Dad's 86 and carries a 2" I frame .32 S&W Long with Magtech hollowpoints. His hands and wrists are arthritic and he cannot handle heavy recoil or a great deal of shooting for practice. This is a good solution for him.
Age old question. What CCW for elderly
- Thread starter Bmlove
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Bmlove
US Veteran
Well I "pulled the trigger" today and bought CCW. I got me a smith and wesson bodyguard .380. I was in Cabelas and had a old mossberg 20 ga I wasn't end to trade. Long story short I got a good price for the shotgun and put the money towards the BG. I had shot a friend of mines and I liked it. Small, compact, and carries well in my pocket. Came with a desantis pocket holster, a carry case, 2 mags and assorted documents. Will be going to the range tomorrow to shoot. Cleaned it really good today and have it all ready to go. Gonna keep an eye out for another S&W revolver too as I do want another wheel gun. Just something bout them. 
. Anyway, wanted to update my thread and thank everyone for there input.
. Anyway, wanted to update my thread and thank everyone for there input.DanWales
Member
Old Hands
Put me in the old hands group.
I like to shoot some heavy loads in my 640, 686, and 625.
I'm not ashamed to put on a shooting glove at the range.
For carry I carry the 640 with factory .357 HP.
Or most often I have my 642 with CT grips what a sweet little pistol to carry and shoot.
I hand load for all my pistols and for my 642 a 148 DEWC with 3.4 of 231 is just plain sweet to shoot at the range. For defense I just step that up a few tenths. The 642 like most J frames just disappears in a pocket. I know this I have NEVER felt under gunned. I think the is WAY to much emphasis put on this and not being able to hit what you are shooting at, especially at what would be considered normal or accepted seff defense distances., 5, 7, 10 yards. Further than that I'm gone .
Dan
Put me in the old hands group.
I like to shoot some heavy loads in my 640, 686, and 625.
I'm not ashamed to put on a shooting glove at the range.
For carry I carry the 640 with factory .357 HP.
Or most often I have my 642 with CT grips what a sweet little pistol to carry and shoot.
I hand load for all my pistols and for my 642 a 148 DEWC with 3.4 of 231 is just plain sweet to shoot at the range. For defense I just step that up a few tenths. The 642 like most J frames just disappears in a pocket. I know this I have NEVER felt under gunned. I think the is WAY to much emphasis put on this and not being able to hit what you are shooting at, especially at what would be considered normal or accepted seff defense distances., 5, 7, 10 yards. Further than that I'm gone .
Dan
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Bmlove
US Veteran
Put a 100 rds though my new BG380 today. Sweeeeeet! Recoil was very manageable and I was able to group my rds in about 5 inches at 7 yards. I'm not the best shot in the world but for the first day and getting use to the trigger on the gun I thought it was respectable. Groups would have qualified me for chl in tx. Again want to thank everyone for your input.
tlay
US Veteran
I am only 57 but I am disabled. I will "carry" a guy named BUBBA and a guy named HARRY and both use a sawed off 12 gage. I don't worry much.
This is an excellent choice, and what I was going to recommend for you. I've had both revolvers, and I'd go with the .357 model. It's 3 oz heavier, 17 vs 14, IIRC, but the bit of extra weight will help with recoil while not noticeably increasing carry weight. Plus, in the .357 model, you have the option of shooting .38s or .357s. The trigger on the LCR is very nice. The .357 model has a steel insert that helps prevent any flame cutting issues.
It's been mentioned earlier, but the new Ruger LC380 is worth a look as well.
badge 851
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Brace of Airweight® 38 Specials loaded w/Buffalo Bore® Standard Pressure 158gr LSWCHCGC works just fine for a young, old man (63); like me. (YMMVH)
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After reading these posts, I'm feeling quite sprightly. However, having had some dings and visits from the itis clan, as well as 30 odd years as an instructor I have a couple of comments.
The 3 inch J frames have much better (bigger) sights than the shorter barrelled guns (or at least they did). I find a big shiny front sight easier to see than the black sights much beloved of target shooters. I will note this kinda rules out pocket carry, which isn't that good an idea for a primary weapon anyway.
