Poll Best Handgun for Elderly New Shooter

[NewbieDoo]

Looking to recommend a basic handgun for an elderly lady new shooter for home defense. Late 60s/Early 70s. Active, reasonably fit, and will train with it, but brand new to shooting.

My immediate thought of hierarchy is (1) reliable, (2) easy to manipulate, and (3) low maintenance. Softer shooting is better. Roster is not an issue. Ideally, it will be usable in its stock configuration, so no "you only need to swap this and that" options.

VP9, M&P 2.0, and PDP come to mind. Each of these will run thousands of rounds without issue as long as it gets an occasional wipe-down and CLP spray, have an easy to access slide stop/release, and take down WAY easier than those Glock nubs. Echelon slide stop is too small, P10C takedown nubs are too small, slides stop and takedown is too small on a G17/G19.

Anything stand out as best? Any others I'm missing?

 

[Brandon Breeze]

Glock with Vickers Slide Catch & extended takedown lever.

 

[Gawernator]

PDP full size, it's on roster, huge slide serrations so a lot to grab onto and easy to manipulate the slide, not hard to rack, optic ready for a red dot for old eyes, best striker fired trigger you can get in a new gun OEM currently on market, low maintenance, adjustable backstraps and ergonomic grip, very large magazine release that's easy to use. Reliable and German made

Edit: I just remembered there is also a F model specifically made for females too

 

[RustVendor]

I'm partial to the M&P, if you can get your hands on a 5" slide I think it's the softest shooting polymer gun there is.

 

[NewbieDoo]

Glock with Vickers Slide Catch & extended takedown lever.

Thanks for the reply, but definitely not recommending something she'll have to modify for utility. Remember, she's a 70 year-old new shooter. We take mods for granted, but they're intimidating for new shooters. I'll update the post...

 

[Gawernator]

I'm partial to the M&P, if you can get your hands on a 5" slide I think it's the softest shooting polymer gun there is.

Great gun but see above

 

[RustVendor]

Great gun but see above

M AND P

 

[Gawernator]

M AND P

Military and Police, hmmm is she one of those? lol

 

[Brandon Breeze]

Thanks for the reply, but definitely not recommending something she'll have to modify for utility. Remember, she's a 70 year-old new shooter. We take mods for granted, but they're intimidating for new shooters. I'll update the post...

If you're in NorCal, I'll install the mods free. It's about 2 minutes worth of work.

 

[M_N04H]

Need to consider hand strength for slide racking. Elderly skin is more prone to tears too, so a slip and I can see those serrations mauling elderly skin. Just a thought.

 

[Gawernator]

Need to consider hand strength for slide racking. Elderly skin is more prone to tears too, so a slip and I can see those serrations mauling elderly skin. Just a thought.

Man remind me to not get old. F...

 

[M_N04H]

Man remind me to not get old. F...

Get old, or die young. No other options.

 

[Gawernator]

It does say she's fit though so it should be fine.

 

[MattB]

Beretta PX4. The rotating barrel really cuts down on felt recoil.

 

[irongunner]

If you are sticking with 9. All those listed are an excellent options. Something to consider, I have heard FN's 9 lineup is very good.

A geriatric female is a viable .380 scenario too without knowing many personal specifics.

 

[RustVendor]

Military and Police, hmmm is she one of those? lol

yeah. maybe

 

[M_N04H]

It does say she's fit though so it should be fine.

It does but I also assume she'll have this gun for the rest of her life. Also no one's immune to aging. Just trying to think ahead. Might have to make some light modifications to whatever she gets. A 9mm is probably the best option. An optic set up can help with slide racking. Calculated Kinetics have plates that add material in front of the optic so you can push it against something to rack, without actually touching the optic itself.

 

[irongunner]

Had to double check no one mentioned earlier in thread...

Sig Sauer?

 

[RustyIron]

elderly lady new shooter. Late 60s/Early 70s.

My first bit of advice, and maybe the most important lesson you will learn this month: If you don't know a lady's age, just STFU about it. If they try and corner you, evade. NOTHING good ever comes from trying to guess a woman's age. And WTF is up with calling her "elderly?" Do you have a death wish? You'd better wise up quick, son.

Seriously, now. Some of those guns are big, far bigger than a regular sized woman can handle comfortably. And unless your certain this chick digs getting knocked around, don't start her off with a 9mm. 22's are fun and the least intimidating caliber. .32 and .380 are also sensible for a petite shooter. Don't get a gun that's too small, as that will tend to kick harder. Too big of a gun is hard to hold steady. I don't have a P365 in .380, but something in that ballpark seems sensible.

 

[M_N04H]

Beware the old woman with one gun