What Gun for Mom?

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DRaid48

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Several months ago I purchased a LC9 and my mom really "likes the way it looks." Never having taken any interest in guns before she has been talking about getting one; she is a surgeon and gets called into the city Hospital at strange hours. I have taken her to the range a few times but she will never shoot the LC9 more than a few times because it hurts her hands. Additionally she is able, but only with difficulty, to rack the slide. She was looking at a LCP under the assumption that a smaller gun will not hurt her hand as much or be as hard to rack. I'm wondering what recommendations you all would have for her to check out? I'm almost thinking that a 8 shot .22 revolver is the best way to go because then there is no slide to rack and that caliber won't hurt her hands, but I would really like it if she could have a little bit bigger bullet. She hasn't decided yet, but I'm pretty sure she is going to carry it in her purse, or OWB under a winter jacket- so size of a firearm is not a super big concern... as far as I know. Thanks team.
 
SHE needs to figure out what SHE is comfortable with and what SHE can shoot. What you and I think is irrelevant because we aren't the ones that going to be carrying the gun in question.

If you can find someplace that rents guns, carry her there and let her shoot anything she wants to. Check with your friends and see who's got what and make a range day so she can shoot what they have.

My suggestion is try finding a gun that actually has a little bit of weight to it. Super light guns for self defense really make no sense to me. The lighter it is, the more you feel the recoil. The more you feel the recoil, the less you want to shoot it. And not shooting a gun regularly that I intend to rely on to save my life is stupid in the extreme as far as I'm concerned.

The argument that ultra light guns are easier to carry because they are so light is complete bunk. In most cases, we are talking about a few ounces of difference in weight. I'm not saying you have to put down your ultralight J frame (@ 19oz or less loaded) and carry a Walker Colt (4 and 1/2 pound empty) but is a steel frame J frame that is actually more comfortable to shoot really THAT heavy?
 
You make very good points- I suppose I was looking for a starting point for her to begin her testing with. I suppose we will simply begin with what we have access to and what she wants to try. If she really doesn't like it after the first shot, she can always try a different size or weight.

I too think a heavier gun will be easier for her so perhaps I will encourage her to begin there- continuing to try many different weights and sizes.

Thanks for your suggestions.
 
I am 5' tall and medium built. I used to get hurt at the wrist with my Glock 23 but I decided to keep it and exercise my hands and wrists a little bit more. I love my Bersa Thunder 380. It has 7 shots + 1 in the pipe. It is a very versatile gun to carry. Recently I bought ... no, read that at "given" a Glock 19 Gen 4. It was so comfortable it now becomes my cc because I can't oc. I am not advising you to get these guns for her but it is just a suggestion for a good start in choosing because I have the same wrist ailment as hers. I love my guns, particularly the Glocks because they are very reliable and not much maintenance at all. There you go, that is my take on this one.
 
If the LC9 gives her recoil issues, stay FAR, FAR away from the LCP.

I would suggest the Sig P238. Hardly any recoil & easy to rack the slide.

My wife has authritis beginning in her hands & loves shooting/racking slide of her Sig P238

sent from my sending device
 
Thanks everyone!

She and I will check out the P238 for sure and I will also talk with her about different grips. And thanks for your thoughts on avoiding the LCP- I have a friend that has one so I will make sure she fires his before buying one if I see her starting to sets her sights on it.

What are all of your thoughts about going with a revolver so she doesn't have to worry about racking it? I suppose ultimately, if it is easy enough for her to rack, all it will take is practice for her to get proficient at it- and practice she will get.
 
Find some place she can try the S&W Shield 9mm. Very "soft" shooting gun.

SandWShield.jpg
 
Walther pk380. Safety with 8+1 of .380 in an easy to use and shoot package. That's what I'm getting my mom. Perfect for women you could rack it back with one finger
 
Revolvers are simple and easy to shoot. However, keeping one in the chamber of a semi-auto will take care of racking the slide in an encounter (this is how I carry).
 
While I like a M&p shield, racking a Sig p238 is alot easier. Just alittle more recoil due to size. As stated before,check around for rentals.
 
I haven't been able to get any range time with the Shield yet, but I can speak for the Taurus Millenium Pro Series. My wife has the 9mm version and absolutely loves it. The slide isn't hard to rack, the recoil is about the same as my M&P .40 and the mag is double stacked (a big plus in my book). But like its been said before find a range that rents weapons to test a variety out or look at the revolver route. You mention a .22, personally I wouldn't reccomend it. It doesn't have the stopping power to be an effective self defense round.
 
LOVE my P238 lady sig! But I also love my .357, as far as concealed carry goes my lady sig does the job! Its comfortable, concealable.
 
As far a a .22 goes I think it is a wonderful idea to get a .22 for practice. They are fun to shoot and also more affordable. Try to get a .22 that is most similar to one of your other handguns and it will help you improve your shot!
 
DRaid48 said:
Several months ago I purchased a LC9 and my mom really "likes the way it looks." Never having taken any interest in guns before she has been talking about getting one; she is a surgeon and gets called into the city Hospital at strange hours. I have taken her to the range a few times but she will never shoot the LC9 more than a few times because it hurts her hands. Additionally she is able, but only with difficulty, to rack the slide. She was looking at a LCP under the assumption that a smaller gun will not hurt her hand as much or be as hard to rack. I'm wondering what recommendations you all would have for her to check out? I'm almost thinking that a 8 shot .22 revolver is the best way to go because then there is no slide to rack and that caliber won't hurt her hands, but I would really like it if she could have a little bit bigger bullet. She hasn't decided yet, but I'm pretty sure she is going to carry it in her purse, or OWB under a winter jacket- so size of a firearm is not a super big concern... as far as I know. Thanks team.
Click to expand...

As you may have realized since your first post is if 10 guys answer, you will most likely get 10 differant answers, as for your mom racking the gun, sometimes the tiny guns rack just as hard, sometimes tougher cause there smaller, and the LCP racks as hard as a LC-9, go to a gun store/range that rents guns find one that feels good then shoot it, then try a couple others, we have two TCPs the small taurus 380s, a taurus 709 9mm, and a Bersa 380 and the easyest gun to rack and shoot is the Bersa
 
I would take a look at a steel framed S&W .38 SPL The steel frame will give it a bit of weight to help with recoil, they are so common that aftermarket accessories for them are everywhere, Wood or rubber grips can be had to fit anybody's hand, XS sights for them are out there, and they can shoot ammo from mild to wild, and if a J frame Smith is too much, I believe they can be had in .327.
 
DRaid48 said:
Several months ago I purchased a LC9 and my mom really "likes the way it looks." .
Click to expand...
First get a varity of calibers and sizes of handgun and let her try them out and see what SHE both shoots well and is comfortable with. Looks are not really important and if they are to her do what I do with my daughter duracoat her weapons pink...
 
Walther pk380. 8+1 .380 stopping power.
Easy to rack back and unlike the cars it has a safety so easy to carry one in the chamber and make ur mom feel safe
 
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