Class A today but can't find the right gun!

[Hooper]

First day with the Class A LTC so I stopped at a couple local gun shops on my way home from work. I had been thinking all along that when my LTC came in I would be getting a revolver and was thinking about the S&W 686s and/or the 617. I have pretty bad arthritis in my right hand so was planning on sticking with a heavier gun and mellow loads to prevent pain from the recoil while I am learning to shoot. Either .22lr or .38 wadcutters.

Unfortunately, both of those revolvers were too heavy for me to grip and hold in shooting stance with my hand problems. Today was a worse day than most (storm coming in) but I was totally bummed and not sure what direction to go next. I even held a model 632 which at 26oz still felt a little heavy but better. I GUESS I NEED A NEW PLAN!

I hadn't thought of a pistol but might have to go that way. Held a couple sig 22s (mosquito) which fit my hand and felt really great, but a model I would never own. Tried a couple Walthers but they were too small. I don't like having my pinky off the grip. I really want to stay with a revolver but I am at a loss as to where to go next. Stores didn't have an M&P22 so maybe that's still an option.

Light weight with a larger grip, good for target shooting and no recoil? HELP!

Any suggestions completely and utterly appreciated! Would still prefer a wheel gun.

Thanks!

 

[Fixxah]

A .22 semi-auto sounds more in line with your situation. There's still ammo onn the shelves for it and the cost of the ammo will offset the price of the gun.
Arthritis is no picnic. Good luck in your search.
Welcome to the board.
-tapatalk and Devin McCourty blow chunks-

 

[Shotshell]

I would suggest looking at the Ruger Mark III or the 22/45. These are both great guns to shoot, great reliability, low recoil and maybe a larger grip that the Walthers. The Mark III is designed with the old German Luger in mind and the 22/45 is similar but with the grip angle of a 1911.

 

[Twinkie1982]

I'd suggest the Ruger SR22 pistol.

 

[dogdoctor]

Hooper...that stinks about the arthritis. If you like the revolvers, I would look into smaller revolvers like the SP101 from Ruger. They are significantly lighter than two S&Ws you listed.

 

[SalemCat]

That sucks.

I've got a little Seecamp Semi-Auto. The weight and all is fine, but racking the slide is a bit much. It's tough to get a good grip on it.

Maybe a S&W J-Frame for you ?

 

[SalemCat]

Certain Semi-Auto's might have a gentler recoil, as a portion of the shot is used to cycle the weapon, in place of sending all the recoil back into your hand.

Though, as I haven't fired anything larger than .22 in 25 years, I may be full of it.

Planning to cure that SOON !

 

[Dajuan0913]

Gen 4. Glock19

Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using Tapatalk 2

 

[Wadcutter]

Just out of curiosity, why would you never own a Sig Mosquito?

If you prefer a light weight 22 revolver, look into the 317 kit gun. You won't shoot it as accurately as a longer barreled revolver like the 617, but it's good for improving you skills.

For something bigger, it's hard to go wrong with a model 10 or 15 in 38 special. If that is too heavy, S&W made/make plenty of light weight revolvers that shoot 38.

Keep in mind that there are a ton of grips available for S&W revolvers, so I wouldn't let poor grip feel in the store bother you too much.

 

[a73elkyss]

.......Light weight with a larger grip, good for target shooting and no recoil? HELP!

Any suggestions completely and utterly appreciated! Would still prefer a wheel gun.

Thanks!

Sorry to hear about your arthritis Hooper. I to have issues with my right hand, as does my wife. May I suggest a S&W Bodyguard 38 to you. My wife likes it for exactly the reasons you mention. No racking of the slide, no safety to mess with, good finger placement on the grip, lightweight, hammerless, and reasonable recoil. And most important, every time you pull the trigger it goes "bang". A great carry gun.

I live in Central MA. and if you would like to see it in person, PM me and we can meet up somewhere.

 

[AF83]

You won't be sorry with a Ruger SR22. I love mine. Light weight, VERY easy to rack the slide, interchangable back straps to fit you hand, accurate, low recoil being .22, and under 300 bucks.

 

[Mflagg73]

Ruger LCR .22lr. Wheel gun with low recoil and only 14.9oz...

Mike

 

[TonyDedo]

What kind of stance are you using? If you're having trouble supporting a heavier gun in an Isosceles stance, you may find you get more support in some form of Weaver.

Also keep in mind that as you go to a lighter gun, it may be easier to hold in a store, but a lighter centerfire caliber gun will have more recoil and be harder to hold while shooting. You're not going to want a tiny J Frame revolver jumping out of your hands.

Perhaps an M&P 9mm. Fairly light, low recoiling, and the ergonomics will probably be comfortable. Be sure to get a good trigger job, as the stock trigger is too heavy for anyone.

 

[Scuppernog]

Ruger MK series 22

try those out

 

[Robert J]

As mentioned above, thr Ruger MK II or III semi, is a very well mannered pistol. I have enjoyed them for 30 years. Steer clear of the bull barrel models, they are quite heavy, but the original taper style is easy to hold and may be what your looking for.

 

[Rotaryrocket]

I second all those who said ruger sr22. Incredibly easy to shoot and reload. And down right reliable

 

[Wadcutter]

I like how this thread starts with the statement "Would still prefer a wheel gun.", and then 90% of the posts reply with a semi-auto suggestion. Still beats working.

 

[edhead35]

My S&W Pro Series 1911 in 9mm shoots like a 22, all steel not too heavy, easy trigger to pull.

ETA: Good for defense, practice is cheaper than 45, recoil is light, heavy enough to help recoil down but now be ridiculous. There is one for sale on the NES classifieds recently.

 

[stumpg26]

Arthritis sucks, I have it too, even worse is that I play guitar. I find the Ruger SR22 and Glock 19 to work just fine with my hands. The 22 mags are easy to load, the Glock gets tough around 6 in a 10 round mag and 10 in a 15 rounder. Speed loader makes it easy for the last 4 or 5 though. I tried a few different revolvers but just couldn't get comfortable with any of them. Trigger pull, recoil or both were the issue. Ended up with a Glock 26, which I still have and shoot, but the 19 feels better. The SR22 is just awesome. Good luck.

 

[Hooper]

OP here - Thanks for all the recommendations! I went out this morning and actually picked up the 617 4" 10 shot. It's wicked heavy but I'm going to give it a try. I just don't see a whole lot of other options for learning at this point that won't break the bank for ammo and break my hand!

While I was at the store, I did get a chance to fiddle with a Ruger SR22 and I liked it a lot. As I said, I am not into the idea of a pistol but the reviews are pretty strong and it's a whole lot easier to hold.


More to come after I get to the range. Thanks again for all the advice!!