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Fightlite SCR.Would help to include info on WTF it is...
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Fightlite SCR.Would help to include info on WTF it is...
My #1 recommendation is get a wheeled walker with brakes ASAP and insist she use it. If she has balance issues it can save her life (or her way if life). One of the biggest issues with old age is falling. My Mom fell and broke her neck. My mother in law also. Both had balance issues and thought they could get by with a cane. U won't be worrying about HD if she becomes paralyzed (or worse). Trust me you will hear "I just bent over to pick up x and then boom" in the future if u don't have a wheeled walker for her. Then you can put x gun in a holster in the walker. The threat of falling is real and very likely imo. The threat of HD is wise to prepare for but much less likely.Hello All:
I'd like to lean on the community's experience for help finding a suitable home defense firearm for a much loved older aunt of mine that isn't in the greatest of health anymore. I took her to the indoor range at the Clackamas County Sheriff's office a while ago after discovering that her "home defense" weapon was a Raven MP-25. Honestly the caliber doesn't bother me because her arm strength isn't what it used to be, so the small size and light recoil is good. But the reliability is as bad as you assume it is based on the manufacturer. Her eyesight is also declining a bit, and it was difficult for her to line up the sights on a few different handguns (my apologies to CCSO for the hole in the ceiling). She walks with a cane a lot of the time, but can get around without it. She also has some balance issues so light recoil is very important. Powerful rounds that stop a bad guy in one shot are great, but I am firmly in the camp that places a higher priority on reliability, manageable recoil, and ease of handling.
The only hard requirements I would place on recommendations is they must accept a rail or sight mount so I can give her a red dot or holosight, and that it must be semi-auto. I can do the cleaning for her every now and then, I just don't want her to have to manipulate anything between shots.
Thanks for your input!
Many semi autos also allow you to pull the trigger again on a hard primer. However, if a cartridge fails to fire in either kind the proper immediate action is to rack the slide to chamber a fresh cartridge and fire that one.
Show her the S&W Shield EZ.
Show her the S&W Shield EZ.
S&W 380 EZ
I was skeptical at first of these EZ pistols, but they really are much easier to operate for smaller/ disabled, older or weaker folks in terms of slide manipulation and ease of use.
Can she use a FIXED BLADE KNIFE safely?
Here is a different choice. Easy recoil, easy to manipulate, can hold with two hands at the hip, can use a laser to aim.
With a missed 5.56 she could be killing someone a couple houses down.
coach gun
First, thank you for taking an interest in your aunt's safety. Allow me to go in a different direction. Although I absolutely support her right to own a firearm, perhaps there might be some better considerations given all the age-related issues you describe.
Pepper spray.
Curious if you have a reference to wasp spray and any legal proceedings?Have her take her cane with her when she goes out just in case she needs it physically or for 'self defense'.
Can she use PEPPER SPRAY safely? Pepper spray meant for human self defense?
I don't know the name brands now for human beings but I have seen the bear sprays out here. My MT husband had some bear spray, it expired, but he RELIES on his firearms more than spray.
NO wasp spray - lawsuit time!
Disclaimer: I do NOT carry or use pepper spray for perps but I have considered it.
I TRUST a good FIXED BLADE knife AND (CF RIFLE - past tense for me.) a RF RIFLE more than SPRAY for various reasons which I will not go into here now.
Can she use a FIXED BLADE KNIFE safely?
Can she use a small camp axe (Estwing, etc.) or a 'hawk (Sog, etc.) in her home for self defense?
I would NOT go with a handgun due to some of the physical issues that you mentioned. NO open or conceal carry due to VARIOUS issues that you mentioned.
Can she SAFELY shoot and handle a SIMPLE 22wmr or 22lr bolt action rifle with a single shot magazine insert, 5 round or 10 round magazine? Can she LOAD the magazines or just put in ONE ROUND in?
Can she SAFELY shoot and handle a 22wmr or 22lr simple lever action rifle?
I would NOT go with red dots or scopes.
