I'd be 100% revolved in as light a caliber as you can bring yourself to buy. Remember she may need this when she's 83. I'd take the trade off of reliability for capacity, and controllability for "stopping power". My 2 cents.

We Bought my 70 something Mother In-Law A Smith and Wesson Model 351 (22 Mag) a couple years ago to have when the Father law is not there.
Ruger makes There LCR in 22 mag also.
Might be tough to Find and a Decent price but check out Hornady's Critical Defense round in 22 mag.

Shield EZ or Beretta 3032 Tomcat. The later doesn’t require slide manipulation to load & bring into action.

I have a retirement gig at a LGS with a range that rents guns, and I have to say that the Shield EZ, either in 9 or .380 sounds like it's purpose built for your mom, cause, well, it is. Absolutely EVERY smaller-statured person who shoots one loves it. They practically sell themselves.

Ours have been reliable, though one did have to go back as part of the recall. I'd have complete confidence in carrying one, or recommending one to someone else.

P239 may be a touch too heavy, p232 has too much snap when it discharges if she’s not ready for it.
These are 2 guns my husband gifted to me, and I prefer the 239 for consistency. I love the 232, and it’s super accurate, but after that first round, I was eyeballing it with a lot more respect.
I have a youth shotgun that we got for me when he‘s not home. The weight is balanced by the length, you don’t have to be super accurate, but she’d have to know how to use it so she doesn’t get hurt. Just my 2 cents. I wish her well.
ETA: scratch that last option. Didn’t see the part about not being able to rack the slide on the Glock.

My LGS sells A LOT of the Shield EZ's in both .380 and 9mm but the .380 is especially popular with older people and women. The female instructor at the range lets her students shoot several guns and the EZ seems to be far and away the #1 choice they pick.

Agree that the S&W EZ in .380 is a good choice. For a few dollars more you can get the Performance Center version if the style and appearance of the firearm is a factor.

I’m surprised no one has suggested a 16 or 20 gauge shotgun. I think a 12 gauge may be a little much for an older woman but a lighter gauge might do the trick and with some sort of buckshot it could be more forgiving in a stressful situation.

quote:

Originally posted by kidcop:
I have a retirement gig at a LGS with a range that rents guns, and I have to say that the Shield EZ, either in 9 or .380 sounds like it's purpose built for your mom, cause, well, it is. Absolutely EVERY smaller-statured person who shoots one loves it. They practically sell themselves.

Ours have been reliable, though one did have to go back as part of the recall. I'd have complete confidence in carrying one, or recommending one to someone else.

This. S&W Shield EZ or a revolver with action work to make the DA trigger lighter.

I bought a 9mm Shield EZ for the Mrs. and it’s a pleasure to shoot.

Whatever she gets, she will have to practice with it at the range to get comfortable shooting it, of course.

You don't get something for nothing. If you want one shot stopping power you're going to be dealing with a heavy larger cal gun which, even with light loads, would be pretty difficult for an elderly women to deal with especially in a stressful situation. I like the suggestion of a .22 mag, and probably a revolver. Not too much recoil yet it would be very unpleasant to a bad guy if hit in the torso. I don't visualize an elderly women in a gun fight, ducking cover and shooting multiple rounds.

I set my mom up with a 9 shot 22LR revolver.

How about one of the Ruger 22/45 variants? (I personally have a "Lite" model.) Light weight, very little recoil, lower noise, and 11 rounds of .22 placed accurately (see previous factors) is not to be dismissed. Down sides: the bolt is a little harder to manipulate than grabbing a handful of slide, magazines aren't very easy to load, and rimfire cartridges are more likely to have a dud than centerfire. There are also .22 pistols from Browning and Smith & Wesson, no personal experience with them, but they might address the bolt/slide manipulation problem. Or, if for home defense and not going to be carried, a 10/22 or M&P15-22 rifle?

quote:

Originally posted by StorminNormin:

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.

I first handled the M&P Shield EZ 380 the year the annual NRA convention was in Dallas which was also the year it was released. I was able to speak with S&W reps and handle. They were rightfully proud that they designed it for people with minimal upper body strength or had injuries. I always thought it would be the perfect gun for my Dad due to his wrist issues and multiple shoulder surgeries.

I had a gf that was looking for a gun so we went to a few ranges and rented several. The M&P Shield EZ 380 w/o the thumb safety was the clear winner. My thoughts on its merits:

The mag springs are super light making it easy to load. The also have follower so you can depress it with your thumb to make it even easier.

The mainspring on the gun is super light making it easy to cock and it doesn't have a bunch of momentum.

The size of the gun seems similar to my P239 so it fill the hand nicely which makes it far superior recoil wise than a subcompact or a snubbie.

I was concerned that it was so lightly sprung that under rapid fire you could outrun the gun. I fired it fast as I could and couldn't outrun the gun.

Very shootable gun.

The gf loved it and shot it well so I bought one for her for Christmas, but long story short she became my ex between purchase and Christmas. I have taken several gfs since then shooting with it and it's always their 2nd favorite next to my S&W .22 LR revolver.

My LGS told me that the version with the thumb safety is a better seller than the version w/o thumb safety. I really don't like the idea of an inexperienced shooter having to remember to click off a thumb safety in the event they have to use it in defense. Hell, I don't like the idea of me having to remember to click off the thumb safety which is why I own zero defensive guns with a thumb safety.

---

Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity

DISCLAIMER: These are the author's own personal views and do not represent the views of the author's employer.

I agree that a 22 magnum would be excellent. Very low recoil and enough power that if an intruder was shot he would be crazy to continue to advance.

Of all the responses I think the EZ makes a lot of sense as does the tip up barrel berettas
Also multi shot 22LR or .22 magnum revolvers are a viable choice as well.
Regarding shotguns keep in mind at home defense ranges patterns will be very small, to the point they really are operated like big bore rifles. Still need to aim and buckshot at close range doesn’t increase hit percentage based on pattern spread. This is a huge misconception that refuses to die. Try if for yourself. A buckshot pattern at ten yards will be about the size of your fist

Shield 380 EZ certainly worth a look but .380 ammo, at least around here, is impossible to find and very expensive if found.

Another to look at would be the M&P 22 Compact pistol which is well known for reliability and super easy to rack slide and super light recoil. Loaded with CCI Mini Mags it could be a fine choice for her situation.

On a related subject; have her other safety items been reviewed?
Locks, alarms, outdoor lighting, etc?

Like any one else you just need to take her out shooting, get some experience and then let HER decide.
No recommendation here is valid until the above is achieved and at that point not necessary.

thios question seems to come up every couple of weeks.

My mom ended up with the walther CCP. smaller light polymer frame with a gas system that allows for a easy to rack slide. single stack of 9mm. Also had an external safety wich she liked. I think this gun was the best choice for her and she shoots in accurately.

I'm not sure she has it in her to pull the trigger on someone but it makes my dad feel better that he is armed.

quote:

Originally posted by smlsig:
I’m surprised no one has suggested a 16 or 20 gauge shotgun. I think a 12 gauge may be a little much for an older woman but a lighter gauge might do the trick and with some sort of buckshot it could be more forgiving in a stressful situation.

I agree. When my mom first asked me about sending her a shotgun, I was concerned a 12ga would be too much, but it was all I had at the time and seems to be working OK for her for now. But I would still feel better if she had something lighter, so if I can find one I might swap it out.