Recommend Home Defense for Elderly Couple w/Special Needs
I have been asked by an elderly couple (70+) to help them choose firearms for Home Defense. They do not live in a particularly bad area and do not expect any problems. However, they are concerned about news reports of home invasions against elderly and want to be able to defend themselves.
They are both still active and participate in activities on a daily basis. However, there are a couple of special needs considerations, especially for the wife. She has the following items which must be addressed.
After speaking with her I took her to the range for a familiarization trip. We spent some time primarily with my .22 Neos and a .22 revolver from the bench. Aside from needing to spend time putting lead downrange she did reasonably well. Starting with zero experience my goal was not to worry about getting her zeroed in as much as getting familiar with the operation and safety aspects. Most of our time was spent on safe handling, loading and unloading, and sight alignment.
I did get her to try one shot from a 9mm Mak in a heavy E German Makarov, and a standard 9mm from a polymer FNP. Both produced unacceptable discomfort. That is what I had figured but she thought it was like the movies where you just pointed, pulled the trigger, and life was good. I needed her to experience what it would be like with a conventional firearm. She also was unable to rack the slide on either of those firearms, rendering them useless to her.
Herein lies the crux of my problem. I think the solution for her lies along one of three paths, but I do not own the firearms I am considering for her to try out. So, before spending any money I need recommendations from this learned body.
Option 1
It is obvious that any handgun probably above a .32 will not be viable for her. I do not want to risk damage to the bones in her hand from recoil. For this I am considering something like a Kel-Tec P32 or possibly a Beretta Tomcat as that would not require any slide racking. Another option would be a revolver but I don't see her being able to do a speed reload. We may have to step this down to something like a .22 WMR which would open up the options to a NAA revolver or the Kel-Tec PMR-30.
Option 2
I'm thinking a .410 bore shotgun might do the trick. It is heavier so would reduce recoil and a .410 load of #4 buck would be more than adequate for the task at hand. She would hold it tucked under her arm and basically just be pointing. It would have to be equipped with a mounted light so she could identify the threat and give her an aiming indication. Not sure I would go to a laser but we'll see how it works out. For options I'm looking at the Saiga since it is a semi and wouldn't need to be pumped. I belive it also has a rail (or we can get one for it) for mounting the light. Would also have to add something like the Tromix charging handle extension to make it easier. I envision having the magazine loaded and locked, with the bolt open. Not sure she could manipulate the AK style safety lever. I have read about the deformation issues with plastic hulls left loaded in the magazine so I was looking at the Bear metal hulled rounds. This is probably quite a bit more expensive than option 1. I know there is also a Mossberg .410 but that is a pump and I'm not sure that would work for her. Also, I do not feel that a pistol grip would work for her on this option either. Though that is something we could try later.
Option 3
I was also thinking that a 9mm carbine would be feasible. She would again hold it tucked and point so a rail for mounting a light or laser would be appropriate. This would have the advantage of having a higher capacity magazine and possibly less recoil than the .410. The disadvantage is that you are only firing one projectile. (Realistically I doubt that at the range you would engage someone indoors there would be much spread from the .410.) This would also be semi-automatic so there is no pumping, and ammo for practice is reasonably affordable. As long as she can actuate the bolt handle for the first round or a reload we would be good. For choices in this area I see a highpoint with the vertical foregrip or possibly one of the Kel-Tec offerings. Something like the Ruger CX4 would be way over her budget.
Anyway, that is where my thinking is at. Let me know what you think. In any case I understand that the most useful thing will be to get some experience with whatever is chosen. It has to be something that she will take to the range and practice with, at least when prodded to do so.
I appreciate you time in reading this long post and look forward to your thoughts.
Thanx
JJJ
I have been asked by an elderly couple (70+) to help them choose firearms for Home Defense. They do not live in a particularly bad area and do not expect any problems. However, they are concerned about news reports of home invasions against elderly and want to be able to defend themselves.
