howie Posted July 29, 2013 at 01:23 AM Posted July 29, 2013 at 01:23 AM Need some advice... My mother is now living alone for the first time in 46 years, and will be moving back to the family farm soon. For the first time ever, she has a FOID card, and wants a gun for protection. She has virtually no experience with firearms whatsoever. I took her out shooting a couple weeks ago. She shot a Bersa Thunder .380 ( a little snappy for her), a Glock 30SF (too much), and a Rock Island 1911 (also too much). I will be taking her out again with a Glock 9mm (not sure which, it's borrowed), a Smith 5906, and a 4" .38. I'm looking for something that will do the job without scaring the crap out of her every time she shoots, as she won't want to practice and become proficient. She's about 5' 5", 125lbs, late 60's. Any thoughts?
Jatwood29 Posted July 29, 2013 at 01:33 AM Posted July 29, 2013 at 01:33 AM Need some advice... My mother is now living alone for the first time in 46 years, and will be moving back to the family farm soon. For the first time ever, she has a FOID card, and wants a gun for protection. She has virtually no experience with firearms whatsoever. I took her out shooting a couple weeks ago. She shot a Bersa Thunder .380 ( a little snappy for her), a Glock 30SF (too much), and a Rock Island 1911 (also too much). I will be taking her out again with a Glock 9mm (not sure which, it's borrowed), a Smith 5906, and a 4" .38. I'm looking for something that will do the job without scaring the crap out of her every time she shoots, as she won't want to practice and become proficient. She's about 5' 5", 125lbs, late 60's. Any thoughts? A Glock 19 gen 4 is a soft shooting pistol. My 68 year old Mom shoots (and likes) mine. However, keep one thing in mind, racking the slide. My mom loves semi autos, but she can't manipulate the slide on anything over a .22 (she is not small lady either) the dexterity in her hands is not what it used to be therefore, a revolver is the best option for her.
RockerXX Posted July 29, 2013 at 01:33 AM Posted July 29, 2013 at 01:33 AM 25, 32, 22lr or 22mag If she is reluctant or scared to use it causing her not to shoot or miss the larger calibers offers no advantage over a well place small caliber shot... And I agree that a wheel gun is likely better suited to many elderly people, who might have issues with slides... My dad just picked up a Taurus 991, it's pretty intimidating looking for a smaller caliber pistol...
patriot1776 Posted July 29, 2013 at 01:33 AM Posted July 29, 2013 at 01:33 AM .38 revolver Smith & Wesson or Ruger , depending on her strength and being able to pull the trigger smooth , have a professional trigger job done . Now also to consider and i will take a beating here for saying this, a .22 LR or . 22 magnum revolver Smith & Wesson or Ruger.
Jatwood29 Posted July 29, 2013 at 01:37 AM Posted July 29, 2013 at 01:37 AM The Ruger LCR .22WMR is a fine choice! You can put a laser grip on it and all she has to do is put the dot on what she wants to obliterate!
Lou Posted July 29, 2013 at 01:44 AM Posted July 29, 2013 at 01:44 AM If you can find one at a decent price a S&W model 63 with a 4 inch barrel. Really easy to shoot and 6 rds of .22 should be enough to hold of the BGs until the cops arrive. Having something she can practice with is a big plus and practice is really important for proficiency.
borgranta Posted July 29, 2013 at 02:35 AM Posted July 29, 2013 at 02:35 AM Try her on a 40s&w pistol and a 357 magnum with 6 inch barrel made of stainless steel with a mixture of 357 mag 38 special +p and 38special. The size of the barrel and weight of the gun will help absorb the recoil and the stainless steel will resist rust. You can buy conversion barrel that allows you to fire 9mm rounds from a 40s&w glock.
Stevepk Posted July 29, 2013 at 02:39 AM Posted July 29, 2013 at 02:39 AM No pistol...... 20 Gauge pump. Easier to hit the target and noise of the slide slamming home is intimidating.
Elderberry Posted July 29, 2013 at 02:46 AM Posted July 29, 2013 at 02:46 AM Revolver. In the largest caliber she can comfortably manage -- which will likely be a .22mag or a .38 with 158 gr. loads..... Although don't overlook the .327 mag... I would not recommend a semi-auto for someone with little firearms experience and/or advancing age... That's the carry piece.... For the house gun an 870 pump or a Mossberg pump. 20 or 28 ga....
soundguy Posted July 29, 2013 at 02:48 AM Posted July 29, 2013 at 02:48 AM Ahhh... She's still a kid! Maybe something metal in 9mm? Something heavier with a single action trigger. I like the way a HiPower feels in my hands better than a Bersa Mini Pro. Neither have tremendous recoil. A lightweight carry pistol such as the KelTec P-11 would seem out of the running. Single action. Full size that fits her hands. Metal. Maybe the SW59 if it feels good for her.
