arthritis and the brand

[stilllearning]

Ok I'm currently in the market for a vehicle/concealed carry piece probably in 9mm and after browsing and reading I'm thinking of a Sig 938 or CZ 75 compact The threads here are as expected pretty evenly divided, very valid points on either side. What I have not seen and one of the issues I'll almost certainly be faced with in the future is arthritis problems in the hands. I'm almost 60 yrs (young or old) and other "issues" have resulted in Dr's mentioning arthritis in other joints. *sigh*

So.... is there any other experience here in which model may have easier slide operation, other features which would make it more (well worn shooter) ) friendly? Is there another brand/model I should take a look at? No doubt some will recommend a revolver and I understand and appreciate that and am not allergic to finding a "little brother' for my 6" GP100, but for now Any thoughts on an semi-auto??

Thanks in advance )

 

[stu1ritter]

I'm a well worn out auto mechanic with arthritic hands and shoulder problems. Full tilt loads in a 1911 are impossible for me. I have a Stoeger Cougar 8045 with the rotating barrel and have no problems shooting any loadings comfortably. The turning barrel seems to absorb the shock part of the recoil. The Beretta PX4 is a later version of the Beretta/Stoeger Cougar.

Stu

 

[Drail]

If you have wrist problems I would not take a chance with any semi auto. "Some" require a rock steady hand and wrist to recoil against. A revolver gives you a greater choice of effective cartridges. Look into a good wrist brace. Good luck with the arthritis thing - I am 64 and all of my joints creak bad from a lifetime of abuse.

 

[bannockburn]

Might have some difficulty grasping the slide with a CZ Compact model mainly because the slide rides lower in the frame. The SIG P938's slide action is alright but the one I tried was new and the slide felt a little stiff in operation. I like the idea that stu 1 ritter suggested with the Beretta PX4 with it's rotating barrel design. I had a MAB PA15 years ago that used a similar action and it was a very soft shooting pistol, even with some rather warm 9mm. ammo.

 

[stu1ritter]

I load for 3 1911's and my Couger. The 1911's I can tolerate bullseye loads and not much more (3.5 bullseye/200LSWC). The Couger allows me to shoot +P loads with no pain. I also have a S&W 1917 and I'm stuck with bullseye loads on that one also, just too much jolt for damaged hands.

Stu

 

[JTQ]

Since you're "almost 60" I'm going to guess we are pretty close in age as I'm 58. I've followed these "I'm old, arthritis, weak, etc." threads with interest as I've aged. I've not been affected much yet, but I'm constantly wondering what is going to be my affliction/limitation.

At this point, I'd rather shoot a semi-auto, and deal with using big muscles to rack a slide for the few times I'd need to do that, and have the autos lighter trigger, than have to deal with a 10-12lb trigger pull with the small muscles in my finger, for every revolver shot.

Right now, I primarily shoot a 1911. The trigger is relatively light, and I can cock the hammer if the slide is hard to rack with the hammer down. I continue to monitor my thumb dexterity in the event it limits my abilities with the thumb safety, but so far that's not been a problem. I can see a possible move to a revolver so I don't have to stoop down to pick up spent brass on the ground at the range, but right now the auto advantages outweigh those on a revolver, for me at least, and at this time.

 

[JTQ]

Deleted.

 

[larryh1108]

I am 61 and my right wrist is showing signs of 'shooter's wrist'. I find it painful to shoot the big boys like my 10mm, 357 and 44mags and even my 40S&W. My gun of choice has been my CZ PCR and so far it has not been painful to shoot. I also do not have any problem with my 1911s but they are full size and the weight certainly helps. This past summer I bought the Remington R51 because I read that the design helps soak up some recoil and I did find that to be the case. Although 9mm has been ok until now, I find the R51 to be a good option going forward.

 

[usp9]

Loading magazines is one of the more difficult operations when facing arthritic limitations. One pistol that is easier to load, because it loads straight down ala AR15 style, is the FN 5.7 pistol. It's slide is not hard to rack and recoil is soft. It make a very good home defense or car gun. A bit big to carry concealed.

Two regular pistols that come to mind for easy racking are the Beretta 92 series and the Lionheart pistols. Mag load conventionally.

The HK VP9 has small wings to grasp when racking.

