TexasCHLforum.com

My mom is wanting to get a gun for the house. She is 63 years old and has only shot my .410 (many years ago). I am going to take her to the range and the farm and let her practice and have the honor to teach her gun safety, but I was wanting to know a good gun to start her on. She has mild arthritis, which will affect trigger pull. I've got a semi-auto .380 which I think she'll like, but will probably get her a wheel gun, to take out some of the learning curve. Any advice on guns with smaller caliber and decent trigger pull weight? Thanks in advance.

Take a look at the S&W Airweights in 38 Spec.

They should be <$450 if you can find 'em. We have a Mod 638 with shrouded hammer and if we had a do-over, I'd a got the 637 with hammer for Mrs. Oldgringo...who is older than yomamma.

A good snubbie or even a 4" revolver loaded with .38 +P rounds would be perfect for a house gun. While the lightweight guns are attractive and great for concealed carry, I would look for something with a little weight to it for around the house. Finding an older model Chief's Special or a newer Ruger GP100 would be better as the weight will absorb a lot of the recoil experienced for a lady with less strength and early stages of arthritis. Many people with these issues can't handle semi-auto slides, and learning to clear jams is hard enough for someone with decent strength in their hands, much less for someone with minimal strength.

I have a friend in her mid-60's that was talked into a Kel-Tec P3AT for concealed carry by another friend. I tried to talk her out of it and to go to the range and try a 642 Ladysmith, but this other close friend had more influence. She bought the Kel-Tec before even trying it. When she hit the range, she fired a total of 2 magazines through it and her wrists were extremely sore. She went back a couple of days later and rented a 642. She was able to shoot a full box of shells without a lot of trouble in her wrists. She traded up for the Ladysmith.

No matter what she chooses, let it be her choice for what feels good and she is comfortable handling.

Basically, find the gun that works for her.

I'd think if she had a big problem with trigger pull, that maybe a Single Action Semi would be the way to go. They typically have the easiest triggers of any to work. A double action revolver is going to have a much harder trigger, with a much longer pull, just by design.

With a SA Semi, her issue would then probably move to racking the slide. There are tons of alternate (SAFE) methods of racking the slide that I have read about. One involves using a doorframe & wall to rest your forearm against, while using your body weight to push the frame forward.

Also, SA Semis like 1911's are designed to be carried locked, cocked, and ready to roll. I've even seen many stories of 1911's found in condition 1 after sitting for 50+ years, and still worked flawlessly.

Point being, in a gun fight, she probably (hopefully) wouldn't be needing to rack the slide (this is where a quality handgun with excellent reliability, and testing of the rounds she'd use for self defense comes into play). But she would need to be able to pull the trigger. If you, or someone else just racks the slide for her before she starts carrying it, and she is fully versed & practiced in gun safety, I don't see a problem with her having it in condition 1 24/7/365 until she needs to use it, or you or someone else takes her to practice more.

Then again, I am a self admitted 1911 snob :P so this is all just IMO. YMMV, IANAL etc etc.

Keith is right - as usual.

I failed to mention that we replaced the original grips to allow the Mrs. a better handhold and reduce "felt" recoil. The snubbie is a defensive weapon not meant for prairie dog hunts or extensive range use. However, it will go in a purse or a pocket with ease.

Thanks so far. That's why we are going to the range, to rent some guns and let her get a good feal for what she likes and can handle. I've got a GP100 with a 4" barrell. I'll probably just loan it to her if that's what she likes. That means I can go buy a new gun!!!!! Good for everyone.

southboundp wrote:Thanks so far. That's why we are going to the range, to rent some guns and let her get a good feal for what she likes and can handle. I've got a GP100 with a 4" barrell. I'll probably just loan it to her if that's what she likes. That means I can go buy a new gun!!!!! Good for everyone.

That GP100 is perfect for a home gun. I had a 4" model 66 that was my dresser drawer gun for years. My wife could easily handle it, even loaded with .357 rounds.

Enjoy your time at the range with her!!!

Kieth recommended the GP100, and I can't say anything bad about them (I own a 4" GP, myself, and love it), but don't discount it's little brother, the SP101. I personally like the 3.(something)" barreled version. It is a good compromise between concealability and weight to absorb the recoil impulse. There are instructions floating around the web on how to perform a basic trigger job yourself, and with a spring set from Wolff or Wilson Combat, the trigger can be very sweet, without the cost of a good gunsmith. The SP is built to be able to withstand a steady diet of .357 magnum rounds, but, of course it can fire the .38's in that chambering, or you could try out the new .327 Federal version, if you're so inclined (I don't know much about the round other than it's out there and the SP101 can be chambered in it, myself, so this is not a recommendation of that cartridge).

There are also 3" barreled versions of the GP100, if the weight of the 4"GP is too much for your Mom, but they may not be very easy to find. I know my wife doesn't like the overall weight of my 4" GP.

If you want to go with a semiauto, I would recommend you look into the Glock model 19. Cambered in 9mm; compact, but not too tiny; absorbs recoil well; and same trigger pull (and a fairly light one at that) from first shot to last. Also no manual safety to forget about when stuff hits the fan. You just need to determine whether or not it would be comfortable for her hands and whether or not she can manipulate the slide (or is comfortable with letting someone else prep it for her, as Dicion suggested).

As also stated, don't decide for her what gun she should have. Help her decide for herself.

Since she is keeping it at home size is not really an issue, but i agree a .38 revolver would be a good choice. If she prefers a long gun i would go for a 20 gauge shotgun since i think the .410 is more for varmints not goblins. Give her some options.

My wife picked out a .38 Colt Agent revolver back when we were dating.
Wanting a small semi-auto, she tried racking the slides on every one of my pistols. She really had to struggle with even the easiest of them.
The solution for her was a Beretta Tomcat, which I purchased from a member here. The tip-up barrel eliminates the problem with charging the first round. I wasn't real thrilled with the caliber choice of .32 ACP, but it's a lot better than harsh words.

Since this is a home gun, I think you're on the right track with a 4-inch barrel .38 revolver, if it fits her right and she can manage the trigger pull. The airweight snubbies (I own a S&W 638 myself) can kick like a mule because of their extreme light weight; even my 22-year-old female cousin wouldn't shoot more than 5 rounds through mine.

I also second the suggestion of a good 4-inch barrel 9mm semi-auto striker fired weapon - a Glock 19, or equivalent Springfield XD or S&W M&P - if she can handle racking slides etc. If you go this route, be sure she stores it in a good holster (even if she doesn't wear it) to cover the trigger when not in use. A basic Uncle Mike's nylon holster should do the trick.

Lastly, what about a good "larger" .380 like a Sig P232 or P238; a Bersa Thunder; Beretta Cheetah .. something that will give her a good grip, a larger frame to absorb recoil, quality construction, and an easy to shoot lighter round like .380 Load it up with Hornady Critical Defense and it should get the job done. The Bersas and even the Berettas can be found at Academy.

austinrealtor wrote: a Bersa Thunder; Beretta Cheetah .. something that will give her a good grip, a larger frame to absorb recoil, quality construction, and an easy to shoot lighter round like .380 Load it up with Hornady Critical Defense and it should get the job done. The Bersas and even the Berettas can be found at Academy.

my mother (60 something )got the Bersa 380 from academy.she says the recoil is very managable...its the boom that startled her.