I'd checkout the Glock 43. It doesn't have a real safety but its 9mm and easy to shoot.

Good luck.

 

Actually Glock has 3 safeties all internal, the only external part is the trigger bar but all three have to work in order or the gun does nothing.

 

I'm looking for something like this too. For my mother.

So what's the more challenging thing to do, rack a slide, or draw back a hammer? I don't own a revolver. Or have arthritic hands.

 

This is my wife's biggest problem. Most slides take too much grip strength for her to rack the slide. She has the arm strength to move a slide but can't grip it tightly enough to overcome the resistance of the spring.

We've been talking about revolvers but she hasn't liked the "feel" of the ones she has tried. The problem is that the Bersa Thunder .380 fits her hand perfectly and she is a crack shot with. Anyone know of any revolvers that would "feel" the same in her hand?

 

So are we limited to handguns?

 

This may sound a bit weird, but I've purchased guns for my own use when I become elderly, on the basis that they're available now, and may not be then.

My Dad is mid-80s, and I know his friends, and nearly all of them have lost hand strength and general ability to manipulate small items. I have a variety of Beretta handguns in .32 ACP (Tomcat 3032) and .22 LR (model 21), as well as S&W J-Frames and Kahr .380 pistols.

Going on three ideas: (1) the mouse gun you have on you immediately beats the hell out of the more perfect gun "over there"; and (2) managing recoil does become more challenging when you are elderly; and (3) a solid hit with nearly anything beats a miss with a .44 Magnum; I'd recommend a round that you can handle in terms of recoil, in a platform that you feel you could have available with you and manipulate under the broadest range of environments.

A friend of mine in his 70s just bought his wife a pistol she loves, a Kel-tec in .22 Magnum. One woman I'm acquainted with has a S&W J-frame in .22 Magnum, and that works amazingly well for her. It is definitely something I'd recommend you take a look at. If one rimfire malfunctions, keep on pulling the trigger.

Its different for everyone, but I applaud you for thinking ahead and looking for something you can manipulate effectively as you age. It will happen to all of us (if we're lucky....)

Best with it.

 

Totally agree. I'd be interested to know what handgun calibers the OP has that kick too much, or will recoil too much as age advances. I too am prepared for this.

The P320 is a great gun. I have one with the manual safety and the RX model. The trigger is great on both.I happen to like a 9mm although I have other calibers. For me, it's a great gun and I look forward to the availability of the accessories like the Small grip frame, different calibers and such. I like the Medium Grip frame fine, it's better than a G19, but I'd like to see what the Small feels like.

When my late mom's grip strength began to go a few years ago, I had her keep my KelTec .22 Magnum that had just come out. She couldn't chamber a round, but could flip a safety and pull the trigger. She could not, at that point, operate a shotgun or double action revolver, which had been her mainstay for 60 years. It was also very lightweight and held 30 rounds. Not sure if she'd been able to clear a jam, although she knows how to, but since she couldn't pull the trigger on a vintage S&W 22 Model 14 that was her only choice.

Note that many of the newer .22 revolvers have very hard trigger pulls, much heavier than most comparable .38 Special guns. I like the 70's-80's Smith .22 revolvers for a better trigger pull.

Lots and lots of crooks and bad guys (and some good guys) have been killed with one well placed .22 LR or even the lowly .25 Caliber. One of my older friends with some issues just transitioned from his 1911 of the past 60+ years to a 1908 in .32.

As you say,the gun you've got with you is the gun you need.

 

I don't know that I can add to what Grotius said :thumb:

Hits count, misses don't. Yes its preferred to have a caliber that's powerful enough to do the job but remember the former.

22 magnum is a decent round. In a revolver, even a snubby with a two inch barrel its effective.

A semi-auto requires some coordination and hand strength that older people may lack which is why a revolver might be a better choice.

Charter Arms makes a line of revolvers in 9mm, 40SW, 45ACP and 44sp in addition to 38. 9mm ammo is cheaper so one in that caliber might be a consideration.

Safeties;
Handguns made today all have passive internal safeties (meaning there's no manual switch outside) that prevent the gun from being fired unless the trigger is pulled. They simply do not require a manual safety but some people prefer them which is why many models come both ways, with and without manual safeties.

Under stress, will you remember to 'flip the switch'? Training and practice is key here. Remember the K.I.S.S. principle....:thumb:

 

Hits count, misses don't. Yes its preferred to have a caliber that's powerful enough to do the job but remember the former.

22 magnum is a decent round. In a revolver, even a snubby with a two inch barrel its effective.

I agree on both counts. The self defense specific ammunition that has come out in the last couple years for short barrel .22 mag works well. Not all of the other rounds designed for shooting squirrels with a rifle will be as appropriate.

The S&W 351C holds 7 rounds and weighs 11 oz. It comes with an XS big dot sight. Simple to use, and recoil is almost nil. Not a bad choice for an experienced citizen gun.

 

This is a lot to think about. Yes, I want a handgun since I have a good number of otherwise.

