Recommend a revolver for a disabled shooter?

This week I worked with three senior women, two in their 80's.

None could rack a slide of any type. Cocking the hammer removed half the pull weight, but that was not enough. I see this consistently with senior shooters. I can only recommend the older tip-up models in semi-auto handguns.

One walked in with a Model 60 loaded with custom 38 spl. She said she tried to unload it, but could not work the cylinder release. She swept me 2 times getting the gun out of the bag before I could stop her. We immediately covered the 4 basic safety rules !!! BATF - Barrel control, Always loaded, Target ID, Finger off the trigger. BATF

I placed a revolver in each of their hands and required them to hold it the entire training session to show them that no mater what they thought, they would sweep everyone multiple times while handling.

We moved to the grip being critical and never losing the grip as you manipulated the gun.
We worked on opening the cylinder technique and within 10 minutes, they were able to push the release and flip out the cylinder with their fingers on their left hand. They need practice keeping the grip and not rolling the gun around trying to find a way to operate the firearm.

I had them handle a dozen revolvers loading, unloading, and dry firing. I hid a few plastic dry fire cases in the cylinders to get them used to being surprised by having what looked like a cartridge in the "unloaded" gun. Guns are always loaded !!! Get used to it.

Each of the 3 ladies quickly gravitated toward the 22's and the 32S&W long. The revolvers for those calibers were LIGHT and low RECOIL. That's the combo that is required. I hope you realize that most of us use Weight to mitigate Recoil. That simply does not work for seniors or handicapped.

Lastly, each had problems shooting double action. None of my revolvers have over an eight pound squeeze, but that was still too much. None could hold the barrel on the target when trying DA. Single Action (SA) was a delight for them. They loved practicing the squeeze and not the jerk. I told them the jerk was the guy they married.

It took a couple of hours, but now they can at least safely evaluate a firearm when next week we hit the firing line and rent.

Please, guys, quit trying to pick out a handgun for a woman. Would you really buy a pair of shoes for her without trying them on? The shoes might fit and look great on you, but she may feel differently :)

Prescut
 
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Another vote for the Kimber K6S, either 3" or 2". Six shooter, and easy trigger pull. About 8 oz lighter than a M10. Easy to shoot with Federal HST micro, which Lucky Gunner tests show meets FBI protocol. Now available in DASA. A high quality revolver, mine have both been flawless.

73,
Rick
 
I think a hammerless snub in whatever caliber she can manage makes the most sense. Civilian self-defense in general is more a matter of fighting with a gun than it is shooting, and any assault attempt on her would likely be one of trying to exploit her disability. A gun that is easy to access, quick into action, retainable, function reliably while in contact are key points. Distances will likely be extremely close no matter what, so "shoot-ability" isn't really a concern.
 
OP, what I am about to say will probably anger many here, and for that, I am extremely sorry.

Virtually everyone that has shared advice here is highly experienced and respected on this forum, but in many respects, they are speaking based on their limitation-free experience. I know that when I became disabled, it angered me to no end listening to people as how to do things or telling me what I was and wasn't capable of doing. Based on that approach, I would suggest that you listen to either Snubby or Gerhart, or others that have challenges, since they have "been there and done that"!

My biggest question that I would ask, before heading out to the range, is how has your lady's long-term outlook been?

Based on my experience competing with numerous people that are confined to chairs (via the Adaptive Defensive Shooting Summit), I would make the dangerous presumption that your friend would have her sidearm mounted in some manner to her chair (off body) as opposed to carried on body, for ease of access and draw. For when she is alone, does she use a manually propelled chair, a motorized chair, or even a scooter? I ask this, because it will have a significant impact on both her situational awareness and her mobility!

One of the greatest advantages of having participated in the Adaptive Defensive Shooting Summit, is (as a former educator) that I am exposed to use of adaptive techniques. A number of my fellow participants at the ADSS have lost use of an arm, and need to master one-handed manipulation of a semiautomatic handgun. These participants are great with their chosen pistols, and make the matches highly competitive! When they need to reload, they reholster their pistols, drop the magazine, regrip the pistol and either drop the slide or manipulate the slide one-handed.

