I need a different hand gun

tallpines · #1 08/20/10, 12:59 AM

I'm getting older and don't have alot of strength in my hands anymore.
(64 year old female)

I currently have an H&K 9 mm----seems to be more than I can handle.

When ever I shoot it, my hand kicks back and it catches the cartridge in the mechanism as it is beiing expelled.

May not happen with the first round, but most likely with the second or third.

I'm watching my target and don't even realize its happened until I am unable to shoot again.

I thought I'd be able to build up some strength in my hands but with the arthritis getting worse, it's going in the wrong direction.

So---I'm looking for advice on what sort of weapon to trade for.

My DS is a licensed firearms dealer and will, also, be "educating me" but I really want YOUR suggestions on the matter.

BTW---this is not directly connected with my other current thread "DH is in the dog house"

CrashTestRanch · #2 08/20/10, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tallpines

BTW---this is not directly connected with my other current thread "DH is in the dog house"

uh huh, sure, it isn't

KFhunter · #3 08/20/10, 01:50 AM

sounds like your holding the weapon too soft, or not giving the weapon enough support to the frame for the slide to operate fully (wrist absorbing too much energy) If its not too much recoil for you then you should be able to cure the problem.

Maybe your not shooting the best cartridge for that weapon, sometimes a slower heavier bullet will get the slide to operate better then a hot fast round. I would ask a reputable dealer if your shooting the best ammo for that paticular weapon. I know a lot of people want to shoot some superfast huge hole making hollow point, it's not really neccessary or best in all cases.

perhaps a change of grip can solve your problem, try locking out your right elbow so the energy travels down your entire arm. Your left elbow will be high and bent almost to a 90 degree, sink your right shoulder socket in and lock that arm solid. The grip on your strong hand will be fairly loose, the left hand will go over top of your right and squeeze it down tighter. This will let the gun float a bit in your right hand witout creating pressure point that will skew your shot.

If you can't do this, then maybe you should think about a revolver. Grip is not such an issue for the action of the weapon but it is still important for accuracy. You can shoot a .38 or if that is too much dip down into the .32 cal for a small pop. The .357 is the round in which all others are measured for human stopping power, that and the .45

I'm not an expert, but have a lot more experience then the average "Joe"

ChristyACB · #4 08/20/10, 04:45 AM

I was thinking revolver too. With stiffening joints it might be just the thing. Still have some power but more flexibility and room in terms of gripping. I'd suggest something like the S&W 686. Great gun, good power, .357 (also .38 spl) but a roomy and comfortable gun to actually fire and nice to clean.

SFM in KY · #5 08/20/10, 05:50 AM

I've got a Ruger SP101 revolver ... .357/ .38 and I shoot .38s in it. I've had it for years. It's fairly light, not a lot of recoil with the .38 cartridges, even though it's a short barrel. I particularly like it because I'm a small person, with small hands and the grip/ trigger fits my hand well so it's easy for me to hold/aim/fire.

I can't tell you if it requires less hand strength to handle and shoot as I've never used an automatic, never been comfortable with one, but it has been a very comfortable gun for me to carry and use.

randy11acres · #6 08/20/10, 07:13 AM

If Tallpines is having a problem holding a 9 mm due to recoil, she needs a smaller caliber gun with less recoil, for example a 32 revolver or 22 revolver or automatic as a 22 has little or no recoil.

Beeman · #7 08/20/10, 07:23 AM

I would try a .380 with a smaller frame might possibly fit your hand much better allowing a better grip with lighter weight. I've found that attempts at strengthening your hands when you have arthritis usually just make them hurt more in the long run.

Our Little Farm · #8 08/20/10, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SFM in KY

I've got a Ruger SP101 revolver ... .357/ .38 and I shoot .38s in it. I've had it for years. It's fairly light, not a lot of recoil with the .38 cartridges, even though it's a short barrel. I particularly like it because I'm a small person, with small hands and the grip/ trigger fits my hand well so it's easy for me to hold/aim/fire.

I can't tell you if it requires less hand strength to handle and shoot as I've never used an automatic, never been comfortable with one, but it has been a very comfortable gun for me to carry and use.

I have this same gun, hammerless. It is perfect for me, and fits my hands well. I use .357 only.

**Cabin Fever** · #9 08/20/10, 08:04 AM

Ask your CO son to attend the gun auction tomorrow at Palisades. I know he goes to these gun auctions, we've seen him their several times. There will be over 360 firearms up for auction, have him pick you one out ==> http://www.midwestauctions.com/reinh..._august_21.htm

I'll have to disagree with my sweetheat's comment about a .38 special. (She packs a .45acp revolver) A .38 would be fine for self-defense, especially a .38+P. If you're planning on buying new, S&W has a new .38 model this year that is loaded using moonclips. A person can load a revolver with moonclips just as fast as one can load a semi with a mag. No more fumbling with each individual cartridge to load or with a crumby speedloader.

A person with weak wrists should stay away from semi's....too great a chance of the gun jambing.

P.S. If you son goes to the auction tomorrow, please tell him to NOT bid on the International Harvestor M1 Garand....that one is mine!

watcher · #10 08/20/10, 08:30 AM

I have to state up front I"m a big bullet and revolver type. With that out of the way. . .

One draw back with a revolver. It takes some hand strength to fire them. All the power needed to make it work comes from you finger pulling the trigger. Some people just don't have that much strength anymore.

I have to disagree with CF and agree with WIHH. Even with all the new high tech bullets out there the bigger around a bullet starts out the larger the hole its going to make. As the old joke goes: Why do you carry a handgun? Because a shotgun won't fit in a holster.

motdaugrnds · #11 08/20/10, 08:40 AM

I have arthritis too and my wrists are not what they use to be. I am 68 or 69 (forgot) yrs old and wanted a small-hands gun that would do what I needed it to do with just "one" shot because I knew I might not get another shot off.

