Handicapped person needs cc advice

[rmarsh56]

I used to carry a Kel-Tec P3AT (.380) in my front pocket as my CCW. I had an accident with a table saw a few months back and lost half my trigger finger, half my middle finger, and had serious damage to my ring and little finger. The surgeon was able to re-attach my trigger finger, and I have about 75% use of it. My little finger is pretty much useless due to severe nerve damage. I can still hold and fire a handgun pretty well, but it is hard to pull the trigger on anything that has a heavy trigger pull. I had to sell my Kel-Tec for this reason, plus my re-attached trigger finger was too fat to fit in the trigger guard all the way. I've been looking for something with a little lighter trigger pull than the Kel-Tec, which has a little more room in the trigger guard. I'd like to stay with a DAO/striker fired handgun, and might be interested in going to a little larger frame pistol than the Kel-Tec. I have a 1911 which I still shoot really well, but it is much too big for CC. I'd also be willing to get away from pocket carry if necessary.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a weapon for under $400 that might fit my criteria, and also any suggestions for another way to carry concealed besides my front pocket? Please help.

 

[NG VI]

Man that's awful.

Well have you ever tried any of the Kahrs? DAO, pretty light trigger from what I hear, longish trigger pull which means the pull weight is spread out over a longer amount of time than your typical single action, easier for someone with a less capable trigger finger.

Also they are very little. Personally I would go with the Glock subcompacts every time, but I think the Kahrs probably do better for possible pocket carry.

 

[Manco]

Since you're willing to go a bit larger in frame size, the S&W M&P9c with its generously proportioned trigger guard and fairly light trigger pull would seem to be ideal for you:

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57954_757781_757781_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

It's a great gun, too.

 

[bruzer]

I am no expert so this is just thoughts that come to mind. Can you start training with your weak hand? It would take a lot of training but I am thinking this because of the amount of damage to your firing hand. If you already have a 1911 and can shoot it well, Lots and Lots of people carry it. Don't spend your money on another gun when you already have what will work. Spend your money on a GOOD belt and concealed holster and carry the 1911. If you wear your pants too snug you might have to go up a size for IWB but get a good belt and holster and you'll be amazed at how well the 1911 can carry. I have a Milt Sparks but there are many good holster companies. When you start pricing GOOD belts and holsters you'll see they are not cheap. Just some thoughts.
Mike

 

[mister2]

Sorry about your predicament. I hope everything gets better soon.

About cc: the best approach may be to inventory your physical resources and as suggested above, evaluate training with your other hand to aim and shoot your firearm. Eventually a new manual of arms may develop with your right hand doing the loading?

You may need more than just a new firearm; it may be a new mindset.

Best of luck in your endeavor!

 

[MICHAEL T]

My 17 year old daughter had a accident when she was 4. Like you. Finger reattached but limited use, She can shoot SA fine. But DA not good . We decided to teach her weak hand . She can fire the KelTec weak handed. Need to learn both hands just because never know. .

 

[Valkman]

Sorry to hear about the accident - I also had one a couple of years back when I stuck my left hand in near the saw blade to knock the block of wood away and something caught and kicked back and my left index finger and thumb went into the blade, which I had shut off but was still spinning. Nothing was cut off but they were laid open and a great ER doc sewed them back up.

Good luck in your search - I'd say a good light 1911 like a Kimber CDP but that's way over your budget. I'd probably try and carry the 1911 you have and adjust the trigger pull if needed.

 

[rmarsh56]

Thanks for all your suggestions, they are greatly appreciated. The S&W M&P compact interests me, along with maybe carrying my 1911 (both IWB). Even before the accident, I had kicked around the idea of getting away from pocket carry and going to IWB. I tried to go left handed, and maybe I just didn't give it enough time, but firing my 1911 right handed is no problem at all, so I just focused on staying with my right hand. I may save up my money and get some kind of 1911 compact. I never felt like I had enough gun with that .380 anyway. Anyway, I'll keep looking around. Thanks for your help guys.

 

[Carbonator]

I know you said you preferred otherwise but a revolver with exposed hammer might work... can you thumb a hammer efffectively?

 

[MarkDozier]

A commander sized 45 would work well. my MetroArms 45 (500 buck range) has a 4 lbs 13 oz trigger pull from the factory.

 

[jaysouth]

Growing older teaches one to adapt.

Arthritis in my right hand and elbow became so bad that I forced myself to learn to shoot left handed. It took several years and many thousand rounds of ammo. I am comfortable doing it now.

Then complications from riding on a helicopter trying to fly through a large tree caused my left eye to become useless for purposes of shooting a handgun.

My right eye became dominant. How do you shoot left handed with right eye dominance?

Easy, lay your left ear as close to your left shoulder as possible and aim with the right eye.

My range friends like to make fun of my stance that appears awkward to them. Hoever, I have taken enough of their lunch money at $1 bets on shots that they still laugh at me but don't bet on shots anymore.

 

[Trebor]

I suggest you work seriously with an instructor on shooting with your other hand.

Your dominant hand has been compromised so you really need to master your support hand shooting skills. You may wish to switch to shooting with your support hand as your primary after you've got some training and practice with it.

Or, even if you decide to keep your damaged dominant hand as your primary, you really need the skills to be able to switch to your support hand instantly if something happens and you can't succesfully operate the pistol with your damaged dominant hand.