Based on your description of your lady's abilities, and what I have observed other similarly challenged shooters do, I'd suggest the following:
A Ruger Mk IV 22 cal pistol with a 1911-style magazine release, with a slight modification. Visualize a replacement slide cover for a striker fired pistol that has an extension ear on either one or both sides of the cover. Have a competent gunsmith fabricate and install such a tab on the back of the Ruger's bolt, allowing one-handed manipulation of the Mk IV.

Personally, if I were in your lady's situation, I'd use a pistol like this loaded with a magazine full of CCI Stingers. It has a thumb activated safety, holds 10 rounds, has light recoil, and the trigger pull of about 4 pounds.
 
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Does her wheelchair have a built-in table she can rest over her lap? She can use it as a shooting support.
 
[QUOTE=9245;141334488 I'm trying to get an idea what will work well for her.

I discovered some things:
She cannot work the slide of a semi auto, not even the Shield EZ, although she got close with that one (granted I have not had her try the 380 version yet), in the event of a jam or stoppage she would be screwed and I'm willing to bet she will limp wrist it.




(meet the FBI minimum in gel tests) but have a relatively low recoil, bearing in mind her hand strength.


So something with a low profile/snag resistant hammer but still thumb cockable?

Any suggestions?



QUOTE

If she can't work the slide of an auto that rules out autos.
Several people recommend the 21A with the tilt barrel and I had one and using CCI MiniMags the first shot snapped and pulled the trigger again it still did not fire. If that happened during an assault it would have been hard to tilt the barrel, use something to punch out dud, place another cartridge and close the barrel.
If she has to have something with low recoil because of hand strength you may have to forget about the FBI minimum in gel tests.
A low profile, snag resistant hammer? M49 S&W but it's chambered in .38 Special and .357 Mag.
The lowest recoil center fire I know of is .32 S&W but sometimes they are hard to find. The next up is .32 S&WL. Larry
 
To answer some questions:

She is in a manual wheelchair though it does have power assist wheels. She WANTS a power chair but insurance will not cover it and the cheapest we have seen them for sale was about $15,000 with some approaching the price of a new SUV, absolutely ridiculous and unobtainable. Can someone explain how I can easily get an electric bike for $1,500 or less (some under $1,000) but a chair that uses the same technology somehow STARTS at $15,000? Rant over.

Her condition is stable, there is no continuing degradation although she has to be careful to avoid impacts to part of her head due to a missing section of skull (as she explained it to me). She used to be in that horse program to learn to walk and was making progress but the facility shutdown and no others are within range. She also started some kind of robotic therapy but says that due to demand for the machine her appointments are a full 5 years apart. In the meantime she can use a walker on occasion and can walk without one for very short distances if she has either assistance or something to hold on to.

We have not discussed carry methods but I just assumed she would mount it yo the chair, which is what I will suggest.

We will be getting to the range sometime after the holidays, the main issue is transportation, she needs a handicapped van and thus far the company had been stubborn about where and when they will take her places. I can also move her by transitioning her from her chair to my car seat but for reasons I won't get in to that has not been possible yet but may in the spring. (Basically the van will only take her within a half hour or so from home and the ranges are farther than that, on occasion they will do up yo an hour but that's like pulling teeth) I have looked in to buying a van but lack the requisite $70,000+ base price.

I will indeed be starting her with a .22lr, specifically a Heritage Rough Rider, but obviously that is a target revolver, not a carry piece. It's basically an SAA and in addition to being single action only the reload time is impossible to do in a fight and likely impossible for her at all.

If it turns out all she can do is shoot .22lr than fine but I'm really going to push for something more effective if she can handle it.
 
9245 said:
To answer some questions:

She is in a manual wheelchair though it does have power assist wheels. She WANTS a power chair but insurance will not cover it and the cheapest we have seen them for sale was about $15,000 with some approaching the price of a new SUV, absolutely ridiculous and unobtainable. Can someone explain how I can easily get an electric bike for $1,500 or less (some under $1,000) but a chair that uses the same technology somehow STARTS at $15,000? Rant over.

Her condition is stable, there is no continuing degradation although she has to be careful to avoid impacts to part of her head due to a missing section of skull (as she explained it to me). She used to be in that horse program to learn to walk and was making progress but the facility shutdown and no others are within range. She also started some kind of robotic therapy but says that due to demand for the machine her appointments are a full 5 years apart. In the meantime she can use a walker on occasion and can walk without one for very short distances if she has either assistance or something to hold on to.

