Age old question. What CCW for elderly
- Thread starter Bmlove
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There is the new Ruger LC380. It has a 7+1 .380 capacity and is the same size as the LC9. Because it's a .380 it has less recoil and the recoil spring's lighter making the slide easier to manipulate.
gatchelguy
US Veteran
I'm 80 and currently carry an LCR .38 with boot grip and HiViz front sight in a Blackhawk soft holster in my front pocket. No one has made me yet, or maybe they think it's a colostomy bag. I reload and make pissant loads for practice and use factory midrange HP's for carry.
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JonF
Member
I'm with Spook on this this one exactly ! Same gun, same load, same philosophy. I'm 74 by the way. My wife is a year or so younger and she carries a 242 in pocket. We have a Mod67 - 4" in 38spl. for a "house" gun, so all three weapons work well together. I reload and shoot 148gr wadcutters for practice, but keep Hornady critical defense loads in both snubbies when carrying. "Getting older is not for sissies" at least here in Southeast Michigan.
I also have some age on me, stiff sore hands, eyesight going, etc. I carry a 386 Nightguard, 7 shots, great sights, lighter weight, bigger grip than a j frame. I took the rubber grips of, but you might like them for recoil. Good luck on your search.
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Congrats on reaching an age of experience. I hope to reach that age in some years myself. (55+ now) 
When you post "Have tried the smith m60, ruger sp101, and just too much for me to handle", do you mean the weight or the recoil?
If it is recoil, then try 38's. After dry fire and range time while visiting us, elderly family returned home to Houston with a Detective Special and 38 wadcutters. At 80 years and with hands that aren't what they were, that combination works well and gives honest confidence. I would not be surprised to find the same thing happening to me someday.
Otherwise the above posts have good suggestions. And range time helps to sort out any unexpected issues before buying.
When you post "Have tried the smith m60, ruger sp101, and just too much for me to handle", do you mean the weight or the recoil?
If it is recoil, then try 38's. After dry fire and range time while visiting us, elderly family returned home to Houston with a Detective Special and 38 wadcutters. At 80 years and with hands that aren't what they were, that combination works well and gives honest confidence. I would not be surprised to find the same thing happening to me someday.
Otherwise the above posts have good suggestions. And range time helps to sort out any unexpected issues before buying.
Lobster Picnic
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I would just go lightweight and light recoil
43c, 8 shots .22lr, 11-oz
351c 7 shots .22 Magnum, 11-oz
43c, 8 shots .22lr, 11-oz
351c 7 shots .22 Magnum, 11-oz
walkin' trails
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I'm about to turn 50 and am starting to get a tinge of it in my shooting knuckles. My personal observation is that the lighter the gun, the harsher the recoil, regardless of what caliber it is chambered in. That is certainly true for any alloy J-frame, even the ones chambered for .38 Special. One of the 640 Pros, if the barrel is ported, might work well, but I'd lean toward a polymer frame auto such as the Shield stoked with standard pressure 9s. I have fired the Ruger LCP 380s and the LC9, and thought the recoil on the former was noticable, and the later was just not fun to shoot - trigger needs to be redesigned (I could actually hit a torso target at 25 yards with the .380, while I could not hit the broad side of a barn from the inside with the 9). In order to shoot a carry gun that doesn't beat your hand to death, the pistol needs to have a little weight to go with the choice of reasonable ammunition. For that reason, I'm leaning hard toward giving my M&P 45 a rest and going to an M&P 9 full size. For backup, I alternate between a G27 with 180 grain Rangers and a 640 in .38 with 147 grain Hydra Shok +P+. Neither is a very pleasant load in a small gun. The good thing is that in today's world, you've got a lot of choices.
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OP
Bmlove
US Veteran
No final decision yet
Hi all. Thank you all so much for your input in my quest for a CCW. While I shoot my SAXD 9mm very well, I found it was not small enough to carry so it has become my "home" gun, along with my dad's old 38 snubbie kframe. So I started my search for an EDC gun. With all the input from you all I think I have narrowed my search down to the following:
S&W
Model 642 or 442 (I do love a revolver, even though I'm more accurate with a semi-auto)
Bodyguard 380, I like the feel
Model 60' 2 or 3 inche barrel.
Ruger (sorry guys)
LCR 38 +p
LCR 357
I'm in the process of trying to find some guns from friends and ranges to shoot for my final decision. Not in any hurry cause I want to get it right. If that's possible, lol. Things change with age. I might wind up with a 22 magnum who knows. At least that would be cheap to shoot. Lol
Thanks again for all the response. Hope other seniors will read this thread and help them as well.
Will update when I make my final choice.
Hi all. Thank you all so much for your input in my quest for a CCW. While I shoot my SAXD 9mm very well, I found it was not small enough to carry so it has become my "home" gun, along with my dad's old 38 snubbie kframe. So I started my search for an EDC gun. With all the input from you all I think I have narrowed my search down to the following:
S&W
Model 642 or 442 (I do love a revolver, even though I'm more accurate with a semi-auto)
Bodyguard 380, I like the feel
Model 60' 2 or 3 inche barrel.
