Gun for granny

[Timbob55]

a small/light is probably best:

My wife, 64 YOA, has arthritis, a new shoulder, etc. The biggest issue for her is the weight of the handgun. She cannot lift a .357 Mag, but has no problem with her S&W J frame in .38SP. But she doesn't have the strength to rack a full size pistol.

[TripleThreat]

22lr do not have stopping power of most other calibers, but a head shot with a 22 is pretty much Check Mate.

Triple

[teflondog]

A .22lr revolver with a smooth trigger would be a good choice for an older woman with arthritis. The Ruger LCR holds 8 rounds and has a nice trigger. While many would argue that .22lr is not a good self defense round, I doubt a home invader or potential rapist would continue his endeavors if he got shot a couple times with a rimfire caliber.

[Dinosaur Jr]

Bersa Firestorm .380 - Turner's has had them lately for $250.

[Port Authority]

my grand mothers has a .25 Beretta and my mother, a glock 19. i wanted something simple to use no da/sa triggers just rack it and shoot. i also got my mother a micro vault for her night stand and for maintenance, I will stop by least twice a year to clean their guns

Good arguement for just grab and shoot.

I have some Glocks and that's a good feature when your scared and holed up in your room waiting for the state to respond.

If she can lift a revolver like an SP101, then that might be better in recoil than the uberlight LCR.

I load 38spl Blazer hollow points in my 4.2" 357 and it is a soft shooting, sub sonic experience.

Port

[mabilis_matulis]

Life alert would be a big help..

[yzErnie]

Don't underestimate a .22 with CCI Stingers. They are a very good performing .22lr hollow point bullet.

[Socalman]

Is there a new revolver available in Ca. that takes .22magnum? Greater stopping power than the .22LR and still a small, light package that can be easily fired.

I would encourage you to take grandma to a local range and let her try some smaller caliber revolvers. I would not expect someone with no experience and arthritis to be able to rack the slide under moments of stress. Stick with the revolver.

[Socalman]

I just checked the CA DOJ list (ransom list I call it) and there are several .22magnum revolvers on the list. Probably the Taurus will be the most easily found.

[bigbearbear]

Will she consider a long gun like a AR-15 or break action shotguns? These are generally easier to train with, and easier to manipulate because their controls are larger.

[Twiki357]

If you can find and afford one, I would recommend a S&W model 30 or 31 or an equivalent revolver. Caliber 32 S&W Long and, at least to me, has less recoil than my 22 mags.

[3006Garand]

Life alert would be a big help..

But if she falls, and can't get up. She'll need a full sized 1911 in .45ACP.