My dad passed away a couple years ago and my mom is going through guns my dad had and doesn’t want all of them except for a gun for her for home defense.

Probably the best gun she has is a Glock G19, but she can’t rack the slide as she doesn’t have a lot of strength. She has cancer and is going through treatment. Of course I can have the G19 loaded and ready to go for her, but one worry would be if there was a stovepipe malfunction or something like that I don’t think she would be able to deal with it.

She has two shotguns. One is a double barrel .410 and the other is a double barrel 12 gauge that has trigger problems so neither are an option to me.

I would like to get her a gun from the sale of the other guns. To me, the best home defense is a shotgun, but I wonder if she can handle it. I know she would not be able to load the first round on something like a Mossberg 500, but if it already had a round chambered then she could fire it and chamber a new round, but she is also pretty frail so I don’t know how well she could handle the recoil unless maybe a pistol grip.

The only other option I can think of is a revolver, but of course then you have limited rounds yet you don’t have to worry about chambering a round or a malfunction like a semi-automatic.

I am curious of what Gun recommendations you guys may have. My mom has never been a shooter so I will have to get her used to shooting something beyond a .22 rifle.

It sounds like you will be teaching her to shoot,so I am sure you will both find out what is best for her at the range.Try as many different platforms as you can and let her decide.

This may be the only way to find a firearm that is suitable for her.

Why not a 9mm semi already racked and ready, say a P239. I ask the Lord that she never has need of it!!

quote:

Originally posted by wreckdiver:
Why not a 9mm semi already racked and ready, say a P239. I ask the Lord that she never has need of it!!

That is what I was thinking about the G19 she already has, but I just would be concerned about a malfunction. I have that gun as her bedside gun loaded and ready to go. I just don’t know if it is the best option. Maybe it is.

I gave my mom a model 60 38spcl 2” barrel 20 years ago...5 shots of 38...I also handed her a box of cci shot shells for the occasional copperhead they get in the mountains a of NC. Five or so years ago she complained of arthritis in her hand and that she couldn’t handle the recoil of the 38.

I had a beretta bobcat 22 automatic and gladly swapped the guns out...she likes the tip up barrel as a easy loading gun....I also shot a box of cci mini mags ammo thru it to make sure it would function. Works fine for her. Little recoil and eight rounds of 22 dumped into an intruder is better than a harsh tone..

It’s not perfect but it works for her and her restrictions

quote:

Originally posted by wcb6092:
It sounds like you will be teaching her to shoot,so I am sure you will both find out what is best for her at the range.Try as many different platforms as you can and let her decide.

This may be the only way to find a firearm that is suitable for her.

Yeah pretty much other than a .22 rifle. At least I have a large variety of guns for her to try, but I only have a few revolvers. I just worry about her hitting the target in her condition in a stressful situation with a pistol so I would like it to be a shotgun, but I don’t know if that is the best option either.

quote:

Originally posted by MikeinNC:
I gave my mom a model 60 38spcl 2” barrel 20 years ago...5 shots of 38...I also handed her a box of cci shot shells for the occasional copperhead they get in the mountains a of NC. Five or so years ago she complained of arthritis in her hand and that she couldn’t handle the recoil of the 38.

I had a beretta bobcat 22 automatic and gladly swapped the guns out...she likes the tip up barrel as a easy loading gun....I also shot a box of cci mini mags ammo thru it to make sure it would function. Works fine for her. Little recoil and eight rounds of 22 dumped into an intruder is better than a harsh tone..

It’s not perfect but it works for her and her restrictions

I do think I would like her to try my Smith & Wesson Model 14 6” barrel .38 special double action revolver that I used to carry as my first duty weapon long ago. I would think she could handle it if that is what it needs to be.

My LGS sells a ton of M&P Shield EZ’s to older folks. I’ve never tried one myself.

quote:

Originally posted by StorminNormin:

quote:

Originally posted by wreckdiver:
Why not a 9mm semi already racked and ready, say a P239. I ask the Lord that she never has need of it!!

That is what I was thinking about the G19 she already has, but I just would be concerned about a malfunction. I have that gun as her bedside gun loaded and ready to go. I just don’t know if it is the best option. Maybe it is.

If it's been well maintained, is there really anything to worry about? Modern guns are pretty reliable.

quote:

Originally posted by wreckdiver:

quote:

Originally posted by StorminNormin:

quote:

Originally posted by wreckdiver:
Why not a 9mm semi already racked and ready, say a P239. I ask the Lord that she never has need of it!!