Definitely, I'm most interested in low recoil. Shooting already hurts my back, so that's my primary concern. I'd marked the Glock off the list because of no safety.

Need to read this thread a few more times.

 

This is a lot to think about. Yes, I want a handgun since I have a good number of otherwise.

Definitely, I'm most interested in low recoil. Shooting already hurts my back, so that's my primary concern. I have some 22 weapons, though, and already have ammo. I'd marked the Glock off the list because of no safety.

Need to read this thread a few more times,

Glocks are fine, 10's of 1000's of officers and people carry them everyday, the secret is knowing how they work. All Glocks have 3 safeties, they are just internal.

So Glock is like a camera, point and click no having to think about any external buttons, switches, or anything else just proper grip and trigger squeeze then bang.

When you are put under stress fine motor skills go to crap, all you are left with is gross motor skills and things like external safeties become difficult if not impossible to disengage under extreme stress.

Click is the loudest sound on earth when you are expecting bang.

 

My wife has had repeated wrist surgeries on both sides and a whole bushel full of other stuff but she loves using a H&K P30 in 9mm and it doesn't hurt her.

 

Racking a slide on many handguns takes some hand strength.
If I was answering that question for myself, I might look at an AK-47 design short or regular barrel. That big bolt actuator lever sticking out makes racking the action pretty easy.
They are more accurate and powerful than a pistol, yet recoil is almost nothing if you shoulder it (at least I can't feel it, but I am not small). Ammo is cheap and plentiful, and you have 30 rounds of bang bang.

And if you neglect cleaning it, it will still probably function.

 

My father passed away in his sleep, sitting in the powered scooter he'd been in for a few years at that point. He had been a big strong man, but lost a lot of hand strength with every thing else near the end. His Ruger 32 was next to him in a holster he'd riveted to his scooter. He had it loaded with 32 H&R Mag JHP. He couldn't rack a slide, and feared he'd forget the safety on a semi; didn't like a hammer either at that point. He had had a laser grip a few years prior, but the shakes in his hand made it distracting. The big white bar front sight worked well.

 

My almost 81 year old Father uses a 4" S&W Model 10 with the 135 gr Gold Dot SB load as his primary home defense gun, back-up by a single shot 20 ga and a .44/40 Vaquero.

 

Years ago when I was working part time at a local Gun Shop range, had an older lady call saying she had a pistol that was cocked and she was unable to lower the hammer.

I told her to be very careful with it, put it in a case, or bag if she had one and bring it it, and not to speed. This was Illinois where the law at the time was cased and unloaded.

She brought the little Chiefs S&W 38 special in and I lowered the hammer and cleared the gun for her. There was nothing wrong with the gun but she was afraid to lower the hammer.

I had her practice lowering the hammer a bunch of times with the gun empty. She still was uncomfortable but left with the gun.


Point here being - I'd recommend a double action only 38 special or smaller caliber revolver for older folks. Hand strength / upper body strength is not required to load / chamber the gun.

 

my mom is 78 and has fallen in LOVE with the shield series. the .40s recoil is a little more than she likes but she shoot the crap out of the 9mm.

Only problem is she cant load the magazines or rack the slide.............

Her home protector is an old model 36 "chiefs special" revolver. She can work that thing backwards and forwards.

 

I came here wanting to pick a gun, now I want 10!

My primary home defense and everyday gun is a Ruger folding stock 22lr. I have a revolver, and it's logical to just get more practice with that, but I feel no badassery whatsoever with it.

Though I'd love an AK, I was just sorta itching for a cc weapon.

I have strong hands, and it never occurred to me that I would have a problem some day with a slide. But yeah.

Maybe at my age I should crank down on revolver practice. I have a good place to shoot.

 

Revolvers are bad ass, no slide issue, and double action. Perfect.

 

The easiest auto to manipulate for those with arthritic hands is the Beretta Bobcat. It has a tip-up barrel so there's no need to rack the slide. Just insert the magazine, then press the lever to raise the barrel. Insert a cartridge into the barrel and it's ready to go.

The pistol is available in .22 long rifle and .25 A.C.P. There is a .32 of the same size, but too many breakage problems have occurred. I have had a .22 for a number of years and just bought a .25. They're both fine shooters.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beretta_21A_Bobcat

 

If you can handle the 380 ACP(don't laugh smart asses) then yes you can handle the 9x19
but the SIG is cool and modern 380 ammo like Hornady Critical Defense will do what you need it too
Buy the Gun that fits your hand that you like and can shoot well
the ammo price difference isn't that much

 

If you can handle the 380 ACP(don't laugh smart asses) then yes you can handle the 9x19

Not necessarily true. At 60 I would have laughed if you told me that by 72 I would be unable rack a 9mm semi, but now that I AM 72 I find that it's only too true. Arthritis has me in its' grip, and it ain't going away. But I can manage my Polish Makarov. Nice little gun, but if I ever do start carrying daily (hardly necessary in my peaceful rural neighborhood) it will be backup to a .357 revolver. The much-loved Hi-Powers are gone to live with younger, stronger hands. Every so often I try out plastic 9mms at a gun show, in hopes that there might be one that I could handle, but no. So revolvers it is, and if I'm home and need more than six, it'll be the New York Reload, (another revolver).

