Hey guys, I really only have shot my own 342. It's light easy to carry and kicks like hell. Me I can handle it but my dad on the other hand can't. He got arthritis in his hands and the recoil from that little pocket rocket is just too much. I don't think even dropping it down to a 125gr round would do much for him. I even have the full Crimson Trace (405) grips and that even hurt him.

I'm wondering though if one of the steel framed j frames might be a little softer shooting. He can handle the trigger pull ok, it's just the harsh recoil that bothers him. I was going to have him look at the 36 or the new Night Guard .38. But if the recoil is about the same then I'll keep him looking at the M&P compacts.

Thanks for the help in advance.

Hey guys, I really only have shot my own 342. It's light easy to carry and kicks like hell. Me I can handle it but my dad on the other hand can't. He got arthritis in his hands and the recoil from that little pocket rocket is just too much. I don't think even dropping it down to a 125gr round would do much for him. I even have the full Crimson Trace (405) grips and that even hurt him.

I'm wondering though if one of the steel framed j frames might be a little softer shooting. He can handle the trigger pull ok, it's just the harsh recoil that bothers him. I was going to have him look at the 36 or the new Night Guard .38. But if the recoil is about the same then I'll keep him looking at the M&P compacts.

Thanks for the help in advance.

Have him try a 640 with Winchester 110gr Silvertips or Federal 148gr wadcutters. Use a large, three finger grip.

If that doesn't work, I would step up to a 4" light barrel Model 10 or 64.

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Centennial Every Day

I think any J frame may kick too much for someone with arthritis in his hands. My Model 60 with Crimson Trace 305's kicks so bad in my 58 year old hands that I rarely shoot it (it's a nightstand gun only). I think a K or L frame would be a better choice for your father.

The 4" 686 with crimson trace grips really work well, very controlable.

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May God Bless The USA

Try a Ruger SP101. The added weight may dampen recoil and the factory grips are good. Even better if you add Trausch SP101 grips.

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otis

Realy it all depends what the revolver is going to be used for..
Concealed Carry?
House Gun?
Target Gun?
For Concealed Carry I'd Look into a M640
House or Range Gun could be anything with a 3"-6" Barrel
Also The grips need to be the Full Three finger type, Forget Boot Grips..
You'll Find something..
Good Luck in Your Quest!!

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MightShowYouHisSmith&Wesson

Of the so called compacts, I would recommend the SP101. It is a little heavier than the model 60s. Also, if necessary, drop down to the wadcutter target loads. They are pretty tame. They also cut a neat .358 hole.

I have arthritis in my thumbs and had to give up shooting autos as they drive the recoil right back into the thumb. Revolvers seem to place it more in the palm.

If size is not an issue look to a k or l frame.

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431pd

Model 10 or 12, 4" barrel. Much easier to use than the J frames.

Keep in mind that the Ruger cylinder release is easier to operate than the one on a Smith, if he has a problem with that.

T-Star

My wife had the same problem. We cured it with a Model 30 in .32 long. Ain't no power house, but she can shoot it without any problems and put 'em where they'll count.

All J frames are small, light and kick like a mule. I would suggest a K frame. Maybe a model 66 with some lighter (reloaded) bullets. My 686 snubbie (L frame) is very heavy but has very little recoil (at least for me). I think this is one of the reasons most used J frames are in excellent condition.

I also have arthritis in both hands, as well as damage to my right (shooting) hand. I asked here and some forum members were kind enough to recommend a 432 PD in .32 H&R Magnum. I bought it and am delighted with it. Your father could shoot .32 Long if his hands bother him, or the .32 H&R Magnum if he is up to it. I have the Lasermax J frame grips on it and it shoots like a dream. It's light, compact, accurate, and soft shooting. I would love to buy a 642, but I don't think my hands could manage the recoil except perhaps I use 148gr. wadcutters. I am waiting to see what S&W does with the .327 Magnum in the J frame and will make my decision then.

