If you HAD to, What pistol?

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I am 53 and I have arthritis, and here's what works for me (and what doesn't).

I love my revolvers, I really do...but a DA trigger when you have arthritis in your fingers is a VERY difficult thing to deal with. I have practiced quite a lot, and I still have trouble being as accurate as I would like, with any of my revolvers. SA I'm right on target, but how often can you shoot SA in a SD situation???

Despite my arthritis, I'm pretty resistant to handgun recoil; the key is having good grips. NOTHING wood. My Kimber has the rubber diamond grips; my revolvers do too. Also, despite arthritis, I can manage to rack a slide...although the WAY I do it is weird to most people. Depending on the gun, I may use either hand to pull back on the slide. I do *not* do the cross body racking the slide, as for me, my hands are too weak to work that well.

You need a gun that is easy to shoot, has minimal recoil...and that is easy to assemble and to disassemble. I occasionally have to have my husband help the first and last steps with my 1911, as the pin is hard to work out of the frame for me, and sometimes hard to push all the way back in.

In that regard, the two easiest guns to disassemble and reassemble that I have owned are the XD series (get a 9mm in a 4" gun for minimal recoil) and my Bersa Thunder .380. The .380 IS enough cartridge, and in the Bersa (or the Sig 232) recoil is just about nonexistent. And the Bersa's pretty easy to reassemble.

With arthritis NO gun is going to be a piece of cake. There are tradeoffs with every one of them. If she can go and rent several guns at a range, or if you have a friend with a number of guns she can try, it will help. She has to pick the one that fits her hand best, she has to be able to rack the slide or to pull the DA trigger even on a bad day, and she has to be able to take it apart to clean it.

Good luck and happy shopping for the right gun.

Springmom
 
Lots of information here, plenty of suggestions.

To my mind, a proper fitting grip and an action job combined with a proven stopper that's a non-magnum.

I vote for a 4" S&W N frame shooting .45acp or .45LC.

A large slug of lead moving anywhere from 650 to 800fps hits with authority and little recoil. The large frame gun soaks up the recoil, the grips fit properly and an action job reduces DA & SA pull.
 
I'm looking for a pistol that she can fire and would be comfortable practicing with. I'm asking you if you HAD to buy a HD pistol in a very low caliber (.22-.38sp) what would it be? I know the consequence's of a caliber that low but she just can't handle the recoil of anything much higher.
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FN 5.7 because it has very little recoil, it is easy to rack the slide, and the magazines are very easy to load and hold either 20 or 30 rounds (plenty of lethality). As she gets older the limitations may also grow. A small caliber now may last her a longer time.
 
if she has problems with recoil, she may also have problem limp wristing semi auto pistol. to avoid the jams, i'd go with revolvers.
 
An old friend had the same situation 30+ yrs ago and gave his Mom a .22 LR rifle.Either a 10/22 or Remington Nylon 66,I can't remember which.I'd suggest the same with the 10/22 since Nylon 66's are hard to find and the 10/22 can be equipped with higher cap. mags. Another thought would be a Mossberg 410 HD shotgun.They were marketed toward women with light recoil as their redeeming quality.A 12ga SG using low brass ammo beats nothing and doesn't hurt much to shoot even with injured shoulders.I know all too well.YMMV.tom.
 
ruger sp101 in .38 special with lasergrips.

cant go wrong.

the sp101 is beefy and soaks up alot of recoil, and the lasergrips are good for people who have trouble focusing in sights. (i.e. people with bifocals)

just like my grandmother. bought her a sp101 in .357, but its kept with soft point .38, the lasergrip really helped her with accuracy. but she dosent have arthritus so i really cant say a lot.
 
In my humble opinion,if someone close to me needed a firearm for house protection and had problems with recoil or arthritis,I would suggest a short barrelled semi auto 22 lr that would spit out 10 quick shots.I think they would be able to make more hits in a scary moment.
 
Which of these is the issue?

1. She has difficulty operating the action of a firearm to load it.
2. She has difficulty operating the action of a firearm to fire it and/or recover from the recoil.
3. She has difficulty lifting or holding aloft a long gun.

I realize it might be a combination of the three, and the answers would guide my suggestion. For instance, if it's just 3), then sounds like any handgun in a reasonable caliber might work.

jm
 
I am afraid that I have to disagree about the stopping power of some 22LR cartridges.

In actual recorded shootings, based on case history and autopsy, out of some 500 documented occurrences where a 22LR, CCI Quikshok round was used, the one shot stop % was 40%!
Switching slightly over to the CCI Stinger, this stopping power still stood at approx 38%.

22LR is a very underrated bullet.
The fact is that, in the usa, more people are killed by 22LR bullets then ALL cartridges of ANY KIND ----PUT TOGETHER!

People who dismiss this round are, I believe, simply uninformed or else really do meet the cliche about their gun and cartridge size substituting for the ...groin anatomy.

Anyway, having said all that, I recomend that you and grandma go look together at the S&W Model 317.
This is an Ultralight pistol made of polymers and titanium, that holds 8 rounds of 22LR cartridges. Unloaded the gun weighs only 10.5 oz!
I have this gun in the 1 7/8" barrel.
It is astonishingly accurate. I can keep about 5 rounds out of 8 within the black on a target at 25 YARDS, which is amazing for a snub nosed revolver of any caliber.
There is essentially no recoil.

