Handguns and arthritis

[couldbeanyone]

I am beginning to have some trouble with my hands. Since my fathers side of the family often has arthritis so bad it twists their fingers, i figure it may be in my future. I am thinking any future gun purchases might do well to take this into account.
I would like to hear from any of you with arthritis. Which type of gun is easiest for you to use. Autoloaders have slides to manipulate and double actions have fairly stiff trigger pulls. Am wondering if a single action revolver might not be best. They have light triggers, large grips and could be cocked with the heel of your left hand if necessary? Would appreciate any and all input from those who have trouble with their hands.

 

[MedWheeler]

Redacted (I don't have arthritis.)

 

[deputy tom]

I've got the twisted fingers and a revolver works best for me for most uses. YMMV. tom.

 

[BYJO4]

A revolver will be easier to handle.

 

[Hanshi]

Unfortunately I, too, have rheumatoid arthritis and degenerative arthritis in various parts of my body. It got so bad that I was forced to retire and go on disability. I find double action revolvers in magnum and heavy kicking calibers impossible to shoot. Not only is it excruciating to my hands and wrists, but damaging to the joints. I find auto loaders to be easy on my hand and can shoot them with little discomfort. Single action revolvers with their plow shaped handles are also not too bad. They tend to rear up with the grip sliding through my hand rather than slamming against it. In double action the .38spl is as big as I can go without pain. I shoot mostly target wadcutters, anyway, so this works out fine for me. Anything in .22LR is a treat to fire. Now it's time to get my eyes fixed so I can see the handguns front sight.:banghead:

 

[browningguy]

Some autoloaders are not too bad. In lower power guns the Walther PK380 is a locked breech design and takes very little hand strength to rack the slide, in larger guns my Witness Elite match in .40 has a surprisingly easy to manipulate slide. The combination of heavy slide and light recoil spring makes a big difference.

I find DA revolvers to be a bit much for most people with hand issues like RA. My wife has it pretty bad and she can't stand to shoot my 642 even with the low recoil loads, and even with the enhanced action she finds the trigger pull too long and heavy.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Over the past few years my hands have hurt more and more.
I have found revolvers easiest to shoot and with a J frame the all Steel versions are easier on the hands than the light Airweights and ultralight Aitlites. The added weight reduces the felt recoil.

If you're really into semi-autos a buddy of mine found one he can pull the trigger on and rack the slide even though his hands are very bad with arthritis. He bought a SIG P238. Since it's a true SAO pistol it can be carried cocked-n-locked which makes the trigger extremely light and easy to pull. Also, for some reason the slide is very easy to rack. He has several other pistols he sold off because he couldn't pull the triggers, this one is a keeper for him.

 

[Queen_of_Thunder]

A good gunsmith that can adjust the trigger on your firearm is my method plus no more 44mags out of 4 inch barrels.

 

[Dinosaur1]

Having spent the better part of my adult life in and involved with some sort of law enforcement, I've been asked this many times. For all the advancement in materials and machining the best of autos will sometimes jam or you will get a misfire. They have small safetys that go up in many cases instead of down and many are hard to click. Arthritis goes from bad to worse. Clearing and racking the best of autos can be next to impossible as your condition worsens. Weight and recoil are other factors for those who have it in their wrists. Trigger pull is another serious problem,if your fingers are bent and growing weaker, in dao revolvers. There is one weapon I recommend routinely and that is the North American Arms Black Widow Combo. It is light, cocks easily, low recoil, the grip is big enough for control and if you get a dud just cock and fire again. Sure there are lots of nay sayers who feel they need a gun of at least 105 caliber that should be pulled by mules but no one I know or have met wants to get shot twice with a .22 mag hollow point at close range. BUT, they are sob's to reload. If the company could lick that there is a large market.

 

[Kennydale]

I can still shoot my SR40C. My arthritis kicks in at weird times. I do carry in AIWB anything beyond 3 O'Clock is impossible. If in time it gets worse, I think I will switch to a .38 LCR (I hear they are real easy to manage even with joint pain)

 

[788Ham]

I'm fortunate right at the present time, but my younger brother is having quite a time with degenerative arthritis in his wrists and some fingers. My brother likes { liked } to climb and rappel, thats now out of the equation, he's shot rifles and handgun most of his life. So far, he's managed to continue with this, he hasn't said a whole lot about that .454 Casull he bought a couple years ago, or the .44 mag. he's had since our Pop passed on…… might be a couple of handguns for sale in the near future. God bless you folks with this horrible, debilitating disease !

 

[Dinosaur1]

As a p.s., if it's not really going to be a con. carry weapon, the Ruger 22/45 Lite is an excellent choice. The slide is just the two ears on the back, the safety is just a button that goes down, no recoil or weight problems and, of course, Ruger reliability. They're also easy to clear. Just a thought.