need a gun thats easy to use...Please help

[magic92]

I am female and live alone. I have a very weak grip in my hands . I need a hand gun that can protect me and is very easy to load and fire . Something that requires little strength to operate. :

[Powderman]

Suggestion:

Find yourself a range that has a gun rental program. Then, examine the firearms that fit your hand, and your strength range.

For simplicity of operation, handguns like the Glock or the Springfield XD series might fit the bill. They are simple to operate.

Next, I highly recommend that you find someone to give you a basic firearms course to familiarize you with your chosen handgun. If you are buying the firearm for self defense, it would also help to get a copy of your jurisdiction's firearm laws, and statutes concerning self defense. Any questions concerning the law should be directed to a prosecutor, or your own attorney.

You have found one of the premier places to post your inquiry. I'm sure that others will post information that will help. Good luck on your decision.

[Any .45]

I agree with powderman about the Glock or Springfield XD, and the training also since you say that you have a weak grip, an ergonomical gun like a Walther P-99 might be a good idea .

[GunsnRovers]

Ditto the above.

Go to a range and try as many as you can. Fit and feel is very subjective.

Many good gun shops will have contacts who hold training classes at affordable prices designed to familiarize folks with firearms. A good NRA instructor can work with you to help put the right pistol in your hands.

[Mike in VA]

Welcome, Magic92, You've come to a great place, and don't be shy about asking questions, there are many folks here with a great wealth of knowledge on virtually any aspect of responsible firearms use and ownership.

I'll second Powderman's recommendation about finding a range that rents guns, but I would suggest that you start with a revolver. They are the simplest of all handguns to use, easy to load and check, and they all work more or less the same way, and don't require significant hand strength to operate. And by all means, consider getting some training. You can check with local ranges or go to www.nra.org to find basic handgun/safety classes in your area.

I say start with a revolver because there is a lot of variations with auto-loading pistols (e.g. double action/single action, safety vs. decocker, etc.), loading the magazine and racking the slide to charge the weapon can be difficult for people with low hand strength.

Revolvers come in all sizes and power levels from mild (.22) to wild (magnums and large bore - .44 and up). Usually, the larger the caliber, the more recoil or 'kick', and the heavier the gun. You're bound to find one that suits you well.

Many folks find a 3-4" .357 revolver to be a good compromise. It is a very versitle handgun in that you can load it with .38 spl (low recoil, inexpensive) to start and as your competence and confidence grows, you can load it up with more powerful .38 +P or .357 magnum (which also come in a variety of power levels). Just a suggestion.

At any rate, I know you'll get many answers here, and if you care to share your city or town, folks near you may be able to give you the 411 on local gunshops, ranges, and available training, etc. Good luck, and again, Welcome!

[flycaster]

My concern here is that a 3-4 inch barrel revolver would be a K-frame size double action. That's a great home defense piece, but the size and heavy double action trigger pull could be very difficult for a woman with smallish hands and, as she stated, a very weak grip. Magic92- if your grip just happens to be weak, and isn't due to a physical infirmity, you could easily strengthen your grip. A DA revolver is a good, simple handgun. If not, then I agree with the Glock recommendation, in 9mm. A 9mm Glock slide is not as hard to pull back as those on larger calibers, and a good self defense ammo load in 9mm would put an awful hurt on someone who wanted to harm you.

Chuck

[Sneevil]

The slides and magazines on most autos require a fair amount of manual dexterity and strength to operate. In addition, autos have a more complicated manual of arms. A double action revolver would be my recommendation, possibly a K frame Smith. I have heard the trigger pull on Rugers is heavier than those on the Smith & Wessons. How about a "Lady Smith"?

[juliet charley]

I need a hand gun that can protect me and is very easy to load and fire . Something that requires little strength to operate.

You are describing a S&W K-frame with a three or four inch barrel. In particular, you are describing the model known as the Model 65 Lady Smith (M65LS) though any three or four inch S&W Model 10, 15, 13, 19, 65, or 66 would work for you.

Beware of some the recommendations you are receiving for autoloading pistols like the Glock and others. While these are relatively easy to shoot (pull the trigger), the magazines can be very hard load fully, and it takes a great deal of handstrength to rack the slide to chamber a round. Also, the Glock, in particular, is very sensitive to mishandling and is a little more prone to operator error than other designs. It is not a good weapon for a casual shooter or a person unfamiliar with handguns.

The revolver, on the hand, is relatively simple to reload. You push a button on the left hand side, the cylinder opens, and you drop in six rounds. To unload it, you merely push the same button, the cylinder opens, and you dump the rounds in your hand. You can easily insure it is loaded by visually checking the cylinder--no dropping and reinserting the mag and visually checking the chamber (not necessarily an easy task with weak hands). The revolver lends itself to dry-fire practice (aiming and pulling the trigger with an unloaded weapon) which will help you build finger and hand strength, improve your control and make you a better shot.

