What handgun do you suggest for a senior citizen lady?

[roaddog28]

+1 on the model 10. A older one a lot of the times already has a great double action trigger.
I don't feel a single action handgun is the best for home defense unless she is very experienced.

 

[snooperman]

rswartsell, it is your perception that is the problem and it smells like the stuff that comes out of the back end of my mule. Snoop

 

[rondog]

JMHO, but I think she already has the perfect gun for her. It just needs to be worked over by a smith to lighten up the pull for her and smooth up the action. Hard to beat a Colt or S&W .38 snubbie for simple and effective S/D.

And there's nothing that says she HAS to use hot .38 loads, I'm sure a BG will enjoy a light target load with a 158 gr. LRN or LSWC bullet just as much as a +P load with a nasty hollowpoint. Much easier to shoot, and they'll still stop a man.

 

[rswartsell]

snooperman,

Thanks for the input. You must feel very fortunate to have such an unusual animal. Do you sell the perfume?

 

[OleEd]

Wow all. And thank you!!!!

I didn't know such a question would draw such good suggestions. I like all comments and find a lot of material to discuss with her. I do have a p238 and my first Ccw of a Taurus PT709. Which I will let her try. I know a mean who carried the LCR9 so will ask for a loan. I especially like the idea of going to a gunsmith about lightening the trigger for her. I also will check out the s&w models 10&15.

I taught her on light tgt loads and on her commercial Critical Defense ammo in 38 Special as her 38 is too old for +P. She had ZERO problems with recoil or trigger pull at that time with 38s, 9s, (Ruger SR9) and even 45s from a Glock 30. Didn't like the Glock nor my 2 45s either.

More research from your valued comments. Thanks again

 

[fbks ak]

I agree RCModel I am 79 and forget things
sometimes and can't rack a slide anymore
Revolvers are for me noe and I love them
especially my Rugers. Tom

 

[Guillermo]

An auto requires a lot of practice dealing with the types of stoppages that are possible. Another issue is "limp wristing".

If she is willing to put the practice in, an auto can be a good choice.

If not, a revolver has many advantages which include, but are not limited to, barrel is attached to the sights
a dud is handled with the pull of a trigger
no active safeties
the push one button renders the weapon safe

 

[aHFo3]

My mom is also in her 60's and has arthritis-type symptoms. She wanted a nightstand revolver. I was planning to let her use my 4" model 10, but she surprised me and much preferred the model 58 41 magnum. I've loaded up a bunch of light target loads with LSWC bullets for her. She really likes the trigger of that N frame, and she can handle the recoil and shoot it accurately.

 

[Guillermo]

you momma is somthing else!!!

I am impressed!!!

 

[aHFo3]

Thanks, it was her Dad's, my Grandpa's 41. He carried it on his hip while hunting in Alaska. It didn't see much use then, but it will now! My mom is pretty great.

 

[Franco2shoot]

As I'm getting up there in years, I understand the "rack the slide" concerns, but my go to weapon has become the Walther P99 that hangs on the wall with one in the tube. It has a very easy halfway slide to cock the hammer, and feather light trigger after cocked.

It can be had in 9mm or other calibers, mine is in .40 but the feeling in my hand is like an old glove. It points well and has a red dot laser for my ailing eyesight.

Given to any old age pensioner, they would find it extremely easy to use.

Just another thought.


KKKKFL

 

[Surculus]

Teach her to shoot 2-handed. Then it's a simple matter to shoot single-action by cocking the hammer w/ the support hand while the gun hand only has to deal w/ aiming & squeezing off the rounds.

Using this technique you can rival the shot times of a double-action revolver with an old C&B, with superior accuracy. [Reloading, of course, is a different story!]

 

[BBQLS1]

Honestly, I think a autoloader like Glock might be a really good option. I would look at one and rent one.