McCroskey Posted July 29, 2013 at 02:49 AM Posted July 29, 2013 at 02:49 AM As she ages she will probably continue to lose some strength and dexterity in her hands. I suggest revolver instead of semi-auto for this reason and also because they're easier to clean and maintain. I'd have her try out S&W Bodyguard .38 (which has a built in laser), Taurus Ultra-Lite .32 Magnum, Ruger LCR-22.
mullet man Posted July 29, 2013 at 03:22 AM Posted July 29, 2013 at 03:22 AM The Ruger LCR .22WMR is a fine choice! You can put a laser grip on it and all she has to do is put the dot on what she wants to obliterate! This^^^^^^ The 22 magnum LCR would be an excellent choice for someone who may be recoil sensitive or who can't comfortably rack a slide. I will third that suggestion.
prsman23 Posted July 29, 2013 at 04:18 AM Posted July 29, 2013 at 04:18 AM I'll third the 20 ga for home defense. That's what I set my mother up with. Easy to learn. Keep the tube loaded and none in the chamber and the sound of racking one in is a sound feared by criminals.
borgranta Posted July 29, 2013 at 05:59 AM Posted July 29, 2013 at 05:59 AM Racking a shotgun is risky since the crook(s) might figure out which direction the sound came from and shoot in that direction.
Mr. Fife Posted July 29, 2013 at 06:14 AM Posted July 29, 2013 at 06:14 AM For the farm? Ranch hand! http://www.rossiusa.com/product-list.cfm?category=17
TC-Countryboy Posted July 29, 2013 at 06:16 AM Posted July 29, 2013 at 06:16 AM I an going to have to jump on the revolver side in this discussion. From experience, neither my wife or daughter can manipulate the slide one my 5906. At least with a revolver, even if she would have difficulties with the double action trigger, it can be cocked and fired single action.
GlockShooter Posted July 29, 2013 at 08:13 PM Posted July 29, 2013 at 08:13 PM Given her lack of experience (and potentially, comfort), I would suggest revolver also. No mag, no slide, no safety to fumble with. Just point and shoot. Then, once she has more trigger time under her belt, maybe move up to a semi-auto. I also agree with having a shotty for HD. Even a .410 would work if that's all she can handle.
C0untZer0 Posted July 29, 2013 at 08:22 PM Posted July 29, 2013 at 08:22 PM Beretta 86 is a full-sized pistol but only shoots the 380 ACP. It has the longest barrel of any production 380 ACP gun and it's very soft shooting. Tip up barrel means she doesn't have to struggle with racking a slide.
C0untZer0 Posted July 29, 2013 at 08:24 PM Posted July 29, 2013 at 08:24 PM Another thought is a Glock 17L - it really isn't that heavy and it's pretty soft shooting because of the mass out over the trigger. Long sight radius makes it easy to shoot accurately.
GlockShooter Posted July 29, 2013 at 09:08 PM Posted July 29, 2013 at 09:08 PM Another thought is a Glock 17L - it really isn't that heavy and it's pretty soft shooting because of the mass out over the trigger. Long sight radius makes it easy to shoot accurately.Good call. If I'm not mistaken, the G17L is also ported, which also helps with recoil/muzzle flip. At least, the one I shot was.
borgranta Posted July 29, 2013 at 10:08 PM Posted July 29, 2013 at 10:08 PM I recommend 410 shotgun over a 20 gauge since in my experience it is easier to find suitable defense loads. There are some semi auto 12 gauge shotgun with very little recoil but I can not remember which brand has the least. A 410 with a 3 inch chamber will allow her to fire 3 inch rifled slugs for hunting. A raging judge magnum can fire any 410 including 3 inch shotshells as well as 45 colt and possibly depending on model 454 casull which can be handy for taking down bear with the right bear killing ammo. A six inch barrel in any revolver with a reasonable hunting caliber will enable her to do handgun hunting where legal.
borgranta Posted July 30, 2013 at 12:10 AM Posted July 30, 2013 at 12:10 AM http://www.brownells.com/handgun-parts/slide-firing-parts/slide-hardware/slide-rackers/slide-racker-for-glock--prod42165.aspx The link above is for a glock mod called a slide racker which functions similar to a ar-15 bolt. I havr seen others in the past but this is the one that I was able to find today. This racker can make it easier for her to rack a slide.
Ranger Posted July 30, 2013 at 10:43 AM Posted July 30, 2013 at 10:43 AM The walthrr pk380 might be a decent choice. Several women I know have gone with it.
howie Posted August 4, 2013 at 12:26 AM Author Posted August 4, 2013 at 12:26 AM Thank you for the feedback.. There are a few options suggested that I hadn't thought of, and that's exactly what I was after.
Pipedoc Posted August 4, 2013 at 01:45 AM Posted August 4, 2013 at 01:45 AM I have to agree with others and say keep it simple with a revolver for now. I just went through this with my 78 year old mom. Dad recently passed away and mom, who has never shot a gun before, despite growing up as a country girl in Kentucky, wanted me to bring her something for home protection. She was open minded but very intimidated by guns. I ran her through a mini basic pistol class and we spent some time in the backyard with a a Smith model 617 in .22 LR. She shot quite a few rounds out of the .22 and I left her a .38 revolver. I didn't have her shoot the .38 because I knew she would be intimidated by it. I showed her that everything functions the same and explained that the .38 is a little louder and had more recoil. I'm going back down to Kentucky in a couple of weeks and we will work with the .22 some more and get her shooting the .38 this trip before I go home.
vezpa Posted August 4, 2013 at 02:37 AM Posted August 4, 2013 at 02:37 AM Ruger SP101 Revolver, 3 inch. http://thetruthaboutguns.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Ruger-SP101.jpg.
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