Revolver for MIL

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Antipaladin

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Feb 8, 2014
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My 77 year old Mother in Law finally decided to carry now that Georgia went CC. We tried a bunch of guns yesterday and ruled out even .380 semi autos since she can't rack the slide and got flustered reloading. I let her shoot my Ruger SP-101 with 38 sp and she did great. Solid groupings at 15 yards right in the bread basket. She really wanted to try one of the "J" ackass frames with the lock from behind the counter but it was too light to handle the recoil and she put it back. I haven't tried the LCRs yet but thought maybe the 3" LCRx in .357 might be a good compromise to shoot only 38 special .Slightly longer barrel and grip and just a few ounces lighter than the SP-101 to soak up the recoil. Anyone had an older member of the family out revolver shooting with an LCR?
 
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hittman

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My LCR in 357 was nothing short of BRUTAL to shoot.
Sold it to my son and went with the 38 Special model. I carry pretty hot loads in it but range shoot with very mild reloads.

And you know …. A fella might consider the 3 inch LCRx in 22LR too. Would also give her 8 rounds I think.
I know if I could find one, I'd buy it.
 

Antipaladin

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My LCR in 357 was nothing short of BRUTAL to shoot.
Sold it to my son and went with the 38 Special model. I carry pretty hot loads in it but range shoot with very mild reloads.

And you know …. A fella might consider the 3 inch LCRx in 22LR too. Would also give her 8 rounds I think.
I know if I could find one, I'd buy it.
I've never considered a 22 for self defense…but I carry a Glock 20 in a VM2. Conceals great under a long shirt with all my additional padding lol. The SP-101 goes everywhere else the 20 would stick out
 

Snake Pleskin

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I stay out of these discussions. Giving a firearm to someone (77) in probably not the best health, who has not shot regularly in years if ever, is fraught with many potential issues IMHO. I am not against it, just pointing out the obvious that is often ignored. YOU are responsible for every rd. fired, and a good DA will make your life a living hejj if one of those rounds goes someplace it was not intended to go. It is just my opinion, but a firearm is not always the answer to someone security. It is just as likely that some perp will whack her upside the head , take the firearm and could use it on her. Just food for thought.
 

contender

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I have taught hundreds of ladies to shoot in our clinics. MANY of those ladies were elderly.
SHE needs to be the person to decide what SHE can easily operate. But you can not overcome physics.
Lighter weight,, harder recoil.
Heavier weight, lighter recoil.
Quite often,, our ladies prefer the SP-101's for actual shooting,, and the LCR for carrying. I politely tell them; "Get one you prefer over all others,, then maybe get a second one to occasionally fit your needs."
If one gun is all they want,, then I tell them that they have to choose themselves,, based upon how they plan to carry, how much they will actually practice, and in a caliber that is a good performer for self defense.

The LCR is an easy one to operate for many,, but the recoil,,, of even light 38 spl ammo isn't comfortable for many. The SP-101 is much easier to shoot,, and most like it overall,, even when faced with the weight issue.
 

Snake Pleskin

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I have taught hundreds of ladies to shoot in our clinics. MANY of those ladies were elderly.
SHE needs to be the person to decide what SHE can easily operate. But you can not overcome physics.
Lighter weight,, harder recoil.
Heavier weight, lighter recoil.
Quite often,, our ladies prefer the SP-101's for actual shooting,, and the LCR for carrying. I politely tell them; "Get one you prefer over all others,, then maybe get a second one to occasionally fit your needs."
If one gun is all they want,, then I tell them that they have to choose themselves,, based upon how they plan to carry, how much they will actually practice, and in a caliber that is a good performer for self defense.

The LCR is an easy one to operate for many,, but the recoil,,, of even light 38 spl ammo isn't comfortable for many. The SP-101 is much easier to shoot,, and most like it overall,, even when faced with the weight issue.
I have been a Certified trainer Fed./State? Local level for over 40 yrs and agree with what you say. I worked at SGC for years, a high end Class III range/dealer and I can't tell yoo how many snub guns came in used from people that were like "new", who thought they were cute, easy to handle & carry and when they fired them, OMG! That was it! I own them, several and they kick like a Missouri Mule, period. I do load down, using upside down 148Gr wadcutters, the old "flying ashtray" load, around 650-700 fps. Its Ok, but even a steady diet of those can get old fast, especially at (77) and with little to no experience. Imagine what could happen when this sweet little old lady pulls it out and touches off the firsts round? Nothing good that I can imagine! between recoil, muzzle blast/flash & noise, she will be sensory deprived and lucky to have any idea of what is going on around her.(IMHO)
 

Biggfoot44

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First off , the elderly and disabled are precisely the ones most in need of an equalizer ! The question isn't if an arthritic octogenarian can shoot XYZ gun as well as could an experienced 40yo gun crank . The question is whether the arthritic octogenarian can shoot better than they can fist fight a 20yo felon .

*******************\******\

There is no such thing as a generic recommendation for people of a certain age , and/ or certain sex .

Issues of size , strength , physical limitations , etc are relevant , but those have only vague correlation to age , and none to sex .

Within those actual physical parameters , priority #1 - Able to shoot it somewhat competently , and #1.1- Hopefully within #1 will be at leat one option that is at least somewhat suitable for the inherent purpose .

In the case above , the answer is starkly obvious ! She shoots an SP 101 reasonably competently , And an SP 101 firing .38spl ammunition is reasonably suitable for Self Defense/ Home Defense . There is no other reason to avoid SP 101 on purpose .

Bingp ! Get the Lady an SP 101 , and a cpl boxes of your interpretation of reasonably suitable .38spl defensive l load ( or recommend such , if that's your rol .
 

Snake Pleskin

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That probably would have been the best idea, but since you didn't...
I am getting the impression that the list of people that you think ought to be allowed to have any firearm is pretty short.
What I am suggesting is not Who should be allowed a firearm or a list. What I am saying is a "firearm" is not always the right answer to a problem. There is more to self defense then being able to shoot a firearm. Knowing when to use it, how to use it, not endangering others when used, is critical. (IMHO)
 

AzShooter1

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Jan 14, 2017
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Surprise, Az
SP 101 and get her some classes at your local range self defense. Instructions are important, but having something to use is more important at 77 then having to fend for herself without a firearm.

My partner is 75, anti gun but with all the new murders reported on t.v. she is anxious to learn to use one of my handguns. She cannot rack the slide on any of my autos so I let her try my Smith Model 10 and she loves it with wadcutters. Better than nothing.
 

Snake Pleskin

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SP 101 and get her some classes at your local range self defense. Instructions are important, but having something to use is more important at 77 then having to fend for herself without a firearm.

My partner is 75, anti gun but with all the new murders reported on t.v. she is anxious to learn to use one of my handguns. She cannot rack the slide on any of my autos so I let her try my Smith Model 10 and she loves it with wadcutters. Better than nothing.
If she can handle the trigger pull on an S&W model 10 that is excellent. Wollf spring kit can help, and the old "Flying Ashcan" load of a 148gr wadcutter loaded upside down, was a known man stopper! I use this load in my snubbies.(IMHO)
 

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