SquibRound

Check out laserammo.com. I have bough a combo set that includes a 9mm cartridge, a .40, .45 and 223 adaptor. I believe this cartridge will work with the Reaction Tyme targets, since I was looking into the same thing until I figured a more efficient method.

Getting the MRI evaluation of the neck is a great idea. Unless the spinal cord or nerve roots of your neck are compressed horribly on the MRI, most neck pain can be effectively managed with a combination of anti-inflammatories, an at- home over-the-door traction device and some physical therapy. Keep the traction device in your closet once you are better- the condition tends to wax and wane over time. Interestingly, pain from degenerative disc disease may increase with new activities at first, but then tends to die down with time. Thoughtful, progressive exercise and toning of your core muscles will help both your neck and low back. Being sedentary is poison for an arthritic spine. If it does come down to surgery, a one level cervical fusion will not change your effective range of motion enough that you will ever notice it. In fact, most people who require a fusion have already lost most of the motion from the affected spinal segment long before the surgery ever happens. Good luck!

This is an interesting article. What I take away from it is that a steroid injection, although not significantly beneficial at one year, will make you feel better much faster in the short run (1-3 months). I remember the severity of pain in the early days, so I would jump at the steroid injection again if I had to do it all over. That said, chronic (repetitive) steroid injections are another issue altogether- steroids used chronically can weaken the tissues and interfere with proper healing, so I would not suggest this route (makes you wonder why so many people waste their time on repeated spinal injections when the injection has no hope of fixing any spinal problem). Platelet rich protien injections have been used in several areas of surgery experimentally since theoretically the PRP can accelerate our natural ability to heal. A lot of the research is inconclusive, and frankly done quite poorly, so I am afraid the jury is still out on this issue. What complicates the issue further is the fact that the condition we are collectively calling "tennis elbow" is a mixed bag. For example, my tennis elbow, which I now consider a relatively limited tear of the musculo-tenonous junction of my forearm extensor muscles, is far and away more benign than that of Matt Griffin's case, which sounds like an out-and-out disruption of the extensor complex, that has gone on to become a chronic inflammatory condition. Clearly these are two different cats. This being said then, the sure-fire "cure" for one type will fail miserably for the more serious condition. When rest, modalities (heat/ice/massage), anti-inflammatories, an injection and exercises done in a reasonable and progressive manner fail to address the issue, careful medical evaluation and diagnosis is in order.

This gizmo is very interesting. Your post reminded me that I actually had one of these things in my office closet from a past Christmas gift. I dug it out and tried it. It really does work the forearm and doesn't aggravate my symptoms- a bit of fun to use as well!

+1 For what it is worth, I repeated my entire routine (except the injection) and I am seeing a difference. Back to doing active wrist extensions with the Flexbar. I have also noted that classic grip training- with COC's or equivalent, does not engage the extensors the same way that you use your grip to do other things- such as shake hands. With grip that requires stability- as in shaking hands- you use the extensors a lot more and this motion tends to aggravate the tennis elbow symptoms. I could use the grip trainer long before I could hope to shake hands (which I still cannot do pain free). Stay with the rest and strengthening- it will pay off in the long run. It is poison to rush recovery of this condition, since any extra stress will put you back to square one more than likely.

Frank, Where are you in Pennsylvania? I'm in Erie.

I agree about the screwdriver/wrench issue- annoying since I used to make my living turning wrenches (obviously lost the arm strength I once had). It is the dread of shaking hands when meeting someone that is the most frustrating part of this ordeal. Look into the Theraband Flexbar- I am using the green one (15#), but if you can't do the rubber bands extensions yet, I would get the lowest resistance flexbar available. This device gently stretches the tendon/muscles and encourages the condition to heal properly. They are cheap and available through Amazon. I have been very impressed with the results of this thing.

OK, So I'm perking along, doing fine when a snow storm hit my area, necessitating the use of my industrial sized snowblower. Unfortunately the engine wouldn't start. After appropriate diagnostics, it was obvious I needed to tear the top of the engine off to remove the carburetor, which was non functional due to a stuck float. In short, a lot of rusted bolts et. later, it was clear I had undone the last 4-5 weeks of "rehab" for the tennis elbow. I'm was basically back to the way I felt at the end of week two, without the benefit of the injection! That was just short of a week ago. I have stopped the finger-extension band exercises, restarted religious stretching of the tendons and have no plans on abandoning the tennis elbow brace anytime soon. Restarted the anti inflammatories as well, and continue to use the thera-band flexbar with good result (really like that thing). On a positive note, I am continuing the strengthening of my support hand grip, now using a 100# gripper which I can almost close for three full sets of 10 reps. I plan to slowly progress through the various steps outlined above for the tennis elbow over the next few weeks. Anything else happens that I think might be useful to someone I will post.

