Got My CCW Today! Models for Arthritic Hands?

[Matt Hooper]

First day with the CCW (excited) so I stopped at a couple local gun shops on my way home from work. I had been thinking all along that when my LTC came in I would be getting a revolver and was thinking about the S&W 6864" and/or the 617 4". I have pretty bad arthritis in my right hand so was planning on sticking with a heavier gun and mellow loads to prevent pain from the recoil while I am learning to shoot. Either .22lr or .38 wadcutters.

Unfortunately, what I found was both of those revolvers were too heavy for me to grip and hold in shooting stance with my hand problems. Today was a worse day than most, (storm coming in), but the pain was bad and I was totally bummed as this might be a lasting problem and I'm not sure what direction to go next. I even held a model 632 which at 26oz still felt better but still a little heavy. I GUESS I NEED A NEW PLAN!

I hadn't thought of a pistol but might have to go that way. Held a couple sig 22s (mosquito) which fit my hand and felt really great, but a model I would never own. Tried a couple Walthers but they were too small. I don't like having my pinky off the grip. I really want to stay with a revolver but I am at a loss as to where to go next. Stores didn't have an M&P22 so maybe that's still an option.

I STILL WANT A WHEEL GUN!

Light weight with a larger grip, good for target shooting and no recoil? HELP! 351PD? Model 63?

Any suggestions completely and utterly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[luangtom]

Well, I literally feel yer pain. I carry either a 340PD stoked with Speer GDHP 135-gr for .38-spl +P loads for short-barrel revolvers, or my M&P340 stoked with the same. These are EDC guns.

I also have a 640 and a larger grip stoked with those same rounds sitting at my table-side and bed-side.

You may wanna try a S&W Model 60-Pro. They have a 3" barrel and are stainless and can be stoked with either .357 or .38-spl.

There are lots out there, ya just haffta find one that feels good to you and fits your needs. I do not have any that are .38-spl only revolvers, so will not comment on those.

 

[jonesy814]

Ruger LCR in .22 magnum maybe? The gun weighs 16.6oz and has rubber grips, and the 22 magnum can be a pretty wicked round. Hornady makes a special round designed for short barrels. I shot a steel plate (A36) with 9mm out of a carbine, and it barely left a mark then shot a CCI 22mag from my old Winchester model 275 rifle and it left a pretty good divot. I was suprised at the result. The LCR in 22 magnum retails for $350.00 in my area. If that too much weight or recoil it is available in 22LR which weighs 14.9oz, and it holds 8 rounds (22mag holds 6). It is the same price.

 

[snubbyfan]

A 442/642 with Pachmayr Compact grips? The lighter weight and larger grips could make it easier on your hands. A trigger job would smooth the trigger and a spring change would make it lighter.
The 442/642 with an enclosed hammer makes a great gun for ccw and the Pachmayr grips are just big enough to hold onto but not too big to conceal.
Maybe pair it up with a molded owb holster. The retention's molded in so there's no clips, levers or buttons to fool with, just yank the gun out when you need t.

 

[Chris L.]

First day with the CCW (excited) so I stopped at a couple local gun shops on my way home from work. I had been thinking all along that when my LTC came in I would be getting a revolver and was thinking about the S&W 6864" and/or the 617 4". I have pretty bad arthritis in my right hand so was planning on sticking with a heavier gun and mellow loads to prevent pain from the recoil while I am learning to shoot. Either .22lr or .38 wadcutters.

Unfortunately, what I found was both of those revolvers were too heavy for me to grip and hold in shooting stance with my hand problems. Today was a worse day than most, (storm coming in), but the pain was bad and I was totally bummed as this might be a lasting problem and I'm not sure what direction to go next. I even held a model 632 which at 26oz still felt better but still a little heavy. I GUESS I NEED A NEW PLAN!

I hadn't thought of a pistol but might have to go that way. Held a couple sig 22s (mosquito) which fit my hand and felt really great, but a model I would never own. Tried a couple Walthers but they were too small. I don't like having my pinky off the grip. I really want to stay with a revolver but I am at a loss as to where to go next. Stores didn't have an M&P22 so maybe that's still an option.