Ruger (sorry guys)
LCR 38 +p
LCR 357
I'm in the process of trying to find some guns from friends and ranges to shoot for my final decision. Not in any hurry cause I want to get it right. If that's possible, lol. Things change with age. I might wind up with a 22 magnum who knows. At least that would be cheap to shoot. Lol
Thanks again for all the response. Hope other seniors will read this thread and help them as well.
Will update when I make my final choice.
palmettosunshine
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While I don't have all the life experience as most of the posters here, I do have arthritis in my thumb joints that makes manipulating most slides impossible most days. After MANY different experiments I've settled on my 638 for everyday carry. I work in a business environment where I MUST remain concealed so the 638 is my go to revolver. It rides comfortably in my pocket and no one has ever made me. I use a simple blackhawk fabric pocket holster with the sticky band around it ($9 at walmart) and it holds up for about a year or so before needing replacement. In the car I slip it in my waistband (AIWB, in the same holster) for ease of reach and it's comfortable there as well. If I'm wearing an untucked shirt I usually just carry AIWB.
I do reload so I make my own 148gr WC for range use which makes the lightweight 638 a pleasure to shoot. I normally carry federal hydra-shok .38's but will probably go to the WC's even for SD when Arthur takes full control.
As for a semi-auto that I can comfortably rack the slide on, and am stupidly accurate with, is my old CZ-75 but my days of carrying that chunk of steel are well over...
I do reload so I make my own 148gr WC for range use which makes the lightweight 638 a pleasure to shoot. I normally carry federal hydra-shok .38's but will probably go to the WC's even for SD when Arthur takes full control.
As for a semi-auto that I can comfortably rack the slide on, and am stupidly accurate with, is my old CZ-75 but my days of carrying that chunk of steel are well over...
OP
Bmlove
US Veteran
Hmmm may have to add the 638 to my list. I really like S&W's
Another important consideration
I carry rarely and there are many good pistol recommendations in this thread than I can't improve. There is one critical recommendation, however, that needs to be added for all of us "old folks" and that is EXERCISE! When I was in my early sixties I had all kinds of aches and pains and my balance was a little off - I was getting the symptoms of "old" . My doctor suggested exercise and walking. Now at age 72 and after about ten years of frequent exercise, I have no serious joint pain, I don't get winded, and my reflexes are good.
Additionally, for hand gun shooting, I have one of those hand grip squeeze things in the car that I squeeze (ten reps) periodically while driving around town. I exercise both hands. My weak hand is stronger and my trigger control on both hands is improved. I can't crack walnuts but I can easily rack all my semi-autos and I can comfortably shoot full boat .357s out of my 640 J frame and I can shoot my Dan Wesson 44 at arms length (bulls eye style) without quivering.
I carry rarely and there are many good pistol recommendations in this thread than I can't improve. There is one critical recommendation, however, that needs to be added for all of us "old folks" and that is EXERCISE! When I was in my early sixties I had all kinds of aches and pains and my balance was a little off - I was getting the symptoms of "old" . My doctor suggested exercise and walking. Now at age 72 and after about ten years of frequent exercise, I have no serious joint pain, I don't get winded, and my reflexes are good.
Additionally, for hand gun shooting, I have one of those hand grip squeeze things in the car that I squeeze (ten reps) periodically while driving around town. I exercise both hands. My weak hand is stronger and my trigger control on both hands is improved. I can't crack walnuts but I can easily rack all my semi-autos and I can comfortably shoot full boat .357s out of my 640 J frame and I can shoot my Dan Wesson 44 at arms length (bulls eye style) without quivering.
sarge68
US Veteran
I'm 71 and have carried just about everything short of a 105. I decided that if I carry, I need to carry consistently. The Ruger LCR in .38 caliber using +Ps is for me. I use a charter IWB or a simply rugged pocket holster. Also have it fitted with CTC laser grips. Just love it!
chuckfw
US Veteran
I too carry a 638 with Crimson Trace and Critical Defense ammo in it in a DeSantis Nemisis pocket holster and a speedloader strip in my other pocket. My other carry pistol is a XDs .45acp with another pocket holster and a 5 shot magazine, loaded with Federal 230gr. HSTs. The XDs does not recoil like someone may think, it's a great gun to have. I also carry a spare 7 round XDs magazine in my other pocket.
A lot of good suggestions here. If you want something easy to shoot and conceal the Ruger LC9 is a more than viable option. My oldest daughter wanted a CCW firearm and has small hands. I picked up a used Walther PPK/S and the LC9. The Walther being a straight blowback was hard for her to rack the slide. The LC9 was easier for her to handle. The LC9 was accurate out to 25 yards; able to keep all seven rounds on a 10" paper plate. It is DA only, no exposed hammer spur, and is the most concealable 9mm I have seen.
foggbird
Member
What CCW for elderly
A number of people have suggest a S & W Model 12 with a 2" barrel. My round-butt 12 with a Tyler T-Grip (grip adapter) fits into a DeSantis Nemesis N3 pocket holster and doesn't show at all even under shorts. I find that a larger K frame is easier to handle with my arthritis. I worry about bobbling a J frame at a critical time. I've had the 12 "dehorned", the hammer spur ground off.
