Need Gun for Arthritic Woman

[Pokeberry Mary]

I would like some advice. I need a small gun that I can use for protection when my husband is travelling.

I have arthritis in my hands and shoulders/neck. I would like to be able to shoot with him for a bit of a hobby at targets.. but also be able to stop anyone who breaks into my house--if need be.

I guess it has to mean business but be as unpainful as possible.

suggestions? thanks.:)

[grumble]

32 Mag, 38 Special, maybe a 9mm if it's fairly heavy to help control the recoil.

Now it's time for everyone else to tell you why I'm wrong. <GGG>

[bacpacker1513]

My wife has some nerve damage from the neck to her hands due to a car wreck. She shoots a Glock 26 9mm. She likes it pretty well. She can handle about 50 rounds at one shoot, before she has to stop.
Thats about as big of a round I would suggest. Smaller rounds than that, if your a good shot you can get away with a smaller round. But you need to be good.

[farmerj]

32 acp is about as small as I would recommend. Otherwise, .380 auto or 9mm

I have rather large hands and have shot a lot of different rounds. From small .22 to .454 casull full power hunting loads.

I have learned that a "smaller" gun actually hurts more than a larger gun even of the same caliber. So if it's a "dresser" gun you are looking for, find the biggest one you can handle.

[Pokeberry Mary]

is there anyone familiar with a gun that has a particularly easy trigger to pull?

Just getting as much info as I can.

I'm thinking--that recoil is one issue, being able to pull the trigger another--so that's two issues.

really appreciate the info so far. I was thinking it was between .32, .38 and 9mm so this confirms that so far.

how about brand names? models? that you think might be easy to shoot and not too painful afterwards?

the neck/hand issue is very much like my problem--except not from an accident.

[farmerj]

actually, considering the "strength" issue. Look at a revolver.

I have a fiance who's 5'2" and she has issues with automatics and trying to cycle the slide. Some women do, some don't.

If you can find someone that has pistols to try or rent, give a couple different things a try.

With a Double action revolver, you can cock the hammer and it's gonna have a really nice trigger pull. They work really nice that way.

http://www.eaa-guns.com/item/2875_EAA_Hand_Guns_Pistols_EAA_WINDICATOR_357_MAG_ 4_.aspx

Nice thing about a .357 is you can shoot .38 special in em.

[Pokeberry Mary]

I found a shooting range that has rentals. I'm going to call tomorrow when they are open and see if its possible to try a variety.

My husband has a 357, but It has a pretty big kick--so not sure about that one.

I know I want to purchase something asap. He travels too often and the last time I had a hard time sleeping. I just need to know I'm covered if I need to be.

[farmerj]

you don't want to shoot .357 magnums.

The .357 magnum revolvers can also shoot .38 specials. They are a LOT tamer to shoot.

[Pokeberry Mary]

sorry I was a little confused.

Hubby says he will take me and have me try as many as they will let me.

He's kind of fond of a couple he looked up. So we'll see..

thank you all, I was just looking to see if anyone had a really good idea we hadn't come up with--looks like it is what it is--and mostly the same ideas we were thinking.

I'm a little confused about the glocks.. I guess I should try one--I thought they would have a pretty big recoil, but maybe not.

[gunsmoke]

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=221206661

Mary take aim for a .32 like this - along these lines, a 3 or 4" barrel .32 S & W Long/.32 Colt New Police (Its the same cartridge withh 2 different names)

It's the practical choice for a woman with the physical limitations you describe.

You require compromise, using a smaller lower recoiling caliber like a .32 you are going to have to practice more and get really comfortable with. The ipside is that ammo is reasonably priced, my other suggestion is to practice shooting twice, EVERY TIME YOU SHOOT IT. That's called a "double-tap" when using a lower powered cartridge it helps to stop your target if you get used to double-tapping.

It should be easy to find a competent gunsmith to do a trigger job on a S & W or Colt DA revolver just ask them how they are going to do it if they say ANYTHING about trimming a spring find someone else. They should use nothing but stones to polish the lock work. Hand polishing the lockwork on a S & W or Colt double action is very basic smithing and can work wonders if you find the trigger pull a problem.

Rubber grips will help you too.

Here is a link to the ammo you can order online or on the phone and have it delivered to your door

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ItemListing.aspx?catid=636

provided the State you live in allows it

[Wyobuckaroo]

When you get to the range, see if they have a double action 22 lr revolver for you to try.

Many will say a 22lr is not a good choice for power and effectiveness, but if it is manageable for you to handle that is what will count. I sure wouldn't want to ware a 22lr bullet home under my skin.........