I have used my hard golf club case for transport of my range bag, pistol case and other equipment (excluding ammo). These cases usually will have a cheap lock included in the closure mechanism, which I use as a back up in case TSA gets aggressive with the keyed pad locks I place on the outside of the case. I also have a TSA approved lock on the pistol case itself, inside the locked golf club case (as per TSA rules). I also have pelican cases, but I am paranoid that these are good indicators that they are transporting firearms, and thus become a target for "sticky fingers". I have traveled with the golf club case set up about 5-6 times over the past 2 years. TSA did cut the pad locks off the case on one occasion to have a "look-see" inside the case, for reasons that are still not clear to me. I had no resultant problems since I placed the keys for the cheap latch- lock taped to the inside of the case with a note to the TSA ( Dear TSA, please find enclosed keys for my case in the event you have cut my pad locks off...). Please be aware that if you don't have some type of back-up lock for the case, TSA will not allow the bag on the plane, even if the enclosed pistol case is locked (as per the TSA agent I delt with during the above mentioned incident). Some would say it makes better sense to put the TSA lock on the outside case, and the padlock on the enclosed pistol case, but the probability of someone having a key for the TSA locks is high, and the locked pistol case can then be removed from the luggage and stolen, lock and all. Hope this helps.

Tim, Great post, thanks for sharing the video. Learning a technique slowly also allows you to learn the movements with greater accuracy. This allows the motor program you are developing in your brain to be "grooved" with perfect motions, thus allowing you to eventually perform the act with perfect form. The best part of the whole process is that the brain doesn't remember what speed you learned the skill - you can "play it back" at a much faster speed than you learned the technique, but preserve th good form.

Matt, I had the idea of snatching the pistol from the holster by moving my hand from the "relaxed-at sides" ready position, up to target presentation. I was doing this to avoid the "up and down" motion most use to get a grip on the pistol, and thus avoid any lost time when changing the direction of my hand movement from driving down on the pistol and then bouncing it out of the holster. Well, to do this technique effectively the grip is initiated by the last three fingers only, with no thumb wrapped around the backstrap of the gun. This technique causes a lot of torque to be generated when the gun is snatched out of the holster which was absorbed by my forearm extensor complex. It also is not as stable under duress, since it relies on more fine motor skills than a standard draw, thus leading to an unreliable grip on the pistol on several occasions. When the technique worked it was quite fast, but due to the injury (which slowed me down) and the reliability issue (which became apparent at Frontsight when there was some pressure, I have abandoned the technique. I have since switched to a technique very similar to that demonstrated in Matt Burkett's instructional video series with very good success (and speed) without the pain.

