how to intro granny to handguns.....

[yesterdaysyouth]

went down to visit the granny today and she told me about how around 15 houses within 3 miles of her place, and mine, had been broken into in the last week, meds were being stolen.... i then proceeded to rattle off some names, it's small town usa what can i say....

she brought up the idea of getting a pistol from one of her kids, and then quoted her late husband "you're better off without a gun if you don't know how to use it"... which i'll agree with that, but it just sounded like a cry for some instruction to me... i probally wouldn't have thought anything of it had that been the last time she brought it up, but it happened twice more within 2 hours...

like i said this is smalltown usa, and guns are nothing uncommon around her, but you can tell she's uneasy when me and my uncle start playing with our toys in the backard.... for years her husband was a hunter and reloader, but for the most part all long guns... he might have had one 38 rossi that i remember....

she knows that i carry and she's seen most of my handguns at one time or another.... imagine how cool it'd be to see your granny holstered up at the christmas dinner...

so im thinking i'll just so happen to have everything in the car to do some range time, and bring up that im goning to go shoot, and tell her that she should shoot with me, maybe she could learn something new, then pump up her ego, tell her about old dogs and new tricks or something like that and see if i can't end up lighting off some rounds with her in the backyard....

i'd probally go hardcore once i got her to go along with it... i'd break out the lawbooks, rules, and some other paperwork and then do some intro on design of revolvers and self chuckers, stances holds, blah blah blah, use that ego again tell her anything worth doing is worth doing right..... then do some dryfire and finally pinup some paper plates... and then wash, rinse, repeat, about every month or so....

i'd probally let her use my 66 until she got something of her own, probally start her out on that and my neos... the 66 with .38 is pretty recoil-less, and the neos is just loud.... i know my uncle would join us, maybe some cousins, it be the waltons with firepower!!! i'd love to see her jump on my uncle when she seen his finger on the trigger .. that'd be a riot.....


so im throwing this up here for suggestions, im sure someone else here has done something similar with a family member... so lets hear it...

 

[Bowlcut]

we got my great aunt i believe a model 10 revolver. for the life of me cant remember right now . but it was a 38 special Smith and Wesson pistol, DA. so if that helps any . But we took into account what her hands were and how strong she was, which wasnt much. found a smallish revolver(easier for an older person to wield and keep in working order) that had a decently light hammer pull or tigger pull. Took her out with her walker and had her fire bout a half a box into a target at like 5 yards max. She did quite well for her age i guess. Teach her to fire from either a two handed straight out front centered in her body type stance or a low hip type double handded fireing stance. My aunt did well from center of her body. Use her body to "point" the gun and both hands to control recoil. She felt alot more confortable livng alone till her death a few years ago at like almost 80. Whe had lots of land so the house was a little too easy to sneak up on in my opinion, but we did put up street lights all around the property as we could...

 

[Standing Wolf]

I'd be inclined to let her watch you shoot until she either asks to give it a try herself or clearly wants to ask.

Nobody beats armed women.

 

[Chugach]

How about starting her with a .22 rifle and good hearing protection to get the safety basics down? Then ask her if she's interested in shooting a .22 pistol. You may get to stop there...you haven't said anything about her hand strength or tolerance for loud noise/recoil.

If she's comfortable, move her up in caliber and let her find the one that appeals to her most.

My Mom, at 81, had a .38 S&W Chiefs Special at home. She really didn't like to shoot it, and rarely practiced with it. More than likely, it simply hurt her hand and was too intimidating.

I think you've got a great plan...let us know how it goes.

 

[Zeke Menuar]

How about a 18" barrelled 20ga shotgun with every recoil reduction device attached. With the right choke and load, Granny would present a very formidable opponent. Even a 20ga coach gun would make any bad guy think twice.

As far as handguns go, a K-Frame S&W 38spl ought to work just fine. But a shotgun would make you and Granny feel much better

 

[4v50 Gary]

4" bbl 22 and then transition her to a 4" bbl 38.

Granny with a gun. That otta be a song.

 

[Rich357]

Standing Wolf makes a very good point.

I suggest you look for a good class in defensive shooting. Mabe you can find one just for women. I think it would give your grandmother more confidence in using a handgun for self defense.

Rich

 

[Nick96]

.22 revolver. If she hasn't shown an interest to that point, I doubt she ever will. Something small, light, double action. S&W makes one I think would fit the bill (can't recall the model number off hand (M-317???)).

Extra lights, stronger doors & windows and burglar/panic alarm system sounds like a better investment though.