Which Revolver for My 92 Year-old Dad?

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dgludwig

New member
My father is a retired, WWII veteran who is now in the process of getting his CCW license. He currently lives alone in a fairly high-crime neighborhood but moving from there is not feasible at this time (he can be very stubborn :(). He and my mother (now deceased) were held up at gun point in their home a few years ago by some young thugs (they were never caught and I don't think that the police spent much time or effort to affect an arrest) and only recently he was shot in the face with a pellet gun as he was getting his mail.

Though I am a retired leo and have talked with him at length concerning situational awareness, staying in the house with locked doors (my brother and I installed dead-lock bolts and back-up chains on all of his doors) after dark and basic firearm safety (including when and how to use a handgun for self-defense), I live several hours from his residency and can't be there to offer him a greater level of security. Physically, he gets around about as well as most other ninety-plus year olds do and he still has plenty of strength left in his hands.

In terms of his experience with firearms, it is relatively limited. Though he hasn't shot a gun in years, there was a time when he practiced with a .38 Special revolver (K-38), a High Standard .22 auto and a military surplus Walther P-38 (these are the guns I can remember, there may have been others). So he is not entirely unacquainted with shooting a handgun but he will require a lot of refamiliarization. However, whichever gun he gets, I don't expect it to be shot much but probably carried often and will have to serve as his only firearm for self-defense, be it home or away.

I know that, in the end, my dad will have to decide for himself which handgun feels and handles best for him. But I am asking members for their advice on which revolver (autos are pretty much ruled out as I want the gun he carries to be as simple as possible to deploy and not requiring any malfunction drills) might be best for him in terms of ease of carry (weight) and concealment (size); adequate "stopping power"-but relatively easy to shoot re recoil; what barrel length and frame size; laser sight or not and some degree of affordability (though my brothers and I are going to chip-in on the expense). I am thinking that a da only, concealed hammer configured revolver might be best-but, maybe not. Mode of carry is another issue that has to be decided.

I'm aware that no one handgun can do all things. I guess I'm interested in getting the one revolver that best takes all of the necessary compromises into account when deciding on the best balance for the contingencies my father faces.

All advice, suggestions, inputs and insights are welcomed and appreciated. Thanks.
 
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These things are always tough. For ease of carry a S&W J frame or Ruger LCR comes to mind, but for a 92 year old the trigger pull on the J frame or LCR might be a tad heavy for him to get accurate shots off. I would recommend a S&W model 19 or 66 in the 2.5' snub configuration, the 66 is the stainless version and the 19 is the blued version. They have very good triggers and he has the option of using .357 or .38 special. The 19 and 66 are bigger and heavier than the J frames but still manageable to conceal. If he doesn't mind something with a longer barrel length he cant go wrong with a S&W model 10.

By the way it really makes me sick to hear that some punks shot your 92 year old father with a pellet gun and held them up at gunpoint in their home. Society as we know it is going in the dumps.
 
Only your father can make that decision. I feel for reliabity, function and simplicity a S&W model 10 or 64 4 inch barrel revolver would be a good choice. In a self defense situation either revolver will do the job if your father does his job. I still think for most folks a 4 inch revolver is the ideal home defense weapon.
Good luck,
Howard
 
Ease of carry may be very important. For ease of carry, I would suggest the Ruger LCR in 38spl or something like a S&W 642/442 or similar depending on whether or not he would prefer a hammer. For self defense and carry, I do not want the hammer. That forces you to shoot double action which is a good thing. The fact that you can put the gun easily in your pocket makes carrying easier and he is less apt not to slip it into his pocket.

The other approach is to suggest something that he will be familiar with. That would probably be either a Colt (something like a Detective Special) or snub nose S&W with a steel frame in 38spl. Obviously, both of these will be heavier than the real light revolver but make the recoil easier to handle. They will be less pocketable. I would not go with a 357 mag revolver due to recoil issues.

Unfortunately, I lean toward two revolvers; one for inside the house, and one to carry when he goes off to the store or where ever. With a house revolver, the choice of barrel length and weight becomes a non-issue as long as it is something he is comfortable with (probably 4"). But if I were to go with one, it would be something he can carry if he chooses to without a lot of fuzz. So I agree with you initial thoughts on the subject.

