Massad Ayoob's Tips for Older Shooters - Critical Mas Ep 63

Critical Mas with Massad Ayoob
28 May 202308:12
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this video, the speaker addresses the challenges older shooters face with aging eyes, hands, and trigger fingers. They recommend fiber optic sights and red dot optics for improved target acquisition, especially for those with presbyopia. The script also covers the use of corrective lenses with the reading plane adjusted for sight alignment and offers practical tips for managing arthritis in shooting hands, such as modifying magazine release mechanisms and using band-aids for comfort. Additionally, the speaker suggests considering different carry positions to accommodate physical changes and injuries, emphasizing the importance of adapting and overcoming as one ages.

Takeaways
  • 🎯 Fiber optic sights are a significant improvement for older shooters, enhancing visibility and aiding in targeting.
  • 👓 Carry optics, like red dot sights, align with the natural distant focus of older eyes, making them beneficial for those with age-related vision issues.
  • 🤔 Habituation to iron sights can sometimes make older shooters more accurate with them than with new technology like red dot sights.
  • 👁️ When using multifocal lenses, the reading plane should align with the front sight for optimal shooting accuracy.
  • 👓 Opticians can adjust the reading plane in glasses to the top for better alignment with sights, avoiding the 'Prussian officer technique'.
  • 🤲 Arthritis can weaken hands and affect the ability to operate firearms effectively, necessitating adaptations like moving the magazine release to the right side.
  • 🩹 Band-Aids can be used as a temporary solution to prevent pain from finger bumps while shooting, especially for those with arthritis.
  • 🔍 Advantage Tactical sights offer a pyramidal design with color bars that can be customized for individual preferences and visibility.
  • 🔑 Changing how a pistol is carried may be necessary for older shooters due to shoulder or lumbar issues, with appendix carry or shoulder rigs being more accessible.
  • 👮‍♂️ Adaptation to physical changes and injuries is crucial for older shooters to continue participating in shooting activities.
  • 💪 Older shooters can still stay in the game by leveraging their experience and making necessary adjustments to their shooting techniques and equipment.
Q & A

  • What is the main topic of the video script?

    -The main topic of the video script is advice for older shooters dealing with age-related issues such as weaker hands, trigger fingers, and vision problems when using firearms.

  • What are fiber optic sights and how do they benefit older shooters?

    -Fiber optic sights are a type of iron sight that uses fiber optics to enhance visibility. They are beneficial for older shooters as they improve sight visibility, making it easier for them to aim and shoot.

  • What is the advantage of using a red dot sight for older shooters with vision problems?

    -Red dot sights have the advantage of being on the same plane as distant focus, which helps older shooters with vision problems to quickly acquire targets without the need to focus on the front sight separately.

  • What did Carl Wren's study on red dot optics find regarding older shooters?

    -Carl Wren's study found that older shooters did not always benefit as much from red dot optics as expected. Some shot better with iron sights because they were accustomed to them from years of shooting.

  • Why might an older shooter with multifocal lenses have difficulty using iron sights?

    -An older shooter with multifocal lenses might have difficulty because the reading plane required for the front sight is usually at the bottom of the lens, causing them to lean back to see the sight clearly, which can throw off their balance and shooting stance.

  • What is the 'Prussian officer technique' mentioned in the script and why is it not recommended for shooting?

    -The 'Prussian officer technique' refers to leaning back to see the front sight clearly when wearing multifocal glasses. It is not recommended for shooting because it takes the shooter off balance and can lead to inaccurate shots.

  • How can an older shooter with arthritis in their hands improve their grip and trigger control?

    -An older shooter can improve their grip and trigger control by using a magazine release that can be activated from the side opposite the thumb, or by using a Band-Aid as a cushion to prevent finger bumps on the pistol.

  • What is the advantage tactical sight and how does it help with aiming?

    -The advantage tactical sight is a pyramidal sight that comes with different color bars for customization. It allows for quick acquisition of the sight picture and can provide center X accuracy at 25 yards when used for precision shots.

  • Why might an older shooter with shoulder or lumbar issues consider changing how they carry their pistol?

    -Older shooters with shoulder or lumbar issues might find it difficult to reach or carry the weight of a pistol in the traditional hip carry position. Changing to an appendix carry or a shoulder holster can make it easier for them to access their firearm and reduce discomfort.

  • What advice does the script give for dealing with sciatica or lumbar issues when carrying a gun?

    -The script suggests using a shoulder rig or an orthopedic holster to take the weight off the hips and lumbar region. It also emphasizes the importance of balancing the weight on both sides to avoid affecting the spine and hindering healing.

  • What is the overall message of the video script for older shooters with physical challenges?

    -The overall message is to encourage older shooters to adapt and overcome physical challenges by using appropriate equipment, techniques, and wisdom gained over the years to continue participating in shooting activities safely and effectively.

Outlines
00:00
🎯 Age-Friendly Shooting Tips

The speaker addresses the challenges older shooters face with aging hands, trigger fingers, and vision, offering solutions to enhance shooting accuracy. Fiber optic sights are recommended for their visibility, while red dot sights are noted as beneficial for older eyes but not universally effective due to habituation to iron sights. The speaker also discusses the importance of proper eyewear, suggesting that the reading plane should be adjusted to the top for better sight alignment. Additionally, arthritis is tackled with practical tips like using a Band-Aid to prevent finger bumping and Wilson Combat's magazine release modifications for easier reloading.