We have not discussed carry methods but I just assumed she would mount it yo the chair, which is what I will suggest.

We will be getting to the range sometime after the holidays, the main issue is transportation, she needs a handicapped van and thus far the company had been stubborn about where and when they will take her places. I can also move her by transitioning her from her chair to my car seat but for reasons I won't get in to that has not been possible yet but may in the spring. (Basically the van will only take her within a half hour or so from home and the ranges are farther than that, on occasion they will do up yo an hour but that's like pulling teeth) I have looked in to buying a van but lack the requisite $70,000+ base price.

I will indeed be starting her with a .22lr, specifically a Heritage Rough Rider, but obviously that is a target revolver, not a carry piece. It's basically an SAA and in addition to being single action only the reload time is impossible to do in a fight and likely impossible for her at all.

If it turns out all she can do is shoot .22lr than fine but I'm really going to push for something more effective if she can handle it.
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It sounds like you're on the right track.

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk
 
She is in a manual wheelchair though it does have power assist wheels. She WANTS a power chair but insurance will not cover it and the cheapest we have seen them for sale was about $15,000 with some approaching the price of a new SUV, absolutely ridiculous and unobtainable. Can someone explain how I can easily get an electric bike for $1,500 or less (some under $1,000) but a chair that uses the same technology somehow STARTS at $15,000? Rant over.
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Power chairs are so expensive because the vast majority of them are bought with money from Medicare or Social Security Disability. The government will pay the outrageous prices so the companies charge that much.
My wife got one that way. Her's retailed for right at $15,000 and good ol' .gov picked up the entire tab.
But know that the car carrier and class 3 hitch to tote it around were all on me. That ran about $2500.
If the lady is on Medicare or SSD, check into it as they will foot the bill. ;) If she's not on these programs, get her on them. Sounds like she qualifies.

On the bright side, used power chairs have absolutely no resale value. Mere pennies on the dollar. Because government programs will pay for new, there's very little market for used.
Check Craig's List and similar local sale ads. You can probably find one for around $500.
Also check power chair dealers as the usually have trade-in used chairs at greatly reduced prices. But it'll still be more than buying from an individual.

After my wife passed, I sold her chair, but was only able to get $300 for it. But the lady who bought it did need it and I was happy to pass it along to a worthy recipient.
The car carrier OTOH I sold for $1200.

BTW: .gov also has programs to help buy handicapped equipped vehicles as well. You should look into that too. ;)

edit: Just checked my local Craig's List. 8 power chairs offered, various makes and styles. priced from $250 to a little over $1000. I'm sure you can find some in your area as well. ;)
 
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Grayfox said:
Power chairs are so expensive because the vast majority of them are bought with money from Medicare or Social Security Disability. The government will pay the outrageous prices so the companies charge that much.
My wife got one that way. Her's retailed for right at $15,000 and good ol' .gov picked up the entire tab.
But know that the car carrier and class 3 hitch to tote it around were all on me. That ran about $2500.
If the lady is on Medicare or SSD, check into it as they will foot the bill. ;) If she's not on these programs, get her on them. Sounds like she qualifies.

On the bright side, used power chairs have absolutely no resale value. Mere pennies on the dollar. Because government programs will pay for new, there's very little market for used.
Check Craig's List and similar local sale ads. You can probably find one for around $500.
Also check power chair dealers as the usually have trade-in used chairs at greatly reduced prices. But it'll still be more than buying from an individual.

After my wife passed, I sold her chair, but was only able to get $300 for it. But the lady who bought it did need it and I was happy to pass it along to a worthy recipient.
The car carrier OTOH I sold for $1200.

BTW: .gov also has programs to help buy handicapped equipped vehicles as well. You should look into that too. ;)

edit: Just checked my local Craig's List. 8 power chairs offered, various makes and styles. priced from $250 to a little over $1000. I'm sure you can find some in your area as well. ;)
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She is on those programs, from what she says they tell her she "is not disabled enough" for a power chair, but yet too disabled for a manual so they insist she have a manual with power assist wheels and refuse to pay for anything else. Her wheels are $5,000 PER WHEEL (100% covered) and when they broke it took them 6 full months to replace them.

