semi_problomatic
New member
SIG .40 doesn't recoil all that bad. But its a good point. I'm hoping she doesn't NEED it at all, or if she does the first shot runs them off. At least until I can get her something she can handle.
Gun for grandma...
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semi_problomatic
New member
Thanks msuforeman, pm sent.
Drummer101
New member
Sounds like single action revolver time.
carguychris
New member
To expand a bit on the SA revolver idea, I'd like to make a specific recommendation if she has smallish hands:
The Cimarron / Uberti Lightning* with the 4-3/4" or 3-1/2" barrel, chambered in .38Spl / .38LC. (The barrel is rollmarked ".38 LONG COLT" for authenticity, but the gun is actually chambered in .38 Special.)
The bird's head grip frame is unusually comfy for those with small hands, and the gun's weight IMHO strikes a perfect balance between being heavy enough to soak up recoil while being light enough for a weaker person to hold easily. As with any standard Colt SAA-type guns, it requires almost no hand strength to load and operate, although the action is an authentic copy of a SAA, so the gun should be carried "five up" with an empty chamber under the hammer.
FWIW the Model "P" Jr. is comparable in size- i.e. scaled down from standard SAA proportions- but it has a standard SAA-style grip.
*FOOTNOTE: For those of you familiar with the original Colt Model 1877 "Lightning" but unfamiliar with the Cimarron, the latter does NOT have (unreliable and fragile) double-action lockwork like the former; it's a lookalike that operates like a standard SAA.
The Cimarron / Uberti Lightning* with the 4-3/4" or 3-1/2" barrel, chambered in .38Spl / .38LC. (The barrel is rollmarked ".38 LONG COLT" for authenticity, but the gun is actually chambered in .38 Special.)
The bird's head grip frame is unusually comfy for those with small hands, and the gun's weight IMHO strikes a perfect balance between being heavy enough to soak up recoil while being light enough for a weaker person to hold easily. As with any standard Colt SAA-type guns, it requires almost no hand strength to load and operate, although the action is an authentic copy of a SAA, so the gun should be carried "five up" with an empty chamber under the hammer.
FWIW the Model "P" Jr. is comparable in size- i.e. scaled down from standard SAA proportions- but it has a standard SAA-style grip.
*FOOTNOTE: For those of you familiar with the original Colt Model 1877 "Lightning" but unfamiliar with the Cimarron, the latter does NOT have (unreliable and fragile) double-action lockwork like the former; it's a lookalike that operates like a standard SAA.
RedBowTies88
New member
As was said before you should really look into a longgun for granny. A pistol cal carbine like a Hipoint .45 or 9mm should be perfect. easy to operate and very light.
semi_problomatic
New member
Might also look into teaching her a modified belt rack... Not sure of the real name, but maybe using a table or nightstand to push the gun down on to clear a jam or load the gun... Just thinking out loud incase anyone else comes across this.
aarondhgraham
New member
TailGator makes a good point,,,
But even better, the Beretta 3032 Tomcat is chambered for .32 ACP,,,
It's not a .45 but it does beat the .22 and .25 cartridges.
The best thing is the external hammer,,,
Once you chamber the first round using the tip-up barrel,,,
You can manually pull back the hammer avoiding the hard pull of the DA trigger.
The pistol becomes a single-action shooter,,,
With a capacity of 8 relatively powerful rounds,,,
And even in this small a gun the recoil should not be too harsh.
This might be the gun for grandma.
Aarond
.
But even better, the Beretta 3032 Tomcat is chambered for .32 ACP,,,
It's not a .45 but it does beat the .22 and .25 cartridges.
The best thing is the external hammer,,,
Once you chamber the first round using the tip-up barrel,,,
You can manually pull back the hammer avoiding the hard pull of the DA trigger.
The pistol becomes a single-action shooter,,,
With a capacity of 8 relatively powerful rounds,,,
And even in this small a gun the recoil should not be too harsh.
This might be the gun for grandma.
Aarond
.
m&p45acp10+1
New member
A few points to go over when thinking about a gun for grandma. Also for guns for her to try out. Several things should be considered. Then I will tell you the one that my grandma carried, and kept for defense around the house.
1 Osteperosis - many elederly women suffer from this. It would not take heavy recoil to break a woman's hand that has this condition. My grandma had this problem.
2 Arthritis - makes it hard for her to get a good grip to rack a slide, also affects hand strength, and dexterity for pulling the trigger. Try to keep range sessions shorter so if a short time later she needs to use it, she can still hold it, and operate it. (Grampa modified a Ruger MkII with a ring like a pair of brass knuckles welded so grandma could rack the slide on it.)
There are other things to consider though I thought mentioning them may be helpful.
My grandma carried a gun when it was not legal do so. She was old, and worked late nights at a truck stop in the middle of nowhere. She carried a Ruger MKII I mentioned the mods made earlier. Before she carried a Colt Python. When arthritus, and osteperosis caught up with her she had to switch. .38 spcl even in the heavy gun rand the risk of breaking her hand. It would serve for the first shot, though if her hand broke she would more than likely drop it.
I will say the Ruger is no toy. It is quite deadly. Grandma could empty a mag into the head of a B27 at 15 yards as fast as she could pull the trigger. I still have it in my safe. The trigger, and manual of arms are more times than not just the ticket for arthritic, aging hands, and it will not break grandma's wrist, or hand.
