Due to aging and several injuries over the years, I'm losing strength in my hands. The point was driven home recently. While shooting, the recoil hurt so bad I dropped the pistol, a first for me. It was a Sig 320 Compact. I'm adjusting my habits, and will now only use 320's with AXG frames. A number of other guns are no longer working for me, including a couple of fairly rare CZ's. I am having a consult with my doctors and talking to a physical therapist, but my feeling is most of my handguns gotta go. Most of the revolvers are OK-I can play with 38 wadcutters and, in a defensive shooting, manage a few shots. The Berettas are okay, with the possible exception of the Model 84's, 380 in those is brisk. My questions is, excluding the S&W EZ, do you all have any recommends for soft shooting guns? I have a number of 22's, but I'm looking for defensive guns. I carry a 365, but will likely get a metal framed one soon. Thanks for the help.

I am not sure that a metal frame will help you. Shooting my AXG 320 with weighted grips against my tungsten frame, the tungsten is more comfortable. I have also heard the polymer macro is softer shooting then the aluminum framed version.

.22 WMR, if I had to go lower.

My mom has arthritis in her hands and feet, she can no longer tolerate the model 60 38Special I got her decades ago. So I outfitted her with a beretta 22 (bobcat I think) it’s fat and easy shooting.

I had her shoot a whole box of CCI stingers and left her a box of those-telling her that anyone worth shooting once is worth shooting again. Even if she has to magdump it’s better than strong words.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: MikeinNC,

If you want to go to 380 (& not a small pocket gun) the Ruger Security 380 might be the right one. 15 rds & not blowback so the recoil is very mild.
If you like the Beretta 84's but the recoil is too sharp (I agree) look for a model 81. They are the same as a 84 but in 32 ACP. 12 rd capacity & extremely low recoil. Don't let anyone tell you the 32 isn't enough. LOTS of folks have gone under due to the 32 & today, there are a few quite good defensive rounds for it. I prefer ball for practice & Underwood (Lehigh Defense) for carry.

I actually think you need to go larger in the size of the pistol.... if you liked the 320 compact then I would consider trying out a full size one... but then I really don't think you can beat a P226. Those are really tame on recoil in 9mm.

If you have to go 380, the Sig 238 is very mild on recoil and the slide is extremely easy to rack.

The Girsan MC 14T was designed for someone like you in mind. Plus, it comes in gold for those in their golden years.

Tip up means no rack to slide, and all metal construction theoretically means it'd tame recoil better than a lighter polymer frame gun.

https://eaacorp.com/product/girsan-mc-14t-tip-up/



Some others to consider:

I'd suggest the S&W Equalizer, as it's the evolution of the EZ series, but you don't like the EZs.

As previously mentioned, Ruger Security 380. A sleeper is Grand Power CP380. Both can be had for under $300 and are decent concealed carry size pistols.

One other suggestion is something in 5.7x28mm. I bought a M&P 5.7 recently. When I shot it, I couldn't believe how easy it was to shoot. It was easier than my Browning Buck Mark or Ruger Mk IV and just as easy to rack. Ammo is expensive though, and 5.7mm guns aren't designed for concealed carry.

Fredward, assuming arthritis is not the problem (you didn't mention it): Have you tried doing any grip strength or forearm strength exercises?

I've been working out in my home gym regularly since Oct. 2022. Yet, when I went to resume golf swing training last week I quickly realized I'd neglected grip and, especially, forearm development.

I started hitting the grip strength trainers and added isolated forearm development exercises (wrist curls, reverse curls, wrist rotation, and wrist roller) to each of my workouts. I'm seeing and feeling the difference already.

Yes: Aging results in decreased muscle mass and strength, but you can slow it greatly with strength training. Depending upon just how sedentary you've been, you can stop, or even reverse it.

I always thought those little spring clamps that go on 1" barbells were actually finger strength exercisers . They actually make a similar item for grip strength. Strong arms, shoulders and hands/wrists are good to work on, not just for shooting. As ensigmatic will attest to, unless it's rheumatoid, and even then, decreasing the processed sugar and seed oil crap can dramatically improve inflammation processes throughout the body.

