GUNS/RLTD What type of firearm is best for petite female with little hand or arm strength?

tno5

Senior Member
Because of events suddenly happening in my neighborhood, I feel it best that I go ahead and get myself something for protection that I can carry on me. Because of health problems, I have very little hand strength and also not much arm strength to hold up anything except for a very short time. What would be the best for me to go look at? Also, when it comes to shotguns, what are my choices again?
 

Dio

Inactive
For a handgun consider the baretta tip-up barrel auto's in 22 or 25 ACP ( the 25 is a better choice ) get some one to load the magazines for you, and all you to do is work the lever to "tip-up" the varrel, insert a round and your ready to go....I believe Taurus also makes the same typr of handgun. Get the 25 as the 22 LR is more apt to hang up.
There was also one made in 380 for a short while.
You might also consider a 357 revolver, and shoot it single action w/ 38 special rounds.
870 in 410 or 20 ga is the way to go.
If you were closer I would offer to help...maybe some one on here who is closer can come to your aid.
 

Cardinal

Chickministrator
_______________
Do you have any local pawn shops that deal in guns? Or better yet, a real gun dealer? You need to go in, take a look at what is available, and handle some guns while talking to a knowledgeable dealer.
 

tno5

Senior Member
yes, there is Hyatt's Gun Shop close by me in Charlotte. I can go Monday to see what they have to say. Pawn Shops here don't sell guns.
 

Donald Shimoda

In Absentia
Howdy, Folks!

The Kahr MK9 series is really nice for folks with small hands, and they're really slick to shoot.


Made in America - by the Moonies! :D :p


A suggestion - get a gym membership and build up some muscle mass. If you can't hold up a gun and shoot it because you have very little upper body strength, it's not going to do you any good.


Until then - I recommend mace/pepper spray. The stuff that sticks is particularly evil and useful. ;)

Shotguns - just about everything under the sun out there. I'd look into a .410 for something small that you could handle.

20 Gauge is nice as well.

I prefer shotguns for home defense - cheaper to feed. Fun to shoot. Just having one in your hands will usually make the perp turn and run - saves on ammo.

What's not to like? :D
 

TerryK

TB Fanatic
You got some good advice.
No matter what you do make sure you are comfortable with the gun.
Don't let someone push you into whatever firearm they are trying to get rid of that day.
A reputable gun shop should be glad to spend some time with you and make sure you get the weapon you are comfortable with.
By the way, getting some training is just as important as your decision to buy in the first place.
In Central Florida our Shoot Straight ranges have Ladies Day each week. Women shoot free.

By the way, a lot of firearms instructors say women are easier to teach than men.
 

Garryowen

Deceased
I think maybe Kimber makes a pistol in .22 WMR. I hear it is pretty loud, but wouldn't be nearly as much a handful as a .38. And the magazine holds 30. I think the WMR would be more disabling than a .25 auto. But overall the gun would be larger. It is not heavy at all, as handguns go. And, so far, has proven very popular.
 

ambereyes

Veteran Member
Very good suggestions, as a woman who has been shooting for most of my life, my thoughts are guns are kinda like shoes, if possible try them on first.. If you can find a gun shop that will help you with your selection and maybe help you by letting you shoot it would be great.. Might try looking for gun clubs, many places have shooting instruction for women and they are a huge help for those who don't have much experience.
 

Ogre

Veteran Member
The only person that can decide what gun is best for you is you. Even better than a reputable gun shop is one at a range that will let you rent one to try it out. (You should take a basic firearms course first if you haven't shot before.) A great site for a lot of very good information (not a particular handgun choice) is http://www.corneredcat.com/ By a woman for women, but I learned a lot too.
 

tno5

Senior Member
thanks everyone, this has been really helpful. My body problem is terrible arthritis and shoulder problems that don't allow me to hold my arms up very high for long without extreme pain, but I'm sure if needed, I could handle a shotgun and pay for the body pain later!
 

