dajonga 396 Posted January 29, 2016 My father has been searching for a handgun to have around for my mom to use in case of ..... whatever. His permits are ready to expire and he wants to get something soon. Mom is 72....healthy, lucid and spry, but is weak in the hands due to arthritis. She does not have the hand strength to work the slide on a handgun. He first tried a Taurus 22/22 mag revolver and she could not handle the DA trigger pull. She is a lefty and wants an ambi safety. I think that the perfect gun for her is a Mossberg .410 pump or even a S&W 15-22, but he thinks a handgun is the way to go. She is also seriously recoil averse. .38 spl out of a S&W Model 10 is too much for her. 9mm out of a Beretta 92? She called it viscous! He thinks the way to go is a .22 LR loaded with stingers. He is now thinking of the Ruger sr22 and having the gun ready for her to get to, round chambered with the safety on. I fondled one today and it does look to be perfect for his/her needs. He thinks the M&P is too big & he does not like the paddle mag release on the Walther. Anything to be aware of? Any other ideas? Of course, training her to be proficient with the gun will be the real issue. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnnyB 4,289 Posted January 29, 2016 I think the SR22 is a fantastic idea in this case. My wife hates guns but when she reluctantly shot my new SR22 at the range, she really liked it. She now refers to it as her gun. It stays loaded with CCI Stinger ammo and she is quite competent with it. It is very easy to rack the slide as well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GRIZ 3,365 Posted January 29, 2016 IMO you should use solids for SD. The 22 isn't a great penetration to start with and ammo like Stingers compound that problem. A solid will penetrate better and if it hits something it can't will stop or ricochet off in another direction. Remember, if forced to use a small caliber for SD, don't fire one shot and see what happens. Fire 2,3, or more depending on the number of assailants. This increases your chance of hitting something vital or at least lowering the bad guy's blood pressure a bit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diamondd817 823 Posted January 29, 2016 If the DA pull on a revolver was too much, she will probably feel the same of the DA pull of the SR22. The only options I can think is a Beretta Cheetah, which is a big metal frame .380 with a manual safety, or maybe a 1911 in .380(?). The Beretta is a DA/SA and the 1911 is ofcourse a SA only. I think the biggest challenge will be overcoming that DA pull. If my only choice for a SD round was a 22lr I would prefer the 22lr revolver. Not that it would be any more effective, but it would significantly increase the reliability of the round. What about a S&W 63 or 317? Both can be fired SA because they have the large exposed hammer. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NJGF 375 Posted January 29, 2016 For self defense I would be concerned about the reliability of a .22. They sometimes don't go bang every time the trigger is squeezed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dajonga 396 Posted January 29, 2016 Good points, all. Thanks. Do they make a reduced recoil 20 gauge buck load? I keep going back to the Mossberg pump option for her. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NJGF 375 Posted January 29, 2016 I couldn't find any low recoil 20 gauge ammunition while there is a wide selection in 12 gauge. Check out this article in Shooting Illustrated "The Mighty 20 Gauge" for some of the trade-offs: http://www.shootingillustrated.com/articles/2013/3/18/the-mighty-20-gauge/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
silverado427 10,555 Posted January 29, 2016 Get a dog. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T Bill 649 Posted January 29, 2016 I would think a 38 spl with 148 DEWC loads would be about the same as 22LR. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GRIZ 3,365 Posted January 29, 2016 I would think a 38 spl with 148 DEWC loads would be about the same as 22LR. T Bill, you know that's impossible as long as gun weight is the same. Do the math. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PD2K 115 Posted January 30, 2016 For self defense I would be concerned about the reliability of a .22. They sometimes don't go bang every time the trigger is squeezed. Exactly. Too many instances of FTF/FTE. I would do 9mm at the very least. However if you must do 22, then I would do a S&W M&P 22 compact. My cousin has one and loves it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SJ ED 0 Posted January 30, 2016 My SR22 is a nice reliable little gun but the trigger is pretty awful. I put a Laserlyte on mine and it's a fun shooter. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites