Semi or revolver for arthritic hands?

[otis24]

I've been experiencing hand trouble for quite a while now, off and on (locking trigger finger). I get nodules on my tendons. The worst was my thumb last year. I had surgery on the right hand twice. Three years ago for middle finger and a year ago for thumb and ring finger. I experience issues in both hands to varying degrees.

For those with hand issues/arthritis, which do you find easier to manipulate, a semi or a revolver? I found a revolver to be a little more punishing to shoot. But that was an Airweight. A steel frame .38 might be less punishing. I found the 9mm semi easier to shoot, but maybe a little more troublesome to manipulate. What is your experience.

 

[LCC]

Accuracy over caliber...might consider Smith's EZ .380 or 9mm. Haven't shot them, checked them out at my gunstore, very easy to rack, almost effortless. Wife of the GS owner carries the .380, said it is has mild recoil and is very accurate. 10 rounds of .380 XTP placed accurately is not being unarmed.

 

[JcMack]

Drawing the slide back on an auto to chamber a round may be a problem for you. I have arthritis in my thumb joints and find most pocket size .380's are tough for me to manipulate the slide. A Bersa Thunder .380 is O.K. for me though. If you're not recoil sensitive I'd suggest a LW revolver. I'd suggest a Centennial style revolver like a S&W 642/442.

 

[Rpg]

You’ll find service sized autos like the 1911 with a 16 lb recoil spring much easier to operate and shoot than revolvers of any size or smaller autos.

 

[ContinentalOp]

While my hands are not in terribly bad shape, I have had recurring issues with tendonitis and am showing early signs of osteoarthritis in my fingers. I can still operate both revolvers and semi-autos without much difficulty. Racking the slides on my 1911s with the hammer down is the closest thing to struggling that I do, but I can still manage that with technique. Fortunately, I don't use my 1911s for self defense.

I think the problem is that you can't really simplify it down to semi-auto vs. revolver. You may have problems racking a slide, but manipulating a DA revolver trigger can also be an issue. You may find a semi-auto that you can manipulate, like the S&W EZ models, and find it easier than pulling a DA revolver trigger. Or you may have no problem with a DA revolver trigger pull but have difficulty racking a slide.

FWIW, slide manipulations with a semi-auto can be made easier with certain techniques. And DA revolver trigger pulls can be lightened/smoothed by a gunsmith and still retain 100% reliability.

If recoil is your biggest concern, and shooting semi-autos is more comfortable than revolvers (it's the same with me), then maybe look for a semi-auto you can manipulate, like the S&W EZ models or, if you can find them, one of the Beretta tip-up barrel models that don't require slide racking. A steel frame revolver will help with recoil, but my own experience tells me that comparing semi-autos and revolvers of similar weight and power, the semi-auto will have less felt recoil because some of that energy is operating the slide, whereas the revolver sends all that energy into your hand.

Just my opinion.

 

[zogger]

Due to arthritis in my thumbs, I have gone with a SW Model 60 3" and a SW Model 66 4" for my EDC. I have issues racking a slide. By using rubber grips that cover the backstrap, the revolver recoil is manageable.

 

[oddshooter]

At some point, most folks lose the ability to rack that slide. I've taught a lot of seniors to shoot. I have a buddy at 85, he just can't do it after learning all the techniques known to man. Racking requires hand strength which some don't have at all.
Intimating otherwise is just wrong and may lead someone else down the wrong road. If you can't rack the slide even with the hammer back, you can't load the bullets.

Do I really need to say it; Revolvers are most often shot single action, so why even discuss DA.
So one gun is possible to shoot and the other is not.

Everything else is just trying to convince yourself of what you've chosen is better.

Semi-auto may be better for self defense; but that is not the issue here. This issue is being able to accomplish the manual of arms required to shoot a gun.


Prescut

 

[beaverislander]

I have similar issues and recently thought maybe if I shot a 12ga. it would loosen things up........that didn't work out very well.

A 1911 CQB Compact is much easier for me to handle than a 342PD j-frame, but it's the j-frame that is with me 99% of the time. If I ever need it I know it's gonna hurt, but not as much as not having it would.

 

[bigwheelzip]

With intermittent trigger finger stiffness, the short reset trigger on my semi auto is the ticket for me. The flat face on my rear sight could rack the slide, if it became a problem.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

 

[LVSteve]

They don't come much easier to manipulate than the 380EZ. Maybe a 9mm 1911 would be easy to work. I have a Star Model B Super that is quite easy to manipulate, and that's pretty close to a 1911. Rotary barreled pistols like the Beretta/Stoeger Cougar or the Grand Power pistols in 9mm are also generally easy to rack.

 

[MSgt G]

My wife has the same problem. Just picked up a S&W Shield .380 EZ for her an hour ago. She loves it! In fact, so do I. Selling my regular 9mm Shield to get the 9mm EZ for myself. Try one and see what you think.

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

My wife recently purchased a 9 mm EZ because of the same problem. She can manage it better than the regular 9 mm Shield. It works for her.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

 

[otis24]

I do believe that, in general, a semi auto is best for self-defense and I am confident in the ability the 9mm to stop threats. My Shield does not have the manual safety. The only concern with it is loading the magazines. Ergo, the 9mm Shield EZ might be a better choice. My biggest concern is with a larger weapon like my beloved Browning Hi Power. Manipulating the safety while in the cocked & locked position might get to be difficult eventually. I might undertake adding a larger safety or having the SFS system installed.

 

[ContinentalOp]

The only concern with it is loading the magazines.

Check out the UpLULA mag loader. It makes loading mags very easy.

 

[rkittine]

Do you have Arthritis, Trigger Finger or Dupuytren's Contracture? All three have different issues. Next, what are you using the pistol(s) for? I have some Arthritis and a lot of Dupuytren's but I have had major surgery for that on both hands. I can handle both a revolver and a semi without issues, but do find that the Shield 380 EZ that I bought for my girl friend is very easy to handle and shoot. Revolver certainly very easy in single action, though less in double action.

Bob

 

[Rustyt1953]

I have UpLULA's in my range bag, gun safe and safe deposit box. Don't want to be caught without one.

Marvelous invention.

 

[jimmyj]

Have you considered a Beretta .32 or .380 Model with the tip up barrel ?

 

[otis24]

Have you considered a Beretta .32 or .380 Model with the tip up barrel ?

I've never checked those out. I will have to YouTube it.

I have a friend that has Dupytrens Contracture. I don't think that that is what I have.

 

[pasound]

I have arthritis in my knuckles. Making a strong fist is difficult sometimes. My autos have gone to storage. My go-to are revolvers these days. Three different J-frames with Hogue tamers (all feel the same that way). All have an easy grip that I can repeat and hold firmly. With them double action is smooth, and single action is easy. I wish I could still carry my RIA 1911, or my 6906, but these days they go to the range only.

 

[38SPL HV]

Single action revolver...does not take too much effort to pull the hammer back and you have plenty of caliber options. A tip up Beretta auto, as also mentioned, is also a good alternative if you’re looking for a small self defense gun option.