If he wants something in 22, I would go with the Ruger LCR-22 or something small and light. Don't dismiss the 22 outright because it is not considered a good self defense choice.
 
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For ease of carry a S&W J frame or Ruger LCR comes to mind, but for a 92 year old the trigger pull on the J frame or LCR might be a tad heavy for him to get accurate shots off.
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That's a big concern of mine, too. I'm going to have to have him do some trigger-pulling before an intelligent decision can be made.

By the way it really makes me sick to hear that some punks shot your 92 year old father with a pellet gun and held them up at gunpoint in their home.
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Dragline45, you have no idea how angry I am about this nor the angst and worry concerning his welfare that I feel everyday. Thanks for your thoughts and advice.

For ease of carry, I would suggest the Ruger LCR in 38spl
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This revolver is high on my slate of candidates too, 22-rimfire, but I am bothered by the recent accounts from some TFL posters who reported experiencing long trigger resets and, worse, that when short-changing the reset, their LCRs became inoperable, requiring a return trip to Ruger for a fix. Thanks for your suggestions.

I still think for most folks a 4 inch revolver is the ideal home defense weapon.
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So do I, roaddog28, but I think a K-frame with a 4" barrel might be a little on the big and heavy side for concealed carry. I have given the Model 12 some thought, but they are kind of hard to find in my area, and plenty pricey when you do. Thanks for your input.
 
If you can find one, an all-steel S&W K-Frame or Ruger Six Series revolver with a 2-3" barrel would seem like a good all-around gun. Also, if you don't think he will maintain it well, stainless steel would probably be preferable. If you can't find a revolver of that size, an all-steel S&W J-Frame or Ruger SP101 with a 3" barrel would be a good alternative so long as he can manage the DA trigger (small frame revolvers usually have heavier triggers than medium and large frame revolvers due to their smaller, lighter hammers).

Something else to consider would be getting a medium to large sized dog so long as it wouldn't be too difficult for him to care for. Something like a lab would not only be a good addition to his home defense plan, but would also provide some companionship since your mother has passed on.
 
I will go with the Model 10 in .38 Special, unless your father cannot handle a double action revolver. (If he can't handle DA, he probably won't be very adept at SA either.)

There are very reasonably priced police trade-ins on the market that would make excellent SD guns.

I would generally rule out autoloaders because older folks sometimes have problems loading magazines and retracting the slide.

Jim
 
Getting somewhat "up there" myself, I would respectfully suggest an Airweight (aluminum frame) S&W 5-shot revolver for your Dad, WITH a hammer (Model 37, IIRC - although newer versions might have a different #).

The J-frame's size, with the Airweight/aluminum frame option, makes for an easier CCW - and the hammer makes for E-Z cocking if/when occassional hand weakness may set in ( a perc of the Golden Years).

In a modern lightweight revolver, the Ruger LCR is great, but has no hammer - which could be a deal breaker for anyone experiencing finger/hand weakness and/or arthritis.

Having some experience with the ammo, I would also suggest using "perp ammo" for CCW - something like Glaser Safety Slugs (my fave) or other frangible ammo gives low recoil, but fierce results on a human torso.
I wouldn't think he's need the JSP/JHP ammo option, for shooting through hard objects like auto glass, etc.

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I am not as old as your father. I am 62 years old. In addition to my pre model 10 4 inch I have a model 36 no dash. The problem with the J frame is the trigger pull. Totally different from the model 10. Also the short barrel J frame will be less accurate. With my old eyes I can't hit anything past 10 feet. Your father should be more accurate with the 4 inch model 10. I am. I can should well double action at 7 yards. I believe the J frame short barrel revolver for most people won't be accurate past 6 to 10 feet. I would ratherly have accurately.
Just my opinion.
Howard
 
Something else to consider would be getting a medium to large sized dog so long as it wouldn't be too difficult for him to care for. Something like a lab would not only be a good addition to his home defense plan, but would also provide some companionship since your mother has passed on.
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Very interesting that you would suggest the canine option, Webleymkv. This has been a topic of conversation and interest between members of my family and me for the last couple of months or so. From a dog lover's perspective (me), I'm focused on the companionship aspect (though the security factor is a decided "plus"). My father is still grieving over the loss of his wife (they were married for 72 years prior to her passing) and I know how a dog can help fill a void in loneliness. His ability to give a dog the care it needs and deserves is the main sticking point and I'm not sure if this issue will ever be resolved, unfortunately.
 
Model 10 or 64 round-butt 2" is one option. The model 15s were also offered in 2", but only in the square butt variety.

Full steel frame for recoil control, round butt (except the 15) and 2" barrel for concealability, K-frame trigger.

I just bought a very nice 2" model 64 through Gunbroker for under $500 so they are available, you just have to be willing to look, wait, and in some cases recognize the cost and pay up.

I know you wanted to rule out autos, but something to think about is the Beretta .32 autos (3032 Tomcat). Tip-up barrel means he wouldn't have to rack the slide to load it, and for loading the mags there are tools like the UpLula loader if he has trouble.

32 isn't a great caliber but the key is to find something he'll actually carry so that when he needs it, he has it. My mother-in-law (who passed away last year) kept her Beretta .25 in a pocket all the time. She had a steel J-frame too but never carried it because it was too heavy.

Something else to consider is a J-frame and have the action smoothed up by a professional gunsmith. I bought a new S&W 642 last year through GunGenie that came with a factory trigger job. It REALLY makes a difference with the J-frame trigger. They had a limited number of both the 642s and 442s for sale with that option but unfortunately they are sold out. Still, you can have it done by a gunsmith.

For carry for the K-frames, I'd suggest a decent OWB pancake holster and a quality belt designed for carrying, and then just wear a jacket or sweater over it.

The J-frame or small auto works fine in a front pants pocket.

Edit- You had mentioned the S&W model 12 Airweight - there are several posted for sale right now on Gunbroker. There's what looks like a pretty nice one with a "buy now" price of $425. Round butt 2" version. Heck if I hadn't already blown my gun budget, I'd pick that one up myself.
 
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I'm only 62 ....but I am developing some arthritis in my hands...( and let me tell you this situation is horrible ) ...but we understand your concern.

With arthritis or hand issues in general ...mostly it matters what fits his hands / but sometimes a little bigger vs smaller is better when my hands hurt. So between the J and K frames...I would opt for a K frame ( mod 19 or 66 in .357 mag..) and he can put .38's or .357 mag in it...depending on how he feels. The traditional wood grips on these K frames can be an issue as well...so I've put some finger groove - rubber - Hogue grips on some of the revolvers I carry - lets me hang onto them a little better / and absorbs some of the recoil too.

To me....in a good IWB leather holster ..like a Kramer...there isn't really much difference between the feel of a J or K frame.

http://www.kramerleather.com/produc...&model=19/66 4&CFID=24239505&CFTOKEN=60993981

This is the Kramer rig I use - IWB, with a forward tilt...and it fits both my model 19's or 66's in 4" ...and I have a model 66 in 2 1/2" that will ride in it from time to time as well. I find it pretty comfortable.

Personally the weight of a K frame in a 4" is comforting to me ...and I shoot it way better than the shorter 2 1/2" because of the length of the sight plane/ and old bad eyes...

I also like the traditional K frame - with the hammer ---because I can cock the gun with the thumb of my off hand...a technique I learned a long time ago / makes me a little slower...but a lot more accurate in single action / although I can and do practice in double action too.

Model 19's and 66's should be available for under $ 600 ...for a good clean example ...maybe one with some holster wear a little cheaper - but they're solid guns that won't let him down.
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I know you said no semi-autos....but another gun that is easy to manipulate ...is a Sig 239 ( even with my bad hands) ...and in a typical DA/SA Sig trigger...and 8+1 in 9mm ...and Hogue rubber finger groove grips on it ..its a surprisingly soft shooting gun ...alloy frame / stainless slide...just the standard model ...and a Kramer rig ...either IWB or even a scabbard...make it really easy to wear...and lighter than the K frame revolver options. He wouldn't have to mess with the safety ....could still cock the hammer and shoot it in Single action if he wanted...

http://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProductDetails/p239.aspx

If I were you --- I'd buy both for him / let him go to the range a couple times a week ..and let him work it out.
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No matter what you decide ....I hope he does well - and stays safe !
 