Consider the .327 Federal Magnum chambering. You can shoot .32 long, .32 short, .32 H&R Magnum or the really impressive Federal round. I haven't tried it myself, but knowledgable folks claim less recoil than with .38 Spl.
Weight is a two edged sword. Heavy is sometimes bothersome/painful to carry, but is much less abusive when firing. You can find alternate carry methods to deal with weight.
You'll never get a double action revolver trigger as light as you can a semi-auto pistol. There are other ways to rack slides. S&W (and aftermarket suppliers) has rear sights now with ledges on the front of the rear sight to make it easier to hook the sight against a table or other surface and use both hands and/or body weight to rack the slide.
OOPS! Didn't read far enough. Good for you!
The 3 inch J frames have much better (bigger) sights than the shorter barrelled guns (or at least they did). I find a big shiny front sight easier to see than the black sights much beloved of target shooters. I will note this kinda rules out pocket carry, which isn't that good an idea for a primary weapon anyway.
Consider the .327 Federal Magnum chambering. You can shoot .32 long, .32 short, .32 H&R Magnum or the really impressive Federal round. I haven't tried it myself, but knowledgable folks claim less recoil than with .38 Spl.
Weight is a two edged sword. Heavy is sometimes bothersome/painful to carry, but is much less abusive when firing. You can find alternate carry methods to deal with weight.
You'll never get a double action revolver trigger as light as you can a semi-auto pistol. There are other ways to rack slides. S&W (and aftermarket suppliers) has rear sights now with ledges on the front of the rear sight to make it easier to hook the sight against a table or other surface and use both hands and/or body weight to rack the slide.
OOPS! Didn't read far enough. Good for you!
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681ismyfavorite
Member
too much for me to read all the post this early....but,
considering what you want to do i would recommend an airweight J frame which is MagNa-Ported.
considering what you want to do i would recommend an airweight J frame which is MagNa-Ported.
photoman
Member
If recoil is an issue
Hornady has a new answer:
38 Special 90 gr FTX® Critical Defense® LITE RECOIL
Hornady has a new answer:
38 Special 90 gr FTX® Critical Defense® LITE RECOIL
wildenout
Member
Why mess with what works? You have a springfield XD, why not just try the XDsc or XDS? I love my XDsc and wear it almost everywhere! Though when shorts weather comes, I am in a sp101 kind of mood.
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Bmlove
US Veteran
Tried the xdsc and the xds but they just had a funny feel to them. The S&W Body Guard .380 felt good in my hand and it shoots like a dream. 200 rds down range ow and no hiccups. I'm still looking to get a wheel gun however and I'm looking at the j frames in .38 special +p category. Like the 642 ans 442 as well as the ruger lcr's. Down the road a bit however. Want to thank all of you for your input and help.
Bmlove, the BG380 is a good choice. I'm in the same age range as you, but I don't have any arthritis issues yet. I carry the BG380 more than anything else. Easy to handle and amazingly accurate. I carry it OWB in a Simply Rugged Cuda holster in the 4 o'clock position. Totally disappears.
My other occasional carry is the SW Mdl 360J, scandium frame, .38 special. Weighs about 13.5 oz.
My other occasional carry is the SW Mdl 360J, scandium frame, .38 special. Weighs about 13.5 oz.
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Bmlove
US Veteran
Hey Radar1972, thanks for the input. I sure like mine. I just got back for the range and put another 100 rds down range. Was actually hitting the target (body) at 15 yards.. I know they're not made for that distance but it was fun trying. I have had no problems with mine to date, but only have 200 rds shot so far...but it is shooting good and I like the way it handles. Have not had any trubs with the recoil and the trigger is starting to get a little looser (easier to pull) now. It came with a nemesis pocket holster so that's all I have right now. Will look up the one one you mentioned 'cause I'd like to carry in the waist or OWB instead of pocket. I sit most of the time and a little difficult to get out of the pants pocket when sitting. I'm going to check out the SW mdl 360j also if I can find one. Don't think I have seen one. Looking at the 642 and 442's also. I do want a revolver sometime along.
Don't know about older folks but i carry a 1911 officers in a LOBO holster on a 1-1/2 -1/.4 thick belt.I.W.B..