I did check Craigslist awhile back but sadly came up goose eggs in this area, I found power chairs but they all wanted a few grand each and a metric **** ton of Amigos (super market "fat carts"), polluting the search (probably 20 plus Amigos to 1 actual power chair and they were on the pricey side too. That was a few months back though so I suppose we should look again.

I agree about the price thing though, if daddy government pays for most people they have no reason to be competitive, once upon a time (maybe 12 years or so ago) I actually worked for a medical supply company and saw the reimbursement list, and holy **** it that a rip off, we were selling $5 pills and soaking the tax payers for $5,000+. That whole company was dirty, I'm glad I'm no longer there. Recently we installed a new ramp for her and the ramp, which is literally nothing more than a flat aluminum panel with a hinge and some carpeting on it cost $600+ and it's only 10 feet long. The same length ramp but sold to load ATVs and such was only $100 something at Tractor Supply.
 
Why does she need to rack a slide, push a cylinder latch, etc?
Identify a pistol she can shoot; an auto not prone to "limp writing", a revolver to be shot single action.
Then load it for her. She is not going to practice alone, is she?
If six or a dozen shots is not enough for an assailant, she is probably out of luck anyhow. Or provide for a New York Reload; another gun.

"A .22 is better than nothing." The only .22 I have that I would trust for self defense is the S&W Plastic M&P Compact. It is 100% on Mini-Mags and good on most others after a few hundred rounds "break in."
 
9245, consult a lawyer who specializes in SSD. See what he can do. ;)

The game the government plays with SSD is to deny everything over and over until you get tired and go away. Its surprising what they can do for you when your lawyer starts asking questions. :mad:
 
9245, sounds like you are heading in the right direction.

If your lady mounts her pistol on her chair, would she be facing issues with the local jurisdiction concerning concealability? You might want to check out a CCW organization with legal assistance (i.e.: US Law Shield or similar) for guidance here.

Not to be disrespectful, but let's imagine that your lady has one functional arm, is that why she can't rack the slide? There is a way around that. My first year at the Adaptive Defensive Shooting Summit, regardless of our physical limitations, we all were trained in one-handed manipulation of a semiautomatic handgun. For pistols with a slide (as opposed to a bolt like the Ruger Mk series), ensure that the pistol has metal/steel sights (especially the rear sight). Using the muzzle side of the rear sight, catch the edge of the sight on a firm/fixed surface (table, chair, wheelchair arm, etc), then push the grip towards the ground firmly. You've just racked the slide one-handed!

If she can handle the recoil, racking the slide becomes a non-issue. You may find that this approach may actually make shooting a semiautomatic easier than a revolver.
 
lrrifleman said:
9245, sounds like you are heading in the right direction.

If your lady mounts her pistol on her chair, would she be facing issues with the local jurisdiction concerning concealability? You might want to check out a CCW organization with legal assistance (i.e.: US Law Shield or similar) for guidance here.

Not to be disrespectful, but let's imagine that your lady has one functional arm, is that why she can't rack the slide? There is a way around that. My first year at the Adaptive Defensive Shooting Summit, regardless of our physical limitations, we all were trained in one-handed manipulation of a semiautomatic handgun. For pistols with a slide (as opposed to a bolt like the Ruger Mk series), ensure that the pistol has metal/steel sights (especially the rear sight). Using the muzzle side of the rear sight, catch the edge of the sight on a firm/fixed surface (table, chair, wheelchair arm, etc), then push the grip towards the ground firmly. You've just racked the slide one-handed!

If she can handle the recoil, racking the slide becomes a non-issue. You may find that this approach may actually make shooting a semiautomatic easier than a revolver.
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I tried that with her, I want to practice more but thus far she has not had the strength/coordination to pull that off, the sights keep slipping off the chair arm, I'd like to have her try using a pistol with an optic.

And yes, she is essentially one handed, the other hand is there of course but she doesn't have much control over it, she can make kind of a claw shape and turn door knobs with it but that's about it. Wrap the fingers of your off hand tightly together in bandages then attempt to do stuff with it, that's essentially the degree of mobility that that hand has. The other hand works normally but has low strength, she also seems to have some issues rotating her wrists and shoulders fully, she can move them but range of motion is limited.

