Back Pain

Lady Saiga

Lady Saiga

New member
Hey all, first time post here. I'm female, 32, and a long-time gun owner/CCW permit holder.

I'm looking for some feedback and possible solutions to my developing back pain issue from carrying concealed.

For years after getting my permit, I carried only a pocket pistol (NAA Guardian .32) or, after trying assorted inconvenient ways of carrying my bigger guns on my person, I resorted to a Galco purse and left it at that.

Recently I started carrying on my waistband again. Initially I just got a Crossbreed holster for my Ruger LCP .380 and placed it in the middle of my back. Easy as pie to conceal, and very comfortable, but small! I kept my revolver in my Galco bag.

I had a bad run-in at work and decided I no longer wanted any of my guns to be in my bag. I want to keep personal control over my concealed weapon at all times. Also, I want a decent caliber on my body. So I gave up all fashion sense and strapped on my Ruger SP101 .357 magnum in the leather OWB holster I already have, and started wearing mens' shirts with light jackets or sweaters over top to cover it up. I left the Crossbreed SOB in place, because it's so comfortable, so that's my backup/left hand access gun.

The guns are concealable enough that way, though it makes me look chubbier than ever. My issue is that I've been carrying this on my right hip for two months now and I'm noticing pain right down near my tailbone during the day.

Now, I know the SP101 is relatively heavy. But people wear full size handguns strongside all the time, and maybe they don't all have this problem with back pain? What are some solutions that others have found, that let me keep my big caliber gun concealed on my body without pain? Darned if I can figure out where to put the thing besides strongside.
 
Lady Saiga said:
Hey all, first time post here. I'm female, 32, and a long-time gun owner/CCW permit holder.

I'm looking for some feedback and possible solutions to my developing back pain issue from carrying concealed.

For years after getting my permit, I carried only a pocket pistol (NAA Guardian .32) or, after trying assorted inconvenient ways of carrying my bigger guns on my person, I resorted to a Galco purse and left it at that.

Recently I started carrying on my waistband again. Initially I just got a Crossbreed holster for my Ruger LCP .380 and placed it in the middle of my back. Easy as pie to conceal, and very comfortable, but small! I kept my revolver in my Galco bag.

I had a bad run-in at work and decided I no longer wanted any of my guns to be in my bag. I want to keep personal control over my concealed weapon at all times. Also, I want a decent caliber on my body. So I gave up all fashion sense and strapped on my Ruger SP101 .357 magnum in the leather OWB holster I already have, and started wearing mens' shirts with light jackets or sweaters over top to cover it up. I left the Crossbreed SOB in place, because it's so comfortable, so that's my backup/left hand access gun.

The guns are concealable enough that way, though it makes me look chubbier than ever. My issue is that I've been carrying this on my right hip for two months now and I'm noticing pain right down near my tailbone during the day.

Now, I know the SP101 is relatively heavy. But people wear full size handguns strongside all the time, and maybe they don't all have this problem with back pain? What are some solutions that others have found, that let me keep my big caliber gun concealed on my body without pain? Darned if I can figure out where to put the thing besides strongside.
Click to expand...

Welcome aboard! :)

The majority of wheelguns are noticably wider and less comfortable to conceal carry than the smaller semi-autos imho.
If you still insist on carrying a wheelgun, have you considered the Ruger LCR?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruger_LCR

As far as the .380 is concerned, it actually is a very 'decent caliber'.
Especially if you choose the right ammo and consider shot placement.

The Ruger LCP truly is a real gem for concealed carry and I think you should probably stick with that.
Just carry the right ammo and at least one extra magazine.

Just my .02 cents. :)

~Good luck & stay safe~
 
Two suggestions: Maybe a should holster. or maybe some exercises to strengthen your back muscles. Thats the best I can do for you, I have the same problem.

purplefred2
 
I've found a few tricks to keeping the backache away when carrying more full-sized guns:

Balance - this is the biggest thing. If you carry something big on one hip, carry something the same size on the other. When I carry my M&P45, I always carry 2 spare magazines on the left side. When I carry my Ruger GP100, I carry a couple of speedloaders and my cell phone on my left side.