Dozdoats

Deceased
If there's an indoor range near you that rents pistols, your best bet is to shoot your favorite few for a session or two AFTER you handle several likely candidates at the gun store to see what fits your hand best.

Best advice in the handgun department - go see Kathy at http://www.corneredcat.com/

She doesn't say much about long guns though. For shotguns, same thing goes as for handguns. It needs to fit you and feel right to you. Most shotgun stocks are too long for a lot of shooters, but there are 'youth' or 'junior' models available that are shorter and might fit better. Generally gas operated semiautos will offer less felt recoil than pumps, but they tend to be a good bit more costly. http://www.guns.com/reviews/remington-11-87-sportsman-youth-compact.html has gotten some good reports, for example. http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/672/products_id/95561 is a pumpgun option.

Having an experienced shooter available in person, on your side of the counter, to help you would be good, if you know or can find such a person. I'm dismayed in this day and age how few new shooters know anyone among family, friends or coworkers to call on for help with that though.
 

Bullwinkle

Membership Revoked
A 22 is too small for any serious defense.
A 380 would be as small as I would go.
Ball ammunition will give the most reliable feeding and cycling. Penetration will be better too.
Small hands should find any 9mm that has a single column magazine comfortable.
Be sure to have extra magazines. Your hands may find it hard to load the magazines.
Maybe get some help loading the magazines. (They are not clips.)

A S&W "J" frame revolver in 38 special would be adequate if you prefer a revolver. Also easier to reload with weak hands.
Lead wad cutter rounds should be light on recoil and flat nose will give adequate stopping power.


Indeed go to a gun shop and try out as many as you can.

A good exercise for hand gun use is to have a piece of 1" dowel with a string and weight in the middle.
Role weight up and role down. Do not let the weight slide down. Hold your arms out when doing this.
Even starting with no weight this will help strengthen your arms a wrists.
I saw this in an old western movie where the Raquel Welch character wanted the help of a gun fighter (Robert Culp) to learn to shoot to extract revenge.
Also squeeze a soft rubber ball and gradually go to stiffer rubber will help strengthen your grip.
 

Wise Owl

Deceased
Very good suggestions, as a woman who has been shooting for most of my life, my thoughts are guns are kinda like shoes, if possible try them on first.. If you can find a gun shop that will help you with your selection and maybe help you by letting you shoot it would be great.. Might try looking for gun clubs, many places have shooting instruction for women and they are a huge help for those who don't have much experience.

This ^

I have a Beretta tomcat in .32 cal. It's small and lightweight. I had to get new grips for it because the ones from the factory made the pistol too small for my hand to grip well seeing as I have carpal tunnel.
I also shoot a Beretta .40 with the same kind of rosewood grips in a wrap around type. It's not that heavy but if something or someone is coming at me I actually prefer a mag full of .40 Golden Sabres to my .32 which is really a pocket pistol type for up close and personal type defense. The .40 will reach out farther and do more damage. The .32 is good for about 7 ft of so. I prefer to be able to defend from a little further back but even up close my .40 will work and with it being a hollow point round it will stay inside the body.

Try to handle as many pistols as you can. Find one that fit's "your" hand. That is the best bet. DH doesn't like either of my pistols cause the grips are larger. (that's ok, they are mine, lol)
What may work for one person won't work for others.

As to upper body strength. I have arthritis in both shoulders now so I have lost a lot of strength now but I can still handle most guns in a tight situation. You would be amazed how little pain or strength matter when your adrenalin is pumping...
 

tiger13

Veteran Member
make sure you stop off at the Sheriffs office and apply for a permit to purchase. They cost $5 each, it is probably going to take anywhere from 3/5 days to get one, because they are going to have to do a background check on you. Your also going to have to have someone for a character reference, that can be anyone that knows you, husband friend etc. You wont be able to buy a pistol with out the purchase permit, unless you already have a concealed carry permit, but it don't sound like you have one.
 

