Can I still shoot a pistol with a fistula

[brokenpole]

I did a search and could not find the answer (too many posts to sift through). Can a person still shoot a pistol with an av fistula?

I am one of those odd balls. I write with my left hand, so they determined that it was my dominant hand and put the fistula on my right arm just above the wrist. Problem...I do most everything else right handed. I bat right and throw right in baseball. I use my right hand when I eat and I shoot right handed.

No I realize that a rifle is no problem. But I do own a 9mm pistol that I love to shoot.

I am going to ask my doctor but I wanted to get some advice on here too.

Can I still shoot my pistol?

[Chris]

I was told that 10 punds was the limit to lift with my fistula arm, so since we are talking about a firearm we must think of torque instead of weight. Problem there is I forgot the math behind t to figure this out. It might be safe since you are bracing with both hands, but then the right hand is still taking most of the force/ torque from the recoil of the firearm.
 
I would say no if your fistula was recently created though. Hopefully someone will have input to this question or know the math equation.

[noahvale]

^

[YLGuy]

Here I am with a .44 Mag.  It did not bother my fistula at all.  I am sure your 9mm will be fine.

[jbeany]

I'd skip it for the first month or two, while it's still tender and healing.  After that, I think you'd be fine.  If it's uncomfortable, get some kind of compensator to lessen the recoil.  If all else fails, get a 22 handgun instead of the 9.  You can still target practice with it, but you could get a lighter one that would be easier to handle.

[Rerun]

I need to know this too.  I took a gun class but didn't shoot because I just had fistula surgery.  So now I want to go shoot.  Let us know what your surgeon says....

   

[Adam_W]

I've never had any problems shooting with my left upper arm graft. Even my .50cal black powder rifle that will knock you on your bum if you don't hold it right.

[Chris]

But remember he is asking about a fistula in the wrist area.
 to have a graft in my left upper arm and would do more  than when my fstula worked in the wrist area..

[Willis]

I'm no expert on fistulas (mine has failed after one year...fortunately I never had to use it since I'm on PD). Maybe I lifted too much weight or was too active who knows? The PD bags alone weigh more than ten pounds each!

But I do know a bit about guns. I'd say IF you're concerned about recoil then when considering revolvers go small (as in .22 cal) or go very big. Someone above mentioned a .357 with a six-inch barrel. That would be the way to go rather than a smaller caliber. I have an 8 inch barrel .357 and that thing has less recoil than my 2-1/2 inch snub nose .38 special. If I use .38 ammo in my .357 for practice (much cheaper) I can hardly feel anything. Same ammo in the snub nose and after 50 rounds my right thumb is throbbing.

You mentioned a 9mm but didn't say what type of pistol you have. If it's just a normal Glock 19 or some similar version you should be OK. They have very little recoil. If your fistula is in your off-hand I really don't see how it's going to feel much recoil. But if you want more assurance it's not hard to shoot one-handed with autos. (That wouldn't be easy with a revolver unless shooting single-action.)

Another thing for a typical 9mm that might help a lot is to replace the recoil spring so that you get a lighter travel on the upper assembly. Something like this: http://www.lonewolfdist.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=296214&CAT=176 or this 13lb spring http://www.glockmeister.com/Glockmeister-Stainless-Steel-Recoil-Spring-Assembly-for-G19_23_32-and-other-GLOCK-Models/productinfo/GMSSR19CS/. A lighter spring might feel kind of "sloppy" to an experience shooter compared to the standard spring but it should reduce the "felt" recoil. (The actual recoil will of course be the same, just that the extra travel will absorb some of it.) The only major problem a lighter spring MAY cause is if your gun gets dirty and the action a bit sticky then a lighter spring may cause more jams. But for range shooting, just keep it clean and well-oiled and you'll probably be OK.

 

[Lovebelle]

I go shooting quite regularly with my boyfriend. I have shot anything from a .22 mosquito pistol to his .45 with no issues, although I admit I hate shooting the 45 due to the recoil. But I regularly shoot the .22 and my .380 with no issues whatsoever. I never really thought to ask about the effect on my fistula but I had the surgery quite some time ago so I dont worry about trauma to it too much anymore.

[Mr. B 123]

Problem might be easily solved by starting to shoot with your left hand, at least give it a try.  When I teach pistol class I have the students shoot with the off hand just so the are aware of the grip and recoil should they have to shoot that way for any reason.  I have my fistula in upper right arm and shoot with my left and had no problems about 3 months after the surgery.  You get used to using a right handed 9 mm in a left hand world, I have been doing it for years.  My .357 mag. is a right handed gun but I do well with that, just practice.  The first time I shot my 12 ga. shotgun the recoil from that stung my right arm, but that recoil is quite severe.  Good luck and be safe on the range!

[woodsman]

I shoot my .380 LCP and have no issues also my 30 30 is no problem.

[Desert Dancer]

brokenpole, here is a good thread from a while back that addresses the issue; you might find it helpful:

http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=23757.msg385188#msg385188

[brokenpole]

Desert Dancer, thanks for the link. I will go there in a moment.

But to answer a previous question I have a Tarus PT111 Pro so it is a small block 9mm.

The recoil has never seemed excessive because I tend to shoot lighter loads. The manufacturer calls them practice rounds.

Still waiting for an answer from the surgeon.

Sparky

[brokenpole]

Talked to the surgeon and he told me that there is no problem with me shooring my pistol. 

Now to get this dialysis started tomorrow get into the routine and then its off to the range I go!! 

[Chris]

But did you ask him about shooting your gun?
 
 
Sorry, easy joke!

[smokinbeaver]

LOL Chris! Love it. I am brokenpole's wife Sharon. We are looking forward to going to the shooting range after we get in the swing of dialysis to SHOOT our GUNS...

Sharon

[brokenpole]

But did you ask him about shooting your gun?
 
 
Sorry, easy joke!

Guess that is why they put spell check on this thing. I had better use it.