What would you do?

I hope your surgery went well.

It’s important to find what’s best for you.

I’d say shop around.
I know you said racking the slide hurt on an semiauto, but I’d suggest looking at the M&P 380 EZ it might fit the bill. Otherwise, you’re probably going to have to find a small wheelgun that works for you.

maybe something in the .327 ? that would also handle any of the .32's , it's big enough to handle but not super heavy

Beretta jet fire with the tip up barrel. Yes I know people don't like the 25 acp, but a 25 acp in pocket is better than two 45 acp back home or in the car. Beretta also has other pistols with the tip up barrel.

You might want to look at the S&W EZ. Light to shoot and very easy to rack.
https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/mp-380-shield-ez-0

If you can find one, a S&W 332 or 432 would seem ideal.

For new production, Ruger offers the SP101 and LCR in .327, which can fire .32 H&R or .32 Long. Charter Arms also has a 16 ounce .32 H&R mag

.32 cal cartridges pushing 100+ gr. bullets are a whole different animal from .32 ACP. They'll get the penetration.

I think that in the highly unlikely event you need to use your carry weapon that you won’t feel the recoil. Until later.

Not sure if the Beretta Tomcat is currently in production but there are a number of them for sale on the various gun auction sites.

Another larger Beretta, the Model 86 in .380, also features a tip-up barrel and while they are a bit pricey they're well made and offer a slightly more powerful round than the .32ACP of the Tomcat.

A decent revolver would be a S&W Model 10. Chambered for the .38 Special you could shoot light target loads like the 148 gr. wadcutter through it with little felt recoil to deal with.

^ This. Beretta 86.

I would talk with the doctor. If shooting hurts it's not doing you any good. Give yourself time to heal. When you're healed you'll have a better idea what you're working with.

I would recommend the Tomcat. I have two of the INOX version. One for carry and one for practice.

In casual clothes, I carry a G19. In suits for work, I ankle carry the Tomcat. It goes in my overcoat pocket whenever I go anywhere outside the building. DA/SA and a safety make it a good pocket gun. Hand on it in my pocket when I’m walking in the city.

Get some quality hardcast ammo and call it good enough. Or some hot FMJ. I wouldn’t trust my life to hollow points in a 32.

And practice left hand if your right is painful. It didn’t take me long to be adequately proficient as a lefty when my right hand was down for a while.

Welcome to the forum, sorry to here about your surgical complications.

Quite a few automatics have rear sights designed to be used as slide manipulation aids if placed against a hard surface such as the edge of a table. Something to think about.

Id go with a snub nosed M10 or 12, or a Colt Det. Spl. Or Cobra myself. Small enough to carry, easier to shoot than a J frame.

jonnyc said:

You might want to look at the S&W EZ. Light to shoot and very easy to rack.
https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/mp-380-shield-ez-0

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I second this one.

professir said:

Not sure this is the "right" place to post, but if it isn't, just let me know.

I had open heart surgery. Messed up my right arm/elbow/neck. VERY limited right arm movement, and a lot of pain. I have been a revolver guy for 50 years, and carried a Smith 642 for many years. Now, the recoil is painful to say the least. Racking a slide is also painful. While I can "muscle" through at the range, I am concerned in a crisis situation, I can not rely on my reactions because of so much pain. Weight of the firearm is vital. I can carry something up to about 17oz OK, lighter better.

SO- I want to buy one last "heirloom" gun. (result of surgery, disability). I have considered a really great revolver and down load it with very mild 38sp. Or, a Beretta Tomcat/bobcat? (no slide to rack) I don't have the dexterity for a NAA revolver.

So in a nut shell....what should I consider that I don't have to rack, limited recoil, well built, light yet carriable?

Thanks guys.....

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Start practicing with your left arm.

If your life is on the line, you would be amazed at how little pain you would feel racking a slide.

That said, a buddy of mine racks the slide by catching the rear sight, pistol inverted on a pants pocket or any solid object. He only has one arm, at least only one complete arm.

Doesn’t stop him from handling a semiauto though.
http://vid121.photobucket.com/albums/o213/jmorrismetal/3g/joetxstar.mp4

If racking it is really going to be a potential issue regarding your life, I’d carry with one in the chamber already so it’s not a problem.

professir said:

I had my surgery 12 years ago....pretty much is what it is...but I am alive!

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That's a good thing!!!

I'd caliber down until you find something that doesn't hurt. If a 38 J frame hurts something like a 327 Magnum let's you practice with 32 S&W Long.

If it's that uncomfortable you may want to learn to shoot with what's currently your support hand. Not the same but I couldn't use my support hand for about 8 weeks a few years back. I got much better shooting one handed!!!

Yes start learning to shoot with your left hand. It won't take long for it to feel more natural. I would join those who recommended a revolver in a Smith and Wesson K frame size like a M10 or similar.
And welcome to the forum. Lots of knowledge here.

Wow sorry to hear about your medical problems. However all is not lost.