Lighter gun - this might be something to consider. I love revolvers, but the all-steel construction makes them heavy in terms of ounces-per-round. You may want to consider a polymer framed gun such as the Glock, Smith & Wesson M&P, or the like. If you feel better with a big caliber, you could choose something in .45ACP, which has better ballistics than .357 anyway. You really do get the best of all worlds: Lighter gun, more rounds, larger caliber. (But obviously you get the worries of having to maybe clear a jam at a bad time.)

Avoid carrying your BUG in the small of the back atop the spine. In addition to throwing off your weight and balance, you're at high risk for a spinal injury should you be knocked to the ground.

If you're using a two-gun system...I'd put the BUG (presumably the smaller LCP .380 or whatever) on the left side, along with spare ammo for the main gun. This starts to get a little bulky...so you ought to consider "pancake" style holsters and ammo carriers to smooth out the carry profile.
 
Work on your core and consider a smaller gun, the LCP in your pocket will beat the Desert Beagle (yes I meant that ) in your gun safe every time.
 
Revolvers are a tough fit as they're rather wide. Also, do you really need to carry two guns?

My wife has had multiple back surgeries and at 120 lbs faces a similar problem. She resorted to carrying in a velcro belly-band which holds the .380 Guardian nice and tight to her stomach. Conceals very well under women's clothes.
 
Welcome aboard, Lady Saiga!
Have you changed your posture if you sit a lot? Several men have posted about back pain caused by sitting on a wallet. The spine must be kept straight, and moved and stretched often.
Is most of the gun weight being carried in the hip area? If so, how could it cause the pain? By tilting the hip angle, thereby bending the spine? A lighter gun and/or exercise could help.
Please consider other possible contributing factors. Unfortunately, most of us will suffer arthritis as we age. Pain severity can vary a lot, less or more, over time.
I had a large kidney stone that went undiagnosed for a couple of years, even after telling three different doctors the pain was in the kidney area (okay, one was a chiropractor, but I think the stone was visible in his X-ray).
I'm sorry it took so long to write this. I'm multitasking. Oh, I am not a doctor! :)
Good luck!
 
Wow everybody, thanks for the quick replies and the welcome.

Let's see. I'm happy enough with the LCP as a BUG but not as a primary. I don't feel comfortable with the way it handles; speed and accuracy wise, it's pretty low on my list. It's more reliable and easier to manipulate than the NAA Guardian was, and in a larger caliber. I'll use it if I'm in a serious pinch, but only if my strong arm is down or that gun is empty. I'd rather carry a second loaded gun than speed loaders, all things considered.

I used a shoulder holster for most of one winter, the first year I had my permit. It was comfortable enough, and (at the time I carried a Glock 23) the mags balanced out the weight to a reasonable extent. The problems with it were: a) in the summertime, a light shirt was not enough to conceal it, and b) the Galco horizontal carry rig I used actually would come unsnapped with the motion of my arm. I didn't think much of it until the day I had to run while wearing it. Out popped the Glock on a bright afternoon in Savannah, and fell right at the feet of one highly shocked garbage man. I got lucky. He picked it up by the slide in thumb and forefinger, and held it wordlessly out to me. I wordlessly reholstered and got the heck out of dodge...and that's the worst CCW situation I've EVER been in. (FYI, to my knowledge dropping it onto a rough tabby sidewalk is the only way I've ever managed to damage the finish on a Glock. Wonderful stuff, that finish)

I have been doing some basic therapy exercises but I can't imagine they'll do me much good while the cause of the pain is still occurring. We'll see.

