Need a gun for my wife.

RKirby · Post by **RKirby** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 8:30 pm

Now that I finally received my CHL, I've been working on my wife to get hers and I think I almost have her seeing things my way. A couple of incidents with homeless people where she works recently have helped my case, also.

Now, my problem is this.....

My wife was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis several years ago. The disease has now progressed to the point that she has very little strength in her hands. She also has mobility problems and can not move away from a dangerous situation as well as most people.

Taking all of the that into consideration, I've been giving some thought to a suitable cary gun for her.

She can shoot my XD's without a problem due to the relatively light trigger pull, but can't rack the slide or operate the slide release lever, so reloads and clearing malfunctions would be next to impossible.

I also had her try a Taurus .38 snubby that I used to own. The problem with that gun was the heavy (for her) double action trigger pull.

No way that one is going to work, either.

I'm pretty much out of ideas short of going with a small caliber auto, such as a .22 or .25 auto. I guess they would be better than nothing, but neither of these are optimal defensive calibers in my book.

Any one have any suggestions?

Cosmo 9 · Post by **Cosmo 9** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 8:36 pm

I'd stay away from the auto loaders. Try a light weight revolver with a good trigger job. They can be made very light D/A.

txinvestigator · Post by **txinvestigator** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 8:37 pm

The reality is that a person in a self defense scenario is unlikely to have a need to work the slide. Yes, if you shoot to slide-lock and STILL need to fire, you will have to load a mag and release the slide.

IF you have a malfunction you will need to manipulate the slide; however, if in a deadly force encounter I would rather have a dependable weapon I can fire even if there is the possibility I might not can clear a malfunction, than have no weapon at all and be easy prey.

Can she use both index fingers to press the trigger on a revolver?

TheRising · Post by **TheRising** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 9:48 pm

I would try the Bersa Thunder .380. I bought my mother one of these guns and she loves it. I know a lot of women carry it due to its size and weight. My greatest advice though, is to just take her to a gun store that has a built in range so that she can test any gun out first. That way there will be no surprises.

Post by **carlson1** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 10:03 pm

txinvestigator wrote:I would rather have a dependable weapon I can fire even if there is the possibility I might not can clear a malfunction, than have no weapon at all and be easy prey.

I have carried 1911 for years. I have only carried one in my life that I did not learn first. That was the very first one I had in 1981. Lesson learned. I still carry a revolver everyday sometimes as a backup, but nevertheless always on my person.

Greybeard · Post by **Greybeard** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 6:10 am

Quote: "I'd stay away from the auto loaders. Try a light weight revolver with a good trigger job. They can be made very light D/A."

That was my first thought as well. But ... don't go too light on the weight of the revolver as the "trade-off" is more recoil. A good pistolsmith can do wonders for the trigger pull on some of the five-holers (particularly S&Ws) without getting so light that there are misfires.

The instructions with the first (and likely last) Taurus revolver that I owned said not to dry fire it, which my gunsmith recommends lots of with the Smiths before he even opens them up. Regular dry firing will also help strengthen and maintain the specific muscle groups needed for a crisis.

Some of my students over the years with similar problems have settled on the Beretta semis with the tip-up barrels. Seems like I recall (?) a couple even in .380 with a pretty high capacity magazine (which means a wider grip and need for at least medium size hand). Pretty much any of the semis though can be prone to malfunction if shooter has hand/wrist impairments that can not be overcome with manipulation of grip.

Venus Pax · Post by **Venus Pax** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 9:48 am

I would like to second the Bersa .380. It's lightweight, easy to conceal, and easy to shoot.

I have weak wrists and hands, and G.C. Montgomergy taught me to rack the slide using my whole left (weak) hand by putting the four major digits on one side and the base of my palm on the other, which is a gross motor movement. It's very easy, and requires very little strength.

RKirby · Post by **RKirby** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 8:08 pm

Can she use both index fingers to press the trigger on a revolver?

Hmm..haven't thought of that. I've been too concerned with teaching proper form.

I would try the Bersa Thunder .380. I bought my mother one of these guns and she loves it. I know a lot of women carry it due to its size and weight.

Actually, I was thinking about getting a Bersa Thunder for myself to carry this summer. I shot one about a year ago and best I can remember, it didn't have a heavy trigger or controls. Accuracy was more than acceptable at defensive distances. Don't remember how heavy the recoil spring was though. The only problem I had was the dinky sights and my old eyes.

Try a light weight revolver with a good trigger job. They can be made very light D/A.

This will probably be the way we go if the Bersa doesn't work for her. I'm thinking maybe a S&W 638 or 642 Airweight.