 

OP, although difficult to find, look for a revolver in .327 Magnum. The recoil isn't too bad and with proper ammunition just might be what you're looking for.

 

+1. A great revolver, but the ammo is scarce around here. :thumb:

 

S&W J-frame in .22 Magnum

Smith and Wesson Kit Gun

Get a used model through Gunbroker.

22LR or Magnum, does not really matter.

Perfect

http://www.shootingtimes.com/handguns/handgun_reviews_classic_kit_guns_101210/

 

Just a thought for consideration. My 74 year old mother cannot pull back the slide on any semi-auto pistols therefore she has three different revolvers. Just sent my J Frame 638 home with her a month ago.

 

I'm an old person - 66 - some arthritis but still have good strength and dexterity .

My really old person firearms will be a 22 handgun and rifle . At some point I'll sell the rest . The shotgun will be the first to go .
The 22 firearms I have now are very easy to manipulate . Don't need much strength .

 

I think a good old person gun would be the Ruger Mark IV pistol .

The bolt is much easier to work than the slides on most semi autos . Too bad they don't make a 9 mil version .

 

Interesting post. I just bought a Mark IV to teach my sons because that is what my grandfather used to teach me when I was a kid. He never used his 45 or his 38 special. I'm wondering if that wasn't because of age. Huh?

Maybe, when we are young we shoot 22lr, grow up and move through all the calibers but slowly return to the trusty 22lr. I haven't shot a desert Eagle in years. I don't shoot my big guns, Berreta, Glock, Colt 45s, anymore. I'm down to a Glock 43 and a Mark 2 and 3. (IV, When it gets back from the recall)

GREAT OBSERVATION!!! And great thread!!

 

This is an excellent question and I see there were many with sage information. I would like to thank the OP and those who took the time to respond. I too am getting up in my years 60 is coming down the road much faster than I thought it would. I am starting to feel soreness in my wrists too. My favorite carry is my SW 642 as well as my Glock 17. I never really thought about a 22 as a carry gun but, as I age I will have to consider this as an option. Once again my thanks to OP and those who submitted various options. Be safe all, my thanks from The Big Sky Country, Montana.

 

I’ve been a firearms instructor for over 40 years. LE, Military and Civilian. I’m still active in the doing so.
For the last 5 years I’ve been running a Woman’s Only Firearms and Self Defense Class. I have ladies from 14 (with her mother) to 86 being my oldest student. But many elderlies.

First, I’m going to say I don’t like to recommend a firearm to anyone, not all of us are the same. My club and I provide several different types of guns for the students to try, to find out what fits them before they buy.

I will say, against my better judgement that two types do seem to pop up as the more popular. One being the Ruger LC series, the other the Smith & Wesson J Frame.

Some women have difficulty working the action on even the small semis. The small revolvers work better for them. Some don’t like the heavier trigger pull and the small semis work better.

You should try each to see what fits you.

Second don’t think you have to have a heavy caliber. Yeah they might be better, BUT, not if you cant shoot them. I’ve run across students who cant handle the 9mm, but are deadly with the 380. Therefore 380 would be a much better choice for them.

Also stay away from pistols with safeties. The less you have to worry about the better you are. Safety or not, no modern gun will go off if you keep your finger off the trigger.

In panic situations, people tend to forget the safety and try and shoot, then a pose, OOOPs, disengage the safety and shoot. I see this every night in class. And this in on a range practicing, how much more it stress going to be in a self defense situation.

But again, the best advise in choosing a self defense handgun is to try as many as possible to find one that fits you. You choose, not what others on the internet or even the instructor recommends. A good instructor will watch you shoot, then have you switch guns until you find one that fits YOU, and one that you can work without any effort or even thinking about. It should be the biggest caliber you can shoot COMFORTABLY and also small enough to conceal based on YOUR clothing choice.

Not all of us are the same, a perfect example, I carry a Smith J frame in my pocket. My wife couldn’t get a bullet in her jean pockets. Silly I know, but it proves a point, not all of us are the same.

 

9mm and centrfires are fine but you may be downgrading again later. Most likely 'very last gun ever' is a light 22LR which you will be able to fire and keep on target until you are ancient. And it will defend you. My grandad was a world war vet, former forestry worker, still upright and driving his car at 92, but he couldn't handle much weight or shock to his hands by his 80's.

 

Great thread! I'm in my 60s, small, with child sized hands. This really helps me hone in on what I need to get for the remaining time I'm here. Thank you.

 

Get a .327 Federal mag or a .32 H&R mag revolver...You can shoot it single action if you don't have the hand strength for double action...No slides to rack, safeties to remember to flick and a powerful cartridge that is easy in recoil.

Both of my wife's septuagenarian parents bought one...He giving up his precious .44 spec and she, her prized .357 mag...Which they were kind enough to give to two of our daughters.