Special Circumstances for my wifes gun

[Professor Gun]

Figure out a way to let her try/handle as many as possible and choose one she can function with. Maybe a large gun store with very patient and understanding personnel during a time when they are typically not very busy? There are a couple like that in my area of Western Wisconsin.

You may be surprised at what works out for her, so don't make any assumptions. I have worked with a number of disabled people who want to get into shooting/hunting and I have seen several whom I thought would not be able to handle a certain type of gun that actually did pretty well.

My biggest surprise: a gentleman who had a spinal cord injury that affected his arms was able to handle a 12 gauge slug gun well enough to go deer hunting. It took us a few years but he finally got a deer.

 

[Furncliff]

I would suggest you talk to a good gunsmith. After he talks to your wife he will be able to make recommendations, based on her needs, and will have the knowledge to suggest a handgun with modifications made to customize the weapon for her. Don't be be discounting good candidates with out knowing how a gunsmith could make it work for her.

 

[Diverdave]

"Figure out a way to let her try/handle as many as possible and choose one she can function with. Maybe a large gun store with very patient and understanding personnel during a time when they are typically not very busy?"

That would be my next suggestion. Many gun stores/ranges let you rent different guns. Have her try a few and see what she can handle.
Some people are not comfortable with having "one in the pipe" in semi-autos. My CZ-PCR has a decocker. I keep one in the chamber at all times with the hammer "de-cocked" which is actually half-cocked. Not as heavy trigger pull as double action but easier that single.

 

[Diverdave]

Writing in a hurry. Sounds like I am rambling. Sorry.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Another vote for a DA revolover. Something heavy that will minimize recoil and a trigger job to ease the stress on her joints. Think Ruger SP-101 with a 3" barrel.

Brad

 

[Euclidean]

My mom has similar problems but from a different ailment.

I tried at first putting lighter springs in semiautos to make is possible for her to use a self loader on her own, but the springs were so light it adversely affected reliability.

We finally settled on a Colt Agent. She can operate the controls on her own, it's not too heavy, and she can fire the whole cylinder before her joints seize up.

The Berettas with the tip up barrels are another option.

 

[hockeybum]

.22LR is a small round, but all it takes is one to the head or a couple in the chest if worst comes to worst

 

[gunmn74]

1. The Berettas with the tip up barrel seem to work well for people with
similar conditions

2. I would say a DA revolver .32mag or .22mag would fit the bill.
With a revolver there are no little levers and buttons.
I have female friend that loves her .32mag because the recoil
is so minimal. You can buy alot of diffrent grips for a S&W
revolver until you find the write one. A J-frame .32mag with a
larger target grip might work well.