semi's and arthritis

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nightbuck

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I have a friend that likes semi automatic pistols, but he has arthritis in his hands and finds it difficult to pull them back to chamber the first round.
He would like something larger than a .25 caliber.
Are there any brands/models/sizes that seem to be easier to pull back?
Is there something a gunsmith could do to help? Any suggestions you have would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
I know how he feels, as I am having much the same problem with my hands. Big pistols are out of the question because I can no longer rack the slide. Consequently I turned to revolvers, some of which I can handle.

Beretta used to make several models in .32 or .380 where the barrel tipped up for loading, and it was unnecessary to cycle the slide to chamber the first round. For all I know some of them may still be in production, and in any case the older ones would be available on the used market. I'll try to look up some model numbers.
 
Never leave it without a live round in the chamber unless the slide is locked back. Never let the slide forward on an empty chamber. Use the slide release controls rather than sling shot. Get someone else to load the very first magazine. Shoot somewhere where they will let you carry a holstered live handgun (Make sure of this bit first!). Load magazines with a Cambi Loader. Choose a very reliable handgun - Glock, CZ, Steyr leap to mind but there are others. Explain your problem to your gun dealer so that if you have a problem with the gun he will understand why you are giving him a loaded gun to work on if that is necessary. Do not choose a double action only model because the trigger weight will be a bad idea for more than a few shots and maybe for any shots.

The disadvantaage to this is that you can't dry fire practice. If you want to do this you will need two matched guns with external hammers - so that cuts out the Glock and the Steyr

If the worse comes to the worse, shoot a revolver but the extra recoil impact might be bad for your athritis.

English1
 
I experimented with this a little bit while trying to find a handgun my arthritic mother could use. Her case is fairly severe, much worse and she probably couldn't use a handgun hardly at all.

The first thing everyone will tell you is get a lighter spring, but that's probably a non solution. Doing so may impact the reliability of the gun, and it changes felt recoil which is not something such a person needs.

She had better luck manipulating more substantial slides because it was easier to grab onto. The problem was that while she had more luck moving it, these guns tended to be too large for her.

Putting the gun between your knees and then pulling back on the slide with both hands helps somewhat.

But after trying it every way we could on a variety of firearms, she was just sick of it and told me it was not worth it to her. Eventually I wound up giving her my Colt Agent, because not only can she manipulate the controls without any assistance, the trigger on it is very good which really helps her out, and the short alloy frame cuts out a lot of weight but it's not feather light like the Scandium guns. A steel gun of that size is just out of the question, so alloy or aluminum seemed the best compromise.

But she's not a gun person. Your friend sounds like a gun person, maybe he's more determined. Maybe a 1911 with a USGI rod? You can safely press check it that way by hooking your finger around the trigger guard and pressing the bushing with your thumb, maybe you could learn to chamber it that way.
 
IMO, the ideal option would be one of the tip up barrelled models from Beretta. You may have to hunt around a bit but it would be worth your while ;)
 
I solved this problem by switching my arthritis medicine to "Humira" a shot you take once every two weeks. Ask your rumitoligst.
 
Here's an idea...

There is a small device I've seen made for 1911 style pistols fitted with scopes. With a scope above the slide, it's difficult to grab the slide and pull it back. There is a company that makes an insert that replaces the rear sight with a small peg shaped handle (maybe 1" long) that sticks straight out to the left. Any good gunsmith should be able to set you up with something like this without sacrificing the rear sight.

The little peg handle may still be hard on arthitic fingers, so what you do is take a piece of wooden dowel maybe 1" diameter and six inches long (big enough to make a good full hand grip). Drill out one end to slip over the new charging handle when it's time to rack the slide.

I believe Brownell's (who else?) carries these inserts.
 
He may have already tried this, but just in case he hasn't.

This works well for many who may have a hard time working the slide for various reasons.

Try grabbing the slide with the weak hand with the first three finger tips (all four if they will fit) over the top rear of the slide and ending up on strong side of the slide behind the ejection port, the palm at the base of the thumb grips from the weak side of the slide.

Hold the slide tightly, press the weak side forearm into your side to brace it even better. If handy, you could brace the arm against a table, wall, or post. Hold the slide as firmly as possible.

With the finger off the trigger, PUSH THE GUN with the strong hand.
 
Surely

a gunsmith could put a lanyard ring on the slide so one could hook a handle, lanyard, etc in that and use two hands, foot, full body weight to rack slide.
Alternatively, store gun in slide lock, insert magazine, push release down and carry cocked and locked.
Good luck.
 
The Beretta 3032 Tomcat has the flip-up barrel that allows you to put one in the chamber. It's also DA, so you never need to rack the slide. It's bigger than a .25, although only slightly - it's a .32 ACP.
 
I have the same problem. I was in my local Wal-Mart store and found bright yellow plastic clamps. These things are made for temp. wood clamping to hold two pieces together until the glue dries and many other things. The clamps have two handles that you squeeze together and two arms on the other end clamp together. The clamp arms have rubber pads on them to protect whatever you clamp. I bought two medium sized clamps and went home and clamped the slide on my 1911 A1 and pulled the slide back with ease. The clamps are made in three sizes but the largest are not very usfull.The brand name is "Quick Grip" .They also have a quick release lever. I now have six clamps so when I go to the range there is a clamp close by.
Works great for my 70 year old hands.
 
I forgot to mention - I hold the pistol between my knees, cock the hammer all the way back (on the 1911), clamp the device on the back part of the slide in line with the slide and squeeze it tight with both hands. I grip the pistol with my left hand and grab the handles with my right hand and pull straight back.

I have used these at the range and gave away three sets to people like me. The clamps cost less than $5.00 each. I posted this info on "The Firing Line" a while back and many people posted thanks messages.
 
Arthritis

Hi Night,
I have had the same problem. I had a Walther P99 which I liked but the slide was too hard to rack. Getting a shell into the weapon for carry was OK but I worried more about a jam in a critical situation. There are options. Colt Mustangs are very easy to rack. Most of the .380s like Sig 232s and Bersas are fairly easy to operate. Beretta did/does?, make a larger model .380 with the tip up barrel. Just remember that malfunction drills are a necessary aspect of semi auto use.
 
Thanks to all of you for your great suggestions. Will be checking out those berettas and the other ideas. This is a great forum.
 
I have problems with osteo-arthritis in both hands. The only guns that I shoot a lot anymore are an STI 9mm with 10 pound spring, and a Ceiner conversion kit on a Norinco frame. Both are low recoil and easy to rack the slide back on.
 
I found that the small pocket pistols were the absolute hardest to operate.

The larger ones offer more area for holding.

I considered using one of those rubber circle things for gripping. They are used to open jar lids.

My HK USP, Kimber Custom II, and Sig P239 are all somewhat easier to operate than others I've tried.

Bill
 
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