Gun for older lady

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Bennett

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I am looking for a gun for my 70 year old sister, she doesnt have strong hands and I need some help , please.
She lives alone in a big old house. It can be any type as long as the trigger pull is not so strong.
Can you recommend something?
Thanks
 
I can't offer a beter suggestion than you mentioned. Many S&W revolvers have good triggers.....Two of mine can be shot by most any one.

You will just have to go to some gun shops and ask if you can dry fire some of their revolvers.

Get her a 38 with a 4" barrel and load it with 125 gr +p ammo.

If you can't find what you want, you can get a M10, or something that doesn't cost so much....send it off and get a trigger job done and get the hammer bobbed.
 
A low recoil revolver ,easy to load ,easy to care for ( or not) not to heavy maybe a .22 mag. Or more if she can handle it.
 
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I've heard a .410 shotgun suggested for stuff like this.

Federal makes ".410 Handgun", which is just 4-ball 000. If she can aim right, that will take care of the problem.
 
I recommend a used K or J frame .38 Special with a 3" or longer barrel.

A well used S&W revolver should have a very smooth double action trigger, or one that requires very little work. It doesn't need to be light, just smooth.

An S&W Model 10 has no slide to retract against a heavy recoil spring, no manual safeties, and doesn't have to be cocked.

It's easy to load and unload and if the cylinder's unloaded, the gun's unloaded.

Finish is utterly irrelevant, so long as it's in good working order and has an unpitted bore and chambers.

A few years ago, I got a badly finish worn, but mechanically excellent S&W M&P for less than $200. A gun like that, loaded with 148gr. target loads is perfect for an older woman.
 
What the heck. Just because she's 'old' doesn't mean she can't go to the gun store with you and pick out the one she wants. Everyone defaults to a revolver, but they have some pretty bad detractions as well.

Check out this site for more info.
http://www.corneredcat.com/
 
Thanks so much for the input. I am referring to the cornered cat link for sure,
we probably should go the gunshop to get a good fit and trigger pull check.
By the what is an M10?
What do you guys think about a Keltec PF 9?
 
There are a lot of different calibers and revolvers and autos (DA) that she can get.

But probably most important thing in your decision process is her getting the proper training.

Her being welling to pratice / pratice / pratice .

If she is unsure of her gun handling or if she is timid, a BG will just take it away from her and that will be bad.
 
The M10 is an old standard Smith & Wesson in 38 Special......Used to be most all cops carried them. Very tried and true.

The Kel-Tec PF9 is a sharp recoiling semi-automatic that needs to be held with a death grip to make it function as it should.

Besides that, it would be very hard to rack the slide without a lot of strength in the hands.......I wouldn't consider a semi-auto for your sister.

If you can find a M-19 S&W they are great. They are a little bit more weight because they are .357.

You can take one of these and load it with 38 Special ammo and you have one of the finest revolvers you can get for your sister..
 
Kahr K9. It has a slender grip that fits everything from dainty hands to bear paws and has a light trigger pull. The slide is rather stiff to rack, though. The S&W M&P is a very ergonomic handgun. The tried and true Glock 19 is a good choice if she can get her hands around the grip. The Beretta 86 has a smooth DA pull or can be "cocked and locked" if she is willing to put in the practice time, and the slide need never be racked at all.
 
Everyone defaults to a revolver, but they have some pretty bad detractions as well.
Click to expand...

I know a senior who thought he want an auto-loader, only to find out he could not load the clip or rack the slide on a Bersa Thunder .380 ACP. So, sure enough, he "defaulted" to his revolvers.
 
chris in va said:
What the heck. Just because she's 'old' doesn't mean she can't go to the gun store with you and pick out the one she wants. Everyone defaults to a revolver, but they have some pretty bad detractions as well.

Check out this site for more info.
http://www.corneredcat.com/
Click to expand...
like what?
5,6,7 shot is that all you got!
Revolvers are simple and reliable,most are as accurate as any auto , with calibers that can take down just about anything.
 
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How is the gun going to be used? If it's just going to say in the bedroom, yeah, you my want to look at a small rifle. Is she familiar with guns? A lever action may be a nice balance between firepower and newbie friendliness if so. Or a carbine in pistol caliber otherwise.

I'm leaning towards a Kahr K9 myself for a little tike of a lady I know. But as others have posted, you have to get out of the way to an extent and let her decide. A good gun shop is worth its weight in gold in this regard.
 
thanks again for your valuable input, I have been reading this site for a long time but just recently joined up. Glad I did.
 
windjammer said:
If you can find a M-19 S&W they are great. They are a little bit more weight because they are .357.
Click to expand...

I'm in total agreement with this! I, too, am an "older lady." My Model 19 (4" bbl) is a joy to shoot. I have arthritis in my hands, so recoil is an issue. Recoil from my M19 is barely noticeable.
 
1. Small revolver S&W, Colt or maybe Taurus.

2. Beretta semi-auto with tip-up barrel so you don't have to work the slide.

3. Good 20 gauge or .410 shotgun.
 
Bennett,

If this is a house gun she may be better off with a shotgun or carbine. One that is easily operated and that has minimal recoil transferred to the shooter.

I have a 19" youth 11-87 in 20 gauge that my 11 year old daughter has no problem operating. She also has no problem running her AR15. Neither have enough recoil to cause her a problem nor do they depend upon her providing a lot of inertia for them to operate (gotta love gas operated guns for lightweights).

Stay away from DAO pistols. They usually incorporate a very heavy trigger pull to enhance their safety.

Your sister will just have to try different weapons and decide what fits her best. If that's a .357 revolver and a side by side 28 gauge, so be it. If it happens to be a .45 and an AR 10, more power to her.
 
70 is not that old. I think a side by side 410/20GA would print a good picture on the perp.
 
I'm in total agreement with this! I, too, am an "older lady." My Model 19 (4" bbl) is a joy to shoot. I have arthritis in my hands, so recoil is an issue. Recoil from my M19 is barely noticeable.
Click to expand...

What ammo do you shoot in your M-19?
 
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