Wise Owl

Deceased
thanks everyone, this has been really helpful. My body problem is terrible arthritis and shoulder problems that don't allow me to hold my arms up very high for long without extreme pain, but I'm sure if needed, I could handle a shotgun and pay for the body pain later!



Ok, I hear ya on the arthritis in your shoulders. It reeks. Stuff I used to be able to do is now a real pain and the suffering can last for days if you overdo it.

Guys, it has nothing to do with making your muscles stronger if every time you move your arm that shoulder joint is pressing on the ligaments due to spurs and deformities from the arthritis.

Remember what I said about larger grips on the pistols. It actually helps that they are bigger because you don't have to close your hand as much to grip them. I kid you not. I have smaller hands also and it's not what you think folks. Sometimes a fatter grip is easier with arthritis.
 

Wise Owl

Deceased
Wow, that reeks that you need a permit to buy a gun. Michigan was like that for pistols but thankfully they just rescinded that.
 

Countrymouse

Country exile in the city
make sure you stop off at the Sheriffs office and apply for a permit to purchase. They cost $5 each, it is probably going to take anywhere from 3/5 days to get one, because they are going to have to do a background check on you. Your also going to have to have someone for a character reference, that can be anyone that knows you, husband friend etc. You wont be able to buy a pistol with out the purchase permit, unless you already have a concealed carry permit, but it don't sound like you have one.


What are the rules for private gun sales from one individual to another?
 

tno5

Senior Member
dang, didn't know I'd have to get a permit to purchase first! Yeah, I wonder about a private sale from a friend?
 

tiger13

Veteran Member
What are the rules for private gun sales from one individual to another?
It's the same, your supposed to have the purchase permit from the buyer, the law does not say that you have to keep the permit, but you should, to cover your @ss. That way you KNOW you are not selling a gun to a person that is not supposed to have a gun. This is for PISTOLS only, long guns you don't need a permit to purchase,
 

Roscoe's Daddy

Veteran Member
I would offer that .22 LR and .22 Magnum ARE viable options if anything larger is out of the question due to recoil issues. Revolvers offer a reliablilty advantage where rimfire ammunition is concerned. Possible choices might include the S&W #317 (8-shots) and S&W #351PD (7-shots in 22 Mag.). I have some experience in this area and can state that .22 LR really can work, and often to a surprising degree. It does not however, work as quickly or as often as the better choices. It's certainly a compromise choice at best. Use solid, not expanding ammunition.

Moving up, any new or used, small-frame Colt, S&W or Ruger in .38 Special caliber, with a 2-3" barrel may be a good choice. Any of the better 148-grain wadcutter ammunition offers a degree of stopping reliability and ease of use.

If you can manage the slide of an autopistol, the S&W M&P compact series, including the new M&P Shield is an attractive choice. 9mm might be the way to go as long as you stick with the better 124-grain bullet choices in ammunition.

At the top of the list would be the Glock Model-36 in .45 ACP. Easy to shoot, hold, carry and manage. Any of the better 230-grain expanding bullet choices work well.

Given the stated limitations, long-guns may not be the best choice. More information is needed.
 
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Countrymouse

Country exile in the city
It's the same, your supposed to have the purchase permit from the buyer, the law does not say that you have to keep the permit, but you should, to cover your @ss. That way you KNOW you are not selling a gun to a person that is not supposed to have a gun. This is for PISTOLS only, long guns you don't need a permit to purchase,

Is that true in all states or just in NC (your state)?
 

erichtmobile

Senior Member
make sure you stop off at the Sheriffs office and apply for a permit to purchase. They cost $5 each, it is probably going to take anywhere from 3/5 days to get one, because they are going to have to do a background check on you. Your also going to have to have someone for a character reference, that can be anyone that knows you, husband friend etc. You wont be able to buy a pistol with out the purchase permit, unless you already have a concealed carry permit, but it don't sound like you have one.

Permits? Character reference? WTF is going in some states?
 