I don't have any trouble working the slide and can still hold tight . I do pratice a bit . WHEN needed i sometimes carry a mod.37 .
Of corse I am just 76yrs young.
I don't have any trouble working the slide and can still hold tight . I do pratice a bit . WHEN needed i sometimes carry a mod.37 .
Of corse I am just 76yrs young.
Ilike9mm
Member
I'm 66: getting away from a lot of those big calibers and hand cannons.
"Shot Placement" means a lot.
"Shot Placement" means a lot.
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Bmlove
US Veteran
My new baby
. I do like S and W's. picked this up today from Cabela's now I've got my new wheel gun, BodyGuard 38 +P to match my BodyGuard .380 I got a few weeks ago. Can't wait to shoot it. Sure hope the pic shows up.
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elm_creek_smith
US Veteran
I'm only 61, but 20 years in the Army on tanks wasn't kind to me physically. I have a rebuilt left elbow, arthritis in my hands, knees, and feet, and have bone spurs in one foot. Add to that the tendinitis/bursitis in my left rotator cuff, and I'm in great shape. I also had cancer surgery last year. If it weren't for meloxicam, I'd be on walking sticks.
My daily carry at work is a S&W Model 686-4 loaded with Federal .357 Magnum 158 grain HydraShoks with a Taurus 85SSUL loaded with Speer .38 Special +P 135 grain "Short Barrel" loads as backup. (I'm an armed security officer in a government building.)
Off-duty I generally carry a 3 inch S&W Model 13 loaded with Speer .357 Magnum 135 grain "Short Barrel" ammo or a 4 inch tapered barrel S&W Model 10 loaded with the .38 +P "Short Barrel" stuff. So far, the weight of these hasn't been an issue. I also usually carry either my S&W Model 37 loaded with 110 grain Hornady Critical Defense standard pressure ammo or the Taurus 85SSUL loaded as above.
We're going on vacation to Texas next week, so I'll probably carry the Model 13 and the 85SSUL concealed on the drive down to the coast. I have a belt bag that will hold the Taurus when we go to the beach and wear the Taurus under Hawaiian shirts the rest of the time.
My wife (No, I won't post her age.) carries a 4 inch S&W Model 681 loaded with the Speer +P "Short Barrel" ammo wearing Crimson Trace grips. The weight of the gun makes recoil a non-issue for her.
We'll just have to see what issues come up in the future, but for now I think I'm set. I would like to have a S&W 649 (And the one in the guns for sale section is tempting me something fierce!), but that's gonna have to wait until the other bills are paid down.
ECS
My daily carry at work is a S&W Model 686-4 loaded with Federal .357 Magnum 158 grain HydraShoks with a Taurus 85SSUL loaded with Speer .38 Special +P 135 grain "Short Barrel" loads as backup. (I'm an armed security officer in a government building.)
Off-duty I generally carry a 3 inch S&W Model 13 loaded with Speer .357 Magnum 135 grain "Short Barrel" ammo or a 4 inch tapered barrel S&W Model 10 loaded with the .38 +P "Short Barrel" stuff. So far, the weight of these hasn't been an issue. I also usually carry either my S&W Model 37 loaded with 110 grain Hornady Critical Defense standard pressure ammo or the Taurus 85SSUL loaded as above.
We're going on vacation to Texas next week, so I'll probably carry the Model 13 and the 85SSUL concealed on the drive down to the coast. I have a belt bag that will hold the Taurus when we go to the beach and wear the Taurus under Hawaiian shirts the rest of the time.
My wife (No, I won't post her age.) carries a 4 inch S&W Model 681 loaded with the Speer +P "Short Barrel" ammo wearing Crimson Trace grips. The weight of the gun makes recoil a non-issue for her.
We'll just have to see what issues come up in the future, but for now I think I'm set. I would like to have a S&W 649 (And the one in the guns for sale section is tempting me something fierce!), but that's gonna have to wait until the other bills are paid down.
ECS
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Bmlove
US Veteran
Nice supply of guns you have. I'm really just getting started at a late age. Hoping to extend my inventory as I can afford it. Thanks for the post.
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