Previously I used a Colt Cobra, also dehorned. When I'm driving, I sometimes use a Kel-Tec .380 in the cargo pocket of my cargo pants or cargo shorts. A pocket holster is hard to get to while sitting or driving. Then I'll have a Glock 19 somewhere in the car too.
A number of people have suggest a S & W Model 12 with a 2" barrel. My round-butt 12 with a Tyler T-Grip (grip adapter) fits into a DeSantis Nemesis N3 pocket holster and doesn't show at all even under shorts. I find that a larger K frame is easier to handle with my arthritis. I worry about bobbling a J frame at a critical time. I've had the 12 "dehorned", the hammer spur ground off.
Previously I used a Colt Cobra, also dehorned. When I'm driving, I sometimes use a Kel-Tec .380 in the cargo pocket of my cargo pants or cargo shorts. A pocket holster is hard to get to while sitting or driving. Then I'll have a Glock 19 somewhere in the car too.
medxam
US Veteran
I have always loved my Model 631 .32 and have carried it off and on with mags. Now that I have turned 73, and my arthritis is catching up with me, I love it more and more. It is perfect for pocket carry, or in a small holster! Better to be able to carry and shoot it than fumble with my 624 which I used to carry, but which always rests on my night stand!
medxam
medxam
It seems you are leaning towards a revolver. The J frame Smiths in 38 +P are of course great but you really need to do or have a trigger job done on them. J frames are not the easiest guns to shoot accurately.
The Ruger LCR as ugly as it is, has a much smoother trigger and thus easy to shoot accurately.
Even though I had issues with Kahr, (went back and was fixed) I still prefer the PM 9 to a revolver any day. It is extremely accurate, holds 7 rounds and can pocket carry in a simple holster.
In FL, I wear shorts and T shirt or polo shirt and do not need to dress around the gun.
The little Ruger LCP 380 is a gun that you forget you even have. Probably why it is the best selling gun for years. People down grade the 380 cartridge but it has been used in Europe for a long time and is very effective as you can hit what you aim for.
The Ruger LCR as ugly as it is, has a much smoother trigger and thus easy to shoot accurately.
Even though I had issues with Kahr, (went back and was fixed) I still prefer the PM 9 to a revolver any day. It is extremely accurate, holds 7 rounds and can pocket carry in a simple holster.
In FL, I wear shorts and T shirt or polo shirt and do not need to dress around the gun.
The little Ruger LCP 380 is a gun that you forget you even have. Probably why it is the best selling gun for years. People down grade the 380 cartridge but it has been used in Europe for a long time and is very effective as you can hit what you aim for.
I'm 65 and can relate to your situation. I have two options now. My auto is a Rohrbaugh 9mm but my favorite these days, to carry, is my S&W 340PD. Practice with .38 special and carry with .357 mag. Practice just enough with the .357 so you stay on top of the game. I use a 125 grain .357 round that is nice. I had a new ported barrel installed, and wood grips so there is no hang up in pocket. Also had a nice trigger job done as well. Shoots so very accurately. Trust me, if you need to defend yourself with the .357 you're not going to notice any pain in your hand.
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drd
Member
SW Model 632 either model
The 632 in .32SWL, .32H&R Mag, or .327 Mag. They make it in a 3in which is ported and shoots the Fedral Low Recoil very mild. Or they make it in a 2in which is hammerless, it is 23 oz, one more once than the 3 in which I have.
The wife loves shooting the .32SWL because it shoots like a .22, I did sneak a few .32H&R Mags and she didn't even know the difference. At about 1000fps the H&R with HP is a good load.
I'm 77 and love the 632, great Adj Sights and I put a gold bead on the front, it is very accurate with a nice trigger. I gave my 9mm S&W 1911 to my son, and sold the HK P7 which was supposed to be soft shooting. (My 1911 was far softer)
Good Luck
The 632 in .32SWL, .32H&R Mag, or .327 Mag. They make it in a 3in which is ported and shoots the Fedral Low Recoil very mild. Or they make it in a 2in which is hammerless, it is 23 oz, one more once than the 3 in which I have.
The wife loves shooting the .32SWL because it shoots like a .22, I did sneak a few .32H&R Mags and she didn't even know the difference. At about 1000fps the H&R with HP is a good load.
I'm 77 and love the 632, great Adj Sights and I put a gold bead on the front, it is very accurate with a nice trigger. I gave my 9mm S&W 1911 to my son, and sold the HK P7 which was supposed to be soft shooting. (My 1911 was far softer)
Good Luck
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