KnowwahtImean
Have fun at the range
Good luck
Wyo

[gunsmoke]

When you get to the range, see if they have a double action 22 lr revolver for you to try.

Many will say a 22lr is not a good choice for power and effectiveness, but if it is manageable for you to handle that is what will count. I sure wouldn't want to ware a 22lr bullet home under my skin.........

KnowwahtImean
Have fun at the range
Good luck
Wyo




You ain't the only one brother!



Those .22rfs P E N E T R A T E! Especially the solids, and they do really strange things. When DW was in residency she had a GSW come in. Entry was in the front upper left quadrant. They looked and looked for the bullet, it hit something bony and went south for the winter. They finally found it after mucho xrays and finally a CAT scan nestled up against the front of the pelvis on the right side, tearing little bitty weepy holes through all sorts of nasty stuff on the way down victim barely survived the infection.

[BonnyLake]

Here is a picture and a link for 'my baby'! I've had her for about 15 years and she has never failed me yet when practicing. I have arthritis in my hands too, so the hammerless with a few +P and a couple speedloaders and I feel very safe! :girl_wacko:

... also a yellow t-shirt with ~ ' this blonde protected by S&W ~ doesn't hurt too much either - especially at the range :D

http://www.snubnose.info/docs/m642.htm

528

[Michael32170]

is there anyone familiar with a gun that has a particularly easy trigger to pull?

Just getting as much info as I can.

I'm thinking--that recoil is one issue, being able to pull the trigger another--so that's two issues.

really appreciate the info so far. I was thinking it was between .32, .38 and 9mm so this confirms that so far.

how about brand names? models? that you think might be easy to shoot and not too painful afterwards?

the neck/hand issue is very much like my problem--except not from an accident.

Take her down to Cabala's and have her try their guns. After you find one she thinks she likes, do a web search for a gunsmith and have him modify the trigger and what ever else may need to be modified.

Realize, this gun will have the tendency to be triggered in situations that it may not otherwise be set off.

[offgridbob]

My first thought is why are you wanting a hand gun for pertection. Have you been broken into a number of times ? Do you live in a high crime rate area ? If you have not had a problem Then I would suggest a 22 also because you need something you can practice with. Be prepared but don't be scared.

[grumble]

Bonny: "... also a yellow t-shirt with ~ ' this blonde protected by S&W ~ doesn't hurt too much either -"

That's good! My ex used to wear a tee shirt that said, "I'm out of estrogen, and I have a gun!" I thought that was pretty funny.

[Equilibrium]

Please please please Pokeberry.... take everything I say with a grain of salt.... I don't know what I'm doing but I think I've gotten some good advice so I'm following it. I was interested in learning is all.... just in case.... so I'm signed up for a weekend class at Appleseed this summer. The whole weekend is only $10 which is a bargain getting the chance to be taught by professionals instead of by one of my brothers or my husband... not that they couldn't teach me.... just that I'd prefer to be taught by somebody else.... I need to concentrate without feeling stressed to perform. I'm taking our youngest son with me and my best friend is going too and she's signed up her youngest son and we're also taking my youngest nephew and my son's best friend. We feel this Appleseed is a good opportunity based on everything we've learned about the organization and the price can't be beat. Their weekend events are across the country and they'll take in folk like me who haven't a clue what we're doing with rifles, http://appleseedinfo.org/. The rifle chosen for me was an L something or other ruger 22. I've got it.... it was a gift to me from one of my brothers for signing up and.... I'm looking at it and can't tell you much more than that. All of us are attending with Ruger 22 rifles except my son who is going with an M1 of some sort I think. I'm small and I've got RA.... which I'm sure you know is degenerative. I've broken so many bones I've lost count so everyone is saying the 22 rifle is the best for me.... I just don't know but I own one now and I've never even shot it once but I will learn how real soon. So.... that's what I'm going with for a rifle and maybe it could work for you too>>>? For a handgun... my husband once bought me a Taurus revolver.... just in case. I shot it once.... it was later stolen but it did shoot when I pulled the trigger which I think is all that counts. He just bought me a Walther 9mm short I think.... supposedly I can't miss with it and it has little or no kick to it... I don't know.... I'm signed up for handgun safety classes at a pistol range to learn how to use it and I've never shot the Walther before either... presumably it will shoot when I pull the trigger like the Taurus did. I don't know if what women like you and me choose or.... what is chosen for us is as important as learning how to use what is chosen properly with the exception obviously of things that will send us flying backwards onto our rumps leaving technicolor bruises of course. Again.... take what I've typed with a grain of salt because I didn't know what I was doing and asked for help and these are the firearms that were chosen for me. I don't even know how much they cost to be honest with you. Oh... don't forget to have someone help you pick out hearing and eye protection for learning how to use what ever you choose for yourself. Oh.... get an FOI card too if you need one in your state. They're cheap and you can probably apply online. I wish you the best!