To answer the other poster:

Being able to rack the slide and open the cylinder are vital for reloading but also for malfunction clearance, especially when limp wristing with a semi auto is a possibility, and yes, independent range practice. I love to help her and do all I can but we both also want to get her as independent as possible, she is proud and excited when she can do things on her own and so am I, and when it comes to important skills I will feel more comfortable too knowing that she can take care of herself if she has too. I considered that idea, just getting her something very high capacity and just sending her out with the one magazine, but then I thought of the above.

Point of fact, whenever I can I prefer to carry two reloads, it's not because I think I will have to reload twice, it's because I like knowing that I could if I had to, bit also because magazine failures happen, as does accidentally dropping a magazine or losing a magazine from a pouch, especially in a ground fight, fighting for retention, or even just falling down, all of which are more likely than having to reload twice. If I am carrying a revolver that means 18 rounds, if I have my 1911 it means 25 rounds, my custom Glock 19, 64 rounds, do I think I will need 64 rounds? No, but I don't think I will need 18 either, I just like knowing I have them if I have to use them, or just have to switch magazines.
 
Point of fact, whenever I can I prefer to carry two reloads, it's not because I think I will have to reload twice, it's because I like knowing that I could if I had to, bit also because magazine failures happen, as does accidentally dropping a magazine or losing a magazine from a pouch, especially in a ground fight, fighting for retention, or even just falling down, all of which are more likely than having to reload twice. If I am carrying a revolver that means 18 rounds, if I have my 1911 it means 25 rounds, my custom Glock 19, 64 rounds, do I think I will need 64 rounds? No, but I don't think I will need 18 either, I just like knowing I have them if I have to use them, or just have to switch magazines.
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That's pretty much how I feel about reloads. A double mag pouch doesn't take up much more room on your belt than a single pouch, so why not?
 
Jim Watson said:
Why does she need to rack a slide, push a cylinder latch, etc?
Identify a pistol she can shoot; an auto not prone to "limp writing", a revolver to be shot single action.
Then load it for her. She is not going to practice alone, is she?
If six or a dozen shots is not enough for an assailant, she is probably out of luck anyhow. Or provide for a New York Reload; another gun.

"A .22 is better than nothing." The only .22 I have that I would trust for self defense is the S&W Plastic M&P Compact. It is 100% on Mini-Mags and good on most others after a few hundred rounds "break in."
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This is pretty close to my line of thinking. Think about it personally, if you knew you were going to have to defend yourself which would you prefer

1. A semi auto handgun you had tested, that has proven reliable and accurate, with 17+1 rounds, but you can't reload, or clear a jam if it occurs.

2. A 6 shot revolver. You can reload, but have to do so one handed.

3. A semi auto 22lr, 10 round capacity, you can read and clear jams.

4. A tip barrel semi auto, 8 rounds. You can reload and clear jams, but have to do so one handed.

It's hard enough for an average carrier, with the use of 2 strong hands, and the ability to move freely in 360 degrees to reload. Having to clear a jam, or reload with these limitations is probably going to be the end of the encounter.

My vote is the highest capacity 9 that she can comfortably shoot that is reliable for her. If 9 is to much then hi cap 380. If recoil is still to much, highest capacity 32 revolver you can find.
 
seldon14 said:
This is pretty close to my line of thinking. Think about it personally, if you knew you were going to have to defend yourself which would you prefer

1. A semi auto handgun you had tested, that has proven reliable and accurate, with 17+1 rounds, but you can't reload, or clear a jam if it occurs.

2. A 6 shot revolver. You can reload, but have to do so one handed.

3. A semi auto 22lr, 10 round capacity, you can read and clear jams.

4. A tip barrel semi auto, 8 rounds. You can reload and clear jams, but have to do so one handed.

It's hard enough for an average carrier, with the use of 2 strong hands, and the ability to move freely in 360 degrees to reload. Having to clear a jam, or reload with these limitations is probably going to be the end of the encounter.

