Yesterday I was speaking with a lady about guns. She’s almost 70 years old. She’s dealing with arthritis. She’s small. She expressed a desire to learn how to shoot, but was concerned about her ability to do so. She understands guns go boom, that it’s a lot of stress on the old hands, and in her stage in life well, it’s a concern she has.
So my brain starts to think about her using a gun chambered in .22 LR. It’s not my first choice for self-defense, but it’s better than nothing. If it’s all she could shoot, then it’s what it will be. I started to think about her doing manipulations on a semi-auto, and I’m not sure how do-able that would be. So I think about a revolver in .22 LR, but worry about the long trigger pulls. Granted, all I’m going on at this point was our conversation: we’d do better to do some shopping and range-time together so I could actually see what she is capable of doing.
But I can’t help but think just what particular firearms may be usable by her. Suggestions welcome.
The other thing I think about?
Concealed Handgun License. The thing is, to obtain your Texas CHL there’s a caliber minimum during the shooting portion of the licensing process. After you are licensed, you can carry whatever, but to qualify there’s a minimum. As you can read, I was curious about this thing before. It just doesn’t seem right to have this. Granted, it may be in place to avoid abuse and gaming the system, but trust me… people are gaming it anyways. People shoot with guns that are not carry guns at all. It’s far easier to pass the revolver portion with a big-ass revolver that you can’t carry than it is to pass with a snub-nose that you can. I would argue if you can’t pass it with the gun you’d carry, then you need more training and practice (the test isn’t that hard). And if you game it? you’re just lying to and cheating yourself.
I’m going to inquire deeper about this matter.
Updated: Been discussing and looking around.
As noted in comments. .327 Fed Mag may be an option.
I called the local indoor range that rents guns and they have a Walther PPK/S in .32. While I have my reserve on the semi-auto use, at least it’d be a gun we could rent to see if she could handle .32. That may be where we start.
Stuff From Hsoi 
Hsoi,
I agree that a person should shoot with what they carry. I think they should do it so they know their level of ability.
Personally, I think that a license to carry is an infringement we shouldn’t have to put up with but as long as they make the rules; I’m okay with people gaming the system.
As far as shooting with what you don’t carry; I saw nothing in the requirements that said the person shooting had to load, rack the slide, manipulate the safety, etc of the firearm they are using.
You’ve just been through the CHL Instructor training; is there a requirement for the person doing the shooting to ready the firearm?
to obtain your Texas CHL there’s a caliber minimum during the shooting portion of the licensing process
Consider a possible reason for this requirement; based on the history of gun control; as a way to eliminate “junk guns” or “saturday night specials” from being used.
If there is a minimum caliber to qualify; few people will buy a Lorcin/Bryco/Jennings .22 or .25 caliber to carry if they have to qualify with at least a .32 caliber.
I see it as another financial hurdle that citizens must overcome in order to exercise their rights – of course that could just be my paranoia talking 🙂
Hrm. You know, you raise an interesting point. As far as I know there is nothing in the requirements that says the applicant must do all the manipulations themselves. I think it’s implied, but not required. Now of course, someone SHOULD be able to do all of those things because a range officer isn’t going to be there when the SHTF to do it all for them. But again, if the requirements are going to require one thing but after the requirement is fulfilled you can proceed in another way well…. yeah, this does raise a bunch of interesting questions.
I envision lots of jams with a semi-automatic that she won’t be able to clear.
I like the .22 revolver idea, as long it comes with a .22 Mag cylinder to try.
You might consider the new crop of revolvers chambered in .327 Federal Magnum. There are reduced recoil loads out there, and if those are still too much you can shoot a lot of other .32 cartridges in it all the way down to 32 S&W in it (if you can find it). You might able to find something she can handle that has a little more punch than .22.
That was my thinking. All that semi-auto manipulation work could be too much. The revolver is also much simpler to manage.
I forgot about that new .327 Federal. That’d be something to look at.
I’m sure this will involve a lot of trying and shopping to see what works. The ultimate concern is finding her something she can use, that doesn’t hurt her, that she’d be willing to practice with. If it winds up being a .22 is all she can use, then so be it. Of course, if we can get her something beefier, great. Just have to see.
My Wife also lacks the hand strength to manipulate the slide on many semis so I’ve looked into the .327 Fed Mag.
One thing to consider is same gun different caliber for practice.
Learning the manual of arms, sight picture, draw and presentation using the same firearm makes practice easier and affordable. Adrenaline and training on the carry weapon would handle the greater recoil if she ever really needs it.
So is the .327 Fed Mag. reasonable for her to handle? I’ve never shot one.