Need handgun reccomendations for 80yr old.

S

Sixer

New member
I had a client in my office today that I have known for the past 6 years. Although he is old enough to be my grandfather and I consider him a close friend. Just a great guy all around, served in WWII, and grew up around guns. However, he's been out of the loop for a while now and is interested in possibly purchasing a handgun for home defense. He currently has a couple .22 pistols and a Browning shotgun... but he is really interested in .45 cal 1911. He recalled his Colt .45 in the military and how accurate it was for him. This would also give him a gun that he could keep in his vehicle when he and his wife travel.

My main concern is his ability to chamber a round. I let him try to rack the slide on my Sig (which is very tight) and he couldn't do it. I don't have a 1911 (yet) for him to try, but I'm not sure how much difference it would make. I know that he is fond of the Colt 1911's but I'm wondering if a revolver may be the best choice.

Oh and we are dealing with a $600 - $800 price range.

I appreciate any suggestions!
 
Maybe a .45 ACP revolver is in order? If he wants a 1911, have him cock the hammer back on it before he racks the slide.

It's easier to pull the slide back with the hammer out of the way.
 
Perhaps a far cry from a 1911, but the Beretta Cheetah 86, shambered for 380 ACP, has a tip-up barrel, so it can be loaded cocked and fired without having to rack the slide. Not a 45, but possibly better suited to an 80 year old, who will not be getting any younger.

No longer made, but can be found for 450-600 if you're patient.
 
I think anyone with dexterity problems would be better served with a revolver. If he wants a .45 he can have someone like yourself load some full moon clips for him, got to be the easiest way to remove empties and reload the cylinder. I love my 1917 great shooting gun.
 
Wow, that's something to be appreciated...
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No doubt! He is actually 81 (close to 82) but this man left his small midwest hometown at the age of 17 for the first time in his life to serve his country. He made it out to the west coast, they put him on a submarine (looked more like a big tin can in the picture) and off he went. How's THAT for your first road trip! I honestly can't even begin to imagine...
 
I recommend the FNH FiveseveN because it is;

* Very easy to rack the slide
* Magazines load very easily, AR15 style
* Soft recoil
* full grip
* Easy trigger
* Ammo is plentiful

The FiveseveN is a very easy gun for the infirm , aged or arthritic to operate. It's only flaw is the hefty price, but $800 may be doable for a used one. I paid $700 for mine.
 
IMHO he's basically already set up with the .22 pistols and the Browning shotgun.

Anyone who says a .22 is BS for home defense, have them stand up straight and let someone shoot them ten times in the chest with one.

If your main concern is his ability to rack the slide, and he couldn't rack the slide on your Sig,...umm, how much more effective do you suppose his performance may be if he's startled awake in the middle of the night?

If he wants a .45, fine, have him buy a .45. Whatever.

But in terms of being able to manipulate the firearm and put the rounds where they need to go, I suspect your 80-year old client might be better off loading his .22 pistols and the 12 gauge and calling it good.

It isn't the size of the bullet that counts, its being able to put it exactly where you need it to be.

"Ten to the chest, and the shotgun for the rest!" ;)
 
People served in WW2 at 16?
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Different time and a different country back then. Remember that the "system" wasn't as developed then and it was much easier to lie about your age if you were so inclined.
 
The LAST gun somebody infirm will still be able to effectively defend themselves with will be a full-size 22LR autoloader with a LIGHT slide spring - Browning Buckmark or similar. I think Beretta has something along these lines. Ruger is out - the slide part is very small and the spring is therefore very heavy.

10 rounds of quality 22LR ammo (CCI Stingers are GREAT) will put a hurt on somebody.

Now, he may not be at a point where he needs to go that far yet.

One possibility is a 1911 chambered in 9mm. Yeah, it's a smaller bullet but also a lighter recoil spring he might be able to cope with and the 1911 operating drill he likes.

There were also some 1911s built for use with 38Spl target wadcutters, the flat-face-at-the-shell type. Those will be even milder but they also put a GOOD hurt on for the recoil level delivered. Not easy to find but, might be able to find one with some hunting.

The 5.7 FN may not be a bad choice either. The operating drill will be alien but other than that, good stuff.

And of course there's the revolver route - but I would have him try a DA trigger first! Then again, for your price range I'll bet you could find a very slick K-Frame size. An S&W Custom Shop in "barely used" condition may be in your price class, or have a gunsmith slick something up. Or find a used PPC gun in the $500 range, have the barrel chopped back to about 4" and custom front sight and you'll have the sweetest DA trigger imaginable and superb recoil control even with good 38+P combat ammo.

Good ergonomics will be crucial in anything!!!
 
I'd say use the shotgun, unless it's a 32" goose gun or something. I really like a 20" barrelled pump for HD myself.

Other than that, have him try a 5" 1911 with a standard weight spring. If he can't rack it using a proper overhand technique then almost all autoloaders are probably out. A large .357 or .45 DA revolver would be the next logical choice.
 
Interesting and helpful replies... I appreciate it.

I think a trip to the range is in order. I should also mention that the spring on my Sig is really stiff. Also, he may be 81 but the man doesnt look a day over 70. Not a frail old man at all... just doesn't have the strength he once had. I think he could handle the recoil of a .45 alright.

I still think it's going to be a toss up between a 1911 and a revolver of some kind. I'll make sure he has a chance to handle and shoot as many guns as possible before he makes that decision though.
 
I think you need to think about the next few years also. I gave my 86 year old father a Glock 19 a few years ago. He could rack the slide then, but the last range trip I noticed he could not easily do this task. He did not say anything, but took out his Ruger Mark III .22 and practiced with it.
 
I got my grandpa who is around 80 as well a Taurus revolver. Shoots .357/.38 and he loves it. It's a really accurate, easy to shoot, easy to maintain handgun.
 
laser gun. its got no recoil. no moving parts. it even comes with a laser sight. you plug it in every night to recharge it.

what? we dont have those yet?

i dont know the man, but i would not give him a 45.

they have 22 magnum rounds which would serve as a good HD/SD. ease of use, mild recoil, and its cheap
 
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