This is a beautiful gun. 1500 rounds thru it so far and not a single malfunction attributable to the gun. It's rust proof, water proof, etc.

I really would at least go look at it it.
It's has a nice feel in the hand and, with the accuracy, low recoil, light weight, and near indestructability it should have a real appeal to anyone who is somewhat recoil sensitive.

You can do your own reading about 22LR cartidges of course but I keep mine loaded, for self-defense, with 4 rounds of Stingers and 4 rounds of Quickshok, one round alternating with another (don't ya love the versatility of a revolver?)

Whatever you decide, good luck. I hope everything works out ok.
 
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4" revolver in .357 magnum is the way I would go. Easier on old sore hands. If she can't handle .357, you could download some handloads for her that would still exceed 38 Special. Just a thought.
 
I'd set the 870 up with a folding stock with a pistol grip and have her learn to shoot from the hip with a stiff upper lip. (ACDC). One shot should suffice.
 
A few good ideas posted. I agree that a 38 revolver is most likely the best choice for a handgun. It may not be the best choice. Both a pistol caliber carbine and 20ga shotguns would be better picks. The PCC would be the best pick when looking at low recoil, ease of handling and fire power. A High Point in 9mm with the 15rd mag loaded with 124gr +P ammo and topped with a red dot adds up to a winner. The controls do not need much in the way of hand strength. You can cock the gun by pushing against a door frame if needed. The carbine even with a red dot does not cost a lot, about $225. 9mm is still the least expensive factory ammo, so you can get some practice. It's not heavy and is short enough to be handy in a home. They cover the carbine with a lifetime warranty.
 
In this case I would suggest a Browing Buckmark .22 loaded with .22 solids.

If she has weak/sensitive shoulders a blowback .380 is going to be alittle sharp for her, and manipulating a revolver might be too much for her arthritic hands.

Once one has the operating system down, a .22 pistol is a piece of cake to shoot.
 
Low recoil

High cap 380 or fn 5.7, easy to get range time with and high mag count.
 
To me this sounds like a gun that will sit in a dresser drawer more than it will be shot, either in practice or defense of life. The "administrative handling" favors the Revolver. It is easier to load/unload and can set fully loaded for years with no ill effects on the gun.

With that said, I'd look at a 4" S&W in 38 Special or .357 Magnum or a Ruger GP100. Stocks can be changed to facillitate a better grip. I change my stocks all the time on my guns, so this may take some expirmenting your your's and her part.

You may also want to look at a 20 Guage Shotgun, but it may still be too much recoil. One thing is important, get her good quality training. I know women that stand 5' nothing and weigh less than a "slip of paper" that have no trouble handling the 12 Guage Shotgun because they have had training on how to "properly" hold and handle their weapon.

One advantage to the Revolver is, since it doesn't rely on the bullet being fired to cycle the action you can load it with reduced recoil loads to no ill effects.

BikerRN
 
I am surprised no one mentioned the all famous Colt Python 4' 357, hey it's mom we are talking about here, her safety is 1ST!
 
Taurus Judge

I'd reccomend the Taurus Judge in .410. Aim isn't all -THAT- important, and if you load the first two with .410 and the remaining rounds with .45 LC she'll kill whatever she's aiming at.

For what its worth, I carry a S&W .357 J-frame that I load the first two rounds as .38 and the last 3 as .357. A similar strategy on a larger sized wheel gun might work for her. From what I understand, most people don't notice the recoil or the noise in a life or death situation.

Stay safe.

Brian
 
The four inch .38 special revolver is an ideal home defense handgun BUT, if her arthritic hands prevent her from using the double action trigger, then I suggest a Glock 17 with standard pressure ammo...;)
 
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Recently there's been a some what credible increase in danger for my family. I currently have a 870 supermag for HD for ME but my mother is going to considering a gun for herself(she can't use the 870 about to state why). She's 51 years old and had multiple surgerys on her shoulders and has pretty bad arthritis in her hands. This has made holding up the 870 pretty difficult and when we go to shoot skeet she'll only shoot once or twice. I'm looking for a pistol that she can fire and would be comfortable practicing with. I'm asking you if you HAD to buy a HD pistol in a very low caliber (.22-.38sp) what would it be? I know the consequence's of a caliber that low but she just can't handle the recoil of anything much higher. Just 1 or 2 shots from the 870 with birdshot gives her a really sore shoulder. Preferably something with a pretty high capacity. I know the amount of bullets fired does not make up for bad accuracy but with a caliber that low she may need alot of shots to stop the threat. I'm already set on everything besides the pistol. Keep the house locked, alarm on, 105pound shepards well fed etc. But I just need help finding her a pistol that she can comfortably shoot and practice with. Size doesnt really matter because this will be nothing but a HD gun it does not need to be concealed. From what she's said it doesnt matter if it's a revolver or not but I would like a list so I can show her and maybe take her to rent a few to see what she likes best. (Wrote this in a hurry the situation happend today and kind of put us in a bad spot may be editing if I forgot something). Thank you very much for any time put into helping my family find a firearm.
Click to expand...

