Need Advice for gun selection for my daughter with disabilities.

[ms6852]

I would like to recommend a 22 magnum rifle. If she does not want to be left out from long distance shoot for the time being she could practice at 200 yards. I use a 22 magnum with factory iron sights my rifle is the CZ 455 FS (full stock) and is a lot of fun to shoot at 200 yards.

 

[zorro45]

You might find it helpful to get a custom made brace made of Kydex that can cradle the forearm and provide additional mechanical support. The Shriner's Hospitals are excellent for coming up with things like this and their services are free of charge. They have a lot of expertise in prosthetics and fabrication of these devices and are able to change them as the child grows. If you are not near one of these "miracle centers" it is something that an occupational therapist should be able to fabricate. (might require a cover story about holding a "paintbrush") I would look into a Ruger 10/22, possibly with a sling which would provide additional support. I believe it has been mentioned on this forum as an alternative self- defense weapon which, while not ideal, is not to be scoffed at. The magazine system is also quite easy to manipulate with small fingers.

 

[FL-NC]

I recommend you go to a gun show with her where there are LOTS of options for sale, and see what it looks like she can work with.

 

[dogtown tom]

....The problem is my daughter was born without a bone in her left arm limiting movement.
.....When she was younger she had more range of motion but now that shes 11, it's become so difficult that she cannot support a rifle with non-dominate hand....

I'm an Adapted PE specialist. I have a number of students that need modified baseball bats, hockey sticks, tennis racquets, etc.
I'm unclear on a couple of things:
Is her inability to support a rifle due to weak shoulder strength or weak hand/grip strength?
If she has sufficient strength, is it more a matter of an efficient grip on the forearm?

I know of one adult who shoots bullpups because he lost his entire arm. It puts the balance closer to his body. In addition to factory bullpup designs, there are several aftermarket bullpup stocks for shotguns, Ruger 10/22's, AR's and AK's.

.... She cannot turn her palm facing upward counter-clockwise......

With left hand, that's pretty difficult for anyone. If you extend your left arm forward with palm up, you aren't likely to get much range of motion past horizontal.

....She also cannot use a vertical style fore-grip because the angle is just a little to extreme for her limited range of motion.

From your comments regarding Sten guns, I presume a fore grip mounted at a right angle on the left side of the rifle would work?

Here is an interesting grip that may work: http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2017/10/jon-wayne-taylor/ryker-usa-fist-grip/

....We've tried some handguns from time to time but being that her hands are still very small and she can't legally own one till 21 I'm dismissing that option for the time being.

Is that a state law where you live? Because Federal law most certainly allows someone under age 21 to use or possess a handgun.....only prohibiting them from purchasing through a licensed dealer.
There are a number of handguns that fit even the smallest hands. I have several customers who have seven year old daughters shooting .22's. (Walthers & Rugers)

 

[Shimitup]

Lots of great input in this thread, helps me out too. I have a son with cerebral palsy, always looking for new ideas. Here's one from me I hope is helpful. I was looking at my 10/22 noticing how much meat is in the fore end, plenty to screw a mounting rail along the bottom for a handle at any point, or t-nut from the barrel channel inside would allow a pretty robust mounting point for something like a ball head that is used for SLR camera tripods. You could take a mono pod, cut it off to the correct length, put a rubber grip on the stub and with the ball head possibly find the ideal angle for her grip.

I edited the post showing a Dewalt D- handle from the back of my drill against the bottom which could be rotated to any angle, from the photos it looks like palm down looks comfortable and well within her range of motion.

 

[berettaprofessor]

She also cannot use a vertical style fore-grip because the angle is just a little to extreme for her limited range of motion.

So how about an angled foregrip? Either a Magpul MLOK or the one linked below, that I was looking at just the other day; it can supposedly be locked into 5 positions, angled both back or forward.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/6...ion-folding-fits-picatinny-rail-polymer-black