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What to recommend for an elderly lady? If anything?
- Thread starter sserdlihc
- Start date
While SA revolvers are not typially at the top of the list when it comes to self defense guns, in this case it may be worth considering. Two that come to mind are a Ruger Single Six .32 H&R Mag (some came with short grips even)--still a relative pussycat to shoot with Georgia Arms' nice 100 Gr JHPs, or the 3-1/2". Montado model of New Vaquero .357, shooting lighter/medium .38s -- or even the .45LC variant which would be lighter in overall weight, shooting midling .45 rounds. The advantage of either of these is that the hammer pull can be reasonably and safely lightened a bit without compromising the safe/functional operaration of the gun. My 4'10" 90 lb grandmother handled the old Colt SAA with aplomb back in the early 1900s Arizona frontier, so I'm sure this young lady could master smaller yet Rugers of the same basic--but even "safer"--design.
Not ideal, but the hammer pull, even stock, would be less of an issue, and operation more straightforward than an auto, and easier physically than a DA revolver. My vote for her: the slick, small frame and low kicking Ruger .32 SS in "Vaquerito" (fixed sight), 4-5/8" form. (Btw, Vaquerito not a Ruger term)
Not ideal, but the hammer pull, even stock, would be less of an issue, and operation more straightforward than an auto, and easier physically than a DA revolver. My vote for her: the slick, small frame and low kicking Ruger .32 SS in "Vaquerito" (fixed sight), 4-5/8" form. (Btw, Vaquerito not a Ruger term)
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bamafan4life
New member
umm u may call me crazy,(which might be the truth) but how about a lightwieght ar-15? there pretty easy to cock if u have something like this http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=282711. i mean there light easy to take the safety off balanced .223 recoil is close to non exsistanct. but of corse there expensive. also i suggest u get her one of them limb saver slip on recoil pads they make the kick of a 20 gauge close to non exsistant. and maybe a double barrel 20 gauge? like a stoeger, there cheap and reliable and alot easier for someone to remember to opperate. i can just imagine my nonny trying to find the device that realeases the slide on a pump action late at night in the dark when shes scared and nervous.
m&p45acp10+1
New member
My grandma liked the MKII Ruger and was hell on wheels with it. I saw her put every round in the kill zone shooting as fast as she could pull the trigger at 50 feet. She had arthritus, and osteoperosis. Larger calibers for some elderly women I would advise against due to osteoperosis. If the first round breaks her wrist or thumb it could mean trouble.
For recomendations for now I would say let her try a used MKII, or a Walther P-22 and see if she can work the slide. If so let her shoot it.
For recomendations for now I would say let her try a used MKII, or a Walther P-22 and see if she can work the slide. If so let her shoot it.
m&p45acp10+1
New member
I forgot to mention on grandma's MKII grampa welded a ring that she could use to rack the slide on the back of the slide. she could put her finger through the ring, and pull straight back. Her arthritus was of the awful variety, the only other gun she shot was a 10-22 which she was quite good with, saw her shoot a squirrel out of a tree from the porch, which happened to be at about 20 yards.
What to recommend for an elderly lady? If anything?
The FNH FiveseveN is perfect for the elderly.
The magazines are very easy to load, just like a AR rifle.
Recoil is very low.
The slide is light, easy to rack.
It offers a full grip.
The pistol itself, fully loaded, is very lightweight.
Fully ambidexterous.
Nothing about the gun reguires great effort or strength.
If my Mom were still alive, this is the gun I'd buy for her.
wnycollector
New member
My recomendation would be a .20, or .410 ga double barrel shotgun without external hammers.
+1 on this recommendation.
A pistol caliber rifle might also do the trick. Hi Point 995, KelTec Sub2k or Marlin camp 9 all will stop a BG in their tracks.
I forgot to mention on grandma's MKII grampa welded a ring that she could use to rack the slide on the back of the slide. she could put her finger through the ring, and pull straight back. Her arthritus was of the awful variety, the only other gun she shot was a 10-22 which she was quite good with, saw her shoot a squirrel out of a tree from the porch, which happened to be at about 20 yards.
Alright grandpa!!!
I'd bet one of those lever action hammer extentions could be made to function on a revolv... Hey, what about a levergun (Puma .38/357) with a shortish bbl?
