84 year old Dad wants me to get him a gun

T

TXAZ

New member
My dad thinks he wants a small pistol. He lives in a large Texas city and becoming more concerned with crime. He used to be a pretty good shot in 1960 and he still gets around reasonably. I'm not too worried about the cost (and this won't be a straw Purchase...I'll find it and take him to the LGS).
we took him to shoot 2 years ago and he was fine. He is not frail but a 16 year old could easily overpower him.

Have any of you found a easy to use pistol (semi or revolver) that might be appropriate for my Dad? Or do you know the right questions to ask? I'm not sure I'm all that objective in this one.
 
I talked to a guy once he carrys a NAA 22 revolver, hes about 75 or so. Carry hammer down on empty chamber so only 4 shots.. Carry extra in a pouch of some sort.
 
How's his manual dexterity, and hand strength? - those are likely to be the limiting factors in what he can handle effectively.

You could scout around for a range w/ a decent selection of rentals and go from there.
 
I talked to a guy once he carrys a NAA 22 revolver, hes about 75 or so. Carry hammer down on empty chamber so only 4 shots..
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Thats silly My NAA has notch between cyl to lower hammer in This allows fully loaded and safe .

I would look to a revolver For home a used S&W model 10 4inch barell Then use wadcutter ammo . This target ammo and soft recoil but the wadcutter does good job. Before HP ammo many of us carried 148 gr wadcutters in our snubs.

I had a friend in his 80's he carried a Colt Jr in 25 auto every where he went.
 
I agree with michael t; Something like a Smith & Wesson Model 10 would be an ideal gun for your dad. It's what I gave my father when he was in his 80s.

Just remember: As we get older, muscle mass declines and we lose a lot of strength, so make sure whatever you get can be operated safely by your father.

Also, purchasing a gun for your father is not a straw purchase if you are buying it as a gift, unless, of course, for some reason he is a "prohibited person."
 
Does he still drive? I would say if he can still pass the requirements for a drivers license, then he might be OK. I am not sure of your State's driving test for older folks.

I would be most worried about his mental judgement, reasonable reaction time/reflexes and eye sight. If you are comfortable there, then OK. If you are not good with those, then he should not be driving or have a gun. It would be time for him to live with a family member or in an assisted living facility.

We owe a lot to him and his generation, but we also need to realize when to start making the payments to care for them.

From the little information you have provided, it is hard to offer sage advice.
 
So take him to the gunshop and help him pick one out. I got my dad a Glock 19 when he was 87. I took him to the range to practice shooting it a few times also. He has not gone to the range in 3 years, but he is still a member of the gun club and occasionally goes to a meeting. He still drives, and he has a pistol that he knows how to use and it makes him feel secure in his home. Help your dad out. As far as pistol, or revolver ? I would have prefered he had a revolver, as an accidental discharge is more unlikely is my opinion. The pistol has a lighter trigger pull that the revolver (a S&W 686 with .38 Spl loads). Bottom line though was I let my dad decide what he wanted and felt comfortable with. If he had changed his mind after the range trip that would have been okay. Here in California he still has a current CCW. Who am I to short sheet him ?
 
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You have not stated whether he wants this handgun just for home defense (no carry permit required) or if he intends to carry it when out in public. The size and weight would be a much more important factor if he intends to carry.
 
I agree with Hook686, spend some time with him at the gunshop. And then go shoot it together.

Someday you'll probably get the gun and you'll have a pleasant memory of your father. I lost my dad in 2005 and I wish I had done a few more things with him when I had the chance.
 
My dad is too infirm these days to shoot anything more than a .22. At 91 years, he just can't handle recoil. The only gun I have he could successfully handle other than a .22 is the FNH 5.7. This pistol is very easy to operate; the mags load easily, the slide racks easily, the contols are simple. Most of all the recoil is soft yet the round considerably more lethal than a .22lr. It's a bit big to conceal, but as a HD gun, the 5.7 is a great choice for the elderly, arthritic or infirm.
 
TXAZ
84 year old Dad wants me to get him a gun
My dad thinks he wants a small pistol. He lives in a large Texas city and becoming more concerned with crime. He used to be a pretty good shot in 1960 and he still gets around reasonably. I'm not too worried about the cost (and this won't be a straw Purchase...I'll find it and take him to the LGS).
we took him to shoot 2 years ago and he was fine. He is not frail but a 16 year old could easily overpower him.

Have any of you found a easy to use pistol (semi or revolver) that might be appropriate for my Dad? Or do you know the right questions to ask? I'm not sure I'm all that objective in this one.
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Whatever you get for him, your father should be the one picking it out. If he drives, it sounds like he still got it. So, some other questions to ask...
- Does he have any type of arthritis?
- How is his physical strength?

BTW, regardless of what some here might recommend there are definitely some bad choices for older people. Here are just some considerations - not saying they're bad choices for everyone but for most old folks in their 80's:

- NAA Mini - yeah, single action tiny bugger that requires small nimble hands/fingers to cock & shoot.

- 12 ga shotgun - always recommended by the experts because of all the myths surrounding it. It isn't the end all of home defense. It's heavy and unwieldy inside a house unless your dad is planning on carrying it on him and barricading himself at the first sound of a weird noise.

Have your dad carry on him in and around his home if possible. He will always have his weapon with him. Look into revolvers with lighter/smooth triggers whether they be new or used. A 22LR snub revolver that your dad can shoot easily is better than the 45ACP that he can't rack or shoot.
 
I believe any good reliable handgun is a LOT better than no gun if he needs one in a hurry outside the home. Even a 22 is WAY better than his bare hands.
So it's a matter of what kind of handgun he can manage and what he WILL carry on his person. It the gun is too big or too heavy he will leave it at home or in the car.

If he is not going to carry the gun on his person then he should not get a handgun at all. Get a carbine of some sort. Or if recoil is not a problem, get a shotgun.
AK 47s are very useful. Heck, even 8 year old Vietnamese girls could handle them well. They are super reliable and not too pricey.
ALWAYS use a long arm if you can. Handguns are the best weapon for anyone to buy if they intend to be armed and STAY armed all the time, because you can't schedule a life threatening emergency.
But if carry is not going to taken seriously I say again, get a rifle, carbine or shotgun.
Facing an old man with a cool head in a life and death fight; if that man was even armed with a Ruger 10/22 would not be a good plan for any young punk.
Hits count. Misses don't. Ease of hitting is important.
 
I don't think shelf life has much to do with what works and what don't.

The strength to load a magazine, work the slide, clear an obstruction, the ability to idenity a threat, accessability, and willingness, are players in the decisions to be made.

Apparently he is up to it emotionally. Only you and he can resolve any other physical or occupational stumbling bumps in the road.

If you two go out for a shooting outing, please, try not to preach or 'talk down' to the student. That is a slippery slope and can well turn counter-productive.

Have fun.

salty
 
As has been said, a S&W Model 10 with 4" barrell in .38 Special would be ideal. If he has problems with the double action pull then get a Wolff reduced power spring kit and install it for him.
 
Take him shooting yourself, before you agree to help him. Then you can assess his ability to safely handle a firearm. If he's fine....go for it. He's a free American!
 
If he wants to wear one around the house, a Ruger LCR in .38 special has a great trigger. Being a snubbie, it is not as inherently as accurate as a 4" but it sure shoots nice.
 
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