A) See if some kind of rehab stuff can work for you.

PT helped me a great deal in my lower back, and neck - and getting the neck better got the strength, mostly, back in my hands.

B) 5.7x28, in the heavier platforms, is easiest for me. The FN is nice to carry, but the vibration is tough.

C) 38 wadcutters in a steel revolver, if you don’t have an issue holding the gun up.

D) I forgot who makes them, and they’re bulky, but those telescoping PDW sig braces might help. A friend has one, and is very fond of it.

Might try some hand strength exercise squeeze balls, not expensive and you can do it from the comfort of your Lay-zee-boy....

Link

Sounds like the 22 WMR, 32, 25 all decent options, even a Ruger LCR in 22.

I'll second the P238 or the Kimber Micro in .380. Both are very soft shooters. Others around the web have often cited the .380 version of the P365 as being noticeably softer in recoil compared to the 9mm original.

Great ideas. I'll look for the Girsan, which appears to be an "improved" Beretta 86, and I think an 81 might be in the safe somewhere.

https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/shield-ez-180023

Check out the S&W Shield 380 EZ if you haven't. My uncle who has hand strength issues can manage it well.

This may or may not help but I have moderate to severe arthritis in my left thumb and joint. I've started wearing this or weight lifting gloves at the range. It makes a big difference. Strength issues may be different but it cushions the recoil and helps with my grip

First, if you have a Sugar habit BREAK IT. At one point the arthritis in both thumbs and radial head of the wrist was so bad I could barely sign a paycheck. I was visiting my nephew one Christmas and his wonderful wife saw me trying to do a small bit of work playing with their children and asked what was going on with my hands. BTW, she was an RN at that time and is now a PN, so she is both smart and a damned fine nurse. Having known me for some number of years she knew I had a sweet tooth and advised me to cut down on sugar as much as possible. Years later I have no problem and all using a pen to take notes and can actually rack the slide on a 45 ACP 1911. All because I cut back on sugar. BTW, it may be the most inflammatory food related item we consume and may actually be the primary cause for Heart Disease instead of Fat.

Pistols I find VERY comfortable to shoot. One of my best is my 9mm Ruger SR1911 Lightweight CMD. The slide is very easy to manipulate and the recoil is beyond mild, it's actually lighter than 38 special in my model 67.

I also have a TZ75 that is also soft shooting but IMO the slide is oversprung and the DA trigger pull was nearly 14 lbs when I first got it. Since then I've installed a lighter hammer spring from Wolff springs and that has the DA pull at 9.5 lbs. So it's not a #1 choice due to the effort required to manipulate the slide.

Yeah, it's a short list. Truth is that you will not find a soft recoiling Pocket pistol in 9mm. However that Ruger I mentioned is absolutely wonderful, soft shooting, accurate, and just plain fun to shoot.

ETA to add pocket

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Scooter123,

Step one - the smaller the gun the harder to control and manipulate, so small subcompact guns are definitely not the answer.
There is a reason 9mm 1911’s have become so popular! Easy to hold on to and manipulate, reduced power springs compared to 45 make them easy to rack, and you can always cock the hammer first to make that easier.

Apologies in advance for suggesting an out-of-production pistol, but if you can find a CZ-83 in .32 ACP, grab it. It is a straight-blowback action, but the all-steel frame and relatively light chambering makes for a soft-shooting pistol.

Also, if you can locate a Beretta 81 barrel (.32 ACP), it will work in your Model 84.

Another suggestion would be a SIG P365 in .380, mounted in a Wilson Combat XL grip frame. It is much softer-shooting than the 9mm version, and the longer, wider grip helps too.

quote:

Originally posted by Fredward:
Great ideas. I'll look for the Girsan, which appears to be an "improved" Beretta 86, and I think an 81 might be in the safe somewhere.

I really don't understand why there aren't more pistols with tip up barrels and in 9mm and beyond. I ended up giving a female friend one of my revolvers because she could not rack the slide on any semi-auto.