My thinkin on that is that some older folks are somewhat intimidated with "new-fangled" stuff like semi-autos and such. And, the levergun has been around longer than even her parents were. Might run it by her- never know.
My thinkin on that is that some older folks are somewhat intimidated with "new-fangled" stuff like semi-autos and such. And, the levergun has been around longer than even her parents were. Might run it by her- never know.
Departed402
New member
Hey, what about a levergun (Puma .38/357)
There's a bright idea! Try a lever gun. They're self cocking. Get her a small caliber too. We don't want to put granny on her butt in an emergeny. .357 would do nicely.
Also, have you considered a law enforcement grade taser?
gearchecker
New member
Take the handgun to a Gunsmith to work the trigger and hammer pull
I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned finding a revolver that she can generally handle well, taking it to a master gunsmith, and having the trigger and hammer pulls worked on to lighten them to the point she can operate it safely.
My gunsmith took an old Colt DA revolver and tuned the trigger down to about 2 Lbs and the hammer pull had to be down to around 6 or 7 lbs for speed shooting.
If I remember correctly, a hammer pulls back at around 20 Lbs. for most DA revolvers right out of the S&W factory.
A master gunsmith will know exactly what to do to make the gun servicable for her.
Stick to a caliber that is within the SD margins, like a .32 or .38.
Her adrenalin will take over her Arthritis pain if the need ever arises.
Best of luck
I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned finding a revolver that she can generally handle well, taking it to a master gunsmith, and having the trigger and hammer pulls worked on to lighten them to the point she can operate it safely.
My gunsmith took an old Colt DA revolver and tuned the trigger down to about 2 Lbs and the hammer pull had to be down to around 6 or 7 lbs for speed shooting.
If I remember correctly, a hammer pulls back at around 20 Lbs. for most DA revolvers right out of the S&W factory.
A master gunsmith will know exactly what to do to make the gun servicable for her.
Stick to a caliber that is within the SD margins, like a .32 or .38.
Her adrenalin will take over her Arthritis pain if the need ever arises.
Best of luck
jersey_emt
New member
m&p45acp10+1 said:I forgot to mention on grandma's MKII grampa welded a ring that she could use to rack the slide on the back of the slide. she could put her finger through the ring, and pull straight back.
There's an aftermarket bolt racker available for the Ruger .22 LR pistols. One good thing about it is the fact that it is easily removed, unlike the more permanent ring welded to the back of the bolt.
Onward Allusion
New member
Not sure if anyone mentioned this, but how about a revolver with a trigger job? I've handled ones where the DA pull was around 5 lbs. Granted it wasn't a "hair-trigger" like something already cocked in SA mode. It would be a long LIGHT/smooth pull.
As for caliber, it's whatever she can actually handle. If she can't handle more recoil than a .22LR, it is still better than dialing 911 and waiting for help.
As for caliber, it's whatever she can actually handle. If she can't handle more recoil than a .22LR, it is still better than dialing 911 and waiting for help.
Not sure if anyone mentioned this, but how about a revolver with a trigger job?
Yes, a couple of times...
gearchecker
I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned finding a revolver that she can generally handle well, taking it to a master gunsmith, and having the trigger and hammer pulls worked on to lighten them to the point she can operate it safely.
10-96
I've never been much of a hand at Colts, but S&W's such as the Model 10 can have the hammer/trigger springs tuned (lightened) and still function quite well.
There are less things that can go wrong with a revolver, no failures to feed there, no slide that needs to be racked. The springs can be replaced with softer ones, and the trigger tuned.
What about a large frame revolver in 38/357 magnum ?
A 20Ga pump shotgun ?
It is possible to put weaker slide-springs in a auto, makes it easier to rack.
Have you thought of laser sights ?
What about a large frame revolver in 38/357 magnum ?
A 20Ga pump shotgun ?
It is possible to put weaker slide-springs in a auto, makes it easier to rack.
Have you thought of laser sights ?
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I like the idea of a .22 mag revolver. My other thought was the Walther PK380. It has very soft recoil, and it is a locked breach .380. In order to get the locked breach part to operate (instead of straight blowback), they put in a very light recoil spring. I can rack the slide with my thumb and index finger alone, it is lighter than my Sig Mosquito by a long shot.