Best of luck to you and your father.

Regards,

Dave

thanks guys, i was thinking of pointing him towards one of those new .327 Federal guns.

i'll have to see if i can find a ruger for for him to try, i'm not really willing to put my full trust in a charter arms just yet.

I just saw one of the Charter Arms in .327 Magnum - I wasn't impressed and would not buy one. I'm told the Ruger SP 101 is big, but shoots well. As you probably know, Ruger DA revolvers are brute strong, but a little on the bulky side. If it is primarily going to be a house gun for your dad, the Ruger would probably be fine. I am waiting to see what S&W does with the .327 in the J frame.

Best of luck,

Dave

Good luck finding a .327! From what I'm hearing, they are all but impossible to obtain. The ammo will be spendy too I'm guessing. I'd look for a .32 Magnum if the .38 Special is too much.

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Centennial Every Day

If he has arthritic hands that means loading is going to be problematic too.
Perhaps consider the Jframe that takes 9mm Luger (don't recall the model number). IIRC this model takes moon clips so loading and reloading will be much easier and recoil should be fairly mild (? owners please jump in).

You may also want to consider a .22magnum in the 351PD. Very light but no recoil. Nasty little cartridge. It is not ideal but quite effective as an alternative to something larger.

T

Is the gun intended for "carry" or "home defense"? For H/D, I'd go a K or L in a 3" or 4" with large covered back strap grips. For carry, a 640 as weight floor. The SP101 has enough mass to be helpful. A .38 only gun isn't going to be a drawback for this specific application, seems to me?

Lots of good suggestions above. To the original point, steel framed Js recoil LOTS less than 342s. I have two 342Tis, and I know exactly what you mean; they are among the hardest of all my handguns to shoot well, and among the least enjoyable.

An SP-101, especially in .327, would be good. I recently shot one of the new .327s, and recoil is very mild, although muzzle blast is a bitch. The DA trigger was atrocious, but that is easily fixed.

If he's not going to carry it, he'll be better served by a K or L frame gun, as mentioned by others here. I managed to find a 4" Model 48 (K-frame .22 mag.) for a friend whose father has badly arthritic hands, and it has worked out very well for the old fellow.

Forgot to mention that my "grandpa" (i.e. geriatric) house gun is a 625 in .45ACP. I have it set up with a fiber optic front sight and Crimson Trace laser grips. It is very accurate and reasonably soft on the recoil due to the mass of the pistol. It's counter-intuitive, but when your hands are stiff and painful with arthritis, a bigger gun with the big fat .45ACP slugs in the full moon clips are actually easier to manipulate.

Best of luck,

Dave

That's a good point Dave. My 5" 625 is a real powder puff to shoot with 185gr target loads. The action is super smooth and light too. Would be very easy to manipulate for someone with reduced hand strength. I would probably recommend a 3" or 4" gun though as the 5" is a bit front heavy.

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Centennial Every Day

yeah, he plans on carrying it. how much though I don't know. i told him to see if he can find the new night guard .38. i thought that might work for him with the pachmayr compac grips and the xs sight. but i think i'll have him take a look at the 640 and the 686.

has anyone had a chance to shoot the new night guard series?

Have him keep an eye peeled for a 2" Model 12 38 Special. Lightweight but with a larger grip and can be given a better action than the J frame guns.

F/C,
I think the reason your finding so many helpful hints is due to a lot of us either having the affliction,
or being old farts,
or both!
BTW good on ya', for caring about helping you Dad age gracefully...

I don't think he'd be too happy with the Night guard - not enough mass to soak up recoil. I agree with the others that a K frame would probably do better for him. Hard to go wrong with a Model 10. Jack Weigund (SP?) can install a dovetailed front sight for you at a reasonable rate, and you'd still be out less than the cost of the Night Guard.