[Quartus]

Magic92,

APPLAUSE! STANDING OVATION!

That's for having the courage to face the fact that there are real dangers out there and to take responsibility for your own safety. It IS painful to think about, but you've done the right thing. Too many bury their head in the sand.


I think Mike has given you some great advice. I'll hammer home one point - TRAINING! Get some good training. You'll be more capable and more confident if you do. Because of that, you'll be safer, both from external threats and from accidents. Make no mistake - guns are dangerous. They are intended to be. Don't let that scare you - just recognize that you must handle them carefully. Two kinds of people cause* gun accidents - the ignorant and the complacent. Alas, we can all slip into that last category without realizing it!


Learn and live The Four Rules.

One more thing - the most effective firearm is the one that YOU can use well. A hit from a .22 is much more effective than a miss from a .44 Magnum. Don't let some 'expert' convince you that you have to have THIS gun or THAT gun. Find that gun you can learn to use well, get some training, and practice.

And stick around and ask questions! There's no shortage of opinions here!





*It is extremely rare for a gun to cause an accident. You're more likely to be hit by lightning. Almost all accidental firings are operator error.

[Handy]

I agree that a revolver is what you are looking for. Autos require some strength and tenacity to load and unload.

I would recommend an all steel S&W, Taurus or Ruger revolver of medium size with an external hammer. The external hammer will allow you the option of cocking it to fire (which is slower, but easier than just using the trigger), and the weight of a full size steel gun will dampen the shock of recoil.

The only auto I'd recommend is a .380 Beretta 86. This gun can be loaded without pulling against the recoil spring (the barrel pops up for loading) and is a very high quality and accurate weapon. If you use some sort of inexpensive loading tool for the magazine it should be quite manageable. It does fire a less potent load than the revolver, though.

[Hard Ball]

My wife gas always dune well with S&W J and K rrame revolvers and SIG pistols.

[S&W 24]

the other posts cover the big issues. The best thing to do is to find a good gunshop that will spend the time to let you look at all the different handguns and if you are not going to carry the firearm on your person then look at shotgus and carbines as well.
Good solid instuction is also a very important thing. If you lived in the MPLS area I would volunteer my services.

[Majic]

I will always recommend a revolver for a new user. If a semi-auto is what you are after and have limited hand strength then look at the Beretta M86 with it's tip up barrel system.

[Gonzo_308]

Juliet Charlie is all over this like a cheap suit! I can't think of a better gun than the 65LS for this application.

If someone is concerned about the DA pull on a revolver how in the world can you expect her to rack the slide?

Juliet Charlie and others here are giving you solid, sound advice.

I'd recomend you go to a nice shop, tell them what you're interested in (K frame Smith and Wesson .357 revolver) If you don't like the way it feels in your hand there are more aftermarket grips available to make this feel perfect for you.

My pick would indeed be the 65LS. In fact, the 3" K frame revolver is considered the best self defense wheelgun by many, many learned, experienced shooters.

After you've become proficient with light 38special loads, you can up the ante and grab some .357 magnum loads.

Whenever someobdy asks the question, what would the gun be if I could have only one. This is it.

[Quartus]

One more thing - the most effective firearm is the one that YOU can use well. A hit from a .22 is much more effective than a miss from a .44 Magnum. Don't let some 'expert' convince you that you have to have THIS gun or THAT gun. Find that gun you can learn to use well, get some training, and practice.

A revolver is probably the right choice, but the only way to know for sure is to find that good gunshop that won't shove down your throat THEIR idea of the perfect gun for you. Try before you buy, and keep an open mind. Do some learning, and then make your own decision. Don't let some 'expert' convince you that you have to have THIS gun or THAT gun.


BTW, unless your hand weakness is due to some disability, I suggest you get to work on it. Get a few 'eggs' of Silly Putty (you need a few to have enough) and keep it handy. When you are reading or watching the tube, work it with your hands, one hand at a time. Squeeze it this way and that way, but work it. You'll be surprised and pleased at the strength you develop.

And you won't even have to look like the Governator!

[pax]

Magic92 ~

First of all, welcome!

I'm a woman also, and have helped lots of other women learn how to shoot. The best advice I can give you is to try at least a few different guns before you buy. Don't make up your mind before you try them, and don't decide on a gun simply by holding one in the store. Shooting them is really different from holding them.

While several people have suggested a revolver, I wouldn't rule out autoloaders if I were you. A revolver might be the best thing for you ... and then again, it might not. It all depends on how the gun feels in your hand and how it shoots for you. If your grip strength is weak, it might be difficult for you to pull the trigger on a double-action revolver -- and I would hate to see you having to use the revolver in single action (cocking the hammer before pulling the trigger) because that is really too slow for self defense. You'll have to try it for yourself and find out.

If you decide to try an autoloader instead of a revolver, I'd suggest you look at a Beretta with a tip-up barrel. These guns are often ideal for people with weaker hands, because you don't have to pull the slide back in order to load or unload the gun.