 

[Tacoma]

Generally speaking, the arthritic / otherwise weakened folks that come through the shop I work in end up (happily) outfitted with a revolver. With a revolver, there are no worries of slide working, stiff recoil springs, mag stuffing, small stiff controls, or ill fitted, one size fits none fixed plastic grips. FWIW, It's what I use for my own truck gun.

 

[larryh1108]

The Uplula mag loaders are a Godsend for loading any mag. They are a tremendous invention.

 

[bannockburn]

larryh1108

The Uplula mag loaders are a Godsend for loading any mag. They are a tremendous invention.

Great suggestion! Definitely +1 on using some sort of mag loader, like those by UpLULA, ADCO, or ProMag, if you're hampered by arthritic hands. Some gun manufacturers even include some sort of mag loader with a number of their guns.

 

[Bo]

I'm 66 and have arthritis in both hands. It got so bad in my right hand (shooting hand), that I had 2 knuckles replaced. (I now have a bionic hand)

I switched from 45 (my favorite) to 9mm. I now mainly shoot 9mm, my favorite being my R.O. as shown in my avatar.

The 9mm slide is not near as hard to rack as a 45 and the weight of a 1911 really tames the recoil.
My Springfield R.O. 9mm is fun to shoot.

I also have a Sig 938 which is really nice to carry, don't even notice it's there but, it doesn't shoot as well as my R.O.
With 10+1 and a spare mag for my R.O., I feel that's more than adequate.

If there's an upside to having surgery on my right hand, I learned to shoot pretty well with my left hand.

By the way, I don't recommend having the hand surgery, even tho the pain in my knuckles is gone, my hand will never be the same.

 

[doubleh]

The Uplula mag loaders are a Godsend for loading any mag. They are a tremendous invention.

My hands are OK and I consider them a Godsend. Don't know why I didn't buy one years ago instead of waiting until 2015. I liked it so well all the shooters in my family received one for Christmas that year.

 

[SeanSw]

I also have a CZ PCR and would like to mention that most CZs have a narrower slide top to bottom that may be more difficult to grip due to their design. There's less slide to grab onto which gives the impression of being more difficult to rack. In my experience the full size semi autos are easier to handle, particularly my S&W sd9ve, M&P, and the big old Ruger P series pistols also had easy slides to rack with lots of meat on top. I'm sure there are others but those are the ones I own. Obviously those aren't compact but the SD9ve wouldn't be out of the question for carry being rather light and well proportioned for a larger pistol. It's no bigger under the belt than my CZ PCR and cost half as much.

I'm just more than half your age but work in a kitchen and my hands are taking a beating. Pretty sure my grip strength has been getting worse over the years instead of stronger despite how much I use them. It's mostly the comfortable range of my strength that's becoming limited and I've come to despise the finer manipulations on some guns, such as safeties on small single action pistols, or very small instruments on ccw guns that may as well not be included in the design. For that reason I often use the Ruger LCR when my hands are cold and cranky, or choose guns capable of double action shooting without mucking about. The LCR falls into the hand very naturally without trying to "find" my grip as I struggle to do with a very small .380.

 

[Ibmikey]

You are on the right track with the Sig P 938 the slide is fairly easy to rack as my arthritic hands can attest to, another to come on the scene, but bigger and heavier is the Remington R 51, it has a rear sight designed to be place against a angle corner and .push to rack the slide. I do not have a need to do this because the slide operates smoothly and with a minimum of effort to rack. Now trying to put it bjack together after disassembly is very difficult.
Back to the Sig, the recoil is minimal, concealment total and super reliable 9mm pistol.

 

[earplug]

One of the 1911 based 9MM is hard to beat for easy to rack the slide, single stack magazine makes for a thinner grip for CCW and there easy to load.
The longer barrel and slide provides more velocity and easy shoot accurately. The Rock Island and Armscor won't break the bank if the size or function don't work for you.

 

[Sunray]

"...require a rock steady hand and wrist to recoil against..." All of 'em do. Some more than others, but it's the chambering not the brand or model of pistol. Have an Inglis BHP I put a .41 AE barrel and heavier spring into that causes me to limp wrist nearly every time. Works just fine in 9mm.
Anyway, the whole thing depends on how bad your arthritis is(Mine is in my hip. It hurts to sit and sometimes lie down. It's really sad when it hurts to lie down.) You may not be able to hold onto anything solid enough.
Return springs and ammo can be changed with no fuss. Likely best to go shopping and try a bunch. Isn't any different than trying 'em on for size.

