Carry gun for person with arthritis?

[Pelikan]

Hi Everyone,

There is some great advice and reading on this forum, so I'd like to ask for some opinions.

I'm looking for a good carry pistol, but I have two problems: small hands and @#$@#$ arthritis, which makes shooting a .45 a new experience in pain.

The grip that fits my hand almost perfectly sizewise is that of a full sized .45, no fancy grips, think Auto-Ord basic config.

In a perfect world I'd like a full-sized pistol for a shoulder holster in winter and a smaller one for summer carry.

Thoughts, ideas, opinions?

I appreciate the help,
Pelikan

 

[PaulD]

Hi Everyone,

There is some great advice and reading on this forum, so I'd like to ask for some opinions.

I'm looking for a good carry pistol, but I have two problems: small hands and @#$@#$ arthritis, which makes shooting a .45 a new experience in pain.

The grip that fits my hand almost perfectly sizewise is that of a full sized .45, no fancy grips, think Auto-Ord basic config.

In a perfect world I'd like a full-sized pistol for a shoulder holster in winter and a smaller one for summer carry.

Thoughts, ideas, opinions?

I appreciate the help,
Pelikan

I can relate a little bit. The knuckle on my right thumb is raised due to a previous injury and a bit of arthritis. What it means is that certain guns will rub it raw. For instance, my M&P9 caused the problem as did my 229 until I replaced the stock grips with Hogue rubber panel grips. Part of my point here is that you really need to try a bunch of guns. You might want to become an NES member and attend an NES shoot. Alternatively, go to a place like Manchester Firing Line in NH where you can try a lot of guns via rentals.

Also, it sounds like the grip you're talking about is a 1911. Nothing wrong with 1911s but maybe you need to consider some other design that better fits your hand and absorbs recoil more. Maybe you should consider going down to a 9mm.

 

[Pelikan]

I can relate a little bit. The knuckle on my right thumb is raised due to a previous injury and a bit of arthritis. What it means is that certain guns will rub it raw. For instance, my M&P9 caused the problem as did my 229 until I replaced the stock grips with Hogue rubber panel grips. Part of my point here is that you really need to try a bunch of guns. You might want to become an NES member and attend an NES shoot. Alternatively, go to a place like Manchester Firing Line in NH where you can try a lot of guns via rentals.

Also, it sounds like the grip you're talking about is a 1911. Nothing wrong with 1911s but maybe you need to consider some other design that better fits your hand and absorbs recoil more. Maybe you should consider going down to a 9mm.

When is the next NES shoot? I've tried Hogues before, but they make the grip width too wide to hold the pistol properly. I agree that a 1911 fits the bill generally; I've never been thrilled with the idea of using a 9mm 1911, and I couldn't explain it if I tried. I'll visit Four Seasons for a looksee then hopefully make the next NES shoot.

Thanks!

 

[TY43215]

See if you can find a CZ SP01. It seems to fit my hands best. http://cz-usa.com/products/view/CZ_75_SP01_Shadow/

 

[Titan]

Go with a S&W 686+ in 3 inch barrel.

It's a very good balance between recoil reduction and carryability (weight/bulk).

No slide to rack with arthritic hands, and a joy to shoot.

 

[Pelikan]

See if you can find a CZ SP01. It seems to fit my hands best. http://cz-usa.com/products/view/CZ_75_SP01_Shadow/

Thanks for the advice, Gary, and it looks like a great choice...sigh, but I live in MA. (I didn't realize I had forgot to list that, sorry)

-Pelikan

 

[Pelikan]

Go with a S&W 686+ in 3 inch barrel.

It's a very good balance between recoil reduction and carryability (weight/bulk).

No slide to rack with arthritic hands, and a joy to shoot.

Great revolver, I'll add it to the list. Currently I've got on the list a Ruger SR9c, S/W Bodyguard, S/W M&P and now the S/W 686.

Thanks!

 

[M1911]

You might try to find a 4th gen glock 19. The 4th gen has an adjustable backstrap that allows it to fit smaller hands. Glock 17s and 19s seem to have little felt recoil.

 

[PaulD]

You might try to find a 4th gen glock 19. The 4th gen has an adjustable backstrap that allows it to fit smaller hands. Glock 17s and 19s seem to have little felt recoil.

I was impressed with the 4th gen G17.

 

[Fixxah]

Welcome to the board. I have tendonitis and take meloxicam(sp) which works wonders for me.

If you carried a 45 for stopping ability to save your life with maybe three shots, would it not be worth the pain?
You could dry fire the hell out of it and practice many drills. Just muy two cents as I have a neutered LTC.

If there is a gun that's not listed just find one in classifieds and do an FTF.

 

[Pelikan]

You might try to find a 4th gen glock 19. The 4th gen has an adjustable backstrap that allows it to fit smaller hands. Glock 17s and 19s seem to have little felt recoil.

While I would love to try a 4th gen with the adjustable backstraps, it would be near the end of my preferred list, but ONLY due to the outrageous price here in MA. When used Glocks can sell for 750+, and new ones go for hundreds less, well, like I said, if I could afford it easier, maybe. Having said that, I have fired and owned Glocks before, and feel they are fine weapons. Never tried a 9mm one though, that could be interesting.

Thanks!

 

[Pelikan]

If you carried a 45 for stopping ability to save your life with maybe three shots, would it not be worth the pain?

Oh, heck yeah. I wouldn't mind a backup of a .44 or .357 derringer (tried one years ago, hurt like hell but amazingly accurate for what it was) and totally agree that it is worth any discomfort.

While dry firing does contribute to readiness, one does need to practice at the range, and the costs, both fiscal and physical, are too high. (Having said that, if the physical costs were less, I would find a way to deal with the fiscal.)

Thank you for the advice on this and the classifieds; I am so used to just going to Four Seasons, I often pass them over without realizing.

-Pelikan