05:03
👴 Adapting to Physical Changes for Shooters

This paragraph focuses on how older shooters can adapt their carry methods due to physical changes or injuries. It mentions the late Peter Kokalis' preference for cross draw carry due to a shoulder injury. The speaker shares personal experiences with sciatica and lumbar problems, suggesting alternative carry options like shoulder rigs for comfort and spinal health. The importance of equal weight distribution in shoulder holsters is emphasized, drawing from the speaker's experience of creating a balanced twin shoulder rig during a healing period. The message concludes with encouragement to stay adaptable and utilize accumulated wisdom to maintain proficiency in shooting despite age or injuries.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Iron Sights
Iron sights are the traditional, non-magnified aiming devices found on firearms, consisting of a rear notch and a front post. In the video, the speaker mentions fiber optic iron sights as an improvement for older shooters, as they enhance visibility and can be easier to use than standard sights, especially for those with older eyes.
💡Fiber Optic Sights
Fiber optic sights are a type of iron sight that incorporates fiber optic material to enhance the visibility of the aiming points. The script discusses how Wilson recently added these to a Colt Python, highlighting them as a vast improvement for older shooters, as they can provide a clearer and more visible aiming point.
💡Carry Optics
Carry Optics is a term used to describe the practice of using a red dot sight for shooting, which is on the same plane as distant focus. The video mentions that for older eyes, red dot sights can be beneficial as they allow for quicker target acquisition and can be easier to focus on compared to traditional iron sights.
💡Corrective Lenses
Corrective lenses are used to improve vision by correcting refractive errors in the eye. The script discusses how older shooters may need to use corrective lenses and how the positioning of the reading plane in multifocal lenses can affect the ability to use iron sights effectively.
💡Prussian Officer Technique
This term, mentioned in the script, refers to a technique where a shooter leans back to align the front sight with their eyes when using bifocals. It is called into question as it can throw off balance and is not recommended for combat situations.
💡Arthritis
Arthritis is a condition that causes inflammation and stiffness in the joints. The video script discusses how arthritis can affect a shooter's hand strength and dexterity, impacting their ability to perform certain actions such as releasing a magazine on a firearm.
💡Magazine Release
A magazine release is a mechanism on a firearm that allows the shooter to remove the magazine from the gun. The script mentions a modification to a Beretta where the magazine release was moved to the right side to accommodate for arthritis-related hand weakness.
💡Advantage Tactical Sights
Advantage Tactical Sights are a type of iron sight that uses a pyramidal rear sight with color bars and a diamond-shaped front sight. The script describes how these sights can be quickly acquired and used for precise shooting, offering an alternative to red dot sights for those who prefer metallic sights.
💡Appendix Carry
Appendix carry is a method of carrying a handgun where the gun is positioned in front of the appendix area, typically in a vertical orientation. The video mentions this as a potentially more comfortable carry position for older shooters who may have shoulder or hip issues.
💡Sciatica
Sciatica is a set of symptoms arising from irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve. The script discusses how sciatica can affect a shooter's ability to carry a gun on the hip and how alternative carry methods like shoulder rigs can alleviate discomfort.
💡Improvise, Adapt, Overcome
This phrase is a motto of the Marine Corps and is used in the script to encourage older shooters to find creative solutions to the challenges they face due to age or injury, emphasizing the importance of staying adaptable and overcoming obstacles.
Highlights

Advice for older shooters with age-related challenges such as weaker hands, trigger fingers, and eyesight issues.

Benefits of fiber optic sights for improved visibility on iron sight guns.

Advantages of carry optics for older eyes, aligning with distant focus for better target acquisition.

Findings from Carl Wren's study on older shooters' performance with red dot sights versus iron sights.

The importance of proper corrective lenses for shooters with age-related vision issues.

Technique adjustments for using bifocals while shooting to maintain balance and accuracy.

Customizing glasses prescription to align the reading plane with the front sight for better shooting accuracy.

Dealing with arthritis in hands and its impact on shooting, such as difficulty in manipulating the magazine release.

Modifications to firearms, like moving the magazine release to the right side, to accommodate for physical limitations.

Use of Band-Aids as a simple solution to prevent pain from finger bumps on certain pistols.

Introduction of the Advantage Tactical sight as an alternative to fiber optic sights for better target acquisition.

Strategies for older shooters to change carry methods due to physical discomfort or injuries.

Peter Kokalis' adaptation to cross draw carry due to a shoulder injury for better accessibility.

The concept of appendix carry as an alternative that may be easier for older shooters with shoulder or hip issues.

Adapting to orthopedic or shoulder holsters to alleviate pressure on the lumbar and hips.

Balancing the weight of a shoulder rig to prevent spinal issues and promote healing.

The importance of improvisation, adaptation, and overcoming challenges for older or injured shooters to stay in the game.

Transcripts

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Related Tags
Shooting AdviceAging ShootersFiber Optic SightsRed Dot OpticsCorrective LensesArthritis SolutionsGrip EnhancementsTactical HolstersShooting TechniquesEquipment AdaptationAge-Related Challenges