My vote is the highest capacity 9 that she can comfortably shoot that is reliable for her. If 9 is to much then hi cap 380. If recoil is still to much, highest capacity 32 revolver you can find.
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I beg to differ. While I agree that a 9mm would ultimately be better than a 22, the round will only be effective if it hits it's intended target! You are projecting recommendations based (presumably) from an unchallenged perspective! I do agree, utilize the highest capacity handgun that you are legally allowed, sometimes you may be limited to 10!

When you have the opportunity, get a friend to record and time you attempting to execute what you are suggesting, but with a twist!

Borrow or rent a manual wheelchair, and take your favorite revolver, 9mm, and a 22 semi-auto to the range, and have a friend set up D1s or B27s in a 3 threat scenario. Then, in order to put yourself in similar shoes as a challenged person, have your dominant hand/arm tied behind your back. Then, load and make ready your handgun. Your course of fire (weak hand only) FROM THE WHEELCHAIR, is to draw and engage each threat with 3 rounds each, in tactical priority, At the completion of engagement, clear your handgun and reload. A major point to keep in mind, is that this challenge is flawed. Predators will come at you from all sides, but you can't safely replicate a 360 degree threat engagement, a 180 degree field of engagement is the highest threat scenario you can safely replicate on a conventional range with another friendly on the ground.

Spoiler ALERT! I do believe that you will be humbled and want to reconsider your advice.

When you are challenged, your mindset has to change. When you are mobility challenged, expect that there is a realistic possibility that you will not only draw fire, but also take hits. You need to draw, identify the threats, and negate them as quickly as possible! The faster that you can do that, the greater the chance you don't leave the scene in a body bag and leave a chalk outline behind!
 
lrrifleman said:
I beg to differ. While I agree that a 9mm would ultimately be better than a 22, the round will only be effective if it hits it's intended target! You are projecting recommendations based (presumably) from an unchallenged perspective! I do agree, utilize the highest capacity handgun that you are legally allowed, sometimes you may be limited to 10!

When you have the opportunity, get a friend to record and time you attempting to execute what you are suggesting, but with a twist!

Borrow or rent a manual wheelchair, and take your favorite revolver, 9mm, and a 22 semi-auto to the range, and have a friend set up D1s or B27s in a 3 threat scenario. Then, in order to put yourself in similar shoes as a challenged person, have your dominant hand/arm tied behind your back. Then, load and make ready your handgun. Your course of fire (weak hand only) FROM THE WHEELCHAIR, is to draw and engage each threat with 3 rounds each, in tactical priority, At the completion of engagement, clear your handgun and reload. A major point to keep in mind, is that this challenge is flawed. Predators will come at you from all sides, but you can't safely replicate a 360 degree threat engagement, a 180 degree field of engagement is the highest threat scenario you can safely replicate on a conventional range with another friendly on the ground.

Spoiler ALERT! I do believe that you will be humbled and want to reconsider your advice.

When you are challenged, your mindset has to change. When you are mobility challenged, expect that there is a realistic possibility that you will not only draw fire, but also take hits. You need to draw, identify the threats, and negate them as quickly as possible! The faster that you can do that, the greater the chance you don't leave the scene in a body bag and leave a chalk outline behind!
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If 22lr is the only thing you can reliably get hits with/handle the recoil of, then it would indeed be the logical choice. My argument was more centered around reloads/malfunction clearing.

In your presented scenario, let's say I miss once on the first 2 targets. Even though I could physically reload the revolver, or the tip up gun one handed, to engage the last target, it will not be fast enough to matter, if they ment me harm, they would do it while I was trying to reload.

If I had a hicap semi auto, I'd still have 10 rounds ready to go.
 
.327 is a true magnum round that delivers considerable blast, flash and recoil.

In a small or lightweight revolver, it's trouble.
 
So what weapon do you recommend?

Note that the OP's friend has yet to FIRE anything.

Your exercise assumes multiple determined assailants whose survivors will carry through an attack after you have shot the first one. This may not be survivable even for the able bodied.
 
Jim Watson said:
So what weapon do you recommend?

Note that the OP's friend has yet to FIRE anything.