Phillip, you've got some great ideas there. I honestly never thought about putting the LCP on the left side. Of course, it'll be facing the wrong way in my Crossbreed, but I can just turn my left hand around if I want to draw weak hand. I like SOB because I can get to it with either hand equally well, but you're right about the placement being potentially bad if I fell. Never thought about it like that. I was just grateful the thing was so easy to hide there.

As for your semi auto suggestions, as you see I've carried a Glock. Waistband carry, the revolver is oddly more comfortable. Glocks have that annoying square edge that digs into your hipbone. Also, I just hate a Glock grip and trigger. But that's another story...

My husband used an M&P Pro for a year in IDPA and USPSA 3-gun, and I tried it out a bit during that time. I'm not a fan of polymer for a lot of reasons but the M&P grip at least felt pretty good to me. The gun wore out really fast though. Specifically the slide started auto-forwarding during a mag change, and about half the time it wouldn't pick up a round when it did. So the first shot = click, and racking it would cause a double feed. Major loss of time on the clock. We sent it back to S&W and they did fix it, but based on the rate of wear we cut our losses and sold the gun.

I'll probably look into another main gun option at some point. I just hate to think of polymer, but the weight issue...I might be forced to. Or one of those light revolvers (wince) if I must. I prefer a revolver for my daily driver for the simplicity and reliability factor, and because it stays loaded day after day after day. My absolute favorite gun to shoot is an EAA Witness that's my gaming gun, but single action is just not my first choice for concealed carry. I'm always looking for a light, concealable gun with the same grip profile that I love so much.
 
I have had similar issues with back pain with full-size revolvers and pistols. I found the best comfort in a Colt Detective Special with a 2" bbl. This is slightly larger than the S&W J Frame, but has 6 rounds over the S&W 5 shots. The Colt is a bit pricey, as they are no longer in production. Earlier versions were all steel, but later production ran with an alloy frame. I preferred the older models. The one major drawback is that you would not want to consistantly load .38 Special +P as the extra pressure will weaken the frame over time. I have been told that the +P ammo is ok for occasional shooting, but I preferred to not take the risk, and loaded with .38 Special with hollow point. The S&W J Frame is a bit smaller and lighter, but only comes in 5 shot capacity. Both are good wheel guns. It is important, as others have mentioned, to keep the weight you carry evenly distributed, but less important when carrying a smaller piece. Good luck ;>)
 
I suffer from more back pain when I carry too. I dont have any bright insights on this but Im keeping close watch on the replies.

Great thread. Hope you find some relief Lady Saiga.
 
Another thing you might want to consider is that sitting with a gun in the small of your back for months has pushed your spine out of alignment. The extra weight could be coincidental or it could be a contributing factor. The differences in the female body structure make certain carry options less favorably. On the other hand you have options that are either not available to a man or are better for a woman, i.e. a shoulder holster is more easily accessed by a woman due to her increased flexibility. If you guys are wearing a shoulder holster I'm not saying you have to shave your arm pits, I'm just saying it is easier for her.

Youtube has some videos about CC for women. Here is a website that might have a couple options for you.

looperlawenforcement.com
 
Thanks for the model suggestion. In terms of switching main carry guns, I'd probably rather go to a semi auto than use a revolver round less deadly than .357 magnum. My husband carries 9mm, but on the speed versus one shot stop spectrum I still hold to the bigger stuff. .357, .40 cal, .45. A lighter, smaller revolver in .357 may or may not be possible. It certainly wouldn't feel as good to shoot. I'm pretty happy with the way I shoot the SP101. I'm naturally a better shot with most revolvers as opposed to most semi autos, for whatever reason.

I do use +P rounds in IDPA BUG matches because I want the practice at close to my carry load, and we don't allow magnums in my club. Fom what I can feel they are still a serious step down in power from the magnums. That said, I think I HAVE got some factory +P's in one of my speed loaders just because I was being cheap last time I bought hollow points. I don't have much expectation of using those speed loaders though. They're lurking in the depths of my purse and a revolver reload's a fiddly thing to do under stress at the best of times.
 