Countrymouse

Country exile in the city
I learned this:

Gun sales between private individuals is called a purchase from an "unlicensed" dealer. Here are the rules regarding that:

How do I, a private citizen, sell a firearm to another private citizen?
Once I sell that firearm, how do I deliver it to him?


All the rules for the sale and transfer of guns between private citizens can be found on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tax and Firearms “Frequently Asked Questions”, http://www.atf.treas.gov/firearms/faq/faqindex.htm. This is a synopsis of the information contained on that page.


Considerable confusion about the sale of a firearm from one individual to another arises because there are usually two aspects to the sale – the legalities of the sale itself, and then the actual physical transfer of the gun, which is governed primarily by the internal regulations of various shippers. (Major caveat: Most states do not have any additional requirements beyond the federal ones, some do. There is no effort here to address state requirements. You are on your own for that.)

Legalities: A private citizen may sell a firearm to any other citizen of the United States who the seller does not have reason to believe is legally disqualified from owning a firearm. The persons to whom a sale can be made are divided into two classes; residents of the same state as the seller, and residents of all other states and territories.
Sales to residents of the same state:A private individual may sell either a long gun (rifle or shotgun) or a short gun (revolver or pistol) to a resident of the same state who the seller does not have reason to believe is prohibited by federal law from possessing a firearm. This standard affords considerable protection to the individual making the sale. The only cases where BATF has prosecuted someone for violating this provision is where the seller actually knew the purchaser was a convicted felon.
Delivery of a firearm sold to a resident of the same state: There is no requirement that any gun (long or short) that is sold to a resident of the same state as the seller have to be physically transferred in any manner. Specifically, the firearm does not have to be delivered to or transferred through a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL). The firearm may be transferred in a face to face transaction, or delivered to the purchaser by a third party, or delivered by a carrier. The seller has the option of delivering the firearm to an FFL, in which case the purchaser would have to fill out the appropriate forms and undergo a background check.
Required paperwork for a sale between private individuals: Simply put, there is no required paperwork for a sale between private individuals. However, either party to the transaction may require at least a bill of sale (BOS). The BOS is a simple document that identifies the seller and purchaser, and the item sold. A BOS has no specified legal format, and many are handwritten on a notepad. It may include additional information about the price, or other circumstances. The seller may wish to have a BOS to show the person to whom he actually sold the firearm, and the buyer may wish to have a BOS to prove from whom the firearm was purchased (and the fact that it was purchased).


From the site: Georgia Outdoor News, http://forum.gon.com/showthread.php?t=268784

The rules quoted here are from 2008; I do not know if they've changed since because the ATF link wouldn't load---not sure if it's just a bad link or my computer is acting up.
 

Captain D

Senior Member
Permits? Character reference? WTF is going in some states?

That is totally absurd! When I bought my Glock 21, I went into the store to look at the gun for the first time and ask questions about it, and I still walked out of the store with my new pistol in under ten minutes. There needs to be some lawsuits challenging infringement like that. It is totally unConstitutional.

Oh, and by the way, many semi-autos do not cycle well if you limp-wrist them, so you need to be sure you can hold the weapon firmly enough despite your arthritis. It can be difficult/painful to rack the slide on some autos if you have arthritis. I know from experience. Be sure you know what you are buying.
 

Marthanoir

TB Fanatic
Get a keltec PLR-16, its classed as a pistol but is chambered for .223 and accepts AR mags, minimal recoil from the .223 and the weight of the weapon will soak up most of the recoil, has more punch and penetration than a pistol plus it will be easier to hold with your supporting hand on the forearm, as far as i recall your laws prohibit you putting a pistol foregrip on it as this will class it as a short barrel rifle, if you were our side of the pond you could just add an Ace side folding stock
the way we were taught to fire similar weapons was with a single point sling on the rear, push the weapon away from you keeping the sling tensioned,