Best of luck,

Dave

-he has a model 10 and likes it but it has the 6" heavy barrel and is just too heavy to carry. he said something about the barrel being removable but I haven't been able to locate a shorter barrel for it. i asked smith & wesson but i didn't get a response back.

A Model 10 or 64 with the light barrel might be the ticket. I know my light barrel Model 64 (4") is very handy and quite a bit easier to handle than my heavy barrel 4" K frames.

I guess it's a process of finding out how light to go without causing arthritic pain.

The 4" light barrel Model 12 is another combination but it might be too light.

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Centennial Every Day

S&W M60, S&W M640, S&W M649 or Ruger SP101 all in .357 Magnum. The S&W revolvers weigh 23oz and the Ruger weighs 26oz. If you load then up with .38 Special +P ammo I'm sure your Dad will find them a lot more comfortable to shoot than your 12oz .357 Magnum.

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

What M10 6" heavy barrel revolver does he have? I have a 15-3 I might be interested in trading. It has the 4" tapered barrel.

I don't think there is such a thing as a 6" heavy barrel Model 10. Maybe he has a K-38?

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Centennial Every Day

I know it's a model 10 and it's a heavy barrel. It could be a 4" model though, it's been a while since I've looked at it. It's his bedside gun right now.

He wants something small, he has a back problem and can't where a belt. He wants an automatic, I keep trying to steer him to the revolver because that's what he knows.

F/C,
If it's possible to do so at a gun shop in his area, have him try racking the slide on some of the blow back operated semiauto's. He may find, regardless of his perceptions at this point of what he thinks he wants, the slide extremely difficult to operate? Especially with compromised joints in his hands and the reduced gripping strength that usually accompanies it. In the end, you'll need to get what he feels best about. But trying before buying, will keep him from disappointment with something he finds difficult or impossible to operate.
Good Luck!

Lately, I've been looking into guns for my arthritic mother-in-law and trying to think this topic through. I've put some thoughts together about guns for arthritics in this article:
A Guide to Handguns for Arthritics, Carpal Tunnel Sufferers, and Weak Wristed Shooters

Right now, I'm thinking a simple full-sized, full-weight, revolver with comfortable grips and a somewhat weaker caliber would probably be the way to go.

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Vanquish Fear and Panic!

Agree Dude!
Heavy barrel 3" K in .32 or .38.

Another vote for the idea of a Ruger SP-101. The stock grips feel much better (than they look!) and the gun has enough heft to absorb recoil well without being excessively heavy. A 3" barrel helps, and in my daughter-in-law's case, hand strength was a definite issue. I dehorned it, cut the mainspring down as many coils as I dared, and it worked out very well for her. I don't recommend wadcutter loads for SD but going that low IS an option.

We have two of these little 3" guys in the family, and if I weren't very well set in that department I would get one for myself.

There is a lot to be said for a K frame in this regard as well; they can be very, very smooth, easy to shoot, well balanced (and usually fairly cheap). My daughter has one of the J&G imports with square butt and light 3" barrel, and I kick myself all the time for not getting one when they were advertised.

Don't think many semiautos would work out well. My wife had carpal tunnel operations, and for quite a long time couldn't rack any of them. The Ruger P90 .45 is probably the easiest to rack of any, though.

22 mag.

Firecop:

One of my grail guns was a H&K PSP - either the P7 PSP or M8 version. I was finally able to get one of the West German police trade ins last year. One thing I never expected is that it is the only semiauto that works well for me. My grip actually gets better with each shot. With the exception of the heel butt magazine release, and the trigger, everything is operated by the squeeze cocker which is big and easy to manipulate. Recoil is very gentle and accuracy is excellent. Something else for you to consider for your dad.

Best of luck,

Dave

Against my advice, he went ahead and bought one of the compact autos from Taurus. It's a nice gun but he found that the takedown was a bit challenging. I'm hoping now that the M&P compact line comes with a frame safety he'll find some sucker to sell it to and buy one of those seeing as he is so bent on getting an auto. Takedown is so much easier on those.