Best SHTF firearms solution for the elderly

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  • teratos

    My hair is amazing
    MDS Supporter
    Patriot Picket
    Jan 22, 2009
    59,775
    Bel Air
    How easy is it for a gun-naïve senior to become proficient with a handgun?
    Do little old ladies do well with the recoil from a shotgun?

    Stay tuned....
     

    davsco

    Ultimate Member
    Oct 21, 2010
    8,607
    Loudoun, VA
    I would think a SBR or PCC is probably easiest to shoot. Low recoil, point shoot friendly, higher mag capacity than a revolver. If they are concerned about appearance of the tool, they made the wrong decision to buy anything, imo.

    yes a pcc would be a great choice. two hands on the gun, no long shotgun barrel to be grabbed. absolute noobies (and kids and women) i've seen at matches do pretty good with pcc's.

    but i will say just buying one (any firearm) and throwing it under the bed is a bad idea. they really need practice and more practice and then more practice. i'm not saying $1000s in training, but def some range time and also a discussion of basic tactics and scenarios. a firearm, esp not used properly or fully, is a liability and not a forcefield.

    frankly if they're unable or unwilling to spend the time, i'd invest in steel doors at their bedroom that can be solidly locked and they call 911.
     

    SCARCQB

    Get Opp my rawn, Plick!
    Jun 25, 2008
    13,614
    Undisclosed location
    FN ps-90 with an extended charging handle and a red dot sight.

    Fully ambi, low recoil, high capacity.
    I think 50 rounds of 5.7x28 should be plenty of firepower.

    My wifey and daughter have these as HD weapons.
     

    Melnic

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Dec 27, 2012
    15,281
    HoCo
    I think I'd look at probability, what is the probability they will mess up a semi auto and have a ND.
    REVOLVER
     

    teratos

    My hair is amazing
    MDS Supporter
    Patriot Picket
    Jan 22, 2009
    59,775
    Bel Air
    FN ps-90 with an extended charging handle and a red dot sight.

    Fully ambi, low recoil, high capacity.
    I think 50 rounds of 5.7x28 should be plenty of firepower.

    My wifey and daughter have these as HD weapons.

    That's a great HD gun for seniors!
     

    19smiller

    Active Member
    Nov 11, 2021
    131
    Although not very popular for some reason, If they’re ok with a semi-auto, my vote would be a Walter PK380. I own one and have put over 1500 rounds through it without a single hiccup.

    - Easiest to rack semi-auto I’ve ever shot
    - more of a full grip vs pocket guns
    - very mild recoil
    - Doesn’t hurt to wallet much either (except the ammo currently)

    If not, then non-compact .38 revolver. Probably no need to spend the extra money for the .357.
     

    Michigander08

    ridiculous and psychotic
    MDS Supporter
    May 29, 2017
    7,685
    I am always nervous when someone said they have never handled firearms and they are in their 70s. They want to start now.

    I have never touched a firearm until 18 years old. However, the difference between being 18 and being 70 is huge!
     

    Uncle Duke

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 2, 2013
    11,665
    Not Far Enough from the City
    I am always nervous when someone said they have never handled firearms and they are in their 70s. They want to start now.

    I have never touched a firearm until 18 years old. However, the difference between being 18 and being 70 is huge!

    Four different people, all in their 70's or 80's.....

    A whole LOT to assess.

    Buy time with someone who can assess and train, before you even begin to think about buying anything.
     

    kenpo333

    Ultimate Member
    Industry Partner
    MDS Supporter
    Mar 18, 2012
    3,322
    Salisbury Maryland
    5.7 pistol - has 20 round mags and little recoil
    20 ga. shotgun - depends on age of the person using it but if they healthy then it is effective and does a lot of threat elimination.
    AR - will do the job but in an urban environment can go through walls.
    9 mm with 147 grain.Doean'r have a lot of recoil going out the barrel at 950 fs. thinking 147 hydroshock or critical duty.
    22lr.- i know that this is not the best but no one wants 10 holes in them.
     

    teratos

    My hair is amazing
    MDS Supporter
    Patriot Picket
    Jan 22, 2009
    59,775
    Bel Air
    5.7 pistol - has 20 round mags and little recoil
    20 ga. shotgun - depends on age of the person using it but if they healthy then it is effective and does a lot of threat elimination.
    AR - will do the job but in an urban environment can go through walls.
    9 mm with 147 grain.Doean'r have a lot of recoil going out the barrel at 950 fs. thinking 147 hydroshock or critical duty.
    22lr.- i know that this is not the best but no one wants 10 holes in them.

    What penetrates more, the 5.56 or the 147 grain 9mm?
     

    cantstop

    Pentultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Aug 10, 2012
    8,158
    MD
    I think there's a lot of good info here. That FN ps-90 sure looks nice, but is $2K with unusual (i.e. hard to find) ammo.

    For someone that has never owned a gun, I'd certainly suggest a Ruger 10-22 for home.
    - The ammo is cheap.
    - The gun is reliable with decent ammo.
    - The recoil is almost non-existent and your elders will only be investing a few hundred bucks.
     

    Bullfrog

    Ultimate Member
    Oct 8, 2009
    15,152
    Carroll County
    I think there's a lot of good info here. That FN ps-90 sure looks nice, but is $2K with unusual (i.e. hard to find) ammo.

    For someone that has never owned a gun, I'd certainly suggest a Ruger 10-22 for home.
    - The ammo is cheap.
    - The gun is reliable with decent ammo.
    - The recoil is almost non-existent and your elders will only be investing a few hundred bucks.

    You would get all of the same benefits with a 9mm Ruger PCC for a bit more $ and still very little recoil, and centerfire ammo is more reliable than rimfire regardless of how good the gun is.
     

    teratos

    My hair is amazing
    MDS Supporter
    Patriot Picket
    Jan 22, 2009
    59,775
    Bel Air
    For someone that has never owned a gun, I'd certainly suggest a Ruger 10-22 for home.
    - The ammo is cheap.
    - The gun is reliable with decent ammo.
    - The recoil is almost non-existent and your elders will only be investing a few hundred bucks.

    Octogenarians are delicate. They need to stop an intruder. I'd be reluctant to recommend .22. Even fatal shots can take a long time to stop someone. They can do a lot of damage to the folks in a few minutes.
     

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