Need gun suggestions for woman with severe rheumatoid arthritis

[cc426]

My sister in law has severe rheumatoid arthritis. The short story is she currently needs a firearm to protect herself asap. This is for in the home, don't need to worry about carry.

She currently lives in Arizona, so CA laws aren't an issue. No kids in the house either. She asked me for advice since she knows I'm a big gun guy.

What is an issue, is being able to manipulate a firearm.
-Has to have a light trigger pull ~4lbs
-Has to have minimal recoil
-Has to be able to manipulate the slide if semi-auto
-Has to have either no safety, or can be kept in condition 0 or condition 3
-Has to be reliable with minimal maintenance

I'm looking for some ideas. Doesn't have to be a handgun, but rifles need to have easy to manipulate controls (AR15 doesn't work, AK has too much recoil). She tried shooting a Glock 22 my MIL owns, but too much recoil and trigger is too heavy. I know 22LR might be the way to go and 22LR is better than nothing, but I'm not sure what 22LR gun fits the criteria, and if there's an option with a larger caliber that would be good too.

My idea was a Glock 34 with a shoulder stock, 33round mag, and the slingshot tool that mounts on the back of the slide (i think it's called the "brass stacker"?).

Edit:
I wanted to thank everyone for their suggestions! I responded to a few posts, but figured i'd edit the original post so that the comments don't get lost in the thread.

Just to clarify my SIL's physical limitations, all of her major joints have been surgically replaced (shoulders, elbows hips, knees). Most the bones in her wrists and fingers are fused. Unfortunately, it is a very severe case of RA, but she's a real trooper...doctors told her she would never walk again and she started walking unassisted only a year after surgery. Also, for any recommendation, money is not an issue as long as it works for her.

Revolvers - I'm not a revolver expert, but i thought you couldn't lighten a DA revolver trigger to <4lbs without impacting reliability with light strikes and timing issues? Am I mistaken? Also, firing in SA would be difficult with the amount of dexterity in her fingers.

Shotguns - Pump shotguns it is very difficult for her to rack the slide. Semi autos require using a button to advance the bolt, or a button for the safety, she does not have the finger strength and dexterity for that. Also, shotguns are fairly heavy and difficult for her to hold up, plus the recoil would probably rip her shoulder apart.

Big Dog - Dogs require a lot of care and exercise, both things she can't do. Plus, the risk of a dog knocking her over is too great.

Less lethal options - This might be worth looking into, a taser or pepper spray or something. With her current predicament though, i don't know if a less than lethal option would be enough of a deterrent. The problem is there is a very real and serious threat (we're doing what we can to mitigate this, but you know what they say when seconds count, the cops are only minutes away) and if something happens, and if she even so much as falls down she would be incapacitated.

Any thoughts on pistol caliber carbines? - I don't know anything about them, but seem like it might be a good fit? Lightweight with low recoil. If there's one with an easy to manipulate bolt or safety, maybe something with drop-in or easy trigger upgrades to lighten the pull?

[curt1950]

I ended up buying a S&W 13 for my wife. Did an action job on it and she shoots it very well. She is too weak to cycle a semi auto so this works for her.

[Irv]

My one and only suggestion. My wife was only able to rack a glock 17. She could not rack my .45's or my s&w4006. She has passed but just to let you know she was on RA infussions, Embrel and many others. It is just a trial and error type of thing.
My best of luck to your SIL.

[003]

Take a serious look at a qualtiy 4 inch double action revolver in .38 Special.

[Novak77]

[Old4eyes]

At first I was going to suggest a revolver such as the Ruger GP100 or Smith 686. A heavy revolver shooting .38 cuts the recoil and there isn't any slide manipulation but the trigger pull of 4 lb is the kicker. You can get that in Single action but a stock trigger you'll be looking at 10-12 lb range in Double Action.

Look at a Remington 870 in 20 gauge? If she's not clearing a house and just barricades in the bedroom while calling 911 it might be the ticket. The stock trigger on my wife's is 4lb 10oz.

The Ruger SR22 is light, has the trigger pull you want and easy slide manipulation but it is still just a .22, not a caliber I'd choose unless it was my only choice. I'd suggest that model over the Mark III line since the slide will be easier to grab than the bolt of the Mark III line.

[Ron-Solo]

Take a serious look at a qualtiy 4 inch double action revolver in .38 Special.

This! Avoid shorter barrels. A 4" will be manageable and a .357 frame with .38 loads even more so. Get a quality trigger job on it too.

[cc426]

I considered a revolver but was worried about the trigger. I'm not a revolver expert but my understanding was that you couldn't get the trigger weight to 4 lbs without reliability issues? Am I mistaken about that? This is a big one because the RA has attached her hands very aggressively

2 problems with shotguns. The controls are hard to manipulate, racking on a pump, or pressing buttons on a semi auto. Also to much recoil, both her shoulders have been surgically replaced.

[salsa56]

You might want to try a Ruger New Model Single Six or Ten (.22) or Vaquero in .357 - both single action. If she is able to cock the hammer the trigger pull is pretty easy and the recoil is minimal. I got my daughter who has some physical issues (particularly hand strenght/joint problems) the Single Ten and she is able use it very well. The benefit of the Single Six is that comes with an extra cylinder for magnums. I know its still a .22, but its more important that she be able to actually use it accurately than have a powerful gun she may not be able to use. Good luck.

[Justintoxicated]

How about a shotgun? I read on the internet that just racking the slide will be sure to scare away intruders

I would never recommend a 22lr for home defense, but really a shotgun is going to have some kick but the recoil is manageable since it's all in the shoulder.
A shot gun will be able to put someone down easier than a small caliber handgun in the hands of someone with no practice or training. I assume you need low recoil due to it being hard to hold onto the gun with those sorts of problems, but a regular configuration shotgun the recoil will go into the shoulder.

[cc426]

How about a shotgun? I read on the internet that just racking the slide will be sure to scare away intruders

I would never recommend a 22lr for home defense, but really a shotgun is going to have some kick but the recoil is manageable since it's all in the shoulder.
A shot gun will be able to put someone down easier than a small caliber handgun in the hands of someone with no practice or training. I assume you need low recoil due to it being hard to hold onto the gun with those sorts of problems, but a regular configuration shotgun the recoil will go into the shoulder.

2 problems with shotguns. The controls are hard to manipulate, racking on a pump, or pressing buttons on a semi auto. Also to much recoil, both her shoulders have been surgically replaced.

Normally I'd agree with you. But in this case it's not just a small stature woman. She has very severe RA

[Click Boom]

i would say a glock with a trigger/spring job

[Markinsac]

The Sig P229 E2 in 9mm has both the short reach trigger and reduced reset. It also has a fairly light slide pull. Very manageable recoil.

If possible, take her to a local range and let her try out multiple guns - that is a QUICK way to see what works for her.

[Justintoxicated]

2 problems with shotguns. The controls are hard to manipulate, racking on a pump, or pressing buttons on a semi auto. Also to much recoil, both her shoulders have been surgically replaced.

Normally I'd agree with you. But in this case it's not just a small stature woman. She has very severe RA

well racking a shotgun is easier than racking a slide if you have RA (or it could be a break action), but the shoulder replace thing throws that out I suppose.

Maybe a revolver then, but most DA triggers are pretty stiff.

[Oceanbob]

Glock 42 .380 in condition 1.

Really a soft shooter and easy trigger.

Easy to hold as well.