View attachment 92735
http://keltecweapons.com/our-guns/pistols/plr-16/
 
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Satanta

Stone Cold Crazy
_______________
For a handgun consider the baretta tip-up barrel auto's in 22 or 25 ACP ( the 25 is a better choice ) get some one to load the magazines for you, and all you to do is work the lever to "tip-up" the varrel, insert a round and your ready to go....I believe Taurus also makes the same typr of handgun. Get the 25 as the 22 LR is more apt to hang up.
There was also one made in 380 for a short while.
You might also consider a 357 revolver, and shoot it single action w/ 38 special rounds.
870 in 410 or 20 ga is the way to go.
If you were closer I would offer to help...maybe some one on here who is closer can come to your aid.

There is some good advice there EXCEPT...DO NOT EVER get anything in .25 caliber. I've seen them bounce off the cover of a box of national geographics set face-to face that my buddy and I shot into.

My .22 short went thru a couple and the .25 dented it.

Lok it up-a .25 is worth less than a pellet gun.

.380, .38spl, those are good.

Personally I'd say nothing smaller than a 9mm and even a .45.

I've seen several skinny women without a lot of muscle shoot and love the .45 and I get seriously puzzled when I hear someone talking about how strong a kick it has.

But that's me and I'm no Arnold Shwartzenegger by any toke of the joint.
 

American Rage

Inactive
Ruger LCP 6+1 380 ACP
Ruger LC9 7+1 9mm
S&W models 640/642 5 shot 38spec.
S&W 3913 8+1 9mm
S&W 'K-Frame' models 10, 12, 19, 64, 65, and 66, 6 shot revolvers (depending on caliber .38 or .357, and if sights are adjustable)
Ruger Security Six Series (includes Speed Six and Service Six) 6 shot .38/357
Ruger SP 101 5 shot 38/357 magnum

Pick the one that fits your hand best and is a good $ deal


PS: How much can you afford
 

Countrymouse

Country exile in the city
That is totally absurd! When I bought my Glock 21, I went into the store to look at the gun for the first time and ask questions about it, and I still walked out of the store with my new pistol in under ten minutes. There needs to be some lawsuits challenging infringement like that. It is totally unConstitutional.

Oh, and by the way, many semi-autos do not cycle well if you limp-wrist them, so you need to be sure you can hold the weapon firmly enough despite your arthritis. It can be difficult/painful to rack the slide on some autos if you have arthritis. I know from experience. Be sure you know what you are buying.

I know if you buy from a gun store in Georgia you can "buy" the gun immediately, but you can't LEAVE with it until you give them the info to send to the state for a background check, with can take anywhere from 3 to 7 days.

Plus, of course, you're then in a registry and they can trace you if the gov ever decides to confiscate all the guns.
 

Marthanoir

TB Fanatic
There is some good advice there EXCEPT...DO NOT EVER get anything in .25 caliber. I've seen them bounce off the cover of a box of national geographics set face-to face that my buddy and I shot into.

My .22 short went thru a couple and the .25 dented it.

Lok it up-a .25 is worth less than a pellet gun.

.380, .38spl, those are good.

Personally I'd say nothing smaller than a 9mm and even a .45.

I've seen several skinny women without a lot of muscle shoot and love the .45 and I get seriously puzzled when I hear someone talking about how strong a kick it has.

But that's me and I'm no Arnold Shwartzenegger by any toke of the joint.

Its the fight in the dog not the dog in the fight bro, Mrs Marth is a pixie yet her dad had her using 12g's when she was 8 yers old
 

Barb

Veteran Member
I am definitely not petite but am elderly and not as strong as I would like to be. I can handle a Taurus .38 snub nose revolver handily and love my semi-auto youth 20 gauge shotgun.
 

Countrymouse

Country exile in the city
Its the fight in the dog not the dog in the fight bro, Mrs Marth is a pixie yet her dad had her using 12g's when she was 8 yers old

Mine, too---and shooting tin cans off fence posts (we lived in the country, then)

Which leads to a question...