That is what I was thinking about the G19 she already has, but I just would be concerned about a malfunction. I have that gun as her bedside gun loaded and ready to go. I just don’t know if it is the best option. Maybe it is.

If it's been well maintained, is there really anything to worry about? Modern guns are pretty reliable.

Good point. It is brand new and probably never fired.

quote:

Originally posted by Bob RI:
My LGS sells a ton of M&P Shield EZ’s to older folks. I’ve never tried one myself.

I will have to check it out as I have never shot one myself.

Perhaps a Ruger LCR in .38 spc?
They are really nice guns and easy to use.

How about a pistol caliber carbine? Much easier to to hit a target with and low recoil.

I went through this decision path with my wife. She had little to no pistol experience prior to her request for a firearm.
I began her with a S&W revolver and a good bit of range time and practice. Much can be learned from cleaning a firearm as well.
That revolver served her well for a number of years. She eventually was ready to go to a semi-auto and after trying many, she chose a P320 compact in 9mm.

Here’s the two best that I have been told worked well with women who were inexperienced and had racking issues. These won't break the bank… (I’m sure there are many more fine pistols as well). These two were known for having “softer” racking and friendly to a new shooter-

Beretta PX4 Storm

Offering both double and single action, the Beretta PX4 Storm is one of the go-to 9mm handguns for women. This pistol has a 17-round capacity.

Double Action Definition: It is a trigger mechanism wherein, in one single action, the person can cock the gun and fire it. It is different from a single action, in which the user has to cock the hammer before each time they shoot.

It also features a rotary barrel to reduce recoil and muzzle jump.

SIG Sauer P365 Pistol

A truly versatile design that takes advantage of the latest trend in polymer framed compact carry guns but amplifies it with an implementation that keeps it super sleek and snag-free but delivers on the integrated approach. 9mm in a 10+1 configuration.

Best handgun for women shooters who have not shot a newer style handgun for some time, or who want a game changing move into a different pistol style. The racking might require a bit more energy than the Beretta, but the P365 feels so natural in the hand it is a pleasure to shoot.

For anyone learning to shoot or becoming more comfortable with concealed carry- training, dry firing and range time is a necessity.

Good luck!

My mom is 78. She wanted a gun to use at her local turkey shoot, so I got her a Mossberg Maverick 12ga. She has no trouble shooting it or handling the recoil and I think it's also ideal for home defense should she ever need it.

Maybe buckshot in the .410. Three OO buck per shot in a soft shooting package. Depending on her abilities she might be better of than with a pistol.

Stormin Norman,

My wife and I are almost in the same age range as your Mom. My Wife also underwent cancer treatment 6/2018 thru 2/2020.

We learned some things about equipping a frail cancer patient for a self defense situation.


My email is in my profile. Send me a note and I'll share my phone number if you want to chat.
Regards
Mike B

This revolver loaded with .38 special works well for women. The hammer has a wide profile which is easy for women to cock. The trigger also has a wide profile which is easy to pull- and the action is buttery smooth. It fires double action if desired. It is chambered for .357 Magnum, but recoil with that load can be a little too strong for a woman, but it fires the .38 special really smooth. The grip to trigger distance fits a woman's smaller hand well.

It is a little pricey, but a very well made and attractive handgun. All stainless.

Kimber K6s DASA- 3" barrel.

>>> https://www.kimberamerica.com/k6s-da-sa-3-1

This one solved my search for a similar situation as yours.

Right idea that has a much simpler cheaper implementation. Old skool Smith 10 or 64 4" likely ex-cop gun. A third the price and probably easier to shoot.

quote:

Originally posted by HighZonie:
This revolver loaded with .38 special works well for women. The hammer has a wide profile which is easy for women to cock. The trigger also has a wide profile which is easy to pull- and the action is buttery smooth. It fires double action if desired. It is chambered for .357 Magnum, but recoil with that load can be a little too strong for a woman, but it fires the .38 special really smooth. The grip to trigger distance fits a woman's smaller hand well.

It is a little pricey, but a very well made and attractive handgun. All stainless.

Kimber K6s DASA- 3" barrel.

>>> https://www.kimberamerica.com/k6s-da-sa-3-1

This one solved my search for a similar situation as yours.

quote:

Little recoil and eight rounds of 22 dumped into an intruder is better than a harsh tone..

It’s not perfect but it works for her and her restrictions


Mike as you already know a 22 cal has stopped/killed many a persons.