I would go with a 22wmr and 22lr BOLT ACTION RIFLE or a lever action rifle BUT only IF she can safely and accurately shoot it.
A single shot or over under or side by side shotgun in a .410 might work for her. I have considered them, like them but I have NEVER owned a shotgun.
Personally - I believe that she would be better off with HER CANE, a GOOD FIXED BLADE KNIFE - a FEW good knives in various BLADE LENGTHS, SPRAY, have a small axe and 'hawk at home.
I could give you some examples here if you want them and what worked for ME with some physical issues and at 70 years old.
I still WALK with and without a cane, SWIM, DANCE at home, take/use a cane if I should NEED IT when I am out or when I am stiff at home, carry a FIXED blade knife in various lengths - concealed or open carry depending on where I am going/traveling, have a SMALL CAMP AXE (ESTWING.) and a 'hawk (SOG.) and a few other axes too.
I have worn Rx eyeglasses since I was 5 years old and bi-focals since I was in my 40's. I am STILL a good shot with iron sights and since my MAIN REASONS for owning/shooting guns are for the RKBA issue and self defense... iron sights work for me.
I am NO longer a high volume shooter and I no longer compete.
I NO longer own, carry or shoot handguns in RF or in CF calibers too. And handguns were MY thing from the gitgo from the late 90's and on. I gave them up due to MY physical issues and I did not want to ruin my hands some more NO matter what I decided to shoot in RF or CF calibers. Plus with MY arthritis - I did NOT feel comfortable on BAD HAND DAYS to open or conceal carry so I made MY decision for me. ADDED MORE!
I don't hunt - I never did. I have gone on hunts with my MT husband on and off as an observer. Nature trips. (I like to fish.) I am no long range shooter - sniper.
I am VERY GOOD with a knife even though I DO have hand arthritis and old accident issues. I had a bad fall - landed HARD not too long ago too. Around Christmas time? My right hand still bothers me on and off too. Ugh.
CZ 457 Lux in 22wmr and 22lr are what I use. BOLT ACTION RIFLES with IRON SIGHTS!
We have the CZ SCOUT in 2 model years. Lighter weight.
We have the CZ Training rifle and the CZ 455 which I gave to my husband.
ALL of them are nice rifles.
A simple SAVAGE RASCAL bolt action - single shot 22lr is good for handicapped people and for younger/older Newbies to shoot safely too. Easy to use in a w/c too. We donated 2 of them to our range.
Rimfire | CZ-USA (cz-usa.com)
CZ 457 Lux | CZ-USA (cz-usa.com)
I consider the CZ 457 LUX in 22wmr my MAIN RIFLE for self defense with the CZ 457 LUX in 22lr as a back up one.
The CZ SCOUT is easy to handle and lighter weight - I have shot my husband's 2 Scouts.
The CZ TRAINING rifle is longer and heavier and might not be a good FIT FOR HER.
IF she wants and can SAFELY SHOOT a sweet LEVER ACTION RIFLE - I would make some more suggestions to her too. (22lr and 22wmr) I SOLD all of my beautiful, much heavier, walnut, steel, etc. lever action rifles in RF and CF and specifically went to the lighter weight in some cases - BOLT action rifles. There are some nice AND not too HEAVY lever action rifles in top brands - quality made ones.
IF your Aunt has a chance to try out some of the guns that I mentioned with YOU being by her side to see how she HANDLES them and can SEE - that might help her make a decision. I gather that this will be her HOUSE GUN? Walls of her home? Brick house? Condo? Apartment?
Best wishes to your Aunt.
Old Lady Cate
Curious if you have a reference to wasp spray and any legal proceedings?
Doesn't a gunshot wound have, potential, even probability, of permanent injury?Wasp spray has the potential, even probability, of permanently injury. Pepper spray doesn't. Pepper spray is also well-tested on humans and the effects are predictable, which is not true of wasp spray. Wasp spray is a bad idea.
Doesn't a gunshot wound have, potential, even probability, of permanent injury?
Wasp spraying someone is intentionally permanently injuring someone. Pepper spraying is not.