oneounceload
member
M1 mentioned above would be a good choice - easy to work the bolt and light recoil
Handgun for those with arthritis?
- Thread starter DrDeFab
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When it came time to rack the slide, how did that go? I was gifted a nearly new Bersa Thunder b/c the octogenarian could neither load the mags nor rack the slide.
deepskyridge
Member
Arthritis
I am a little younger than your Father, I have moderate arthritis in my hands and shoulders, I have a 12 gauge coach gun that I find easy to shoot. You might try that.
Gary
I am a little younger than your Father, I have moderate arthritis in my hands and shoulders, I have a 12 gauge coach gun that I find easy to shoot. You might try that.
Gary
I have had to do what several have already mentioned with relatives that could no longer handle what they were using. It is difficult to grasp but a person with severe arthritis cannot work the slide on very many semis. Holding a revolver and cocking the lever is almost impossible for some as is pulling the trigger without first cocking. Even very mild recoil from a pistol will not work for some people. This is for moderate to severe cases, especially the elderly, but many people with slight arthritis will eventually reach this point.
My dad is 91. He has always had a S&W revolver and a 22 mag derringer and shot them maybe once a week just to keep the ammo "fresh" as he says. A few years ago it got to where he was having a lot of trouble cocking both guns and the recoil started causing issues.
He has two solutions that work for him now. Neither is optimal but he can work both guns. He has a 12g over/under that requires him to switch the safety lever and then pull the trigger. The recoil is pretty bad but his hands don't have to deal with 100% of the felt recoil AND he can hold the barrel with his left hand. He has a KT PMR-30 in his night stand that is ready to go with the flip of the safety lever. The KT gives him 30 rounds of 22 mag and the felt recoil isn't too bad. He feels good with this gun because it gives him 30 rounds instead of the 2 rounds he had in the derringer and it looks "cooler".
My dad is 91. He has always had a S&W revolver and a 22 mag derringer and shot them maybe once a week just to keep the ammo "fresh" as he says. A few years ago it got to where he was having a lot of trouble cocking both guns and the recoil started causing issues.
He has two solutions that work for him now. Neither is optimal but he can work both guns. He has a 12g over/under that requires him to switch the safety lever and then pull the trigger. The recoil is pretty bad but his hands don't have to deal with 100% of the felt recoil AND he can hold the barrel with his left hand. He has a KT PMR-30 in his night stand that is ready to go with the flip of the safety lever. The KT gives him 30 rounds of 22 mag and the felt recoil isn't too bad. He feels good with this gun because it gives him 30 rounds instead of the 2 rounds he had in the derringer and it looks "cooler".
Deaf Smith
Member
jrdolall,
How about getting him a M1 carbine.
Low kick, easy rack of the slid, and it hits like a .357 magnum at any SD range.
Deaf
How about getting him a M1 carbine.
Low kick, easy rack of the slid, and it hits like a .357 magnum at any SD range.
Deaf
My hands hurt most days. Recoil hasn't bothered me as much as loss of strength. I've been carrying and shooting a SP101 and a LCR357. When I can't handle the 357 S.D. rounds I'll go to 38+P. So far I can still handle Corbon 357 JHP.
LCP? Really? Many LCP owners complain that they are uncomfortable to shoot. Weird.
DA revolver is maybe the safest.
My father (73) could not cock easily nor could he double action pull a 1917 Colt revolver (big gun) and the cure was a Colt official police 38 that he can easily cock and DA pull. My friends mother (80) loves the feel and trigger of a pre-war Colt police positive 38 special that she may never shoot but feels some level of confidence know how to use it. If she ever shoots it, it is going to be loaded with mid-range wadcutters. Its easy to down load 38 special before reverting to 32.
A friend of mine has a wife that heard a noise outside of their rural home. She went and got his Ruger superblackhawk 44 magnum and cocked it. When she discovered the noise was invited friends that the husband invited, he tried over the phone to have her un-cock the single action. Now they have a big hole in a leather recliner and wall. No one was hurt but please teach the spouse some gun handling!
My father (73) could not cock easily nor could he double action pull a 1917 Colt revolver (big gun) and the cure was a Colt official police 38 that he can easily cock and DA pull. My friends mother (80) loves the feel and trigger of a pre-war Colt police positive 38 special that she may never shoot but feels some level of confidence know how to use it. If she ever shoots it, it is going to be loaded with mid-range wadcutters. Its easy to down load 38 special before reverting to 32.
A friend of mine has a wife that heard a noise outside of their rural home. She went and got his Ruger superblackhawk 44 magnum and cocked it. When she discovered the noise was invited friends that the husband invited, he tried over the phone to have her un-cock the single action. Now they have a big hole in a leather recliner and wall. No one was hurt but please teach the spouse some gun handling!
stogiegila
Member
Another pistol to consider is the Sig P238. This is a 380 auto but is 1911 style. You would need to ensure he can easily switch off the safety.
If that isn't a problem then its the lightest, smoothest racking and softest recoil of any 380 on the market. This gun recoils like a .22LR and is very easy to rack the slide. The safety would be my only area of concern.
it is also a very small light pocket gun so he could carry it always.
If this doesn't work out then I'd look back to the tilt up barreled berreta or glock.
Arthritis give multiple issues (i.e. weak hand strength, inability to grasp and rack a slide, but also pain from recoil). Many people with arthritis lack the ability to handle a double action trigger pull without pain, which would then lead to inaccuracy.
Good luck
If that isn't a problem then its the lightest, smoothest racking and softest recoil of any 380 on the market. This gun recoils like a .22LR and is very easy to rack the slide. The safety would be my only area of concern.
it is also a very small light pocket gun so he could carry it always.
If this doesn't work out then I'd look back to the tilt up barreled berreta or glock.
Arthritis give multiple issues (i.e. weak hand strength, inability to grasp and rack a slide, but also pain from recoil). Many people with arthritis lack the ability to handle a double action trigger pull without pain, which would then lead to inaccuracy.
Good luck
wow6599
Member
3" or 4" Ruger SP101 loaded with .38 Special?
Lots of good gun recommendations here, I have a different question to ask the OP about his pappy's situation-
Have you done everything possible to harden your dad's home and yard to make him a less attractive target to the dirtballs ? I am talking about motion detecting exterior lighting, pointing out towards the yard and driveway, better window and door locks, and of course talking with dad about answering the door, keeping it locked at all times, and keeping a cellphone handy, even if only to call 911 ? Are there any good neighbors that can help keep his home and yard more closely watched ?
My point is, keep the bads outside to avoid having to fight them inside.
Have you done everything possible to harden your dad's home and yard to make him a less attractive target to the dirtballs ? I am talking about motion detecting exterior lighting, pointing out towards the yard and driveway, better window and door locks, and of course talking with dad about answering the door, keeping it locked at all times, and keeping a cellphone handy, even if only to call 911 ? Are there any good neighbors that can help keep his home and yard more closely watched ?
My point is, keep the bads outside to avoid having to fight them inside.
Deltaboy1984
Member
Shotgun like an Remington 1100 in 20 gauge will do the job.
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