Alright, let me tell you about switching over to a short gun for my pressure washer. For years, I wrestled with that long wand thing that came with my pressure washer. You know the one, feels like you're holding a fishing pole made of lead pipe. Washing the car was okay, I guess, but try getting into wheel wells or underneath? Forget it. And cleaning the siding up close, or the patio furniture? Always felt awkward, banging it into stuff, straining my arms.

Last fall, I was doing the deck. Spent a good couple of hours hunched over, trying to control that long wand, water spraying everywhere but where I perfectly aimed. My back was absolutely screaming at me by the end of the day. Seriously, I remember sitting down afterwards and telling my wife, "I'm either hiring someone next time, or I'm finding a better way. This is just ridiculous." Felt like I'd gone ten rounds with a heavyweight champ.

Making the Switch

So, that little episode got me looking around. Saw some videos online, guys using these stubby little pressure washer guns. Looked way easier. Decided, okay, let's give this a shot. Didn't cost a fortune, found one that looked sturdy enough, made sure the fittings matched my hose – that's important, check if you need M22 or a quick connect or whatever your setup is.

It arrived, felt solid in the hand. First thing was getting it hooked up. Unscrewed the old long lance from my pressure washer hose. Put a bit of plumber's tape on the threads of the new short gun's connector, just to be safe, and screwed the hose right on. Easy peasy. Then clicked in one of the standard nozzle tips I already had.

First Use and Thoughts

Fired up the pressure washer. Wow. Night and day difference. Holding the short gun felt so much more natural, way better control. I went straight for the car wheels, the place I hated most with the long wand. Could get right in there, angle it perfectly without wrestling the wand or spraying the whole underside of the car unintentionally.

Washing the car body felt quicker too, less fatigue in my arms and shoulders. Rinsing off soap was faster because I could move the gun more precisely. Then I tried it on some patio chairs that get grimy. Again, so much easier to maneuver around the legs and under the seat.

Here’s what I noticed straight away:

• Way less tiring to hold and use, especially for longer jobs.
• Much better control for close-up work or tight spaces.
• Swapping out the nozzle tips feels quicker right at the gun.
• Feels safer somehow, less likely to accidentally swing a long wand around.

Honestly, it’s such a simple change but it made a huge difference to how I feel about using the pressure washer. Don't dread dragging it out quite as much now. That long wand? It’s gathering dust in the back of the garage, and that's where it's staying. Sometimes the simple fixes are the best ones.