1 Osteperosis - many elederly women suffer from this. It would not take heavy recoil to break a woman's hand that has this condition. My grandma had this problem.
2 Arthritis - makes it hard for her to get a good grip to rack a slide, also affects hand strength, and dexterity for pulling the trigger. Try to keep range sessions shorter so if a short time later she needs to use it, she can still hold it, and operate it. (Grampa modified a Ruger MkII with a ring like a pair of brass knuckles welded so grandma could rack the slide on it.)
There are other things to consider though I thought mentioning them may be helpful.
My grandma carried a gun when it was not legal do so. She was old, and worked late nights at a truck stop in the middle of nowhere. She carried a Ruger MKII I mentioned the mods made earlier. Before she carried a Colt Python. When arthritus, and osteperosis caught up with her she had to switch. .38 spcl even in the heavy gun rand the risk of breaking her hand. It would serve for the first shot, though if her hand broke she would more than likely drop it.
I will say the Ruger is no toy. It is quite deadly. Grandma could empty a mag into the head of a B27 at 15 yards as fast as she could pull the trigger. I still have it in my safe. The trigger, and manual of arms are more times than not just the ticket for arthritic, aging hands, and it will not break grandma's wrist, or hand.
How about a Ruger single ten?
I have problems with both my hands that limit my thumb and finger strength. A double action trigger pull is very difficult and controling them is near impossible for me. But single action revolvers have a tall enout hammer, from the pivot point to the spur, that I can work them.
A single ten gives her ten shots.
I have problems with both my hands that limit my thumb and finger strength. A double action trigger pull is very difficult and controling them is near impossible for me. But single action revolvers have a tall enout hammer, from the pivot point to the spur, that I can work them.
A single ten gives her ten shots.
Walklightly
Moderator
I was thinking 22 but I see you think it's a "Toy".
No real recoil for fast fallow up shot's.
Why not have the trigger worked on the .38, then load it with light recoil wadcutters?
No real recoil for fast fallow up shot's.Why not have the trigger worked on the .38, then load it with light recoil wadcutters?
PK380
I'm thinking a .22 might actually be a good option here, but another one to consider is the walther pk380. I picked one up for my girlfriend. Its got a nice small grip, unbeleivably easy to rack the slide, minimal recoil, and holds 8 rounds. Its also DA/SA, so the trigger will be lighter after the first shot should she choose to keep it hammer down. 3 different women have shot it and all enjoyed it, including one who had never shot a pistol.
Ours did have some failures to extract when I first got it. I'd recommend you take it to the range and break it in good before leaving it with your grandma should you get one.
I'm thinking a .22 might actually be a good option here, but another one to consider is the walther pk380. I picked one up for my girlfriend. Its got a nice small grip, unbeleivably easy to rack the slide, minimal recoil, and holds 8 rounds. Its also DA/SA, so the trigger will be lighter after the first shot should she choose to keep it hammer down. 3 different women have shot it and all enjoyed it, including one who had never shot a pistol.
Ours did have some failures to extract when I first got it. I'd recommend you take it to the range and break it in good before leaving it with your grandma should you get one.
Catfishman
New member
This is a very serious issue. You might talk to her about moving again. She lives in one of the most dangerous places in North America.
I would recommend taking her to a gun store and have her dry fire medium sized .38 special until she finds one she can handle.
When it comes to frail adults small guns are even worse than large ones. Simple revolvers are usually best.
I would recommend taking her to a gun store and have her dry fire medium sized .38 special until she finds one she can handle.
When it comes to frail adults small guns are even worse than large ones. Simple revolvers are usually best.
i dont see why your looking at anything but a kel tec pf9 ruger lc9 or kahr cm9. all of these are powerful, small, reliable, and dont have manual safeties just long DOA triggers that are very smooth and easy to pull. not to mention they are priced very reasonably. My grandmother has a 5 shot 22 mag in her nightstand and can shoot the A$$ off a gnat at 15 yards. Then again missouri girls are all born tough lol.
Install 10-8 sights and/or Trijicon HDs and she's set.
Of course, there are other modifications such as this:
https://www.google.com/search?q=glo...L&biw=1144&bih=489&sei=fcSHT8ShKOajiQLS6628Cw
You can also consider a revolver with a trigger job and a reliable load that works with said trigger job.
My 686+ breaks at about 6lbs and haven't had a misfire in 300 rounds.
Lost Sheep
New member
Corneredcat.com - by a woman, for women and men
Corneredcat.com is a web site (which I am surprized has not been mentioned before) that is VERY GOOD.
If she can lift the gun, you can rack the slide. It's a matter of technique.
A long gun is easier to aim and to hit with and there is a lot more power available in a "Sweet Sixteen Gauge" than any handgun.
Good luck to you and to your Grandma
Lost Sheep
Corneredcat.com is a web site (which I am surprized has not been mentioned before) that is VERY GOOD.
If she can lift the gun, you can rack the slide. It's a matter of technique.
A long gun is easier to aim and to hit with and there is a lot more power available in a "Sweet Sixteen Gauge" than any handgun.
Good luck to you and to your Grandma
Lost Sheep