Concealed Carry For Old Folks

[BushMaster-15]

Don't want to be a johnny come lately to spoil the party but PROPER slide racking requires LITTLE hand strength .
Show Your neighbor how NRA instructors demonstrate PROPER slide racking . Strong SHOULDER and weak arm by passing . Hands and wrist SHOULDN'T be a factor . " IF " the arthritis is so sever as to cripple the hand , the Neighbor SHOULDN'T be operating a pistol is MY opinion .

 

[defjon]

Eh, I think no matter your situation you've a God given right to self defense (my opinion, stated under my first amendment right).

If someone's grip strength is affected and they aren't able to use the slingshot method, I like the 38 with wadcutters. From j frames on up, these are manageable. I hope to never have to drop below that threshold...

 

[MedWheeler]

jstert writes:

..the taurus works. you won’t be reloading a fresh mag as racking the slide is impossible, leaving you just 6-7 small caliber rounds out of a short sight radius barrel..

To be fair, the Taurus PT22 holds eight rounds in its magazine, and the PT25 one more than that, so you can have up to ten of those hard-stinging bees available.

 

[chicharrones]

Don't want to be a johnny come lately to spoil the party but PROPER slide racking requires LITTLE hand strength .
Show Your neighbor how NRA instructors demonstrate PROPER slide racking . Strong SHOULDER and weak arm by passing . Hands and wrist SHOULDN'T be a factor . " IF " the arthritis is so sever as to cripple the hand , the Neighbor SHOULDN'T be operating a pistol is MY opinion .

Depends on the gun, in my experience. I have guns that require a strong grip to keep the slide from slipping through the fingers and I have guns that require less grip force on the slide.

My Glock 36 in .45 ACP is an example of one of my guns needing good hand strength. It has as much slide area to grab as any Glock. But the stiff recoil spring and the "frying pan" finish on the slide make it harder to cycle the slide than my other handguns. Talk about a gun that could use those slide "ears" that are being included on some other guns these days.

I'm a lifelong ambidextrous wrench turner still in the trade with relatively good hand strength. But gawd dang if my shootin' hand is developing problems in the thumb joint and middle finger. My slide gripping hand is just fine, so far.

 

[The_Quartermaster]

Depends on the gun, in my experience. I have guns that require a strong grip to keep the slide from slipping through the fingers and I have guns that require less grip force on the slide.

My Glock 36 in .45 ACP is an example of one of my guns needing good hand strength. It has as much slide area to grab as any Glock. But the stiff recoil spring and the "frying pan" finish on the slide make it harder to cycle the slide than my other handguns. Talk about a gun that could use those slide "ears" that are being included on some other guns these days.

I'm a lifelong ambidextrous wrench turner still in the trade with relatively good hand strength. But gawd dang if my shootin' hand is developing problems in the thumb joint and middle finger. My slide gripping hand is just fine, so far.

Tangodown does make the Vickers tactical Slide Rackers for Glocks, but nothing for the large frame 10mm and .45 ACP unfortunately. There's a a metal version from some company selling on Amazon but it's all metal and sharp sides makes it a bit too ouchy for even healthy hands.

Another thought is to have a red dot up top and use that to grab on to. My Type 2 RMR's have no brightness setttings and auto adjust so I don't have to worry about turning off or lowering or making it nuclear at all.

 

[The_Quartermaster]

S&W just introduced another option to choose from. Red dot capable too. Bear in mind that the targeted audience is NOT for the healthy and the angry larpers. If you don't like and still not the targeted demographic, relax and please don't comment.



This is an easy to rack model for the elderly weakened at the point of no return or disabled folks who have poor hand strength. Hence the term “equalizer”. They are the ones who most need a self defense weapon that gives them a fighting chance ON THEIR OWN.

For producing a gun for that segment of our community I applaud Smith & Wesson here for not resting on the EZ laurels and perfecting this even more for better and more modern options.

 

[BushMaster-15]

Depends on the gun, in my experience. I have guns that require a strong grip to keep the slide from slipping through the fingers and I have guns that require less grip force on the slide.

My Glock 36 in .45 ACP is an example of one of my guns needing good hand strength. It has as much slide area to grab as any Glock. But the stiff recoil spring and the "frying pan" finish on the slide make it harder to cycle the slide than my other handguns. Talk about a gun that could use those slide "ears" that are being included on some other guns these days.

I'm a lifelong ambidextrous wrench turner still in the trade with relatively good hand strength. But gawd dang if my shootin' hand is developing problems in the thumb joint and middle finger. My slide gripping hand is just fine, so far.

