Poll Best Handgun for Elderly New Shooter

[Darqhelmet]

P365-380 softest shooting center fire I have until you jump up to full size all metal guns.

S/W has an entire EZLine for her. Like to many models for me to list. Made for old/ill/disabled people.

No mods it’s fine, drop p365-380 it into a x/xl grip module and you can burn that down all day.

VP9 for the cocking ears, easy mag release, lower snap compared to other plastic 9mm.

92 or P01/PCR for all metal guns.

This is what works for me. The reality is she needs to go and shoot guns and pick one.

 

[MysteryScienceHeater3000]

Honestly I would try to work backward from their hand stamina: how long can comfortably they hold a gun of 2 vs 3 lbs. From there curate some choices until they find something they like to hold or think looks cool.

 

[Wolkenflieger]

P365-380 softest shooting center fire I have until you jump up to full size all metal guns.

S/W has an entire EZLine for her. Like to many models for me to list. Made for old/ill/disabled people.

No mods it’s fine, drop it into a x/xl grip module and you can burn that down all day.

VP9 for the cocking ears, easy mag release, lower snap compared to other plastic 9mm.

92 or P01/PCR for all metal guns.

This is what works for me. The reality is she needs to go and shoot guns and pick one.

I also love the PCR. Fairly soft-shooting and accurate.

 

[Gawernator]

All this discussion and this lady will never use this gun. lol

 

[M_N04H]

If nothing else, I learned there's a Beretta 86 clone available to us

 

[irongunner]

All this discussion and this lady will never use this gun. lol

Considering how the stereotypical gun owner is portrayed as a white, racist, misogynist, homotransphobic, cisgender, far-right, toxically-masculine, compensating, gymbro... we really came together (pause) for this lady.

 

[RustVendor]

All this discussion and this lady will never use this gun. lol

The important thing is everyone argued online

 

[Nomad]

Taurus Public Defender with 410 shotgun shells. 5 projectiles every pull of the trigger. Plus the ease of a revolver. Just joking….sorta

Judge Public Defender - Taurus USA

CHECKERED GRIP, ADJUSTABLE SIGHTS, STAINLESS STEEL, 357 MAG, 6”, 6-RDS

www.taurususa.com

 

[Gawernator]

Considering how the stereotypical gun owner is portrayed as a white, racist, misogynist, homotransphobic, cisgender, far-right, toxically-masculine, compensating, gymbro... we really came together (pause) for this lady.

Hey now, I never claimed to be a gymbro.

 

[HarleyLowRiderST]

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.

I think sometimes people can over estimate what it will take for a new shooter early 70s to use a HD handgun.

My thoughts for what they are worth. I would suggest a smaller 380 auto. Consider her use case. 6 rounds of 380 fired on target is better than 10 rounds of 9mm bouncing off the floor, walls, and ceiling if she can't handle the firearm. Toss on a laser pointer for when she doesn't have her glasses on in the middle of the night. Having said that, she could always start with the above and move on to a something else after.

The gun that I would recommend to an elder that asked would be the Ruger
Ruger 380

 

[Gawernator]

I'm starting to lean towards a good estate attorney to write the will

 

[RustVendor]

I think sometimes people can over estimate what it will take for a new shooter early 70s to use a HD handgun.

My thoughts for what they are worth. I would suggest a smaller 380 auto. Consider her use case. 6 rounds of 380 fired on target is better than 10 rounds of 9mm bouncing off the floor, walls, and ceiling if she can't handle the firearm. Toss on a laser pointer for when she doesn't have her glasses on in the middle of the night. Having said that, she could always start with the above and move on to a something else after.

The gun that I would recommend to an elder that asked would be the Ruger
Ruger 380

That's the thing though, that 10oz gun with a 380 load of 90 gr at 1000 has 50% more recoil at 3 ft lbs than a 90 grain 9mm load going 1100 out of a 25oz gun at 2ft lbs. a 115 blazer going 1100 out of the full size pistol has the exact same recoil as the tiny 380 at around 3ft lbs. Considering the 380 fuse which is 22oz, a 90gr 380 load has 2.5ft lbs of recoil while the recoil from the 9mm 100gr hornady defensive load going 1100 fps in a 25 oz 9mm... Is 2.5 ft lbs. These are just numbers from an online calculator but the point is there's a lot more factors than the load and cartridge.

 

[shermanatortank]

Unpopular opinion: 3" revolver loaded with .38. Very easy to load for weak hands and less complex for a new shooter to operate.

I'd take her to a range and rent a semi auto and revolver. Let her load the mags too and see which way she leans.