I STILL WANT A WHEEL GUN!

Light weight with a larger grip, good for target shooting and no recoil? HELP! 351PD? Model 63?

Any suggestions completely and utterly appreciated!

Thanks!

If you have problems with arthritis then racking a slide, loading magazines, or clearing malfunctions on a small semi-auto may introduce a whole set of problems on it's own. Even with healthy hands they can sometimes be difficult, at least they are for me. In your situation, I'd highly recommend you stay with a wheelgun.

A good choice for you would be the new Ruger LCR in .22WMR, which will give you 6 rounds of slightly less performance then a good .380acp round and very low recoil. I have a LCR in .38spl and it has a very comfortable stock grip and probably the best out of the box trigger on any snubby available today. I can shoot 100 rds through it at the range with little, to no soreness afterwards.

Another option you might want to check out is the new Taurus M380 mini revolver chambered in .380acp. It's a bit smaller then an LCR, but has a steel frame so it weighs more, giving you low recoil with the minimum acceptable performance of the .380acp. Some down sides to this revolver is it's heavy trigger pull, and you have to use the supplied moon clips to load the ammo.

Both the LCR and Taurus have larger grips then a 642 J-Frame, but your pinky will still hang off a bit. If you really want a S&W, then explain your situation to a gunsmith and get a nice trigger job, and use .38spl wadcutters. Hornady also makes a new .38spl "Lite" Critical Defense load that I believe is only around 90gr.

Good luck, and let us know what you find.

 

[jonesy814]

I didnt mention it above, but the LCR is available in .38sp, but even with the Houge rubber grip the recoil may be too much. The recoil of the .22 magnum should be minimal, especially with that grip, and may be your best choice. It would definately be better than the .22LR. You mentioned the M&P22 also. I have one and love it, but it does weigh 23oz or so. In a semi-auto, again, going to Ruger with the SR22 might be something to look at. They are well rated, around 17oz, and have a smaller grip than the M&P22. Not trying to push Ruger, especially on a S&W forum..lol, but thinking of what might be best for you.

 

[shouldazagged]

Better still in a personal defense gun, the all-steel 640. My 1990 version in .38 Special, marked "Tested for +p+", weighs 21 ounces unloaded. I'm 75 and very arthritic. I put Pachmayr Compac grips on mine so I would have purchase for my little finger and had my smith give it a nice trigger job. The gun is quite concealable and I can shoot +P 158-grain through it very comfortably. One of my all-time best handgun buys, and I've carried it daily for over ten years.

 

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

Here are a few good ones:
1) 2.5 or 3" model 686
2) 2.5" model 66
3) LCR in either 22LR or 22 mag (make sure the trigger on the one you get isn't too heavy)
4) a short barreled model 10 (38s only)

A lot depends on how you're going to conceal it. Lots of good 4" guns if you can conceal them. I'd have no issue with a 4" 617. But it's heavier than you need and it's pretty big, making it harder to conceal.

 

[Old cop]

At 66 my hands and wrists are arthritic too. My EDC is either a 442 or Colt Cobra and I use the Pachmayer grips on the range to save the pain from recoil, but I still pay afterward with a few aches after each range trip. This is just part of getting older . . .

 

[Engieman]

I agree with the above post in regard to the Pachmayer grips. They have a couple different lines, their most shock-absorbing are called 'decelerators.' Made of a softer compound then the usual rubber models. I put them a number of my big-bore guns as my aged hands were becoming more and more recoil sensitive. Made all the difference in the world! Only downside with rubber for concealed carry is they can a bit bulkier, and can be more difficult the draw or pull from the pocket due to their stickiness. Wood is pretty and great for photo shoots, checkering is elegant, and finger grooves can be helpful....but sore hands take all the fun and utility out of shooting. Sounds counterintuitive, but if your hands are really bad, I would consider reviewing the decelerator grips offered (they don't make them for every model/make), and 'back-into' your revolver purchase. Good grips will completely change the personality and shooting characteristics of the gun, for the better! Also, all rubber is not alike...I find the Hogue and Crimson trace rubber models pale in performance to the Decelerators (I have all of them). May feel and look good....buts that's not the mission we're trying to accomplish.

