Gun for my Mom who doesn't have a lot of strength in hands?

[doejohn]

Any suggestions would be great. My mom is taking her CHL class this weekend and taking my Dad along with her. She has arthritis and not a lot of strength in her hands. She shot my Bersa 380 this past weekend, but it wasn't easy for her to squeeze that trigger. Any ideas?

[MoJo]

Springfield XD, or Glock if she can rack the slide.

[one eyed fatman]

And get her a 2 lb trigger job.

[j1132s]

<snip>
She shot my Bersa 380 this past weekend, but it wasn't easy for her to squeeze that trigger. Any ideas?

Are you just looking for a CHL test gun ? If so...
Can she shoot the Bersa in SA mode? I think the CHL test provides plenty of time per string and enough to cock it.

For carry in the future, maybe a revolver? No need to rack the slide, although DA trigger is going to be a little heavier than Glock and XD types (1.5 and SA) but usually lighter than the DA semi autos.

[longtooth]

Can she borrow a double action single action semi w/ a better trigger, from someone. Ask the instructor if you can load for her, insert the mag, & drop the slide, handing it to her ready to fire single action. If he refuses politely offer this reasoning. At her home or in public on her person, she can carry one already loaded and charged by someone. It may be hard but one trigger pull is much easier than several. After the 1st she is single action anyway.
She may be slow & very slow, or need to cock the hammer, but she still ought to have the right to try to defend herself & fight back. This argument was given me by a woman whose hands had to be in as bad shape as your Mom's. I could not refuse her training & she went to her class. The instructor there allowed it under those circumstances & she made a 98 on the written & shot a 235 w/ a sig 232. That gun has a very lady friendly grip & trigger pull.
edit: After the class what ever the cost she needs to have one she is confident with. I know when my Mother took her class & started carrying she said just the confidence of knowing she did learn to safely handle & accurately shoot a gun & now COULD defend herself if she had to, gave her a lot of confidence & assurance. She does not go hunting badguys after dark but she does not mind being by herself in public if needed. Now home is definately her castle. Dont scale the wall Atilla. It was worth every nickle spent.

[ElGato]

I keep 6 Glocks for loaners, Ladies with problems like that can usually handle a 19 or 26 easily.

[doejohn]

Racking the slide is out of the question. She cannot do that. And if I am not mistaken the CHL qualifications have nothing to do with loading a gun, it's all about accuracy--she will have no problem with that. I mentioned they were taking a CHL class, I guess, just because I'm glad to see them do that...sorry that it took a burglarized home to do it

What I am looking for is a gun that might be a little less of a stuggle for her to squeeze that trigger...maybe just a 1lb? less force than she had to use on my Bersa 380. Of course once she got that one pulled back it was smooth sailing.

If she can't squeeze the trigger, then the gun is worthless.

And if anyone would like to explain to her that once she feels comfortable with a gun and has her license in hand that there should be no reason she doesn't carry with her everywhere....Please list those reasons. I will certainly pass them on to my mom...meaning I'm going email her this link.

Thanks for the replies.

[MoJo]

doejohn,

Seriously, consider a single action auto or safe action auto like the XD or Glock they are basically "point and shoot" with relatively light trigger pulls. There are slide racking techniques that make it easier for those who have limited hand strength to rack the slide. A revolver may be the answer - - - providing she has enough strength to pull the trigger double action.

MoJo

[doejohn]

Longtooth

I can't agree more...if she is going to pick up a gun, She better dang well be able to fire it...She understands that cost cannot be a factor here.

One eyed fatman,

What is a 2lb trigger job? How much force does my bersa 380 take ( I can't find the info anywere)? How much do the Glocks that were mentioned take? Can a gunsmith make a trigger pull easier or is that impossible due to the mechanics?

[gigag04]

IIRC the Beretta tomcat doesn't have to be racked because of hte tip up barrell. My friend got one and I didn't like it, but it could be an option.

I think it was a solution mentioned on a smiliar post as well and it worked for that poster.

[bauerdj]

IF she can rack the slide of a Glock the "safe action" trigger pull is only approx 5.5 lbs. It can easily be changed to 3.5 lbs simply by having the connector changed.

Whatever she gets suggest finding a retal of that gun for her to try before buying.

Dave B.

[oilman]

Racking the slide is out of the question. She cannot do that. And if I am not mistaken the CHL qualifications have nothing to do with loading a gun, it's all about accuracy--she will have no problem with that. I mentioned they were taking a CHL class, I guess, just because I'm glad to see them do that...sorry that it took a burglarized home to do it

There are multiple reloads in the CHL shooting test. Although as I recall you also shoot to slide lock so you can use the slide lock lever to relase the slide to chamber a round rather than racking the slide.

[MoJo]

Under no circumstances should the trigger pull on a carry gun be less than 3 pounds and that is too light IMHO. Your Bersa's double action pull is about 10-12 pounds it could be lessened by a competent gunsmith but, I would see if she can handle the slide on a Glock or XD because of the ease of the factory trigger pulls.

[Boma]

If she can't rack the slide she has to get a DAO.=(

[one eyed fatman]

Longtooth

I can't agree more...if she is going to pick up a gun, She better dang well be able to fire it...She understands that cost cannot be a factor here.

One eyed fatman,

What is a 2lb trigger job? How much force does my bersa 380 take ( I can't find the info anywere)? How much do the Glocks that were mentioned take? Can a gunsmith make a trigger pull easier or is that impossible due to the mechanics?

It normally takes about 5 to 6 pounds of pressure to pull a trigger. A gunsmith can lessen that amount to 2 or 3 pounds.