[Mzcry]

Appleseeds are excellent for learning marksmanship, but defensive shooting is another animal. When someone is coming through your front door, NPOA isn't going to be on your list of things to worry about it. Getting rounds on the criminal is.

OP, I'm not sure if you're looking for a carry gun or something to use at home. If its the latter, a handgun is probably not the best option. Depending on the layout of your home or your location, a long gun is probably a better option.

If you are looking for a handgun, you'll have to work with some. Don't make the mistake of thinking a small gun is easier to shoot. The opposite is often true, as small guns don't have enough weight to help you manage recoil effectively.

Working a slide is not difficult at all, even with moderate arthritis, if you learn to push the gun, rather than try to pull the slide. But some slides are tighter than others. You'll have to try. The trick, though, is to get as much of your hand surface on the slide as possible, and hold it still, while "punching" forward the gun itsself with your other hand.

If that just doesn't work for you, a revolver is an option. You get limited options as far as capacity and it can take longer to reload, but depending on the severity of your arthritis, it may be a good option. Again, you probably are not going to want to go with a lightweight model. They're nice for carrying and horrible for shooting, especially with sore hands.

Definitely, do take the Appleseed class if you get a chance. The fundamentals they teach are invaluable. But follow that up with defensive type shooting training and practice.

A .22 is an option, if you're in really bad shape, but if you can, get something larger. A .22 will kill you, but its immediate stopping power isn't great and in a defensive situation, your goal isn't to kill, its to stop the threat. If you're going to shoot a .22 go with some of the super duper magnum rounds available.

Good luck!

[grumble]

Mzcry, very good post.

[chopper]

My wife had a heart attack, followed by a double bypass. She was a hobby shooter before, and had several of her own guns. Since the health problems, we have moved to .22 lr and .22 Mag revolvers. She shot just over two months post op, and hit her mark for several reasons. 1. we selected a caliber that is not painful to use. 2. Because of reason 1, shooting is still fun. 3. because it don't hurt, and is fun, we shoot often. 4. 1-3 makes for a decent marksman/woman.

Practicing alot means hitting your target. Someone mentioned .22 cal penetration, and other mentioned not wanting to get hit by a .22 cal.

Shoot what you like, hit what you aim at, and never fear the criticism of your selected caliber. A .22 will drive away and or killl any bad guy if you are hitting the mark.

Hope this helps...

[gunsmoke]

My wife had a heart attack, followed by a double bypass. She was a hobby shooter before, and had several of her own guns. Since the health problems, we have moved to .22 lr and .22 Mag revolvers. She shot just over two months post op, and hit her mark for several reasons. 1. we selected a caliber that is not painful to use. 2. Because of reason 1, shooting is still fun. 3. because it don't hurt, and is fun, we shoot often. 4. 1-3 makes for a decent marksman/woman.

Practicing alot means hitting your target. Someone mentioned .22 cal penetration, and other mentioned not wanting to get hit by a .22 cal.

Shoot what you like, hit what you aim at, and never fear the criticism of your selected caliber. A .22 will drive away and or killl any bad guy if you are hitting the mark.

Hope this helps...


VERY well stated! I would just add the caution to avoid the temptation to use very light in weight and very lightly constructed bullets because of their touted velocity those bullets are all very easily deflected even by heavy clothing. You are much better off sticking with bullets that are at least 40 grs in weight. There are many great loads among them are the WICHESTER DYNAPOINT, and thier HYPER VELOCITY 40 GR HOLLOWPOINT Winchesters challenge to CCIs' VELOCITOR.

Thr Dynapoint was invented in Australia and is a 40 Solid Lead with a DIMPLE version of a hollowpoint which is the most consistent expander with full weight retention 22 lr out there. Many years later CCI brought out thier VELOCITOR which is a Speer Gold Dot Copper Plated Hollow Point that expands, penetrates and retains its weight without fragmenting, the Winchester is a Conventional 40 Grcopper washed hollow point whic the same design characteristicsmas the VELOCITOR.

A little more specialized is the AGUILA 60 gr SSS. You have to get a couple of boxes of these and see how well they shoot from your gun. Being a very long very heavy bullet and not all guns will stabilize it well. It originated with a design standard set by the NAVY SEALS for one thing and that is maximum penetration.

