Handgun for arthritis

[MossRoad]

He mentioned a blackhawk, single action revolver.


A single action would have an easier trigger. He would have to operate the slide. But they do make device to help grab them

Although my question was semi-auto specific.... I understand double/single action. The same thing would apply to double/single action revolvers. Once you operate the slide to cock the trigger on a semi-auto, or once you pull the hammer back on either a semi-auto or revolver to cock it, single or double action, either one, its cocked and the trigger pull would be just as easy to release it, I'd think. Am I missing something?

What has me questioning it is the suggestions that a single action might be easier for him to pull the trigger. It wouldn't be, because single or double, he'd still have to cock it somehow if he doesn't want to pull a double action trigger from the un-cocked condition.

 

[Pilot]

Thanks for all the replies and some good ideas were mentioned.

As some perceived, I really like my Blackhawk. I have looked at maybe 20+ guns in the gun shops and none had as nice a trigger pull as my Ruger and none of them solved my problems.

On the Ruger, the cylinder and barrel are ahead of the grip area giving the center of balance forward. I like having the weight forward, the muzzle stays steady. At the Air Guard we used Berettas for small arms training and all the weight was over my grip area and I had trouble keeping that forward sight on target. Never made expert with those semis. Back in the '60's we qualified with S&W .38 DA revolvers. The grip wasn't designed for a human being, but in spite of that, I made expert. I think that forward balance helped.

I think I'll take my Ruger to a gunsmith and see what he can do. If he can fix it so I can cock it, problem solved.

Thanks again for all the replies. If the gunsmith can't solve the problems I'll go back over the thoughtful replies.

 

[dragoneggs]

Find a good (been around as long as you) gunsmith and see what he can do with what you have. I'm never opposed to adding to one's arsenal but first I would take your firearm in and demonstrate your issue. Good luck!

 

[PJSprog]

I think he ought to keep the cartridge power down,,
and the gun weight low,,
with a single action trigger (after cocking)
SO,, I nominate the Smith & Wesson Model 617 Mountain Gun,,,

You may have overlooked the part of his original post about a cougar on his property. I'm not convinced a .22 is the best option there. (someone else suggested this earlier, too)

 

[kcflhrc]

Although my question was semi-auto specific.... I understand double/single action. The same thing would apply to double/single action revolvers. Once you operate the slide to cock the trigger on a semi-auto, or once you pull the hammer back on either a semi-auto or revolver to cock it, single or double action, either one, its cocked and the trigger pull would be just as easy to release it, I'd think. Am I missing something?

What has me questioning it is the suggestions that a single action might be easier for him to pull the trigger. It wouldn't be, because single or double, he'd still have to cock it somehow if he doesn't want to pull a double action trigger from the un-cocked condition.

Trigger pulls on a semi auto can vary greatly, especially if the semi auto is designed for conceal carry. My Taurus PT111 9mm Semi Auto has a long trigger pull until it breaks over and actually fires, that way by design for a conceal carry designed pistol. And not all semi auto's have an exposed hammer, actually very few do nowadays.

 

[CADplans]

You may have overlooked the part of his original post about a cougar on his property. I'm not convinced a .22 is the best option there. (someone else suggested this earlier, too)

I figured he had a problem with his hand,,, not his legs!!:laughing:

I have been shooting in a serious way for over 40 years.
I can hit a 55 gallon drum virtually 100% of the time with my Glock 17 at 30 yards.
There is no way I would go up against a cougar with ANY handgun,,,
unless there is a real good chance the noise would scare it away.

(A 55 gallon drum is very close in size to a man's chest. That is why I like using it for a target)

 

[BlackOps]

glock

 

[Soundguy]

My shootin hand, the right hand has arthritis pretty bad in some fingers. Trigger finger can't pull the trigger on several semi autos I have tried. The pull is too heavy and the travel is too long. Making it worse, I have long fingers and too many guns seem to be sized for smaller hands. I can rack the slide, but my thumb can't release it--can't move close enough to the tang to get a good push on it.

Got out my old Ruger .357 Blackhawk when there was a cougar on the property and that's when I found out I have problems. Excellent trigger pull, short travel and light pull. Best trigger of all the ones I have tried. But I can't cock the thing one handed--it's that thumb again.

Sun shop sales people say they are seeing a lot of people with arthritis as the boomers age.

So what's a good handgun for folks like me?

something with an easy slide rack like a ruger 22 target model. very light springs. and the trigger travel is short, and the pull is light.

also, they make a slide rack assist for people with poor grip strength. I know they make them for glocks. Essentially a plastic clamp on part that gives a hook or lever to palm instead of using fingers to grip the slide... to add to that, if you got a glock, you need to have a small part replaced in the gun ( drop in ) and it reduces the trigger pull.

 

[Gary Fowler]

If you can find a .380 Beretta Cheetah you will have the best of all Worlds. It has a flip up barrel that you can load so no slide to rack. It is a SA/DA trigger so you can either cock the hammer like a SA or just pull the trigger (assuming that you have a shell in the barrel). The first trigger pull is similar to a DA revolver but then all subsequent shots have low trigger pull. Look it up on the web. Only used ones available since they have been out of production for about 30 years.

 

[Zerk]

Trigger pulls on a semi auto can vary greatly, especially if the semi auto is designed for conceal carry. My Taurus PT111 9mm Semi Auto has a long trigger pull until it breaks over and actually fires, that way by design for a conceal carry designed pistol. And not all semi auto's have an exposed hammer, actually very few do nowadays.

Agree. Some double action guns, especially semi autos without safeties have very long trigger pulls. There have been a couple I thought something was wrong. I have noticed this more with semi autos.

Not sure Glock is that bad, but it probably fits this category. I haven't fired mine awhile.

I tend to think double action semi autos will not work for him.

something with an easy slide rack like a ruger 22 target model. very light springs. and the trigger travel is short, and the pull is light.
ll.

Sure, 22 is fine for plinking cans, or for women who won't carry something else. Better then nothing.

Although my question was semi-auto specific.... I understand double/single action. The same thing would apply to double/single action revolvers. Once you operate the slide to cock the trigger on a semi-auto, or once you pull the hammer back on either a semi-auto or revolver to cock it, single or double action, either one, its cocked and the trigger pull would be just as easy to release it, I'd think. Am I missing something?

What has me questioning it is the suggestions that a single action might be easier for him to pull the trigger. It wouldn't be, because single or double, he'd still have to cock it somehow if he doesn't want to pull a double action trigger from the un-cocked condition.

Part of his problem has been cocking the hammer.


Single action revolvers have longer travel to cock. Single actions also tend to have different frames. Maybe a double action would work for him.