They are both still active and participate in activities on a daily basis. However, there are a couple of special needs considerations, especially for the wife. She has the following items which must be addressed.
- Arthritis in both hands. Gripping things such as a jar lid or holding a coffee cup are difficult.
- A formerly broken right shoulder which limits mobility. She is right-handed and right eye dominant.
- Severe osteoporosis.
- No firearms experience.
- Price is a consideration. I keep being told that she doesn't need a Cadillac. I keep telling her she needs what will work for her and that her life is worth more than a Cadillac, if that is the only thing that will work. If a Chevy meets her needs then that is what we will go with. Not sure I can make any headway with that one.
After speaking with her I took her to the range for a familiarization trip. We spent some time primarily with my .22 Neos and a .22 revolver from the bench. Aside from needing to spend time putting lead downrange she did reasonably well. Starting with zero experience my goal was not to worry about getting her zeroed in as much as getting familiar with the operation and safety aspects. Most of our time was spent on safe handling, loading and unloading, and sight alignment.
I did get her to try one shot from a 9mm Mak in a heavy E German Makarov, and a standard 9mm from a polymer FNP. Both produced unacceptable discomfort. That is what I had figured but she thought it was like the movies where you just pointed, pulled the trigger, and life was good. I needed her to experience what it would be like with a conventional firearm. She also was unable to rack the slide on either of those firearms, rendering them useless to her.
Herein lies the crux of my problem. I think the solution for her lies along one of three paths, but I do not own the firearms I am considering for her to try out. So, before spending any money I need recommendations from this learned body.
Option 1
It is obvious that any handgun probably above a .32 will not be viable for her. I do not want to risk damage to the bones in her hand from recoil. For this I am considering something like a Kel-Tec P32 or possibly a Beretta Tomcat as that would not require any slide racking. Another option would be a revolver but I don't see her being able to do a speed reload. We may have to step this down to something like a .22 WMR which would open up the options to a NAA revolver or the Kel-Tec PMR-30.
Option 2
I'm thinking a .410 bore shotgun might do the trick. It is heavier so would reduce recoil and a .410 load of #4 buck would be more than adequate for the task at hand. She would hold it tucked under her arm and basically just be pointing. It would have to be equipped with a mounted light so she could identify the threat and give her an aiming indication. Not sure I would go to a laser but we'll see how it works out. For options I'm looking at the Saiga since it is a semi and wouldn't need to be pumped. I belive it also has a rail (or we can get one for it) for mounting the light. Would also have to add something like the Tromix charging handle extension to make it easier. I envision having the magazine loaded and locked, with the bolt open. Not sure she could manipulate the AK style safety lever. I have read about the deformation issues with plastic hulls left loaded in the magazine so I was looking at the Bear metal hulled rounds. This is probably quite a bit more expensive than option 1. I know there is also a Mossberg .410 but that is a pump and I'm not sure that would work for her. Also, I do not feel that a pistol grip would work for her on this option either. Though that is something we could try later.
Option 3
I was also thinking that a 9mm carbine would be feasible. She would again hold it tucked and point so a rail for mounting a light or laser would be appropriate. This would have the advantage of having a higher capacity magazine and possibly less recoil than the .410. The disadvantage is that you are only firing one projectile. (Realistically I doubt that at the range you would engage someone indoors there would be much spread from the .410.) This would also be semi-automatic so there is no pumping, and ammo for practice is reasonably affordable. As long as she can actuate the bolt handle for the first round or a reload we would be good. For choices in this area I see a highpoint with the vertical foregrip or possibly one of the Kel-Tec offerings. Something like the Ruger CX4 would be way over her budget.
Anyway, that is where my thinking is at. Let me know what you think. In any case I understand that the most useful thing will be to get some experience with whatever is chosen. It has to be something that she will take to the range and practice with, at least when prodded to do so.
I appreciate you time in reading this long post and look forward to your thoughts.
Thanx
JJJ
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