Your exercise assumes multiple determined assailants whose survivors will carry through an attack after you have shot the first one. This may not be survivable even for the able bodied.
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Again, the ability to accurately fire, and maintain control of the weapon is paramount, so that needs to be round one of considerations. As I suggested in the first post I made, if she can handle 9mm, that would be ideal, if not try 380, if 380 is too much, then try 32, followed by 22lr as a final option.

That said capacity should be chief concern over ability to reload imo. The odds of pulling off a combat reload under good conditions are poor, let alone under compromised conditions.
 
I can't rack slides anymore too. I'd go with a revolver in 22 lr to start her off. I got my misses a Taurus m94/4" 9 shot. Shoots great
 
Dick Burg introduced me to a friend of his at the Louisville Gun Show a few years ago. Dick's friend had been ran over by a train when he was around 12 years old. He lost an arm and a leg. He later grew up and owned a pawn shop. Two thugs followed him home one night to rob him and didn't know he kept a .357 mag in a holster in his wheel chair. They kicked in the door, fired at him and hit him. He was still able to draw and fire and killed one of his attackers and wounded the other. My point in this is: I still trust a good revolver in the hands of someone who knows how to shoot it especially anything that starts with at least 3 and ends with magnum. A good revolver will go bang after the first shot more often than a bottom feeder. In my opinion an inexperienced shooter is better off with a revolver, especially a person who may be handicapped.
 
Grayfox said:
I've told this story many times, but here its worth telling again.
My wife had arthritis in her hands. She became recoil sensitive and could no longer handle the recoil of her .38 Detective Special.
For her the solution was a S&W Model 30-1 in .32 S&W Long.
I did some polishing on the internals and played with rebound springs to give it the lightest, but still reliable, trigger possible.
She loved the gun! :D Recoil is little more than a .22. Yet its a more reliable and more powerful cartridge.
Mag-Tech makes an excellent 98gr SJHP round that does meet FBI specs in gelatin tests.
S&W makes several J-frame .32s in both round and square butts and barrel lengths from 2" to 4". I'm sure you can find something to fit her.
In this pic, my wife's gun is the little 2" snub. But the 3" or 4" will serve just as well, if not better. ;)

1mYleg6.jpg
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^^This^^
If you can get her a 327magnum revolver you can start her out with 32S&W ammo (very mild recoil), and work your way up to 32S&W Long ammo (a little more UMPH), then up to .32 H&R Magnum ammo (pretty good manstopper) and eventually maybe even .327 Federal Magnum ammo (VERY effective SD caliber).

That's be the route I'd go.

An alternative would be the Beretta Tomcat 32ACP
The Beretta has just a little more recoil than a 22LR but is a much better caliber for SD.
 
I would get her a Ruger LCR or LCRx in .22. It has a steel cylinder to help absorb recoil and take as much abuse as you can throw at it. It is easier to find in stock. It has a better trigger out of the box than anything else without paying for work being done on it (but do dry fire eight shots before agreeing to purchase to be sure you got a good one). They are quite reliable. It is less expensive with a better trigger than S&W.

Alternative: get a S&W .22.

This buys you a gun you know she can use out of the box. It has the lowest cost to practice with. If you can put the shots where they need to go, caliber doesn't matter. If you can't put the shots where they need to go, caliber doesn't matter. Either.

When she is able to shoot it well (and she can get there much quicker with a .22 because she will be able to get in more meaningful practice each trip. If she can handle 10 shots of .38 before wearing out, she can probably get in more than 100 before wearing out with a .22). And it will cost less to get good. And be more fun.

Naturally, dry fire should be regular. Preferably daily. This will build presentation, trigger control, natural sight alignment and picture, and any other skills you care to practice.

Eight well-placed shots from a .22 is no joke and she will be able to place 8 much quicker and in all probability more accurately than 5 of .38.

If she gets all of this nailed down and feels ready to handle more recoil, you can get a second LCR or LCRx or S&W in an appropriate caliber.

And she can conceal both on her wheelchair giving her as easy of a reload as possible (a second gun).

But even with 8 reliable shots of .22 that she knows how to place and that she can place more rapidly than anything else, she will be much more well set to protect herself than she is now.

I would also recommend pepper spray as a good tool to add. Buy a brand which also makes inexpensive trainers (Red Sabre or POMS recommended). This is a good, inexpensive, non-lethal alternative and an extra tool.
 
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