My hubby is not at all gun-savvy; fishing is his thing, not hunting.........and my own dad has been gone many years........and we have no close older males relatives left or nearby who are knowledgeable about guns, and I do not know which --- if any --- of my PC neighbors would even OWN guns, much less know how to use them, so.....

I want my boys (all teenagers---14 and almost 17 are the ones I'm thinking of, since my oldest can't see) to be taught--as "I" was taught as a girl---how to shoot.

We can't do it here in the city, so we'd need to go to a gun range.

But......do gun ranges TEACH under-age kids how to shoot?

If they don't---can any of you offer any suggestions as to how I can find a way for my boys to be taught the basics of guns by an older, knowledgeable man? Who would be safe to contact for such a thing? An LEO? (I'm thinking NOT, unless it's a personal family friend). I just don't feel qualified----you know how, when you're a teenager, you really don't pay full attention to your parents? I wish I HAD paid more attention to my dad when he was living, but I didn't and so when he died I didn't even know how to CLEAN his shotgun. And I know nothing about using guns with magazines --- Daddy's just used plain shotgun shells (single-barrel) or bullets (in an old pistol he had, which no longer works).

So....how do I go about being sure "my" boys know how to correctly use, handle, clean, load, and be safe with a gun?

(I'm thinking of that 14-year-old on another thread here on Main who shot an intruder who broke into his house--I'd like to think my boys are familiar enough with guns to be able to do that if necessary -- God forbid.)
 

Marthanoir

TB Fanatic
Mine, too---and shooting tin cans off fence posts (we lived in the country, then)

Which leads to a question...


My hubby is not at all gun-savvy; fishing is his thing, not hunting.........and my own dad has been gone many years........and we have no close older males relatives left or nearby who are knowledgeable about guns, and I do not know which --- if any --- of my PC neighbors would even OWN guns, much less know how to use them, so.....

I want my boys (all teenagers---14 and almost 17 are the ones I'm thinking of, since my oldest can't see) to be taught--as "I" was taught as a girl---how to shoot.

We can't do it here in the city, so we'd need to go to a gun range.

But......do gun ranges TEACH under-age kids how to shoot?

If they don't---can any of you offer any suggestions as to how I can find a way for my boys to be taught the basics of guns by an older, knowledgeable man? Who would be safe to contact for such a thing? An LEO? (I'm thinking NOT, unless it's a personal family friend). I just don't feel qualified----you know how, when you're a teenager, you really don't pay full attention to your parents? I wish I HAD paid more attention to my dad when he was living, but I didn't and so when he died I didn't even know how to CLEAN his shotgun. And I know nothing about using guns with magazines --- Daddy's just used plain shotgun shells (single-barrel) or bullets (in an old pistol he had, which no longer works).

So....how do I go about being sure "my" boys know how to correctly use, handle, clean, load, and be safe with a gun?

(I'm thinking of that 14-year-old on another thread here on Main who shot an intruder who broke into his house--I'd like to think my boys are familiar enough with guns to be able to do that if necessary -- God forbid.)

One of our esteemed members recently deceased No4buckshot was very involved with teaching kids to shoot, I'm sure one of our members local to you would be more than willing to take up the bat in his memory,
if you were close to CFI i know for sure he would, he's always happy to lend a hand, if you were close to me the same rings true,
what about the Scouting Association, do they teach shooting near you?
 

Hognutz

TB Fanatic
Ma'am, I believe you should go and find a friend who will walk you through the different options and maybe try a few handguns out for size and feel how they "fit" you. Once you find a handgun that feels right and you can shoot accurately , get it in the largest caliber you can shoot safely and accurately.


I went through this with my wife awhile back. She was intimidated by most of my handguns, and did not want to shoot them. No matter how hard I tried to get her to shoot them she put up a fight. I finally found a Walther P22 that she loved and would shoot all day long.(Yes I know it is only a .22) She is a might bit better off with that than one of my 1911's or Glocks that she will ahrdly touch.
 
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