I have recently experienced a severe bout of tennis elbow (shooter's elbow), which has been a somewhat recurring issue for me. This episode however was the most severe I have ever experienced and actually interfered with my shooting and work. Since I am still actively recovering from this condition, I thought I would add my experience with various treatments for the benefit of the forum. I aggravated the condition by repeatedly drilling my presentation, which I had changed slightly in the way I acquired the initial grip on the pistol. The new method stressed the extensor muscles of my forearm and after a week or so of daily dry practice I was slightly sore. Not to be a quitter I of course kept at it, and predictably really inflamed the condition. It was at thais point that I left for a 4 day stent at Frontsight for the combat master prep course. I spent the four days doing presentations all day. By the completion of the course I literally couldn't move my strong-side arm without severe pain. A handshake became an intolerable social activity. The outside area of my elbow was swollen and warm, and the entire are of the lateral epicondyle (bony bump on the outside of the elbow) was exquisitely tender. The condition at that point was now significantly interfering with my work, and I could not shoot, so I felt I really needed to do something other than ignore the condition (my usual first line treatment). I do have a medical background, and I do have access to several Orthopedic surgeons and Physical Therapists whom I hold in high regard. In shooters the problem is due to mico-tears and strain of the extensor tendon/muscle complex. The ligaments of the lateral elbow can be torn/strained as well in this condition, but this is usually with more stress such as with racquet-sports. After some significant R&D I began the following program which has been wildly successful: WEEK 1-2 1. Stop doing the activity that caused the problem.... This was the worst part of the treatment, but I did lay-off for 2 weeks. 2. Stretch the extensor muscle/tendon complex every morning, every night and whenever I thought of it during the day. I did this by hyper-extending my elbow, flexing my wrist as I rotated my wrist away from my body and compressed the flexed wrist to put a bit more stretch on the tendon/muscle. 3. Ice the outside of the elbow every evening, as well as during the day if possible. I would put a thin cotton sleeve over the elbow, followed by the ice-filled plastic bag which I kept tightly applied to the elbow with an ACE wrap. 4. Anti-inflammatory meds (OTC) religiously. 5. I purchased a ACE brand tennis-elbow brace. I always thought these were placebo, but they really work, and the Orthopedists I spoke to all used them as well (all 3 surgeons suffer from the condition!?!). Evidently the compressive brace redistributes the force of the extensor tendon away from the lateral epicondyle and over a broader area. WEEK 2 6. I got two fairly thin rubber bands and placed them around the outside of the fingers of the affected hand and began 10 rep sets or finger extensions. I did this in the car on the way to work and back. Once I started to feel better I did this during the day a few times as well. Be careful with this when you first start the exercise. If it hurts a lot, stop and rest some more, you are not ready yet. Over the course of the last 4 weeks I have slowly added resistance in the form of additional rubber bands (I'm up to 4 bands now). 7. I had an injection of the lateral epicondyle- cortisone/marcaine. Hurt like hell, but it was definitely worth it. In two days it felt like I never had the problem, which is the problem with the injections. Most knuckle-heads will then go right back to the activity that caused the problem in the first place like nothing ever happened and screw the pooch royally (don't be that guy). 8. Re-started shooting with special attention to form- and yes, I did adjust my pistol grip to avoid the stress from my ill-conceived new technique. 9. stopped the ice in the middle of week 2. WEEK 3-4 10. Added exercise with the Theraband Flexbar. The instructions on how to use this wonderful device are on Youtube. I purchased the green level flexbar (15 lbs resistance). I highly recommend this device- it has really worked well. I started with three 10 rep sets about three times a day, and have worked up to 20 rep sets done 6-8 times a day over the course of 2 weeks. 11. Stopped the anti-inflammatories this week. Still doing the stretches, rubber-bands extensions and tennis-elbow compressive brace. WEEK 5-6 12. Added active extension exercise to my Theraband Flexbar sessions. I do a 20 rep set of the eccentric contraction (muscle-lenghtening when the flexbar pulls on the wrist) and added concentric contraction- what you would consider "normal" muscle-contraction exercise, by twisting the Flexbar against the twist (Look at the Youtube video, it will make sense). The first week I did 5 reps concentric for every 20 reps eccentric. Week 6 I increased to 10 reps concentric for every 20 reps eccentric. WEEK 7-8 13. I plan to increase the concentric reps over these two weeks to 15/20 and 20/20 for weeks 7&8 respectively. 14. I will wean out of the tennis-elbow brace for all activity except very stressful forearm exercise. WEEK 9 15. Plan to start wrist extension exercise with free weights. 16. Plan to start using grip-strenght exercisers. Both of these activities I will take very slowly. Things I learned: 1. Don't ignore tennis elbow- if it becomes truly chronic you are in for a major issue that may culminate in surgery. 2. My draw now is faster than it was prior to the problem. I feel this is due to the fact that I needed to slow down and really pay attention to my technique. I could only go so fast to keep away from re-injuring myself. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.... Hope this helps someone.

