Home defense gun for elderly parent

[photogpat]

Probably best to take him to Bills for a day of rental shooting. It is all guessing untill he hits the range with a gun in hand.

Rent a couple see what he thinks, then buy. It would suck to buy something based on internet advise then find out he can't shoot it for beans.

I'm thinking we could arrange a "range day" for your Dad out at OGC and bring a few examples along. Its closed to the public now and typically member traffic is light from now through Spring.

Don't know if you're anywhere in the vicinity. Lemme know if you wanna try that via PM -- the ranges aren't heated though...which could make it tough on the hands...

[rugersol]

the ranges aren't heated though

they don't put the sunflowers out, no more?!

[photogpat]

the ranges aren't heated though

they don't put the sunflowers out, no more?!

They do, and its nice for the hands/legs...but I guess I don't consider that to be a "heated range".

Correction/Clarification -- there are propane "Sunflower" style heaters on the ranges if that makes a difference!

[MNFelix]

I am thinking of purchasing a gun for my dad for christmas. He currently doesnt have any guns but was in the army and has gone shooting with me a few times (recently) so he is not a complete novice. I want my parents to be armed but dont see them doing it on their own. I think if i made the purchase for my dad he would appreciate it and would go to the range with me and another friend of his.

My dad has arthritis and is in his 70's so i want something that is easy to use and low on recoil. I do not think a semi-auto is a good choice because racking the slide might be difficult, clearing malfunctions, etc. I thought a revolver might be a good fit but i am not sure about recoil on a .38 spl. I know many of you might say take him to the range and see what he likes but I would really like this to be a surprise. I also thought about a home defense shotgun but i dont see my mom letting that sit around in a accessible location where as a handgun could be kept readily available.

My initial thought was a ruger sp101 or gp100 with a 3' or 4'' barrel in .357. I would suggest he uses .38 spl at range and .38+p for home defense. What I dont know is the recoil on a gun like this. I have a s&w 642 lightweight that recoils hard and I dont shoot it well.

Any input is appreciated. Thanks.

My 70 y/o stepfather who was a Marine in Vietnam always had a .38 of some sort (I was never allowed near it). He sold it about 20 years ago and has kept a 20 gauge for the fear factor (racking that thing is the most recognizable noise in the world) and if he had to use it, he would use it. I have to think that 20 gauge shot is serious enough to stop an intruder at close range if it really came to that and the kick wouldn't be too ugly.

He and my mother invested in more passive home defense systems as well -- window alarms (cheap!), bar for sliding glass door, locks for the bedroom and bathroom doors, long screws hinge screws made of hardened steel, reinforced door frames, a security service, timed indoor lighting, and a noisy terrier. We all feel safer with those measures in place but that 20 gauge would be a fine last resort IMO.

After his experiences in the war, he isn't a big shooter or hunter so the fun of shooting a handgun was never really there for him.

Just my experience, FWIW.

[fjrdc]

Tarus Judge? reasonable recoil and great self defense loads.

[justinvan]

Taurus Model 85 in .327 Federal Mag -- then get him the .32 S&W long rounds. Light pop, easy trigger, and 6 shots.

I like this idea^^^^^^^. I have a Smith & Wesson in .327 and love it. The recoil is very soft and the round is very capable. I think it would make nice revolver for an older shooter (or any shooter as far as that goes).

[rugersol]

Taurus Model 85 in .327 Federal Mag -- then get him the .32 S&W long rounds. Light pop, easy trigger, and 6 shots.

I like this idea^^^^^^^. I have a Smith & Wesson in .327 and love it. The recoil is very soft and the round is very capable. I think it would make nice revolver for an older shooter (or any shooter as far as that goes).

I once suggested a Ruger Blackhawk .327, fer a similar situation ... http://www.ruger.com/products/newModelBlackhawkStainless/specSheets/0353.html ...



8rd x .327 ... 'er ... uh ... .32H&R ... 'er ... uh ... .32S&W

[Pinnacle]

Get a dog and a .38

Australian Shepherd works real good.

[MN_MO]

]I know of a handicapped, wheel chair bound, paraplegic that carries a smith & Wesson "governor" revolver. I have shot the gun at the range and it is a slick, very smooth, low recoil , nice shooting gun that takes .45 ammo or .410 birdshot shotgun shells. This would be a great option for you and s&w reliability kicks the snot out of Taurus or Stoeger type ....junk weapons...... every day of the week. If my folks were still alive, this would be my first choice for them. I carry a Kimber ultra carry 2 semi auto .45 and it is the smoothest shooting, beautifully balanced handgun I have ever owned but might be a bit rich for a gift ? Right around $1000 for a Kimber , but you get what you pay for. I do think the Governor revolver is the best option for your folks tho. Good luck........I second the dog also.....if someone is creeping around the home and just the sound of a barking dog will usually do a lot to deter would be home invaders, if not, .410 shot shells from that governor.....would surely get their attention. Never hurts to have more than one form of deterrent or defense with all the goofy stuff nowadays.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/ ... 7751_image

[Seismic Sam]

Dear Jeff A: While your sentiments are noble, if your Dad hasn't voiced a desire for a gun himself, then you're probably going to just make an inevitable situation worse. Despite my 800 lb. reloading troll persona in here, I have one of the best therapy dogs in the state, and for three years I have been working in Our Lady of Peace Hospice, 8 months in St. Mary's nursing home, and two years in Bethesda Hospital, which is critical injury and rehab, and also has a locked Alzheimer's ward. When you're over 70 and your arthritis is taking its toll, it's only going to get worse as time goes on. So if you give your dad a gun today, you're setting yourself (and him) up for taking it back in a few years. In the mean time, whatever expertise he gets with the gun will slowly fade away, and it could end up being a liability for him if he thinks he can still use it and can't, or worse yet, he uses it and somebody besides a perp gets hurt. For the child of any aging parent one of the great challenges is when to take the car keys away from your parents, and it's really no different with guns. If he wasn't a dyed in the wool gun nut most of his life and already has all the guns he ever needs, why buy him one now??

[plink]

My butt is planted firmly on the shotgun for home defense bandwagon at least 350 days a year. 20 gauge FTW.

[Seismic Sam]

My butt is planted firmly on the shotgun for home defense bandwagon at least 350 days a year. 20 gauge FTW.

Could you rephrase that to make it sound a little less dangerous??

[ammosponge]

find him a keltec pmr30 . almost zero recoil, reasonable trigger, the slide is easy even for arthritic hands, and 30 rounds of 22mag should take care of any threat.

i bought mine so my wife would have something she could shoot accurately with minimal recoil. she loves it.

(and the fireballs it makes with the hornady critical defense ammo is pretty amazing)

[Pinnacle]

Get him a dog

Or ask that guy that shot those 2 kids what he used - seemed to work...

[mikereilly]

M&P 22 - Looks just like it's big brothers; no recoil, easy to use, rack, etc.
Come check one out at Arnzen Arms in Eden Prairie