Gun for my mom

[Nick96]

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Recoil can be a problem for older folks (assume mom is mid-late 40s to mid 50s) as things like arthritis, etc. become more pronounced and likely to be exacerbated by a lot of shooting.
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Pardon me Bill Hook - but having the good fortune to have attained that age range, I must tell you that us "older folks" aren't all that broken down, stove up and feeble.

Ever watch "American Chopper" on Discovery Channel? Ole Big Daddy can still wup the butts of all those young goof off's in the shop.

OUCH!!! got me so riled up I pulled a muscle in my neck - you young whipper snapper.

 

[Bill Hook]

It depends on whether you have arthritis and/or carpal tunnel. I know my mom has the latter and can't take too much punishment, particularly after working at the keyboard all day. Perhaps when she can find enough time to get the surgery, it won't be a factor.

Big Daddy uses his mouth more than his hands, so that's not a good example.

 

[schromf]

Auto's

My wife had one of my 1911 commander sized pistols for years, I traded it out with a Browning HP. I was never comfortable with her ability to work the slide properly, especially in an emergency. She could handle it but not great when I was explaining it to her, and after a couple of months of no reaccuring training, it was a refresher course all over. I wasn't comfortable with her performance and I changed it out to a 38 Special Detective Special, she is much happier as there is nothing to do but point and pull the trigger. When I left the autos with her I know she never rotated ammo in the clips, and asked her one day where the clip was and after 10-15 minutes she found it. I just never was comfortable with her and the auto pistols, and her interest just wasn't there. Another issue is as people get older they do get arthritis and racking the auto's slide gets dicey.

If your spouse has an interest it is entirely another matter, but good performance with an auto requires a couple of trips a year to the range. If she is doing that now or willing to start an auto is a good choice. But if it is show her once and 5 years later she could be called on to use it scenario, buy a revolver.

 

[Bob F.]

Wifey would get rid of me before her SP-101!
Stay safe.
Bob

 

[riverdog]

Stiletto

When do you graduate? Have you jumped with that Randall yet? IIRC you were looking for a Kydex sheath that would handle a jump. Whatever.

I agree that your Mom needs to select her own weapon. If she isn't going to shoot a lot I'd go with a revolver, probably in .357. Don't go with the super light Scandium-Titanium models, they are recoil intensive. I'd go with a short barrel S&W Mod 66, .2.5" IIRC. But that's what I'd buy. My other half has a Ruger SP-101 she likes a lot.

 

[Watch-Six]

After a lot of consideration, and with price being no real factor, both my wife and daughter chose 3" Ruger SP101s when they got their CCW permits. They both liked the simple operation and the "feel" in their hands. Best. Watch-Six

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

Female shooter

Don't encourage your mother to put the gun in her purse -- if it's stolen, she just gave the guy/gal her money and a loaded gun. I don't think she should carry until she can use the gun confortably, and then get something to carry on the body. The Beretta compact Type M is a nice 9mm and perfert for carry. I like a safety feature on an auto but if she's comfortable with a Glock, power to her. I'd stick with the 9mm though and if she leans for a revolver.... The Ruger makes two nice guns that should fit the bill -- the GP100 -- use .38 ammo not .357 -- and the SP101. Ultimately, the choice should be hers depending on which she can use and maintain best. Good luck.