I have recently experienced a severe bout of tennis elbow (shooter's elbow), which has been a somewhat recurring issue for me. This episode however was the most severe I have ever experienced and actually interfered with my shooting and work. Since I am still actively recovering from this condition, I thought I would add my experience with various treatments for the benefit of the forum. I aggravated the condition by repeatedly drilling my presentation, which I had changed slightly in the way I acquired the initial grip on the pistol. The new method stressed the extensor muscles of my forearm and after a week or so of daily dry practice I was slightly sore. Not to be a quitter I of course kept at it, and predictably really inflamed the condition. It was at thais point that I left for a 4 day stent at Frontsight for the combat master prep course. I spent the four days doing presentations all day. By the completion of the course I literally couldn't move my strong-side arm without severe pain. A handshake became an intolerable social activity. The outside area of my elbow was swollen and warm, and the entire are of the lateral epicondyle (bony bump on the outside of the elbow) was exquisitely tender. The condition at that point was now significantly interfering with my work, and I could not shoot, so I felt I really needed to do something other than ignore the condition (my usual first line treatment). I do have a medical background, and I do have access to several Orthopedic surgeons and Physical Therapists whom I hold in high regard. In shooters the problem is due to mico-tears and strain of the extensor tendon/muscle complex. The ligaments of the lateral elbow can be torn/strained as well in this condition, but this is usually with more stress such as with racquet-sports. After some significant R&D I began the following program which has been wildly successful: WEEK 1-2 1. Stop doing the activity that caused the problem.... This was the worst part of the treatment, but I did lay-off for 2 weeks. 2. Stretch the extensor muscle/tendon complex every morning, every night and whenever I thought of it during the day. I did this by hyper-extending my elbow, flexing my wrist as I rotated my wrist away from my body and compressed the flexed wrist to put a bit more stretch on the tendon/muscle. 3. Ice the outside of the elbow every evening, as well as during the day if possible. I would put a thin cotton sleeve over the elbow, followed by the ice-filled plastic bag which I kept tightly applied to the elbow with an ACE wrap. 4. Anti-inflammatory meds (OTC) religiously. 5. I purchased a ACE brand tennis-elbow brace. I always thought these were placebo, but they really work, and the Orthopedists I spoke to all used them as well (all 3 surgeons suffer from the condition!?!). Evidently the compressive brace redistributes the force of the extensor tendon away from the lateral epicondyle and over a broader area. WEEK 2 6. I got two fairly thin rubber bands and placed them around the outside of the fingers of the affected hand and began 10 rep sets or finger extensions. I did this in the car on the way to work and back. Once I started to feel better I did this during the day a few times as well. Be careful with this when you first start the exercise. If it hurts a lot, stop and rest some more, you are not ready yet. Over the course of the last 4 weeks I have slowly added resistance in the form of additional rubber bands (I'm up to 4 bands now). 7. I had an injection of the lateral epicondyle- cortisone/marcaine. Hurt like hell, but it was definitely worth it. In two days it felt like I never had the problem, which is the problem with the injections. Most knuckle-heads will then go right back to the activity that caused the problem in the first place like nothing ever happened and screw the pooch royally (don't be that guy). 8. Re-started shooting with special attention to form- and yes, I did adjust my pistol grip to avoid the stress from my ill-conceived new technique. 9. stopped the ice in the middle of week 2. WEEK 3-4 10. Added exercise with the Theraband Flexbar. The instructions on how to use this wonderful device are on Youtube. I purchased the green level flexbar (15 lbs resistance). I highly recommend this device- it has really worked well. I started with three 10 rep sets about three times a day, and have worked up to 20 rep sets done 6-8 times a day over the course of 2 weeks. 11. Stopped the anti-inflammatories this week. Still doing the stretches, rubber-bands extensions and tennis-elbow compressive brace. WEEK 5-6 12. Added active extension exercise to my Theraband Flexbar sessions. I do a 20 rep set of the eccentric contraction (muscle-lenghtening when the flexbar pulls on the wrist) and added concentric contraction- what you would consider "normal" muscle-contraction exercise, by twisting the Flexbar against the twist (Look at the Youtube video, it will make sense). The first week I did 5 reps concentric for every 20 reps eccentric. Week 6 I increased to 10 reps concentric for every 20 reps eccentric. WEEK 7-8 13. I plan to increase the concentric reps over these two weeks to 15/20 and 20/20 for weeks 7&8 respectively. 14. I will wean out of the tennis-elbow brace for all activity except very stressful forearm exercise. WEEK 9 15. Plan to start wrist extension exercise with free weights. 16. Plan to start using grip-strenght exercisers. Both of these activities I will take very slowly. Things I learned: 1. Don't ignore tennis elbow- if it becomes truely chronic you are in for a major issue that may culminate in surgery.