I'd have to recommend a 4"-6" Revolver, preferably Used as the older S&W's tend to have a nicer Trigger from what I've seen. I'd select a 38 Special 4" Model 10 if it were my Mom, but I recently found a 5" Model 10 and would recommend that because the longer Barrel gives a little more recoil control.

The other option, since you said she has arthritis in the hands, is a Glock 19. The Trigger pull is a little lighter and the odds of her having to reload, or having a malfunction are pretty small, if the weapon is broken in properly and maintained properly. There are ways around working the slide, like using the edge of a table.

Check out, and your Mom too, www.corneredcat.com

BikerRN
 
I can understand some of the physical limitations (OLD injuries, weak side and arthritis here.) and I am not big or tall. I am 57.5 years old. Not a Mom or a Grandmother though! ANY lady who can understand and practice safe shooting skills will deter a potential threat if called to defend her life and loved ones!

I suggest a revolver in a 357Magnum but have her use 38Special Plus P ammo. S&W Model 686 or a nice Ruger D/A revolver. Go to a 4 to 6 inch barrel. For accuracy and a house/woods gun... I own a S&W Model 686 with a 6 inch barrel. It came with Hogue grips - no lock deal when I bought mine NIB. I shoulder holster mine sometimes too in the woods. If she can handle this... it is a sweet gun! USE 38Special Plus P ammo if 357Magnum is TOO much for her. She will not be packing this and have it in the HOUSE from what I gather... weight.

The recoil of anything shorter than 4 inches unless it was my S&W Model 317 in 22LR is a PAIN. I am just giving you my opinion on what I have owned and shot of my own firearms and of others. My Model 317 has a 3 inch barrel, Uncle Mike's grip and it is an 8 shot. This is always loaded in my home along with a couple of others.

I can't use my husband's Ruger SP101 in 357Magnum because his has a shorter barrel. It has too much recoil/kick for me and it is his CCW back up gun. His barrel is just under 3 inches. Two something... nice gun for him, his purpose and he LOVES it!

I did own/use a S&W Model 60 in 38Special Plus P, Uncle Mike's grips and that had a 3 inch barrel. It was VERY nice but I PREFER a longer barrel due to the recoil unless it is the above mentioned Model 317 in 22LR. It was a good fanny pack and briefcase gun for me.

The Glock Model 19s are nice but I think that she would like and understand a revolver more.

Has she ever used a S/A revolver? MOST people do NOT like them for self defense but if it is already loaded and she is GOOD with it due to the fact that she has some limitations... I would suggest that too.

I TRUST my s/a shooting as much as I do with my d/a shooting if not MORE! I realize that is not a popular opinion to some people for Self Defense.

If you do not think that she could handle a Browning BL22, a Winchester 94-22, a Marlin 39A, etc. in those nice lever actions that are simple and hold WAY more than 6 rounds in 22LR (8 rounds if you get her the Model 317 in 22LR.)... I would get her a Revolver in 38Special Plus P or in 22LR... even a bigger revolver in 22LR if 38Special Plus P is too much recoil for her.

Best wishes and let us know what she decides on. I hope that she buys what suits HER and have her try out different things if you can. When I lived WAY up in the lonely Sapphire Mountains butt up to wilderness - camped and log cabin... I had 2 revolvers and my BL22 loaded 24/7. I was good with my former Glock. I am good with my D/A revolvers. I am MUCH better with my S/A revolvers. I would trust my life with my S/A revolvers even though most people DISagree with me on single actions. I do practice SELF defense issues and I learned on handguns. Up close and personal defensive shooting plus hitting gongs while plinking. (If she gets a D/A revolver... have her try shooting S/A style too!) I am NOT into way far away shooting and MY main objective in firearms is SELF DEFENSE first!

Have her practice with YOU often or fairly often to keep up her skills - exercise too, update a gun class, read one or more of Massad Ayoob's books, Colonel Jeff Cooper's basic self defense book or Armed and Female by PQ.
http://www.paxtonquigley.com/
http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles/ayoob63.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Cooper_(colonel)

Catherine
 
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Ruger SP101 in .327

I've always found revolvers easier for folks to use and the SP101 is a good solid revolver. In the new .327 she'd have 6 rounds instead of 5 and the charts & writers show it would be better than a 38.

Best of Luck
 
Smith Mod-10 with wadcutters. Low recoil and accrate. If you reload, load up some dumdums. Low recoil and a big splat!
 
S&W Mod 19 pinned and recessed. 4" bbl
Practice with 38scpl, loaded with .357 mag Remington 158 gr hpt or Winchester 158 gr hpt for real business.
At the range she will notice recoil and noise at home shooting the child rapist or what ever she will not notice it. The bad guy will though.
For a long gun for goodness sake! get her a shorty AR-15! No muss no fuss, loaded up with Winchester 64gr power points she will turn the bad guys to jelly and the soft nose will shred itself on most walls.
The wife unit confiscated my 5.56 shorty and gave me my 870 back!
 
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