 

[Rexster]

I retired my much-favored SIG P229R DAK, because the high bore axis and snappy .40 recoil were becoming intolerable. I still like shooting all-steel 5" 1911 pistols, with .45 ACP ammo, but I can tell it will be time to migrate to a .38 Super or 9mm 1911, sooner or later. I also use 9mm Glock pistols. The G17 and G34 are painless to shoot, but a G19 is light enough to hurt, unless I have a Surefire light on the rail, to add recoil-damping weight.

 

[alicechan11]

thanks for sharing

 

[KevininPa]

I'm 55 and also starting to feel Arthur's grip on me because of a lifetime of physical abuse (otherwise known as work . Thanks to drail for that phrase!). I now despise polymer and alloy guns. Got rid of all but my LCP and that's going as soon as I find a steel J-frame sized snub that appeals to me. What did I keep you may ask? All of my steel guns. FEG Hi Power, Astra A70, Ruger Police and Speed Six and a small collection of smaller bores. All steel. Absorb recoil nicely. I had an all steel CZ Compact at one time. Recoil wasn't bad. Just got rid of it because I don't have big paws and that DA trigger was a long reach. Thus my love for my SA's. I also don't go for the snappy +P stuff. My favorite 9mm is Federal Classic 9bp. 38 Special is the everlasting Winchester Silvertip.

What it boils down to for me and my shooting comfort is recoil absorbing, steel guns and less snappy but time proven ammo.

 

[Glock Doctor]

Personally, I think you'd be better off using a semi-auto pistol with larger square corners (and no, 'meltdown treatment') on the front of the slide. That way, if you're having a bad day and your hands don't want to work, you will still be able to hook the front of the slide on the edge of something like a door, or a table in order to charge and/or unload the chamber. (Which is about the only feature I still like on today's poorly built, low quality Glocks.)

Here's what I consider to be a, 'perfect' CQB revolver for someone who has problems with grip strength:

(Ruger SP101, 38 Special/357 Magnum, Longer 3 Inch Barrel, Exposed Hammer Spur, And Soft-Rubber Hogue Monogrip. Action Job By Chuck Lutz, @ Sarco, Easton, PA.)

 

[Tcruse]

Generally speaking, the arthritic / otherwise weakened folks that come through the shop I work in end up (happily) outfitted with a revolver. With a revolver, there are no worries of slide working, stiff recoil springs, mag stuffing, small stiff controls, or ill fitted, one size fits none fixed plastic grips. FWIW, It's what I use for my own truck gun.

Yes you are 100% correct. However, with a revolver you wrist and hands get 100% of the recoil. On a semi-automatic the recoil spring absorbs much of the recoil and not your hand.

 

[oss117]

938 - Strangely the slide is easier to rack than most of the larger autos I've encountered. Cocking the hammer first makes it easier yet. The rear sight is designed so it can be hooked on something to aid racking. The magazines can be challenging to load when you get towards the 5th round and beyond. It's also a little snappier than larger autos like the Shield or anything full size. (For the record, I found the 938 much easier to rack than the Shield)

I've looked at a Walther PPX (now CREED) in the LGS and was suprised at how easy the slide was to rack. The slide is pretty big, making it easier to grasp. For something smaller, they also have their CCP that uses a gas delay system. The only real downsides I'm aware of on the CCP is a tricky take down system an the fact that they can get pretty hot if you fire multiple magazines quickly. (caveat: I have not owned or shot either Walther)

Sig made a 380 version of their P250 for a while. It's claim to fame was easy operation.

There's a lot to be said for revolvers, but look for a rubber grip that covers the back strap. Otherwise the sharp rap of the recoil can be pretty harsh. Also make sure you're OK with the heavy DA trigger pull. Some revolvers can require real grip strength just to pull the trigger.

 

[tcj]

I'm 58 with numerous medical probs including tendonitis and arthritis in my hands. What has worked the best for me is a steel 1911 in 9mm (I have an RIA Ultra FS). Even full power loads are easy to handle without pain (much). Target loads are even easier and with those I can easily do up to 200 rounds in a session. Also, w/G10 grips (came with the gun) I don't have to have a real powerful grip to hold on and stay accurate on follow-up shots.

I now rarely shoot my 1911 in 45.

Another that works well for me is a GP100 6" (357) that I load with bunny fart 38 loads...feels like a .22.