In a .22 Magnum again nothing lighter than a 40 gr hollow point the 45 gr. Winchester DynaPoint and the FEDERAL 50 gr. Hollow Point to be preferred for defensive work. Avoid the full metal jacket and the light speedy loads the FMJS WILL EASILY THROUGH AND THROUGH ON A HUMAN AND THE LIGHTER BULLETS TEND TO EXPLODE ON FIRST IMPACT AND PENETRATE VERY POORLY.

[gunsmoke]

So Mary, how is your research going? Have you had any chance to shoot some prospects? Let us have an update..................

[keydl]

The police trade in revolvers in .38 spec are a good value - if you can handle the recoil, larger grips spread the pressure some.

Every place that I have been they have no problem with you handling a gun to see if it 'fits' and most clerks are helpful if you explain the problem and even in helping to see the extent of the problem.

One that has ben left out is the .327/.32 mag, one to leave is probably the .25 Auto.

For home defense a .410 or 20 ga shotgun might be a choice - not in a pistol though.

[cubcadet]

Ruger makes a very good semi auto- Ruger Mark 1, maybe Mark ll not too sure. I have the older Mark 1. Almost no felt recoil. For home defense, have you considered a light recoil auto shotgun in 20 GA.. Can be shot off hip with satisfacory results at close quarters. Practice with milk bottles filled with water.


gunsmoke`s suggestion has worked for me on my Ruger super redhawk. I opted for a spring kit as well, which reduced the trigger pull.

[Mitch]

Why are you all talking to a lady who is not familiar with guns about handguns? Look, that crap on TV about shooting someone with a handgun and them grabbing their chest and falling over isn't real! Even if you break the Aorta, he can stay on his feet for 30 seconds! More than long enough to kill you. A human has to loose over 30% of his blood before he passes out. Only a brain shot, or breaking the spinal column is an instant stop. In other words, either tear duct will do!

Look, have your husband find an old 20 guage 1100 Remington, or equivalent, and saw the barrel off to 20 inches and load it with 000 Buck shot. It will be easy to hold, has a very light trigger pull, and nothing in front of it will survive when it goes off! And it will reload itself up to 6 shots. That is what you need for home defense, not a handgun.

Mitch

[iowasue]

Look, have your husband find an old 20 guage 1100 Remington, or equivalent, and saw the barrel off to 20 inches and load it with 000 Buck shot. It will be easy to hold, has a very light trigger pull, and nothing in front of it will survive when it goes off! And it will reload itself up to 6 shots. That is what you need for home defense, not a handgun.

Mitch

Mitch -
You are exactly right. I have been actively shooting for 45 years, have a CCW permit, and I would use my shotgun for self-defense. We have plenty of handguns to choose from, but I don't want to miss if I really, really think I need to use a weapon in self-defense. Only a fool would go against a shotgun...all right, there are enough fools out there.
However, isn't a cut-off shotgun illegal in most states? Might not matter if you need it, but if you survive, you would have more explaining to do.
Also our police instructor says to remember the 3-3-3 rule; most altercations for police officers are within 3 feet, 3 minutes and 3 shots or less. You don't want to hesitate and let anyone get close enough to take your weapon away and use it against you. Your cell phone may be your best weapon.

[farmerj]

For rifles 16" barrel. Shotgun 18".
there's also. An overall length to like 28" for shotguns

[J R Adams]

For rifles 16" barrel. Shotgun 18".
there's also. An overall length to like 28" for shotguns

And then, there is that little five shot 45 long colt revolver that will accomodate .410 cartridges called "the judge".

[Mrs. Owens]

I also have arthitic hands. My favorite is none, I like them all. I carry a 9mm at all times that already has the first bullet in the chamber, so I don't have to pull it back to fire it. I like my 22 - 6 shooter for my night table, it has a long rifle or magnum choice. I keep it loaded with magnums. My personal preference for all self protection is a 20 gauge double barrell shotgun.

Go try as many as you can, get used to the ones that kick back and have a really loud sound only by shooting them alot. Don't be afraid of the sound or kick. You are protecting yourself, none of that matters. In the end if you don't hit what you're shooting at, what's the point? So practice as much as you and your dh can afford. You can never practice too much. It's a ton of fun, too. When you choose your first gun, (cause you will end up with more than one) ;) find a way to get around the arthritic stuff. We just have to work around it, you know?

I'm thinking of installing some kind of simple motion sensitive alarm inside the house to get my attention if someone is there when I'm asleep, too.

