New gun for old hands

[BrianTheBearded]

Good day to all,

My name is Brian, a 20-something from Lexington, KY. (Figured I'd introduce myself as this is my first post)

I've been lingering around here for awhile now, normally popping in when Google would point me this way. Today I decided to join to continue my education and hobby.

Anyway, enough about me: This post is to ask opinions on a good CCW pistol for someone with arthritis. My dad has been suffering for sore joints for some years, having busted his knuckles up in his earlier years as a mechanic. I'm wanting to get him a new pistol for Christmas 2012, to replace the Hi-Point he has been carrying.

I recently got a Glock 23 which he seemed to enjoy, though whatever I get him will be 9mm (he has a stockpile of that already).

However, trigger pull is not an issue for me, so I am asking: What pistol comes stock with the smoothest, and lightest trigger pull, and also what gun is easiest to garage gunsmith into a lighter pull?

As I said, my current thought process is a G19, but that is mainly based on my love for Glocks and a knowledge of dropping in a lighter trigger.

Thanks in advance for everything and I hope to learn from and contribute to this community!!

 

[tjbeck]

Brian,

Welcome to the site. I think you probably have the right answer with the Glock. From what I have seen it is the cheapest and easiest to install a lighter trigger on. Easy to find and easy to install (from what I've heard).

I like the Kahr trigger as far as smooth trigger though I think the pull is heavier it doesn't feel heavy at all. CW9's are going for about $370 right now.

The other light trigger pull that I like is my EMP. But, it is considerably more money than the two listed above. Buds rents a lot of these guns at there range. You should try them out yourself and see what you think would be best for your dad's hands.

 

[BrianTheBearded]

TJBeck,

Thanks. I have thought about heading down to Bud's, (either by myself or with my dad) but I have a love/hate relationship with that place (which is something I won't discuss on here).

As I said, my Dad carries a Hi-Point, which are great plinkers, but I worry about it as his primary CCW. I know the odds of him ever using it in SD are slim, but he and my mother live in Detroit, and I'd rather have him well armed if push comes to bullets.

Thanks again for the input.

 

[jackpinesavages]

Agree on the 19, or S&W M&P 9c.

 

[mdThanatos]

Why not look at something that has a SA trigger, CZ, 1911? Does he have trouble racking the slide as well or is it just the trigger pull that is the main concern?

 

[Bozwell]

Were it me shopping for a CCW, I would first figure out what system he's most comfortable with. If you're used to carrying condition 1, you may not want to switch to a glock or a decocker-equipped firearm. Also, if you're looking for a very light trigger pull, you may want to consider a gun with a manual safety on it, so long as he's comfortable with that system. I would not recommend getting a glock, lightening up the trigger and then using it as your carry weapon. As a general rule of thumb, I would say you either want to carry it condition 1 or have at least a moderately-heavy trigger pull (as most DA guns have, etc.). If you go with the glock, I would stick with the factory trigger weight or perhaps bump it up to a slightly heavier pull for a carry gun.

 

[Doubting Thomas]

Kahr.

 

[hAkron]

A Glock is a very easy to handle gun with a big, easy to mainipulate slide. Mine had a light trigger pull right out the box, but could be made even lighter with a few inexpensive parts, and the work could be done by anybody who is even a little bit handy. There were a few issues with the current (Gen 4) which have probably been resolved. In my opinion, and only speaking for myself and my personal experience, I prefer the Gen 3 Glock to the Gen 4 or earlier. Gen 3's are usually a bit cheaper than a Gen 4 as well.

 

[Loosedhorse]

It would be worthwhile having him try an HK P7.

 

[Jed Carter]

Hi Brian and welcome to The High Road, I'm from the Blugrass as well, or have lived here since the late 80s. For one of the lightest trigger pulls out of the box in a 9mm the Dan Wesson Guardian 1911 would be a sweet choice. I have a couple of Glock pistols that I have changed the trigger/ striker parts, way lighter pull, way shorter pull. A G19 with a Glocktriggers.com kit should do the job a lot cheaper. http://www.glocktriggers.com/ I still prefer the 1911 to most pistols as far as triggers are concerned but my G34 and G35 with the EDGE trigger are as close as I need

 

[Sauer Grapes]

Guys, he's looking to replace his dad's CARRY GUN. While Glock 34\35s are nice, I don't think anyone is carrying them.{I guess one could}

Obviously, at least from my opinion, you'll want to stay with either a striker fired gun or a 1911. The striker guns will produce the best results with aftermarket trigger work next to the 1911. {IMHO} I've shot Glocks and M&P's with trigger kits in them and they are pretty darn nice. The G19 is a nice size as is the M&P duty model. If capacity isn't an issue for him, a 4'' 1911 would be a nice gun. Maybe look at the SA XDm guns also. I'm sure they can be cleaned up as well. I've shot some of them and while the triggers aren't too heavy they have a fair amount of creep on the ones I've shot.
Consider his ability to manipulate the controls on any given gun. Larger slide releases, extended safeties and mag release. Also consider wieght verses recoil with his given hand strength.
You sound like a nice young man trying to help your dad out....

 

[fatmanonabike]

My 80 odd year old mother dry fired a Bersa .380 4 -5 times no problem. She could not fire an AMT .380 DAO. Not that I'm plugging the .380, but you gotta be able to operate whatever you're carrying.

 

[ArthurDent]

Glock is very good.

However, consider if he will have any difficulty racking the slide. My Mom is in her 80's, and doesn't have the hand strength any more. I'm trying to talk her into a wheel gun because of her lack of hand strength.

I really like this article... I think it raises good points.
http://www.snubnose.info/docs/age.htm

... For older folks, compact revolvers may be a better choice for a personal defense handgun than autoloaders...
... For those facing physical challenges, it is clearly the best option.

One point to consider, though, is the trigger pull on a double action only model, which can also be too hard for weak hands... one would need to be sure to get a model that came with a good trigger.

 

[Jed Carter]

Sauer Grapes, I did not recommend either the EDGE trigger or the G34-35 for carry weapons, they are competition pistols. And at 2.5lbs the trigger is too light for anything but, IMO. I can not give any experience on the G19, and trigger componant changes, just saying such a change is possible. Besides have you seen the size and weight of a HiPoint compact? I did recommend a Dan Wesson 9mm 1911. and will also recommend any of the STI 1911s that fit the 9mm / CCW need. I cannot see where the H&K P7 would be a good choice for someone with arthritis. but I really do not know how much effort it takes to operate the squeeze cocking mechanism. Never shot a P7 but if it is easy enough it would be a decent carry weapon, H&K has several models with various trigger configurations, some may be easy enough for your Dad, Brian. One last recommendation is the CZ 75C compact which can be carried condition one ( not the 75D PCR or P01, they have decockers ), this will allow for a SA first shot.

 

[LawofThirds]

A S&W M&P can be home "smithed" with an apex kit to have one of the lightest, smoothest trigger pulls (or kept at a duty range 5 lbs, which is what I did with mine) for around 70$ and 30 minutes of time. It's completely reversible and super easy.