Recommend CCW or not?

Rastoff

Rastoff

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I have a neighbor who says he wants to get a CCW license. He's 91 years old. Just today I was talking with him and he showed me a 1858 New Army Revolver style gun. He couldn't even cock the hammer. Of course he'd never use that as a carry gun, but what I saw does highlight a concern for me, could he operate any gun?

I know he has trouble operating the slide on a 1911. Maybe a revolver like a Ruger SP101 or a S&W Model 60? I'm not sure he could operate a double action trigger.

Then there are recoil issues. He hasn't fired a gun in 30 years. I'm not sure he could fire the 20 rounds required by the Sheriff to qualify.

I don't want to tell him not to get the license, but I'm not sure he's physically able to really use the gun effectively. What do y'all think?
 
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If he wants to try, let him.
It will be good mental and physical effort.
If he can pass the requirements, it's always good to have the sheepskin.
If he can't pass, it may give him some inspiration to try again.
Never tell an old guy he can't do something.
You might be surprised :)

+++
Nemo
 
If your neighbor's mentally sharp I don't see why he shouldn't have the opportunity to obtain his CCW. It may take some work, however with the right handgun, training & practice I believe it's possible. I have taught a number of elderly students, all we're mentally sharp but a few had physical obstacles. I will work with them as long as it takes, I have a special place for them as I have seen too many elderly victims. Nothing warms my heart more than reading a story where an elderly person turns the tables on some a******!
 
91 Y/0?

Unless he is exceptionally sharp, the hand strength gets better, hearing and eyesight can pass muster I would have to say no. & it may be time to file down the car keys also. He COULD keep a self defense weapon at home, I suppose, but to arm him at 91, how much longer before he needs to be disarmed? Too big a risk of declining health, confusion, mis identification, accidental discharge, missing the target,etc. Sorry to say. A trip to the range couldn't hurt I guess, unless it brings up false hopes, OR he may realize it's too late for him, he is unable. People at any age seem to over estimate their ability's. Note the guys Zeroing hunting rifles at the range every fall. At 50 yd's they miss the target entirely 3-4 times, then pull a lucky shot & get 1 in the black and are "GOOD TO GO" as this ammo is too expensive to waste.
 
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It's not the age or his eyes or his mental acuity. He's plenty sharp and can see as well as I can. It's his dexterity that I'm concerned with. Watching him struggle with pulling the hammer back on that gun today is when I started questioning his ability to manipulate any gun.

To be fair, that gun he had today had a strong hammer, but not that strong. I could operate it just fine. I just don't want him to end a long and fruitful life with an unintended discharge.
 
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Perhaps a handgun might not be the best answer for him, maybe a semi-auto .410 shotgun (low weight, light recoil and no heavy slide to manipulate) not to mention that a shotgun ALWAYS gets respect.
 
You said he wants to CCW, so that rules out a shotgun. This is a tough one Rastoff. Why does he say he wants to carry? Perhaps his reason will reveal some other options. He's certainly as entitled as anyone else to try and qualify, but it sounds like he may be a bigger danger to himself if carrying.
If he is persistant, I think the .22 magnum idea might be best. Though it too will need some trigger work in order for him to manage it. The Sp101 Model 60 and is definitely out, the weight would probably be too much.

I presume that since he came to you you will be working with him? If recoil proves to be an issue here's a thought; the glock 42 has very little felt recoil, is lightweight, and something that he could easily carry. My wife is very recoil sensitive and she has one - loves it! Like I said , just a thought.
 
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Sounds like a different firearm might be something for him then. If he's mentally sharp and can see what he's aiming at, then a different pistol might be all he needs.

Have him try out smaller calibers with easier triggers with you at the range; I'm sure that'd help him get back in the saddle, figure out what'd work for him, and I'm pretty sure he'd enjoy it.
 
FROM SOMEONE WITH HAND ISSUES THEMSELF

If there's a will there's a way. But I think I'd forget CC for him. A semi is actually harder to load the mag & rack the slide than to load & fire a double action revo in single action mode. Something with a big wide hammer spur can be cocked any # of different ways, then the trigger pull is light. Possibly a 38 special with a dewc in a reduced load. Full sized revo's are easier for me to manipulate. The design of a revo is likely more familiar for a person his age also. His family if any may have a totally different point of view than you also.
 
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You can push-cock a 1911 if it does not have a guide rod. I wouldn't want to be limited to that, but just saying that is an option if he likes that platform. Cocking the hammer on a 1911 greatly reduces the muscle needed to pull back the slide.

1911's in 9mm don't have much recoil. They actually make good CCW's for individuals that are recoil shy.

I suspect most semi's could be push-cocked. My M&P FS has a shoulder on the rear sight that can be caught on a belt, holster, counter top, etc., so it can be cocked one-handed.
 
How about a .22lr or .22 mag? I have read several stories about
.22's stopping people coming in the house. He could shoot it and they go bang and that runs off most burglars.
A small revolver would probably work.
Also for his hands, they have these small hand squeezers, where you can do individual fingers.
They are in at least three strengths. If he bought the lightest one and squeezed it most days 20-40 times,
it might restore that dexterity.
 
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32 caliber,light kick,centerfire,6 rounds vs five............plenty of options with this gun.....but to add if I were to get to 91 yrs old,a ccw permit most likely will not be high on my list,your friend is lucky to be going strong and wanting to tackle new things.
 
does this man still drive? i would say no to CC but a small 22 for the home if he can hit a target. that just my opinion . he has rights as a U.S. citizen to get that licence if he can pass test. and being of sound mind. he is your friend ask him y help him make the right choice
 
PMR-30? Thirty rounds of .22mag? It's got a light trigger, generous capacity, and the recoil spring is light enough to be manipulated. Should work for him since the recoil is light enough to allow achievement at the range especially combined with the fiber optic sights.
 
Take him out to shoot.
Bring a suitable assortment.
The .32 acp might be the ticket.
They are blowback guns, so they do have a tougher recoil spring than a proportionaly sized lockup, but thdey are easy to rack.
You may satsify his curiosity just by givin' him the chance to go out and do it again.
 
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