I hope you enjoy shooting as much as I have come to. Didn't like it much when I first started, but I just had to work past the drawbacks. Now I'm as good a shooter as my dh (almost). :wink:

[docsoos]

I recently helped an aged, arthritic neighbor of my Mother's select a handgun, shortly after her husband passed away, as she was scared to be alone without a gun.

I took about a half a dozen of my finest handguns for her to try out, and she could NOT pull back the slide on almost ANY auto I showed her, and even with my Smith & Wesson Model 638 .38 Special snubbie, with a 4-pound trigger pull, she had issues when shooting double-action.

However, she had NO ISSUES AT ALL cocking and firing a Ruger Mark II .22 LR; true, it's "just a .22", but if one can put a FULL MAG in the SAME SPOT on a bad guy, with proper ammunition selection, he WILL back off, if not die on the spot. Shot Placement is EVERYthing, when using small bullets.....Quantity AND quality is the name of the game when using a .22 for self-defense! Having a 9mm or .45 Auto that a woman can't rack the slide on is NO GOOD, ESPECIALLY if it jams.

As for the argument of .22 Long Rifle versus .22 Magnum, here are some INTERESTING test results, by real people (NOT Gun Writers pitching for the manufacturers!), and in "real-world" guns, NOT long test barrels:

http://www.sksboards.com/smf/index.php?topic=39125.0

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=188507

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/rifle_handgundata.htm

http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-281576.html

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=7560532

The link below shows a VERY complete test, with a variety of .22 ammo, called out by brand name, in a handgun and a rifle, to compare velocities; surprising results, at least in those two weapons:

http://ingunowners.com/forums/ammunition_and_reloading/114426-range_report_22lr_claimed_velocities_vs_real_veloc ities_from_rifle_and_handgun.html

Seems the .22 LR doesn't lose as much velocity in short handgun barrels as does a .22 Magnum, that was most probably designed for rifle-length barrels anyway. .22 LR rounds also use really fast-burning powders, and I get almost NO muzzle flash in most all of my .22 LR handguns, with 4" to 6" barrels; even my Beretta Jetfire in .22 LR, with a 2.4" barrel, doesn't flash that much with .22 LR rounds.

And for a TRULY phenomenal story, on the effectiveness and lethality of a .22 LR handgun in a self-defense situation, check out THIS article:

[WARNING: GRAPHIC DESCRIPTIONS OF ACTUAL SHOOTINGS!]

http://www.tactical-life.com/online/tactical-weapons/israeli-mossad-22-lrs/

Granted, these guys were highly-trained agents, and they were in dire circumstances, but it DOES prove that shot placement is EVERYTHING, and also that a .22 LR is HIGHLY LETHAL, in the hands of a trained individual. They needed a small, unobtrusive, easily-concealed handgun, and it's remarkable that they settled on a Beretta 70S .22 LR.....as stated in the article, recoil is almost non-existent, which lends itself to keeping the gun on-target when dumping a whole magazine on the target, to make up for lack of a bigger round.

DocSoos

[cmdan]

The Kal-Tec PMR-30 is a nice little 22 magnum which doesn't weigh much, not very expensive and it holds 30 rounds, but I wouldn't put more than 20 in to insure it doesn't jam. I have two of these and love them.

http://cheaperthandirt.com/blog/?p=842

[Stinger]

I know a number of older woman, some with a degree of arthritis, who are, all, very happy with this pistol.

http://www.gunblast.com/FN-FiveseveN.htm
http://www.shootingtimes.com/2011/01/03/handgun_reviews_fnusg_021207/

The ammo is a little expensive; but, no more so than quality 357 Magnum or 45 ACP. Keep 2 fifty round boxes at home with the pistol; and you'll be good-to- go against any bad guys you might have to deal with.

Another nice thing is with a 20 round mag in the gun you aren't going to have to be the world's best shot or need to worry about making a tactical reload while you're in the middle of a gunfight. Just one magazine will be enough to get you through any violent encounter without having to fumble through a reload.

This pistol, also, has very little recoil and, still, fires an effective combat round that has gained a reputation in recent years for its lethality. Not an inexpensive pistol; but, for an older woman, I believe it to be ideal.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/17121

[jim]

Have you considered a .410 shotgun? Mossburg makes a really cute one with a short barrel and short stock for under 250.00. Double ought and tripple ought buckshot loads are available, and recoil isn't much. Neither is the weight.

A Highpoint carbine would work well also, just have hubby charge it prior to his departure, and then all you have to do is release the safety and start shooting.

jim