I have recently experienced a severe bout of tennis elbow (shooter's elbow), which has been a somewhat recurring issue for me. This episode however was the most severe I have ever experienced and actually interfered with my shooting and work. Since I am still actively recovering from this condition, I thought I would add my experience with various treatments for the benefit of the forum. I aggravated the condition by repeatedly drilling my presentation, which I had changed slightly in the way I acquired the initial grip on the pistol. The new method stressed the extensor muscles of my forearm and after a week or so of daily dry practice I was slightly sore. Not to be a quitter I of course kept at it, and predictably really inflamed the condition. It was at thais point that I left for a 4 day stent at Frontsight for the combat master prep course. I spent the four days doing presentations all day. By the completion of the course I literally couldn't move my strong-side arm without severe pain. A handshake became an intolerable social activity. The outside area of my elbow was swollen and warm, and the entire are of the lateral epicondyle (bony bump on the outside of the elbow) was exquisitely tender. The condition at that point was now significantly interfering with my work, and I could not shoot, so I felt I really needed to do something other than ignore the condition (my usual first line treatment). I do have a medical background, and I do have access to several Orthopedic surgeons and Physical Therapists whom I hold in high regard. In shooters the problem is due to mico-tears and strain of the extensor tendon/muscle complex. The ligaments of the lateral elbow can be torn/strained as well in this condition, but this is usually with more stress such as with racquet-sports. After some significant R&D I began the following program which has been wildly successful: WEEK 1-2 1. Stop doing the activity that caused the problem.... This was the worst part of the treatment, but I did lay-off for 2 weeks. 2. Stretch the extensor muscle/tendon complex every morning, every night and whenever I thought of it during the day. I did this by hyper-extending my elbow, flexing my wrist as I rotated my wrist away from my body and compressed the flexed wrist to put a bit more stretch on the tendon/muscle. 3. Ice the outside of the elbow every evening, as well as during the day if possible. I would put a thin cotton sleeve over the elbow, followed by the ice-filled plastic bag which I kept tightly applied to the elbow with an ACE wrap. 4. Anti-inflammatory meds (OTC) religiously. 5. I purchased a ACE brand tennis-elbow brace. I always thought these were placebo, but they really work, and the Orthopedists I spoke to all used them as well (all 3 surgeons suffer from the condition!?!). Evidently the compressive brace redistributes the force of the extensor tendon away from the lateral epicondyle and over a broader area. WEEK 2 6. I got two fairly thin rubber bands and placed them around the outside of the fingers of the affected hand and began 10 rep sets or finger extensions. I did this in the car on the way to work and back. Once I started to feel better I did this during the day a few times as well. Be careful with this when you first start the exercise. If it hurts a lot, stop and rest some more, you are not ready yet. Over the course of the last 4 weeks I have slowly added resistance in the form of additional rubber bands (I'm up to 4 bands now). 7. I had an injection of the lateral epicondyle- cortisone/marcaine. Hurt like hell, but it was definitely worth it. In two days it felt like I never had the problem, which is the problem with the injections. Most knuckle-heads will then go right back to the activity that caused the problem in the first place like nothing ever happened and screw the pooch royally (don't be that guy). 8. Re-started shooting with special attention to form- and yes, I did adjust my pistol grip to avoid the stress from my ill-conceived new technique. 9. stopped the ice in the middle of week 2. WEEK 3-4 10. Added exercise with the Theraband Flexbar. The instructions on how to use this wonderful device are on Youtube. I purchased the green level flexbar (15 lbs resistance). I highly recommend this device- it has really worked well. I started with three 10 rep sets about three times a day, and have worked up to 20 rep sets done 6-8 times a day over the course of 2 weeks. 11. Stopped the anti-inflammatories this week. Still doing the stretches, rubber-bands extensions and tennis-elbow compressive brace. WEEK 5-6 12. Added active extension exercise to my Theraband Flexbar sessions. I do a 20 rep set of the eccentric contraction (muscle-lenghtening when the flexbar pulls on the wrist) and added concentric contraction- what you would consider "normal" muscle-contraction exercise, by twisting the Flexbar against the twist (Look at the Youtube video, it will make sense). The first week I did 5 reps concentric for every 20 reps eccentric. Week 6 I increased to 10 reps concentric for every 20 reps eccentric. WEEK 7-8 13. I plan to increase the concentric reps over these two weeks to 15/20 and 20/20 for weeks 7&8 respectively. 14. I will wean out of the tennis-elbow brace for all activity except very stressful forearm exercise. WEEK 9 15. Plan to start wrist extension exercise with free weights. 16. Plan to start using grip-strenght exercisers. Both of these activities I will take very slowly. Things I learned: 1. Don't ignore tennis elbow- if it becomes truely chronic you are in for a major issue that may culminate in surgery.

Rooster, I am shooting a HK USP Expert in .40 caliber. Brian