I went with the Glock 37 semi-automatic and use GAP 45 hollow points. I simply hold it in my right hand (being right-handed) with elbow extended and support that hand with my left "under" my right. It takes little strength to pull the trigger, yet enough so as to stop you from automatically doing it again without knowing it. It does have a slight kick "upward"; but nothing that bothers my wrist. And "one" shot will take a large creature (man or beast) down!

Michael Kawalek · #12 08/20/10, 08:44 AM

Hi TP
I can think of several possible solutions to your problem. The first is a smaller handgun like a .22, a .380 auto, or a 38 special. Of course, shooting a revolver single action will completely solve your limp wristing problem, but if you still want an autoloader those are choices.

Another option is perhaps training from an instructor on how to compensate for your reduced strength. Are you shooting single or two handed? A two handed stance might give you enough strength to keep on shooting.

A third option is to handload special low recoil ammunition just for you. My standard 9mm load is 8.0 grains of Blue Dot under a 120 grain lead bullet. For training newcomers, I've loaded that bullet with as little as 6.0 grains to create a soft "starter" load for training. If the recoil spring in you HK can be replaced with a lighter one, the softness of the load could be increased even more. I'm guessing that if your son is a trader, he will have some experience with reloading, or at least know a reloader that could whip something up for you.
Good luck,
Michael

Cornhusker · #13 08/20/10, 08:45 AM

If you are losing strength in your hands, you are probably having a problem racking the slide too?
There are a lot of good revolvers out there, and you can get some decent firepower in a fairly light small package if you are using it as a carry gun.
I kinda like the J frames in S&W or Taurus. They are light and easily concealed and still have plenty of power for close up social situations.
I like WIHH's suggestion too, but while bigger is better, smaller is more than none.

Sawmill Jim · #14 08/20/10, 08:50 AM

Find you a set of good custom grips not wood .

These things will tame a lot of problems

Wayne02 · #15 08/20/10, 10:48 AM

I think it's time to move away from the autoloader and towards a revolver chambered in .38 or .357 (.357 will shoot .38 but may have to contend with ring build up in the cylinders if you shoot a lot, just may mean a little extra cleaning).

.38 special is big enough to do the job and you can get low recoil ammo. The tried and true wad-cutters are very soft shooting, but just have your DS source you some soft shooting stuff.

My wife prefers the 4" barrel on a house revolver as it is well balanced, and not unwieldy like a 6" model can be for some people. I'm most familiar with S&W, and any of their 4" barrel models would be an excellent choice as well as the offerings from Ruger. She prefers the half-length ejector shrouds on the older model Smiths to be better balanced (model 66 and I forget the other model numbers) vs the full length shrouds found on the newer models such as the 686's. Some find the full length shroud to make the gun too muzzle heavy and others find the extra weight to make the recoil more controllable. This is a personal preference thing that can only be determined by actual use of the gun.

Having said all that, advice on the internet on subjects like this is no substitute for actually trying some of these guns out yourself at the rental range, or via your DS if he is local enough. Choosing a handgun is a funny thing, what is objectionable recoil to some, bothers others very little, what feels right in the hand to some, is completely unacceptable to others.

gwhilikerz · #16 08/20/10, 12:04 PM

I would suggest a small lightweight 38 special revolver. S&W, Taurus, or Charter Arms all make quite good revolvers. The recoil is not all that much and the trigger pull is ok double action and really easy single action. (And there is no straining to rack the slide).

Hooligan · #17 08/20/10, 12:07 PM

Have your son watch your grip while you shoot. I was able to get my wife from fte'ing most every shot to rarely just by helping her adjust her grip with a 9mm Glock, which are notorious for fte's due to limp wristing.

The revolver proponets make a great case but I wouldn't completely rule out a semi-auto. You may need to find the right one (grip angle) and practice your technique but if you can get it down the lighter trigger pulls might be a benefit in the long run.

You do shoot with two hands?

Wolf mom · #18 08/20/10, 05:52 PM

You may want to consider a ported handgun. People have a love/hate reationship with them, but one might serve you well.

I'd never have someone else pick out my handgun. You've really got to get one that fits your hand. Consider the weight also. My fav is a Sig Sauer for hand fit but one I like to plunk with is an old Romanian Carpati.

I also have a Browning that I really dont' care to shoot, but when it's given to you....

try a bunch - then buy.

silverbackMP · #19 08/20/10, 05:59 PM

Short barrelled Smith and Wesson in 357--you can shoot 38s through a 357 for target practice (less recoil). You can get heavier frames or lighter frames. Heavy frames will hander recoil better but are, well, heavier. Lighter frames are smaller (easier to conceal), lighter, but don't handle recoil as well.

Or for less knockdown in a automatic but real small and light with no kickback, consier one of those browning pocket guns (model-? I forget) in 25 cal--I've got a belgium produced one and absolutely love it.

Old John · #20 08/20/10, 07:15 PM

I just recently bought a Ruger LCR, .38 special. It's a 5-shot, very light weight, 13 oz. I think. I bought it for a pocket gun, for those times I don't want to go around with my shirt tail out. DSW says I need to look nice sometimes.
It has the best trigger, right out of the box, I ever saw. It has a cam in it or something.
I put a box & a half of shells of various weights, 110 gr.'s to 158 gr.s, the other day,at 5, 7 & 10 yards. Easy for DSW to handle, too
It's not the gun my EDC, Ruger SP 101, .357 magnum is. But I'm really happy with it.