thats a problem.
Well, do you shake when you're doing any other activities?
Nnobby45 is offline  
Old August 11, 2011, 02:58 PM   #22
Brian48
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 21, 2001
Location: Boston, People's Republic of MA
Posts: 1,615
I find this only happens to me when I'm tired and start to grip the gun too hard to compensate. Relaxing and taking a short break usually helps.
__________________
Proud to have served.
Brian48 is offline  
Old August 11, 2011, 03:04 PM   #23
Skans
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 20, 2008
Posts: 11,131
Ditto on the low blood sugar. I got the shakes the last time I went shooting. It was hot, I was sweating a lot and there i was, pointing my pistol down range, looking through the sights and watching my pistol shake. I put the gun down, took a short rest, and it kept happening. I can just tell when my blood sugar gets low, and that's all it was. Not something that happens all that often.
Skans is offline  
Old August 11, 2011, 10:01 PM   #24
MikeNice81
Senior Member
 
Join Date: August 17, 2010
Posts: 579
If you are drinking that much water, and shaking, get checked for diabetes.
__________________
Here's my credo: There are no good guns, There are no bad guns. A gun in the hands of a bad man is a bad thing. Any gun in the hands of a good man is no threat to anyone, except bad people.
Charlton Heston
MikeNice81 is offline  
Old August 11, 2011, 10:40 PM   #25
Alaska444
Junior member
 
Join Date: April 3, 2010
Posts: 1,231
Actually, the most common cause of tremors is something simply called a benign tremor. They are more common the older we get. One of the other entities in this consideration is Parkinson's Disease. Doctors are trained to tell the difference between these two entities. Those are the two most common neurological causes of shakes.

Diabetes with low blood sugars from too much medicine, too much exercise or too little food would come with other symptoms such as sweating, heart racing as well as anxiety.

If the only time you exhibit these shakes is when shooting, I believe I would be hard pressed to know the cause of that as a physician. Medical causes for this should be evident in other activities as well. If it doesn't occur at other times as well, it may be a bad habit negatively reinforced over time and may be a symptom of recoil sensitivity. Lastly, there may be a possibility of peripheral nerve compression like carpal tunnel aggravated by the recoil. Doctors should be able to diagnose that by a physical exam, but in this condition I would also expect other symptoms at other times as well.

If it is only an isolated issue when shooting, then practice with dry fire at home might be a way to start to overcome this issue.

i hope this gives you some place to start.
Alaska444 is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:44 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.06627 seconds with 10 queries