 

[photoman]

I second the recommendation of the Ruger LCR in .22 caliber. If you're having pain holding a 26 ounce gun, the recoil for ANY gun is going to cause pain. The LCR has an easy trigger pull and the .22 should produce the least amount of recoil.

 

[Matt Hooper]

Thanks for all the recommendations! I went out this morning and actually picked up the 617 4" 10 shot. It's wicked heavy but I'm going to give it a try. I just don't see a whole lot of other options for learning at this point that won't break the bank for ammo and break my hand!

While I was at the store, I did get a chance to fiddle with a Ruger SR22 and I liked it a lot. As I said, I am not into the idea of a pistol but the reviews are pretty strong and it's a whole lot easier to hold.

More to come after I get to the range. Thanks again for all the advice!!

 

[MichiganScott]

I was going to suggest a 632 Carry Comp. .38 Special performance with less recoil and a compensator to help with what recoil there is.

The 10 shot 617 should work. I'd suggest the heaviest, highest velocity solids you can find. You will want penetration because you will want to break bone if you have to use it. A moving eye socket is too small a target under stress, and .22's have the nasty habit of skidding off skulls. High velocity hollow points either do not penetrate or fragment.

 

[Retired W4]

While target shooting you might try a good pair of shooting gloves with some spandex in them. They give you some support and cushion the recoil some. They won't do you much good for CC though. I've been wearing my gloves at the range for large bore guns and they help me at 65-. Good luck.

 

[Old cop]

Excellent advise about wearing gloves, I forgot to mention that I use mechanic's gloves available at Target or Walmart. Just to ensure "reality" I put on the magna stocks, load +P (the way I carry the gun) and shoot a standard paper plate at 3 and 5 yards. I empty the gun as fast as possible and combat reload (speed loader or strip) and repeat. If all my rounds stay on the plate I consider this a successful range session. I only do this with 10 (or 12 if using my Colt) rounds a few times a year to save wear and tear on me.

 

[radar1972]

My wife had a similar issue due to arthritis. The factory grip on her S&W642 gave her too much pain due to the grip being too hard and too short. I ordered and installed a Synthetic Full Size Grip for the J-frame from S&W (SKU# 413040000). She loves it!

 

[halvenut]

I too have problems with arthritis (RA) and have found that using recoil absorbing rubber grips helps a lot. Also using lighter loads for target. You'll have to figure out what guns work well for your situation. Perhaps you have shooting buddies that you can try their guns or rent different types at the range and see what works for you, prior to purchasing a gun. My primary carry gun is a Colt Defender 1911 in 9mm. My secondary carry gun( in the hot weather) is a S&W 642 Airweight. Occasionaly I carry several other J frames and Colt Detective special, Kimber Ultra Carry II, all with rubber grips. I find the 9mm in the 1911 format is easier on the joints and 38 special also is. If you reload you'll find that you can tailor the loads to what suits you best. I have loads that I use for target use , but carry ammo is factory loads. The thing is finding out what works best for you.

 

[11e40]

if it's not to large, you might give some thought about a model 12 snubbie w wadcutters. hth

 

[tkdguy]

Trigger job

Regardless of which piece you choose, a "smooth" trigger job by a competent revolver smith will help you a lot. First, try the factory trigger, but if that is too "rough" talk to a gunsmith.

 

[7shooter]

I second those who suggest the Ruger LCR. They have a wrap around soft rubber backstrap and very good trigger pulls right out of the box. In 38 special using standard pressure rounds might work for you . Federal's 125 standard pressure Nyclads were supposed to have given good results when police used them years ago. You can't find them right now but I called Federal and they said they were going to make a batch of them sometime in Feb. The same gun in .22 might actually be your best bet based on what you are describing. The S&W j-frames have a much heavier trigger pull than the Ruger but you could see if the store would let you try the trigger on one.