Need Some Advice, Please

[beaucoup ammo]

I received the following and would appreciate any "expert" information regarding this guy's situation. This person is in a wheelchair, but judging the fact he can wheel himself, tells me he could handle some low recoil weapon. Many Thanks in advance!

"I have a question regarding conceal to carry and guns in particular. I had an incident one day in the tunnel between the parking garage at the hospital and the main building. I had a guy come up from behind fairly quick offering to give me a push. It was just me and him. I said no please don't. He said no trouble I don't mind. I said even louder and started pushing harder "Don't come near me"! He stopped coming and said you're not a very grateful person gay. I said I just don't need your help, sorry. He then started coming up toward me again and I'm still huffing up the hill to get around the turn where I'll have a view of the main hospital. As he's catching up he then says "I don't think you can do much about it can you dude"? I carry a couple knives for protection of sorts but I don't want to stop pushing to get to one. I figure when he grabs me I'll grab the knife and go for broke. At that time a doctor walking with a couple ladies appeared from around the turn. I yelled one more time "Don't come near me leave me alone" to the guy behind me and I looked at the people that came around the corner and said this person is trying to assault me. Well at that time the guy turned and made a hasty retreat back down the tunnel toward the parking garage. I told the Dr. and others there what had happened and thanked them for appearing when they did. It wasn't a couple min later security appeared they had seen the exchange from the security camera that monitors the walkway. They took off to the parking garage but never found the guy. I don't ever use that walkway when I go to the doctors office any more. Instead I cross the busy street and go up the packed drive way hoping I don't become somebodies new hood ornament. I also work at a community outreach center that has a food pantry, clinic, daycare and some other programs. More then a few occasions at the food pantry someone tweeking or on more drugs then they keep in the clinic has caused an incident involving law enforcement. I have to park in the parking lot behind the building away from the main entrance and where all the low lives come to get to the pantry. I used to think who would mess with some gimped up guy. What I learned is I'm perceived as an easy mark ripe for the taking. I really feel like I go around with a target on me now because of what has happened to me. People really are clueless who say not in their neighborhood or not where I live. Any way the point of my request.
I carry 2 knives for protection. They are switch blade type in that they have assisted opening one is a 3" blade and is a tactical type military knife. It is my primary self defence weapon. The second is a smaller I think maybe 1.5 or 2 inch blade typical pocket knife but also assisted opening. They are easy to get to but I don't like the idea of only being able to use them up close. I fear that by that time I am able to use one I really won't have a use for them it will be to late. I want to get my conceal to carry permit but I have no clue about guns. I'm a paraplegic with balance issues. I've held a police officers .45cal pistol but to hold it I could only do it one handed and the officer told me I needed to use two hands for control or I won't be able to hit what I want. If I hold a pistol two handed extended out in front of me I can't sit up strait to shot it. I'm always falling forward from all the weight out in front of me. My question is with all the guns out there on the market surely there is a gun of a decent caliber I can handle one handed and concealable in my chair but simple and easy to get too.
Also what all do they teach specifically at these classes and in your opinion would a guy in a chair be able to participate and pass? It has been my experience that I'm sometimes allowed to participate but never taken seriously. I don't want to be allowed to take the class but because of so many obstacles not be able to get my permit because I can't really participate. If you have done all this maybe you could fill me in on what goes on and would a guy who sits be able to do it all. My parents are behind me 110% on this but I've not signed up for any thing because I don't really know where to start with the selection of a gun. I also think I'm the worlds biggest procrastinator but if I had more information I'll take the steps I need to finally.

 

[SASS#23149]

well,,maybe that police officer can't hit anything one handed,but it sure can be done.It just takes practice and a tuned,easy to operate revolver.
I say revolver because the are very easy to operate..just aim and pull tirgger.
No safeties to click off and no slide to have to operate.
Just don't get a .357 snubby and shoot hot loaded rounds,they are just plain MEAN to shoot.

 

[beaucoup ammo]

Thanks, SASS#23149..He has one arm that's in very good shape. What load would you reccomend in .38..or what about a .22mag? Thanks!

 

[hso]

PM Preacherman. He's trained handicapped shooters for years.

As to knives, tell him to carry a fixed blade instead of folders if they're legal in his state. Also suggest he carry a good pepper spray.

As to shooting a .45 one-handed, well I do, my wife does and several friends of ours do. At the close ranges that you're talking about for self defense he'll be able to hit his attacker if he puts in a little practice. If he can't handle the recoil from a .45 due to other physical problems then he can try every caliber below that until he finds something that is manageable. Remember that he's shooting to survive and not for competition.

