Gun Choice for Limp-Wristed Wife
- Thread starter bhk
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OpticsPlanet
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I've found the Walther PK380 to be a wonderful gun for any female shooters who I find myself instructing. Easy to load, easy to rack, easy to shoot.
-Matt S.
-Matt S.
An older gun may work...if you can find them on the used market...the Beretta 86 had a tip forward barrel for loading the chamber and didn't need the slide to be racked to chamber the first round.
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Generally I'd stay away from polymer choices as steel guns are more resistant to less than idea grips and usually soak up more recoil.
The other pistol I'd consider is a 9mm 1911. I'd suggest the STI Trojan paired with Dawson magazines. The 1911 is highly adaptable to smaller hands and the 9mm versions are very easy to rack
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[/resize].Generally I'd stay away from polymer choices as steel guns are more resistant to less than idea grips and usually soak up more recoil.
The other pistol I'd consider is a 9mm 1911. I'd suggest the STI Trojan paired with Dawson magazines. The 1911 is highly adaptable to smaller hands and the 9mm versions are very easy to rack
el Godfather
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Like I mentioned in another post few minutes back, try a titanium 7 shot revolver in .357. At 64 she isnt going to get any stronger, rather may lose more grip strength over next few years- reality of life. So revolver seems like a better option.
My 9mm Trojan is a terrific range gun, and I use the Wilson Elite Tactical Magazines which work great and I know the Tripp Cobra Mags work well with this gun and I'm sure the Dawson magazines are also good. I think the 1911 in 9mm is a great way to go, the Springfield Range Officer 9mm is another good one to consider.
Lost Sheep
Member
I like the 1911 pattern solution. (See also krupparms' post regarding the Sig 238). Also, exposed hammer single action semi-autos are easier to rack if you cock the hammer in a separate act.An older gun may work...if you can find them on the used market...the Beretta 86 had a tip forward barrel for loading the chamber and didn't need the slide to be racked to chamber the first round.
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Generally I'd stay away from polymer choices as steel guns are more resistant to less than idea grips and usually soak up more recoil.
The other pistol I'd consider is a 9mm 1911. I'd suggest the STI Trojan paired with Dawson magazines. The 1911 is highly adaptable to smaller hands and the 9mm versions are very easy to rack
Which brings me to my question: How are the tip-up barrel guns when you need to clear a jam? Does the tip-up barrel help there or is the shooter left with the usual clearance drill? I have never operated one.
Lost Sheep
Well, first you have to get one to jam. Most of my Beretta experience has been with the Beretta 92 (completely different than the 86), the Beretta 84 (a much closer sibling), and the Beretta Jetfire (much smaller, but related)
With the tip up barrel, if you get a Failure to Fire (I can hardly imagine a Failure to Eject with an ejection port that large), you tip the barrel up and dump the cartridge in the chamber. If it is anything like the Jetfire (also a tip barrel pistol), just releasing the barrel will cause the round to fall out
OP doesn't mention anything about concealed carry or size limitations. I would try larger guns, even in 9mm.
Also check out the Bersa Thunder. It has a long but light DA pull, it is extremely reliable, and the slide is very smooth/light/easy to rack. IMO.
My GF has poor grip strength. She has essentially never jammed a Glock. She limpwrists her 1911 nonstop. (There's only certain ammo she can shoot in it without a jam every mag; I can shoot anything in it, 100%). Go figure. She can still rack those guns, but she only has a few good racks in her, per session. The Bersa Thunder is her all time favorite carry gun.
Also check out the Bersa Thunder. It has a long but light DA pull, it is extremely reliable, and the slide is very smooth/light/easy to rack. IMO.
My GF has poor grip strength. She has essentially never jammed a Glock. She limpwrists her 1911 nonstop. (There's only certain ammo she can shoot in it without a jam every mag; I can shoot anything in it, 100%). Go figure. She can still rack those guns, but she only has a few good racks in her, per session. The Bersa Thunder is her all time favorite carry gun.
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One suggestion if you want a full sized gun is the KT PMR-30. Maybe 22 WMR isn't ideal for SD but the slide is easy to rack, it is awkward at first but easy once you get the hang of it, and it has virtually no recoil. The fact that it holds 30 rounds is a huge plus for SD and a relatively light powered round. My 93 year old father loved mine so much I had to buy another one for me to use.
I trust the 22 WMR more than I do the 22LR for reliability. Ammo isn't cheap though. I bought some Hornady Critical Defense from Cabela's today and it was $.30 per round before shipping. Probably high but it's the first I have seen in a long time.
I trust the 22 WMR more than I do the 22LR for reliability. Ammo isn't cheap though. I bought some Hornady Critical Defense from Cabela's today and it was $.30 per round before shipping. Probably high but it's the first I have seen in a long time.
krupparms
Member
The Beretta tip-up .380acp.handguns are also great guns for people with arthritis ect. I am partial to the .32acp. Tomcats. But the Beretta 80s series .380ACPs are bigger & stand up better I have heard. I still believe the SIG 238 is one you should check out! Good grip, Great sights & very easy to pull back the slide! The SIG 938 in 9×19mm might be a little snappy for you. I would try it if you can. Or maybe a Star BM in 9×19mm. These might work for you. Good luck!
Sometimes we have to rethink our approach in view of new circumstances and objectives. Given her conditions, we can focus on the minimums for her to be able to defend herself.
We can exclude factors and tasks that we, by habit, deem necessary but are not absolutely necessary. FOR HER SELF DEFENSE, she needs to be able to draw and fire, maybe multiple shots. She's not going to have the luxury of racking, clearing jams, changing magazines, or anything else. This negates all the slide-racking issues - she needs to carry something that she can draw and fire, period.
She doesn't need 13 rounds, or ten - if she hasn't caused her attacker to flee with one or two, they will be on her.
This really points to a small 1911-style gun, or similar. Something she can safely carry cocked and locked - draw, sweep the safety, fire fire fire.
Maybe an EMP?
We can exclude factors and tasks that we, by habit, deem necessary but are not absolutely necessary. FOR HER SELF DEFENSE, she needs to be able to draw and fire, maybe multiple shots. She's not going to have the luxury of racking, clearing jams, changing magazines, or anything else. This negates all the slide-racking issues - she needs to carry something that she can draw and fire, period.
She doesn't need 13 rounds, or ten - if she hasn't caused her attacker to flee with one or two, they will be on her.
This really points to a small 1911-style gun, or similar. Something she can safely carry cocked and locked - draw, sweep the safety, fire fire fire.
Maybe an EMP?
Based on your analysis she would be better off with a revolver.
Quite possibly - if she can handle the trigger pull. It's hard to beat the 1911 trigger when strength is an issue.
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