Assuming you have a permanent disability your best solution is to learn to shoot left handed. Years ago I had my right rotator cuff repaired so while it was healing I practiced shooting left handed using my daughters Ruger SR9c. I surprised myself at how well I was able to progress with learning to shoot it. (My left hand shooting skills really suck). The lighter trigger pull made a big difference. After my rotator cuff healed up I quit practicing my weak hand shooting and I really should resume training with it.

You need to train your left arm. elbow, and hand to do all of the work. Use your right hand to merely hold the rear of the slide and gripping the frame in your left hand push the frame forward using the strength in your left arm. This is a easy technique that my wife uses due to her weak, painful wrists.

You do not have to go to a smaller, weaker cartridge for self-defense. She now comfortably shoots a S&W M&P full size 9mm 17 rounds with 4.25" barrel with +P loads. The M&P has interchangeable backstraps so it is a easy matter to find the grip size that fits you best.

Switch the magazine release button to the right side so you can operate it with your left thumb. You may never be able to speed load but with 17 rounds it should not be a worry.

Carrying a full size gun is not difficult. Most folks just don't want to make the effort to find a proper holster and belt. I edc carry a Beretta 92. In fact I still have it on as I type for our shopping trip today.

Does you State allow Open Carry? As Kansas allows Open Carry I always carry my 92 in a Milt Sparks EX Companion IWB holster on my right side just forward of my hip bone. The weather dictates whether it is concealed or not. Today it was concealed under a sweatshirt. In another month or two it will likely be open carry.

professir said:

I am currently carrying this. I have 0 experience with LOWER power ammo, but I have played with unique ammo. So I am open!

View attachment 828223

I have tried a Kimber micro 9mm, and Ruger ec9s. Both very nice in their own right, but difficult to operate.

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My first gut response to anyone disliking recoil in a snub nose .38 that they already own is to get some 148 grain wadcutters and try them out. It is a soft shooting paper punching round and should still be better than going down to .32 ACP or lighter self defense cartridges.

https://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/wadcutter-ammo-self-defense/

Examples:
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...mmunition-38-special-148-grain-lead-wadcutter

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...38-special-148-grain-lead-wadcutter-box-of-50

professir

My first gut response to anyone disliking recoil in a snub nose .38 that they already own is to get some 148 grain wadcutters and try them out. It is a soft shooting paper punching round and should still be better than going down to .32 ACP or lighter self defense cartridges.

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Maybe do what chicharrones suggested.

Start using 148 gr. wadcutters in your S&W Model 642 Airweight. It will help you become accustomed to your gun and do so with less felt recoil than full house loads will have. I did the same thing when I first got my Charter Arms Undercover, a lightweight .38 Special not unlike your J frame in size and weight. Made a lot of difference in terms of control, comfort, and accuracy. When the time comes you can move up to more powerful rounds for self defense.

Seems like you would be an ideal candidate for a Sp101 in .327, take a look at model #5773 with a 4.2" barrel. I feel this gun was designed with someone in your situation in mind.

1. I'd say it's heirloom quality, the sp101 gun will last several lifetimes. I think it's something special generations later would appreciate to inherit. It has a huge variety of aftermarket grips to dress it up, or you can get hogue grips to further tame recoil.
2. An all steel gun with a 4.2" barrel will also help a lot with recoil.
2. As mentioned, the .327 will give you a huge variety of ammos to choose from! The .327 is a bit stout but .32 h&r recoils less than a .38, and is still a potent self defense round... if needed later in life you can continue to go down to .32long and .32 short which is a powder puff that recoils less than a .22 but in a gun with a better trigger than a .22 revolver. I hear .32acp will work in it too.

Sorry to hear you are in discomfort, I hope you have a speedy recovery.

professir said:

Not sure this is the "right" place to post, but if it isn't, just let me know.

I had open heart surgery. Messed up my right arm/elbow/neck. VERY limited right arm movement, and a lot of pain. I have been a revolver guy for 50 years, and carried a Smith 642 for many years. Now, the recoil is painful to say the least. Racking a slide is also painful. While I can "muscle" through at the range, I am concerned in a crisis situation, I can not rely on my reactions because of so much pain. Weight of the firearm is vital. I can carry something up to about 17oz OK, lighter better.

SO- I want to buy one last "heirloom" gun. (result of surgery, disability). I have considered a really great revolver and down load it with very mild 38sp. Or, a Beretta Tomcat/bobcat? (no slide to rack) I don't have the dexterity for a NAA revolver.

So in a nut shell....what should I consider that I don't have to rack, limited recoil, well built, light yet carriable?

Thanks guys.....

Click to expand...

I have a lil airweight smith and wesson 22 cal snubbie, light as a feather and no recoil. 8 rounds of stingers will get their attn. sorry about your issues. People dont realize the issues one can have associated with a surgery. In your case, If the actual surgery was prolonged( i work with a surgeon who routinely does 4 bypasses in 2.5 hrs skin to skin,, many take 6+ hrs) , having your arms tucked at your side for that long often ends up with issues as you relate. Also, sometimes, the radial artery (big artery on inside aspect of your arm) is harvested for conduit and that can also be problematic for some. Its a good report that you are 12 yrs out from your surgery. Good look in your search