Learn practical techniques and grip adjustments that make racking the slide easier, even with reduced hand strength or stiffness.
Understand how grip placement, leverage, and body mechanics can help manage recoil without relying on excessive hand pressure.
Explore simple loading techniques and tools that can reduce thumb strain and make magazine loading more manageable.
Learn how certain grip textures, controls, and accessories can reduce joint stress and support long-term hand comfort.
Leverage and body mechanics reduce the need for hand strength so you stay safe, stable, and confident.
Soft, high-friction grips absorb recoil and protect your joints from shock.
Load magazines the smart way — save your dexterity for shooting, not struggling.
You don’t stop training because your hands change. You simply upgrade your tools.
Dave Pitcher is the founder of Everyday Gun Owner and brings more than 30 years of firearms experience to his work as an educator and advocate for responsible gun ownership. A former Chief Warrant Officer in the U.S. Army Reserve, he served for 12 years and completed two overseas deployments in Afghanistan and Qatar. Drawing on both real-world experience and decades of hands-on expertise, Dave focuses on helping everyday Americans build practical, safe, and confident firearm skills.
Learn how to work with your hands using leverage, friction, and simple tools that reduce pain. Protect your grip, control your firearm confidently, and stay prepared without hurting your joints.
No. When you use a push-pull technique, your chest and arm muscles do the work — not your fingers.
No. Pain isn’t a performance issue — it’s a gear problem. Small upgrades dramatically reduce shock to your joints.
Yes. Loading by hand wastes energy and inflames joints. A magazine loader preserves your dexterity for shooting.
Not at all. High-friction grips absorb shock so you don’t have to squeeze with force.
No. Most upgrades that protect your hands cost less than $20 and feel like $100 improvements.
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