Hey Caribou, from what Phillip said it made me wonder the same thing...maybe it was the LCP that was causing the pain, and I just didn't begin to feel it building up until after I started carrying the SP101 in addition. I assumed it couldn't be an issue because it was balanced side to side, but never considered front to back.

I moved the LCP to my left hip about an hour ago. I'm creaking like anything--boy, those Crossbreeds creak when they're over a joint--but I might be feeling a little better. Who can say whether it's the balance or the fact that it's not in the middle of my back anymore?
 
Lady Saiga said:
Phillip, you've got some great ideas there. I honestly never thought about putting the LCP on the left side. Of course, it'll be facing the wrong way in my Crossbreed, but I can just turn my left hand around if I want to draw weak hand. I like SOB because I can get to it with either hand equally well, but you're right about the placement being potentially bad if I fell. Never thought about it like that. I was just grateful the thing was so easy to hide there.
Click to expand...

Don't use a right-handed holster for left-side carry. Buy a left-handed holster. The idea with a two-gun system is:

1) Primary gun
2) Reloads of primary gun if necessary
3) Backup gun if your primary is out of ammo or your strong side arm is injured or disabled.

As for your semi auto suggestions, as you see I've carried a Glock. Waistband carry, the revolver is oddly more comfortable. Glocks have that annoying square edge that digs into your hipbone. Also, I just hate a Glock grip and trigger. But that's another story...
Click to expand...

So it doesn't have to be a Glock. It doesn't even have to be polymer-framed. The idea is that the gun be slimmer and lighter than the revolver that's giving you back issues. If it's an all-steel gun, you can always take it to a GOOD gunsmith for a "dehorning / carry melt" treatment. Even a trigger job while you're at it.

One last note - you may wish to consult with a chiropractor. Not only can they adjust your spine to fix existing issues, but the good ones can go over things like posture, ergonomics of your car seat, shoes, equipment belt, etc etc. It's possible that the gun might not be all of the problem, or might not be the problem at all. (Might be a good idea to consult by phone before just showing up with your guns on your belt.)
 
Well, we need a second LCP holster anyway. The Crossbreed I'm using is my husband's. I'll just pick one up lefty if this seems to be working.

Does anybody else get tired of buying and selling guns and holsters? In twelve or thirteen years, I haven't gotten it right yet. I've just stuck with the revolver because I've shot it so much by now, I feel good with it and the trigger's all nice and smooth from use.
 
The .357 has more power than any of the rounds you mentioned. The recent studies I have read suggest that the difference between 9mm, .40, and .45 are insignificant when you use the better hollow point ammo. I have decided on the 9mm because I can shoot more rounds for the same price. Also the recoil is less so I can get back on target faster thereby putting more holes in the attacker. Larry Potterfield does these short articles on TV where he rates different guns. The .357 does very well due to its power but the 9mm does even better due to the number of hits he can make in his allotted 3 seconds. A recent TV show used up most of the jello in North America and had some results with certain .380 hollow point ammo that surprised me.

Buying a new gun is always a lot of fun, enjoy. Expect to go through some different holsters and wardrobe changes before you settle on your setup. I really like you decision to carry more than one gun, I'm picking out my BUG now myself. I think I have settled on a G-26.
 
I've had great results from my smart carry waistband holster. Absolutely swear proof and if you wear it as intended the gun will stay. I was a mechanic in a shop where ppl were terrified of guns and had no problems hiding my glock 27. Then I tried my 3 inch 1911 ( much slimmer) and it worked even better. Get used to drawing it.

Otherwise my current favorite (not so concealable but secure) is my black hawk carbon fiber click in paddle holster. (also has belt loop option). Run, sweat, fall, gun stays where u put it. The paddle distributes the weight of the gun very well. In fact I went and bought a full size 1911 14 round .45 (very heavy) because these holsters distribute weight so well. Only with the paddle attachment though.
 
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