Help me help my disabled neighbor...

Been in a wheelchair since I was 28, and there's some good advice so far. I would also try and get him to practice shooting with either hand. You can't fire and move a wheelchair around very easy, being able to fire with either hand makes it a lot easier to stay put and still cover all angles.

He'll chose the type weapon that he's comfortable with, and with you teaching him technique, he should learn the safe way. The fanny pack is a good idea, I use a regular backpack...and have carried a Cobray M9/11 in there with no problems. There are many places on a wheelchair to adapt for a firearm.;)
 
Wanting a firearm to protect oneself is understandable, wheelchair or not.

Since your friend is considering a gun, the first thing I would do is get him a copy of Massad Ayoob's book, "In The Gravest Extreme. After he reads that, then I would have him take a basic "safety" class. Hopefully he will get the opportunity to talk with a few people about different guns, and shoot a few. That will help him better decide.

Then I would proceed to a range where he could rent different guns and have him try them on for size. With all that said, the simplest defensive handgun to operate is a Double Action Revolver, of which I am a fan of. The negative to the revolver is of course the limited capacity, and the amount of time it takes to reload. Those issues can be dealth with through training and tactics.

I've come to realize that people that start on revolvers seem to more aware of the limited ammo capacity and tend to make their shots count better. Heck, even my groups are tighter with a revolver than with my Glock 19. If you can really learn to "run" a wheelie, it's a piece of cake to transition over to an autoloader. The same cannot be said in reverse, IME.

Also, since this is a first gun, if he goes with a revolver, I'd suggest a .357 Magnum even if he loads it with 38 Special loads. In fact I would urge him to use 38 Specials until he got better. If he goes with an autoloader I would urge him to go with a 9mm. Later on down the road he can look at moving up in caliber. What he needs right now is "trigger time", and that can get expensive.

Another thing to consider is some type of sighting device, no matter the gun. I'm a fan of the Crimson Trace Laser Grips for defensive usage. My current EDC gun is a High Power in .40 S&W with Night Sights and Crimson Trace Laser Grips. If I could only have one, it would be the Laser Grips.

Having, carrying or using a gun for self defense takes, IMO, a lot of deep forethought and isn't for the faint of heart. Too many people don't think about what happens after using their gun. Be prepared for that before you have to use your gun. That's why I say, if you really want to be a friend, get him a copy of Mas' book. :)

Take care and stay safe,

Biker
 
My 1st course of action would be to take him out shooting. Let him shoot your stuff and you can observe how well he handles the equipment - that should help settle your mind as to whether or not he will be safe with one.
Also - IF he might be inclined to be using this as an opportunity for suicide - feeling the violence of firing an arm often disuades such thoughts.......it definitely tends to make a person more respectful of arms.

My friends have worked often with Buckmasters on "disability" hunts and seeing those folks in such conditions and enjoying themselves is such a rush - so don't count anyone out because of a "challenge or disability".

If he goes ahead with a purchase, I would 2nd the idea that choice of caliber is important in an apartment situation. Magnums are probably out and some frangible ammo like Glazers would probably be a good call.

Too bad sawed-off shotguns are a no-no with the authorities - that might be the best in-house protection piece he could have. :(
 
Sigma 40 Blaster said:
Maaaaannn. This is worse than the "law enforcement and military only" philosophy of the anti's. This guy probably has a more legitimate worry about self defense than any able bodied man but I guess people are worried that physical ailments will definitely lead to dementia, suicide, and irresponsible behavior? I've seen some elitist garbage on these threads but nothing like this...apparently if you can't walk you shouldn't own a gun.
Click to expand...

Hahaha! I was getting ready to post that after reading the first few posts until i got to yours.

I would let the man shoot everything you have and see if there's something he really likes. If not I would invite some other buddies to go shooting with you and see if you neighbor likes any of their guns. At this point it should become apparent what caliber he favors and if he hasnt found a gun he likes a trip to any good gun shop should do the trick! Goodluck and thats for recruiting another gun owner!!!!
 
TexasRich,

I say introduce him to a good Glock with a NY-1 trigger. Since he has strong hands I bet he can rack it easly.

