A one armed man comes into my shop...

[Maddog5150]

No this isnt a joke. He owns a restaurant and wants a firearm for protection and his problem is that he only has his left arm. His right is cut off at about eight inches or so long. So naturally I show him a revolver but we run into a problem. Neither of us can open the cylinder with our left hand only and safely. So after trying and him getting a little frustrated I tell him that I have an Idea. I pick up and mp compact. I show him the functions and features. I then proceed to start loading the mag with left hand only, tuck the pistol under my right arm (the same area that he has left on his arm), slam the mag in and then rack the slide by carefully using the front of the slide against the counter. I reload it more easily since the M&P has left handed controls.
He thinks about it and will see me tomorrow. Now I told my co-workers about the experience wanting their advice. Of coarse they knew everything about how i was wrong (never mind how both the customer and me were able to manipulate the auto with left hand only while the small revolver was impractical) so I am asking your opinions if any what you think a good concealable handgun would be for this gentleman.
Revolver? Auto? any particular types? It has to be concealable, reasonable priced.
The charter arms south paw doesnt appear on the list. I showed him a standard charter arms and he wasnt happy with the quality anyways.

[The SoCal Gunner]

I vote for a semi-auto. Most guns have ambidextrous controls now and you can rack the slide with your shoe among various other methods. If it is for protection, it should have a round in the chamber anyways and it would be quicker to reload. Downside is that it might jam and with one hand only, dropping the mag then racking the slide and finally re-inserting the mag would be hard.

OTOH, since it is for protection the revolver should be ready to go also and he could load 1 less round so he'll have to pull the trigger twice just (I wouldn't). Problem is, if he were to need to reload a revolver would be impractical for the reasons you stated. Even with a moonclip or speedloader it would be quite hard with one hand since you need to hold the revolver open so the cylinder is clear and then drop in the rounds for reload. But, it should not be likely that he would need to reload.

While personally I would go semi, I think a revolver would be better for a one armed man in a real-life scenario because it is not likely to malfunction.

[5968]

Sounds good to me. I would use the rear sight rather then the front. I know that some police academies show officers how to reload with one hand much like you have described, except they put the rear sight on the heel of their boot and push down to put a round in the chamber.

[Franksremote]

Look in the last copy of Glock magazine, there's an article about a one-armed LEO that has mastered using only one arm for all actions with his Glock; loading, reloading, clearing a jam, EVERYTHING. Been on the force for the last 15 years or something like that. If you don't have the issue, PM me, I'm sure there's an extra copy at the shop.

[The SoCal Gunner]

Sounds good to me. I would use the rear sight rather then the front. I know that some police academies show officers how to reload with one hand much like you have described, except they put the rear sight on the heel of their boot and push down to put a round in the chamber.

That also depends on the type of sights on the gun. Stock sights on XDs and Sigs will work. Would be harder with Novak style sights. Don't know what is used on the M&P.

[wilit]

What about something smaller like a Beretta Bobcat or a Walther PPK? I just checked and I can rack the slide on my FEG PA-63 just using my left hand with no other aids. Loading mags would be another story.

[JagerTroop]

this is easy. Schofield .45 Hideout modelhttp://www.navyarms.com/html/top_break_rev.html. Top break, easily actuated with the left hand. compact. excellent stopping power. One handed reloading... tuck into waistband or shoe to hold, and reload. They're a little pricey though.

Just a thought

[wayoutwest]

Is he naturally left handed, since birth?

I say semi, something with easy mag release, easy slide relase, maybe a decock

HK USP V.2 or V.4

But what do I know I have to hands

[kmca]

Check out the new Charter Arms left-handed revolver

[Maddog5150]

the schofield would be great, i would have to ask him if he would want something sight unseen. he is VERY green to firearms.
It is a challange and i suggest you guys try manipulating firearms left handed only. seems like a challenge to me but also shows how difficult things could be if your right got wounded.

[Maddog5150]

Check out the new Charter Arms left-handed revolver

towards the end of my initial post i stated that the southpaw doesnt appear on the list and he didnt like the charter arms.

[kmca]

Oppppsssss...sorry

[ColdSteel]

HK P2000 or P2000 SK
I have a P2K and it's fully ambi, pretty concealable and a sweet shooter.

[5968]

That also depends on the type of sights on the gun. Stock sights on XDs and Sigs will work. Would be harder with Novak style sights. Don't know what is used on the M&P.

True. You would have to make sure that a sight that would catch.

[RP1911]

Sig P220 (it is concealable) with the mag release switched to the right side. Mine is purposely setup that way and I'm right handed.

HK P7 PSP bottom mag release can be done with right or left hand.