Gun for granny

[firemanjoe]

So I saw my 75 year old grandmother today since I wasn't able to see her for Christmas and during a conversation she mentions that she wants to get a gun for self defense in her home.

She lives by herself, is a very tiny lady, has arthritis in her hands, and has never really fired a gun before.

She is planning on taking a basic firearms class through her local police department, and asks me what type of gun she should get. I recommended maybe a 22 revolver; something that is light, not a lot of recoil and fairly easy to operate. What would you suggest for your grandmother?

[jeffyhog]

My mom is 72, and I've thought about getting her something. She also has arthritis, but I'm thinking she could handle a .38 revolver. I'm thinking of taking her to the range and letting her try out my S&W model 36. I wouldn't trust a .22 for home defense.

[Condorguns]

Honesty I got mine a 20 GA pump shotgun and tough her to shoot from the hip.

You will have to find what platform she can work the best. If she has trouble with a semi move to revolver. Try her with a 38, you may be surprised to find she is tougher than you think.

[firemanjoe]

I'm considering a 38 also, but you can get more capacity with the 22. I'm not sure she can handle and manipulate a 20 gauge. And as far as an auto, she can't pull the slide so I'm pretty sure we are going revolver.

[rm1911]

My mom was in the same spot a year ago. She wanted something for home. She had a 20ga I bought her many years ago. But she's in her 70's and just can't shoot it anymore. Plus it's not as convenient or practical. She too has arthritic hands.

We went to the range and shot a variety of things. She couldn't rack the slide on even an sr22 so autos were out. She shot my 228 for comparison sake and no way 9mm, especially in a small gun. We shot 38 specials out of a mid size revolver. Still too much. So a more compact model, no way. And the trigger in it was very difficult for her. Ends up being about the only thing she can comfortably handle is a 22.

She got the ruger lcr in 22. It fits her hand great. The trigger is so well designed, that she can squeeze it without a problem.

Now, before anyone says a 22 isn't ideal for home HD, I'll completely agree. However, she wouldn't be able to practice with anything else and would have no confidence or practice should she ever have to use it. What good is a gun she really can't use.

She shoots about once a month. Maybe 100 rounds. She's pretty good too. As for a 22, well a 22 beats a phone every time. Pepper a perp with a few cci stingers, might not be the "one shot stop" everyone loves to argue over, but that'll damn sure put the odds in her favor. I mean, granny ain't an easy mark anymore.

[SonofWWIIDI]

Go Granny!!!!

[bk23103]

My mom's only in her 50's and wanted to get into the sport. I started her out with a 20 gauge 870 Express youth model, and she loves it. It's got a short barrel for clearing hallways and hard corners and I know she'll pass it on to my kids one day. She's also got an S&W Model 60 .38 and a Shield 9mm. She seems to prefer the .38 to anything else, and she's a good shot with it. Mom's got a few health issues and she's quite petite but she does well.

[wpod]

Granted the .22lr round is not ideal for stopping power.
But...
Would run towards or away from someone firing a gun at you? Someone breaking in doesn't know it's a .22lr.
Would you keep heading towards someone shooting at you even if you knew it was "just" a .22?
Yes, bigger is better. But not if you can't use it.

[Jimmybacon43]

I would also say .22 revolver. A few years ago I went to a shooting range with my dad and grandma in Norcal and she shot a .40 cal, a 9mm, and an S&W .22lr. The 22 was the only gun she was really comfortable with, so we dubbed it, the "grandma gun".

Maybe a 20 Gauge or .410 shotgun could work as well. I'm thinking even a semi-auto could be good. Just load it for her, put it on safe, and tell her that if anyone breaks in push the safety button, point it and pull the trigger until the threat goes down or until it's empty. Also a lightweight 9mm or .380 semi-auto could work the same way. She's probably not going to reload her .22 so you might as well give her a 9mm or .380 loaded with 15 rounds or so cocked and ready to go.

Although if she lives in CA then you are obviously limited to 10 rounds, which is also not that bad.

[3006Garand]

Yes, grandma needs a gun.
I remember the old days when I would ride the RTD bus in LA with my grandma to go shopping, and she was ready for some bad guys.
She had a stainless little gun with ivory grips. It was so long ago, and RIP to her. I think it might have been a .380.

[3006Garand]

Also, 20 gauge shotgun does sound good like the guy above suggested. And how about a .22 magnum? Those things are pretty nice too.

[KublaiGun]

LCR is also in 22 magnum.

[darmog]

If you can find one to PPT, how about a Sig P238? Easy to rack, small, lightweight. Recoil is pretty light as well.

[HKMadness]

I sure as hell won't wanna get shot by a .22 hollow point. Those things can cause pretty serious tissue damage. Many have died from a .22 to the head, especially after being on life support for 4 days before dying. A hit with a .22 is better than a miss with a .38

['ol shooter]

Alarm system, Life Alert, pepper spray, taser, dog. I would consider all those first, and in that order.