I'm looking for Ideas for a firearm for my father. He's been shooting since before I was born. So he knows his way around guns. He had Polio when he was little and lost the use of his right arm but still has use of right hand. He used to trap shoot with a Remington 870 when younger but really hasn't been shooting in years. The 870 is a lot heavier now. He has mostly Revolvers but also has an old 1911 some 22LR Semi's.

I took him to the range last week to have him shoot some of my Glocks and Sigs. We also took his S&W revolvers (.357 & .38). Well, he liked shooting my Sigs a lot more than his S&Ws. He didn't have a problem with the Glock either but liked the decocker on the Sigs. He hates tring to decock a 1911 and really doesn't want to use on anymore for safety reasons.

What he liked about the Semis is the grip compared to his Revolvers. I looking for ideas on what kind of Semi he should try. He could barely rack the slide of my P220 but had an easier time with my P228 and Glock G19. He wants to stay with a SA/DA design with decocker. Are the P232 easier to rack the slide?

Are there any Revolvers that have 1911 style grips?

I'm still going to get him to shoot one of the Range Ruger LCR revolvers.

Any ideas on guns he should try out would be helpful.

Beretta 86 w/pop-up barrel? use DAKs? 250s? teach technique of cocking hammer before racking slide? I have also found offset cocking handles for 1911s and glocks useful in such "weak-handed" situations HTH

How about an FNH FNX pistol? I have an FNP-9 and it's a great feeling, reliable, accurate, mostly-ambidextrous semi. The FNX made the slide release ambi. What's more, it's very Sig-like in takedown and the trigger is outstanding from the get-go. The mag release can be switched too.

FNX

Walther P1?

It racks pretty easy with it's #13 recoil springs (2x 6.5 lb) and wide, high cocking flats, decocks via the safety, and most importantly ejects left. These guns are a great bargain with lots of spare parts floating around, they are very accurate per my experience and very reliable.

3913! Safety switch is a de-cocker. Very easy to rack the slide. Similarly narrow as a 1911. Reliable, accurate, pleasing to the eye. Just a great gun.

Squeeze cocker?

Jetfire,
Try the S&W 99 it's a 9mm semi auto with SA/DA trigger. The same model was produced as Walther P99. I own both they have great ergonomics, totally reliable and surprisingly accurate for a short barreled pistol.

HK P7.

I also think your father should consider the P7.

The squeeze cocking mechanism is very efficient and I prefer the gun in my left hand to my right hand becasuse of the placement of button to lock the slide open. I find that I can reach the slide hold open button much more easily with the trigger finger of my left hand than I can when shooting the gun right handed and trying to lock the slide open with the my right thumb.

There is enough surface are near the front of the slide for you chamber a round by pressing the pistol against a wooden table.

The P7M8 specifically, no? The heel clip release on the others might be tricky for the gentleman.

Do they make a full-sized .45 ACP that can't be racked by hooking the rear sight on your jeans or something?

The 232's are not easier to rack than the 228. The 228 would be a good choice.

I find the Beretta 92 has a slide very easy to operate. The safety is also a decocker, unless you can find a D model (then it is only a decocker, no safety).
There is also the Beretta PX4, which is able to be converted to Decocker/safety or just decocker only easily.

I would suggest that the left-side mounted decocker on the Sig family would be a sub-optimal choice for a one-handed left-handed shooter.

If he's convinced he wants a decocker, I'd look for something with ambidextrous or reversible controls. The HK USP's lever could be reversed, IIRC. The P2000/P30's decocker ought to be easy to reach for one handed manipulation.

If I could suggest, though, simpler is better for someone with that kind of disability. I'd look for something with a minimum number of things to manipulate. The P7M8 would be great, but good luck finding one. Likewise, any of the DAO or striker fired pistols would simplify manual of arms.

Regards,

Kevin

Have you tried a new Smith & Wesson M&P? They are ambidextrous and have very good ergonomics.

You could also fit most guns listed above with a rear sight that can be used as a one handed cocking aid. The sight is hooked forward allowing you to hook it on your belt / table ect.

How about an HK45 or an HK P30. They both have ambidextrous mag release buttons, slide release levers, and can be had with ambidextrous safety levers.

I would look at a HK USP, 9mm, 40 or 45. Amby mag release, decock or cocked & lock, easy slide manipulation.

Walther P5. It ejects to the left, so you wont be getting hot cases down your shirt.

And its a damn nice pistol.

quote:

Originally posted by fredj338:
I would look at a HK USP, 9mm, 40 or 45. Amby mag release, decock or cocked & lock, easy slide manipulation.

I came here to suggest the USP's as well. I've just purchased two 45's and was amazed at the ease of slide cocking over the sigs. They use a triple recoil spring that makes them much easyer then other to rack the slide on.
When I was looking at the first USP 45 that I bought the counter help also pulled a Ruger out and said it was even easier then the H&K and it was almost to easy. I did handle the Ruger but honestly don't remember the model but it was a nine and was said to have the same type of triple recoil spring system..

Thanks, for all the suggestions and keep them coming.

Keep in mind the main issue for him is being able to rack the slide to chamber the first round or unload the gun. Amby or Controls for left had are a good plus.

Is the HK P7 easier to rack the slide than the say a Sig P228? Also looks like the P7 is going to be hard to find.
Is the Beretta 86 easier to slide?

Nick, Do you have any info on those style of rear sights? Links?

Is this what the Mako Glock Charging Handle is used for? Can that be used to catch on a belt or table top to rack the slide with one hand?
If so does someone make something like it for other Manufactures Sig, HK, FNH, Beretta, etc.

When we go to the range next time, I'll have try some of the suggested guns if the shop has them.

Or I could just get him this.