If you find an autoloader that you like but it doesn't have a tip-up barrel, you may find it is easier to pull the slide back than you thought it would be. The secret is to push out with your gun hand instead of only pulling back with the hand holding the slide. A lot of women I've worked with who thought they couldn't operate a slide did just fine after I showed them that little trick.

Good luck in finding a gun that is right for you.

pax

[Powderman]

Good points, Pax.

For what it's worth, I thought of revolvers too. Simple, easy to operate, no worries about limp wristing, loading magazines, etc.

But, there could be problems. My wife is 5'2", and has tremendous grip strength. However, because of her extremely small hand size, she can NOT gain the leverage needed to pull a revolver trigger through a double action pull. She has tried on all of my revolvers, including a L-Frame Smith, and just can't do it.

She can, however, rapid-fire my Glock 22, keeping all of the rounds on a silhouette target out to 15 yards without problem. The slide is also no problem, even though I have a extra power spring in it.

Yes, there are some disadvantages to using a semiautomatic pistol. But, this is what I thought of, especially when Majic posted that she had small hands. The Beretta is also a VERY good choice, especially for the handicapped and the elderly who don't have grip strength.

[Dusty Miller]

Go to a good sporting goods store and get an exercise device designed to strengthen your grip. Within a months time, with diligent attention to the job, you'll find you can cycle the trigger on any double action gun on the market.

[moonstone]

Also, for ease of use, you don't have to dissasemble a revolver to clean it!

[sm]

Welcome To TFL !

I agree with shooting / training with a variety before you buy.

pax of course mentioned the .380 tip up Beretta - great gun, and the ladies I've assisted with in your situation - Worked great for them.

[Mike in VA]

See. Hee, hee, hee, tol'ja, lotsa opinions and 'help'.

Just like there's a boat for every sailor, there's a gun for every shooter. Though your initial post indicated that your primary interest is personal security/home defense, you may find out as you get more involved, that shooting is also a lot of fun. Shooting, like swimming, is a survival skill, but it can also be great recreation, and I hope you'll explore that aspect of it as you educate yourself as you get into this project. Practice (and training) is an important aspect of self defense, and you will practice more if you enjoy it.

There are a couple of good books that may also be helpful to you in this process. "Armed and Female" by Paxton Quigley, "In the Gravest Extreme" by Masaad Ayoob and "To Ride, Shoot Straight, and Speak the Truth" by Jeff Cooper )acrusty old Marine, the godfather of modern defensive pistol shooting), come to mind, and I'm sure others will chime in with their favorites.

At any rate, if you've not noticed, you're in the process of acquiring and extended family of 'gun uncles & aunts' who will help with your 'education'. Best advice is find a friendly gun shop, go shooting when you can, and keep asking questions. Enjoy!

[z28pwr]

I would have to recommend a revolver, since they are VERY easy to operate and don't require the force to rack a slide.

[Jim Watson]

I hope you can find a rental range, friend with a collection, or a training organization that will have some different guns for you to try.

I don't understand why so many men think that a woman is not strong enough to draw back an automatic's slide against a 16 pound spring with both hands and arms once a day*, but that she will have no problem pulling a 12 pound revolver trigger with one finger for every shot.

*Note: Yes, I know a lady shooter who has to grit her teeth and muster up every bit of strength to rack the slide of her auto. But she does it once per day at the range. After she gets a round chambered the first time, the gun is never slide down on an empty chamber. It is either loaded and being shot, loaded and on safe, or empty with the slide back on the slide stop. When done shooting she cleans it, wrestles it to a reloaded state for home defense, and is through with the exercise.

[Handy]

I don't understand why so many men think that a woman is not strong enough to draw back an automatic's slide against a 16 pound spring with both hands and arms once a day*, but that she will have no problem pulling a 12 pound revolver trigger with one finger for every shot.

That is why I suggested an external hammer revolver that could be manually cocked, as well, Jim.

I don't think this is purely a strength thing. My wife is incredibly athletic and strong, but still bulks at the amount finger pressure it takes on the sharp slide profile to jack the slide. While someone might be able to just barely work the slide, it is not an ideal situation as they are still going to avoid any sort of administrative handling of the weapon. Checking to ensure the chamber is empty should not be a chore to be avoided.

Anyhow, a revolver's DA pull need not be 12 pounds. Some very simple gunsmithing will bring a S&W down to 9 pounds with no loss of function. The shop Magic buys from would probably be happy to help in that regard.

[Mike in VA]

Just another $.02, I have a 13 y.o niece who weighs in at 105, not particularly athletic, who can handle my 1911 .45, just fine, as well as assorted Sig Sauers, Walther P-22 (where we started), and an H-K USP45c. It's a matter of training.

However, for ease of use & basic training for a new kid, revolvers make a lot of sense. I would have started my niece with a revolver, but the only one I own is a Vacquero in .45 Colt. The kid ain't shy, and she's game enough, but lets be reasonable here.