Pistol shooting

I am on my 3rd pacemaker. I am dependent. I called Medtronic
to ask about getting into target shooting. She said it was fine. She thought I could even use a 39 caliber and maybe a 9mm.
I purchased a 22 caliber. My question is are there any of you that do hunt or shoot pistols for target practice. I still have my original leads. I haven' gone to the range as yet. My pm is in my right shoulder and I am left handed. I also was going to fire my 22 rifle.
Thanks for any help. - Gregger

8 Comments

it's fine

by Tracey_E - 2009-10-08 08:10:59

The only thing we can't do is shoot a rifle/shotgun that would sit right on your pm because the recoil would hurt. If you're left handed and have it on your right side, that won't be an issue as long as you shoot a left handed gun. I do pistols and shotguns at the range with no problems, have off and on since I got my first pm in 1993.

leads

by Tracey_E - 2009-10-09 01:10:05

I'll bet that lady was a new pm recipient. It's possible to dislodge a lead, but it usually happens the first week or two after implant, and usually because it just didn't stick, not because the person did anything to dislodge it.

Once leads have been in a long time, they don't usually even try to get them out because they're so grown into place. If we need a new lead, they just put it on top of the old one, cap off the old one and leave it alone. If we get to the point where there are too many leads and they have to come out, there is a fairly new technique called extraction where they go in with a sheath and painstakingly cut the lead out of the scar tissue. Didn't mean to go off on a tangent, but after the first year those suckers aren't gonna budge!

Thanks a million

by gle - 2009-10-09 01:10:43

I used to hunt until I developed Afib. I haven't shot a gun for 15 years. I had never shot a pistol in my entire life. Purchased a Beretta U22 at a gun show a few weeks ago.
I just got the itch. Are you stating it does not matter what
caliber the pistol is? It will still be safe. I was thinking of getting a 38 or a 9 mm. Thanks so much. This really has sparked my interest. - Gregger

nope

by Tracey_E - 2009-10-09 03:10:47

Get whatever caliber pistol you want, it doesn't have any impact on your pm. Direct impact is the only thing to worry about. I shoot something smaller, but I'm a girlie girl with puny arms who can't take the recoil, unrelated to the pm. :-)

Pistol Shooting!!!

by GMan - 2009-10-09 08:10:18

I almost forgot about it. I have a range(shoot into a hill-wooded area) I have a 357 and small semi-auto. I love to shoot...and I love self defense and the protection from carrying a piece. And the NRA. I'm at 11/weeks and forgot about. Thanks for reminding. While recovering I've been carrying a Guardian Angel. I'm R handed so I don't see any problem. Happy Shooting!

Gary

Leads

by gle - 2009-10-09 11:10:30

I was thinking more on the line of the leads being pulled out. I didn't think there would be any damage to the pm itself, but I thought maybe the repetitive kickbacks of the handgun
might dislodge the leads.

I am really excited about this. We have a range about five miles from us. I think I might even join the NRA. I am getting up in age and want to have more fun before I kick off. ha! - Gregger

Thanks

by gle - 2009-10-09 12:10:21

That is something I didn't know. I was in a EP's office years ago and an older woman was told she was going to have to have her lead replaced or placed back in the heart.
I have always been concerned about this until now.

Just think of all the years I could have been shooting my rifle. Now that i have a pistol, I just may purchase another one. Thanks again - Gregger

leads

by Tracey_E - 2009-10-09 12:10:28

After the first 6 weeks, you'd have to work really hard to dislodge a lead. After a year, scar tissue anchors it in. After all this time your leads aren't moving!

You know you're wired when...

You have a little piece of high-tech in your chest.

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