I mean, you are now even more likely to have to use the support hand than most shooters as your tolerance for further injury or compromise to your ability to use your dominant hand is less than most other shooters. (For instance, if an attack started with your shoved hard into the ground, and you land on your strong hand, what wouldn't be a problem for most people might be a big problem for you with your existing damage)

 

[Just One Shot]

I'll echo what Trebor said but, if you are determined to stay with your strong hand I would suggest you get something that you can upgrade the trigger on.

If you go with something like the M&P Compact and do the Apex Tactical upgrade to the trigger you will be able to fire it with very little effort. If you are not fond of the M&P any Glock or XD with a trigger job should be just as effective with the limitations you described.

If you buy used these suggestions will be slightly more expensive than the $400.00 limit with the modified trigger and you will have to move up to an IWB holster but you will find either of these options should help with your situation.

 

[mister2]

A commander sized 45 would work well. my MetroArms 45 (500 buck range) has a 4 lbs 13 oz trigger pull from the factory.

If your primary is a full-sized 1911, this suggestion makes sense. Moreover, if you're comfortable carrying cocked and locked, the 1911 has a trigger that may be the best suited for your requirements.

If you're really decided on DAO, though, some models will have a shorter/lighter pull if you DA from half-cock.

 

[bigfatdave]

I'd figure out if you can shoot the 1911 well with the injured hand AND the formerly non-dominant hand, and then invest in good carry gear for it and possibly look into an officer's size / commander / CCO in the future for a smaller carry. RIA 1911 pistols approach that $400 mark, my Citadel (another armscor imported and stamped by a different company) officer's size was in the neighborhood os $420 if I remember right.

For carry gear, CrossBreed makes a superb IWB holster and BeltMan makes a superb leather belt that will hold up a steel pistol well.
(also, Kholster, Tucker gunleather, comp-tac, and others make good IWB holsters that will be friendly to a thin & heavy pistol like a 1911, and CrossBreed, 5.11, bianchi, and others make a good belt)

But I really think it boils down to shooting what you shoot well already, and trying out any other guns you get a chance to from here on out, nobody can really recommend a handgun for someone without your extraordinary situation, your reduced-function hand makes it even harder, you'll just have to experiment with what you can run well.

 

[rmarsh56]

I suggest you work seriously with an instructor on shooting with your other hand.

Your dominant hand has been compromised so you really need to master your support hand shooting skills. You may wish to switch to shooting with your support hand as your primary after you've got some training and practice with it.

Or, even if you decide to keep your damaged dominant hand as your primary, you really need the skills to be able to switch to your support hand instantly if something happens and you can't succesfully operate the pistol with your damaged dominant hand.

I mean, you are now even more likely to have to use the support hand than most shooters as your tolerance for further injury or compromise to your ability to use your dominant hand is less than most other shooters. (For instance, if an attack started with your shoved hard into the ground, and you land on your strong hand, what wouldn't be a problem for most people might be a big problem for you with your existing damage)

You make a lot of sense. I can shoot left handed, I just don't like to. I think I will put in a lot of practice left handed even if I decide to stick with the right. Thanks.

 

[rmarsh56]

I'd figure out if you can shoot the 1911 well with the injured hand AND the formerly non-dominant hand, and then invest in good carry gear for it and possibly look into an officer's size / commander / CCO in the future for a smaller carry. RIA 1911 pistols approach that $400 mark, my Citadel (another armscor imported and stamped by a different company) officer's size was in the neighborhood os $420 if I remember right.

For carry gear, CrossBreed makes a superb IWB holster and BeltMan makes a superb leather belt that will hold up a steel pistol well.
(also, Kholster, Tucker gunleather, comp-tac, and others make good IWB holsters that will be friendly to a thin & heavy pistol like a 1911, and CrossBreed, 5.11, bianchi, and others make a good belt)

But I really think it boils down to shooting what you shoot well already, and trying out any other guns you get a chance to from here on out, nobody can really recommend a handgun for someone without your extraordinary situation, your reduced-function hand makes it even harder, you'll just have to experiment with what you can run well.

I'm leaning heavily toward the M&P compact, mid-size Glock, or Officer's model 1911. I like the Rock Island Compact. My brother has a RI Tactical, which has been as good as any 1911 I've seen. He had a throat and polish job, heavier recoil spring, and extractor tuning done, and the thing runs like a sewing machine - 100% reliable. I'm an old 1911 guy from way back in the day, and I love the .45 ACP, but I'm also willing to drop down to a compact 9mm too. Hey, I was carrying a little .380, so 9mm is a step up. Thanks for your advice

 

[Trebor]

Btw, if you happen to be in Michigan, PM me, and I'll work with you.

 

[bigfatdave]

I could likely supply a bucket-o-guns for you to try out in NW Ohio as well, if you're in this area. The best thing will be to experiment, either rentals or someone with a good selection. Figuring out what features you do and don't like will help, even if you don't find the exact right gun.

(disclaimer, I'm not an instructor, just a guy with a bucket-o-guns and a range membership)

 

[Ben86]

Try a compact Glock or M&P pistol. They are nicely sized for CC and have relatively light trigger pulls while still being DAO. It is definitely lighter in trigger pull than your old kel-tec.

If all else fails you could develop your shooting skill with your left hand. Either way don't give up.