MY take as I see perhaps #30-75 shooters per week and of those 25% fundamentally FAIL at instructions given inside the class room ,when carried out at the range . Racking slides is one of the very items which they FAIL to do properly . Muzzle save forward right or left and down ,pushing with strong shoulder and hand , while at least holding slide stationary with weaker hand . Preferably speaking sliding an air hose onto a barb as in both pushing towards the middle ,is how it's taught . Yet a whole bunch of yahoos think their the glue Gorilla or something and do it with FINGERS ; Until they slip off and look stupid and DEAD ; Because the Perp just got off #2 while you failed to properly rack a round into chamber .

FYI : We Never suggest empty chamber carry as a matter of fact we DISCOURAGE that . Yet MANY CCW folks carry on an empty chamber ,afraid of accidental discharge . Anyone who's ever had the chit come at them , knows second best ISN'T good enough and targets DON'T return fire .

MY Springfield .45 has a Stiff recoil spring as well and KNOW exactly what you're talking about . I cup My paw onto the slide ,because a palm and four fingers generates MORE GRIP holding power then two fingers . Especially when Temps drop into single digits

 

[Kookla]

A S&W hand ejector with a 4" barrel or a Colt Police Positive .32 with a 4" barrel.

Shooting a .32 is just fun.

 

[jar]

A S&W hand ejector with a 4" barrel or a Colt Police Positive .32 with a 4" barrel.

Shooting a .32 is just fun.

And don't forget the 38S&W. A very soft shooting manageable round.

Top, S&W DA: bottom Colt Police Positive.

 

[jstert]

i’m currently working with my s&w shield ez 9mm pistol more, in comparison with my s&w 642 38sp revolver, to see if i want the ez as a ccw. i also have the ez 380acp. i am developing some hand issues…

the 9mm ez is a tad noticeably sharper than my 380ez, but both are easier shooters than the 642, even with the 642’s reduced recoil 38sp ammo and pachmayr grips. i end each shooting session with 100 22lr cci minimags out of my ruger sr22. i am trying to stick with a centerfire ccw, but softer, accurate shooting with the sr22 makes this rimfire pistol awfully tempting to carry.

 

[d2wing]

MY take as I see perhaps #30-75 shooters per week and of those 25% fundamentally FAIL at instructions given inside the class room ,when carried out at the range . Racking slides is one of the very items which they FAIL to do properly . Muzzle save forward right or left and down ,pushing with strong shoulder and hand , while at least holding slide stationary with weaker hand . Preferably speaking sliding an air hose onto a barb as in both pushing towards the middle ,is how it's taught . Yet a whole bunch of yahoos think their the glue Gorilla or something and do it with FINGERS ; Until they slip off and look stupid and DEAD ; Because the Perp just got off #2 while you failed to properly rack a round into chamber .

FYI : We Never suggest empty chamber carry as a matter of fact we DISCOURAGE that . Yet MANY CCW folks carry on an empty chamber ,afraid of accidental discharge . Anyone who's ever had the chit come at them , knows second best ISN'T good enough and targets DON'T return fire .

MY Springfield .45 has a Stiff recoil spring as well and KNOW exactly what you're talking about . I cup My paw onto the slide ,because a palm and four fingers generates MORE GRIP holding power then two fingers . Especially when Temps drop into single digits

That's not really helpful. It is not just age, Some folks get arthritis and other hand issues like trigger finger that makes gripping anything very difficult.
Up until 4 years ago I was shooting competitions with a 9 MM and also owned and shot a 44 Mag revolver. This in spite of needing surgery on both hand for trigger finger and arthritis. 2 years ago I had a motorcycle accident that really changed things. Injuries to my arms and hands took a big toll. Now I have very stiff fingers and hands and doing anything that requires any force hurts my hands alot. Also I have little strength in my hands and my arthritis is much worse. Add to that I just turned 75 and had a heart attack, I am in tough shape. A different technique is an insult. You are just clueless.
I have a 357 revolver that I can shoot .38s in and am following this thread because the struggle is real.

 

[Jdm2691]

Its a shame this thread has seemingly ended, it was very informative. I am in my 60s but looking ahead. My J frame 642 with reduced power springs is a nice gun, but am thinking about the 640 as it is all steel. I like to pocket carry though so it may be too heavy. I'm a revolver guy but have the Browning 1911 in .22, the 380 is an intriguing consideration. Thanks to all for sharing their opinions and experiences, hopefully the OP came to the best conclusion for himself.