 

[XD Fan]

I have never shot one, but that new FN FiveseveN is supposed to be a pretty potent round with low recoil. I have my doubts about effectivness compared to other larger rounds, but it might work for him given the circumstances.

 

[obxned]

The only way to chose the best SD solution for any individual is to go to the range and shoot a variety of firearms. For one person, a .45 fired one-handed may be great, but another might only be comfortable with a lighter firearm or one of lower recoil. A hi-cap .380 might be worth a try. And get the biggest, badest pepper spray available.

 

[Mortech]

I know a guy who has severe carpal tunnel , the FN 57 is the only handgun he can shoot now . He says owning and shooting the gun has brought back some gun owning joy in his life . The only consideration would be if your capable of operating the slide to load it ., if so I'd say definitely look into it .

 

[Aguila Blanca]

FWIW, I once entered an informal combat shooting competition at a local range. Not sanctioned by any major organization, just the range members doing their thing on a weekday evening.

One of their regular top contenders is a gentleman who I would guess is in his late 20s to mid-30s ... and who happens to have had his left arm amputated above the elbow. He competes with a .45 caliber 1911 pistol, and if the dude with the Super .38 race gun doesn't show up usually wins.

So it can be done. However, to be sensible and practical, I'd lean toward something like a Kel-Tec in 9mm. Or maybe a Bersa, depending on the budget.

 

[rangerruck]

anything can be fired with one hand, it just takes practice and determination. your best bet, considering your ailments, would not be semi auto, but a revolver. Now if you practice, and get good with a semi, more power to you, but things can go wrong with a semi, and they will. So a nice taurus or ruger, snub nose 2 or 3 inch barrel, in 357. I would also get it stainless and make it real shiny. that way when you pull it, your attacker clearly sees it, and runs and deficates the other way.
this is good for fast up close work, and is very reliable. a nice shiny semi auto, in a 45 would be good as well. i use to have a Llama micromax, 45, that I had done some work on. it was about as big as the palm of your hand, with a 3 inch bbl. I shoulda never sold it!!!! such a wonderful carry gun, and it's size almost precluded anything but one handed fireing.

 

[Thefabulousfink]

It seems like a revolver would be the best suited for this one-armed gentleman because of its ease of operation. Auto-loaders required two hands to load and rack the slide. There are one-handed reload drills, but they are slow and difficult. It is much easier to pop open the cylinder, lay the gun on your lap, reload, and snap it closed with one hand.

I think a medium frame revolver like the Ruger GP100 or a S&W K-frame with a 3" barrel would be a nice choice. It would be large enough that you could hold onto it with one hand and fire hot .38s or .357mag and should be easy enough to conceal on a wheelchair.

 

[ryan in maine]

S&W Model 60 with a 3" or 5" barrel? should be easy to conceal with a wheelchair and still weighty enough to manage recoil.

 

[M1 Shooter]

I will reccomend a revolver as well, preferably a medium frame like a Ruger GP100 or S&W K or L frame. Small frame .38 and .357's can be pretty nasty to shoot even with two hands, that is the price you pay for the smaller size. Start out shooting standard pressure or light target .38 Specials and work up to the full power .357 Magnums. However, the .357 can be quite obnoxious to shoot in its hotter loadings, especially one handed, so I'm more inclined to suggest a .38 Spl +P load for defensive uses. For a holster look into crossdraw rigs or "driving" holsters, they are offered by several makers, and they would be the easiest to access while seated in a wheelchair. You may have to get a little creative for concealment though. Back it up with a couple speedloaders, use the Safariland push type loaders instead of the more common HKS twist type loaders. The push type are much easier to use one handed since all you have to do is line up the cartridges with the chambers and push to unlock them from the loader, then they just drop right into the chambers. Most importantly, practice, practice more, and then practice even more. With only one hand it will be a little more difficult to hit the target, so practice will be especially important to become proficient. When I broke my left arm a few years ago I had to learn to shoot one handed all the time, and these are tricks I learned. I found it much easier to shoot revolvers one handed, especially when it was time to reload.

 

[MPanova]

A revolver sounds like his best bet, however the 38 and 357 are more expensive to shoot a lot. It sounds like he would need quite a bit of practice. Maybe you could find him a revolver thats chambered for the 9mm luger. Efective round and cheaper to shoot more of.

Its a discontinued model but maybe you can find one lightly used for a good price, or see if someone else makes one like it



http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?id=337&category=Revolver

 

[Titan6]

I have a friend who is a shooting instructor who is also in a wheel chair. He carries a subby .38 on board at all times. He can get it in the 9 ring at 25 yards with one hand but he is indeed exceptional. But it certainly is possible for someone with training to hit a man sized target at that range with a snubby.