And maybe a good shotgun if he wants it.

And while you are at it, a Surefire light. I perfer the E2D so you can fight with it as well as use it as a light but I'm sure others have their perferances.

Now a NRA course or a basic handgun course would help. But a real CHL class where he learns the laws to would be even better. After all, he and you are in Texas right?

I'd help him out. He souds OK.
 
I am disabled with poor balance, weak left side strength, poor left/right coordination and walk with a cane (poor balance) quite slowly.

I prefer a revolver simply because the trigger pull is more forgiving when it comes to the variable muscle strength I experience. I found a 4" S&W 686 a really good 1st handgun.

I practice with 158 grain SJSP I load to about 50% load level (13.8 grains of Alliant 2400 with magnum CCI SP primers). I load for home security with Winchester 145 grain Silver Tip Hollow Point, or Speer 158 grain Gold Dot Hollow Point.

If your friend has strong upper body strength, these ought not be a problem. If the blast and recoil is a problem, Speer also makes 135 grain Short Barrel Gold Dot Hollow Point ammunition that I find shoots quite milder in my 4" S&W 686.

I wish your friend luck in finding a match and figure you and he will enjoy the quest. :)

I find reading this thread I have some interesting thoughts. Some of the posters sound like the 'anti-gun' group deciding who should, or should not have a gun. Some folks seem to think the gun will be used for evil purposes by the poor unfortunate individual, who really cannot be trusted. Some speculate on him shooting a drunk in error.

I can only offer that I would have liked a friend help me shoot a few different handguns before I made my 1st choice. I was fortunate to have a gunsmith/gun shop that I used before I became disabled help guide me in my 1st choice, the S&W 4" 686.

If the guy is not a fellon, an American citizen, and has not been adjudicated incompetent, then why does he not have the right to buy a handgun. If he has that right, why not help a disabled citizen in that quest ?
 
Last edited:
If the guy is not a fellon, an American citizen, and has not been adjudicated incompetent, then why does he not have the right to buy a handgun. If he has that right, why not help a disabled citizen in that quest ?
Click to expand...

I agree, and if you look at my post you will see that I recommended training and knowledge, as I would for anyone.

I prefer to see a beginner start off with a good instructor to prevent any "bad habits" developing at the start.

Biker
 
I would have to echo the remarks of Jim March in post number 16 of this thread. I also would highly recommend a revolver due to its simplicity and effectiveness. I have carried and still do carry a revolver on many occasions. I prefer carrying a .357 as I can either use full-caliber loads or I can downsize to .38 Special ammunition if the need arises!
Good luck in your efforts and congrats/thank you for bringing yet another enthusiastic member to the great shooting family!! Good luck to your friend as well. May his journey be a fun and informative one!!
 
I did a whole post on modifying a fanny pack, including a "dual snap" adaptation:

http://www.thehighroad.us/showthread.php?t=407912&highlight=fanny+pack

I missed noting that I used 20lb test fishing line as the "thread" connecting the revised straps. It's tough as nails when used this way and due to the way it folds behind each latch the stitching is invisible.

The "dual snap" setup was just the easiest way to go in my case, and it gives me the advantage of being able to remove the rig with either hand. But for somebody in a wheelchair, it would be particularly useful as the strap behind you can be left in place while removing the "core".
 
If he is mostly looking for a SD weapon for home use, maybe a handgun is not the best choice.

A shotgun, or some kind of carbine might be the ticket.
 
for goodness sakes, round up every gun you can lay your hands on and some buddies and theirs if possible and go shoot. most wepons will not even be a choice for him but i am sure with some help he can fire them all and will have a blast. you can teach him to shoot and help decide what he is best off with.
and you will probly have a friend for life.
i bet he will be up for some shooting anytime you are.
i have a cupple of friends and some buddies of dads and even 1 of pappies that come out to shoot that are disabled in various ways from amputations to old age. old joe is almost 100 and we hunt whisle pigs. which means we sit in old lawn chairs back at the creek and if i see one i shoot it. he swears he can see them but wont even be looking the right way. between his catnaps we have some great conversations.
so go have fun and probly make a new friend. he is disabled not demented. you will both know when you find the right gun.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top