There are plenty of great old reliable dogs at shelters. Maybe a small terrier. I just got a s&w 642 airframe. Love it. But lots of recoil.
Talk to his neighbors. Years ago a vet across the street roped me into mowing and shoveling. I resented it at first. Now I treasure the time I spent with Fred. I still miss that guy.
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If I were making the decision, I would try to find a S & W Victory model in 38 spl. He should be able to identify with it as they were issued in WW2. You could have a gunsmith smooth up the action for an easier trigger pull. They were issued to military personnel in the 60s. They were 38 spl.
 
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As stated by others, a DA revolver is preferable because somedays my old hands can only handle a light SA trigger pull. If I were a one SD gun old timer, I'd look for an short butt Colt Detective Special and grip it with Pachmayr Compacs.
 
I'm being somewhat presumptive here, as a newbie. But thinking about it, I'd suggest an N frame S&W .357 with 4 or 6 inch barrel. As someone else mentioned load it with .38's. The weight would offset any recoil. Someone your fathers age might have a problem with the weight but you said he's in good shape for his age, and ideally he'd scare them away without shooting, and that gun will look scary. Hope I'm not too out of line...
 
You mentioned that your dad had plenty of strength in his hands. You also mention that he is in the process of getting a CCW permit.

For these reasons, I don't like the K frame (harder to conceal) or any airweight (brisker recoil). I'm thinking something like a S&W 49 (steel frame bodyguard), 649 (SS model 49) or a model 40 / 640. I chose these two because I see no reason for him to have a hammer and I think an all steel gun in this case would be best. In a real scenario, he will be shooting DA most likely anyways. The hammer shooting would be easier to practice with, but since draw and shoot is most likely, practicing DA would be best. The model 49 is shrouded hammer J frame, and the 40 is the centennial model(s) which are hammerless. The 49 would be a compromise, because it has the hammer if you really want to be bothered, but it is shrouded so there isn't a snag risk.

I really like the idea of the S&W 649 or 640 best because the durability of SS is an advantage (of course you can carry blued or nickel guns). SS means no storage or carry worries, can store it however. 5 shots is plenty. 38 special is very adequate for SD. You have the option of 38+P (esp with 649 or 640). No hammer makes for a simpler concept (what if he was trying to cock it and then dropped it or something? He is 92).

Of course a Colt would be good and some may recommend a Charter Arms, but I have no experience with them. I don't think a Taurus is worth the money saved, and I think a Ruger LCR being so light would magnify the recoil too much for quick second shot, which is important, because with him hardly shooting and being 92, it might take more than 1 shot.

If I were making the decision, I would try to find a S & W Victory model in 38 spl. He should be able to identify with it as they were issued in WW2. You could have a gunsmith smooth up the action for an easier trigger pull.
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Well all they are is a model 10, which has been around nearly unchanged for 100 years. The Victory models are 38 S&W, unless rechambered to 38 special. Not worth all the trouble. If it was original, it should be preserved and if it was cogswell harrison gun, there are better options for CC.
 
I'd go with LCR 22 loaded with stingers.

8 rounds, so you have the capacity.

Should do the job...

No recoil would help, on the day.

Maybe have the trigger pull (DAO) lightened a bit.
 
I'd go with LCR 22 loaded with stingers.

8 rounds, so you have the capacity.

Should do the job...

No recoil would help, on the day.

Maybe have the trigger pull (DAO) lightened a bit.
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I see your logic but I don't like the idea of sub 38 cal for CC. Thinking you get more than 1 shot is wishful thinking. So it has to be a gun where 1 shot is likely to stop the person, but also a reasonable cal so that you can shoot again quickly if need be. I think a 38 special would be best for these reasons. A 357 is overkill and nasty in a snub and a 44 special is harder to conceal.
 
If it was my dad, I'd buy a revolver I really like. That's because I know he'd just put it away for me to inherit later.

Does your dad want a gun and you are helping him find the right one? Or are telling him he's getting one, what will it be?

Apparently my dad had his fill of shooting and being shot at in '45. The Arisaka he brought home as well as the various shotguns and rifles he and my mom had inherited pretty much just gathered dust until my brothers and I were old enough to take an interest in them.
 
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