RoyalTenenbaum
Expert
- Aug 26, 2010
- 1,094
- 36
I'm not a lady, but at the age of 22 I was diagnosed with Rhemuatoid Arthritis and have been under constant medical care ever since (I'm pushing 50 now). My favorite handgun is a 1911 in 45acp but I do feel pain after shooting it for long strings.
On the other hand a 9mm, especially in a steel framed gun, is totally effortless to shoot.
380, at least out of a subcompact pistol, is unpleasant. I suspect shooting it in a gun like a steel framed Bersa would be very mild.
The 40s&w is very unpleasant to shoot. Recoil 'snaps' back.
38 Special is easy to shoot, but the guns are typically not easy to shoot. Snubbies are unpleasant to shoot unless they are steel guns. Trigger pulls are too long and hard for some people to manage so if arthritis affects the fingers instead of, or in addition to, the wrists then a revolver would be a bad choice.
357 and larger hurts to shoot. Recoil is very snappy. See comments about trigger above.
Beretta made, and may still make, a medium frame .380 with a tip up barrel. No need to rack a slide and the larger frame with a moderate round has lower recoil
380, at least out of a subcompact pistol, is unpleasant. I suspect shooting it in a gun like a steel framed Bersa would be very mild.
Wow that beretta may just be what the dr ordered!
I have seen "never used" and barely used Cheetah 86's on sale on gun auction sites, and even once on a dealer table at the Indy 1500 show. I've never seen one go for less than $475, although the Blue Book price guide suggests that used Cheetah 86's in very good condition should go for a bit less than that.
I wish Beretta would license the design out to someone, like they did with the Cougar. Or that the patents would run out (or whatever has to happen ... the gun was first imported to this country 19 years ago) and one of the clonemakers like Taurus would start making it.
On the other hand a 9mm, especially in a steel framed gun, is totally effortless to shoot.
380, at least out of a subcompact pistol, is unpleasant. I suspect shooting it in a gun like a steel framed Bersa would be very mild.
RT, I do have arthritis in both hands and in my elbow. I have an LCP which I do carry on occassion, but I cannot practice with for any more than 25 rounds at a time. Racking the slide is a pain in the a$$. My favorite weapon is the M&P9 full size. For me, the full size is the easiest to control, and much more enjoyable to shoot.
Someone on this board recommended when racking the slide, hold the slide in the weak hand and push down with the dominant hand. On days my art is acting up, that works every time.
Beretta made, and may still make, a medium frame .380 with a tip up barrel. No need to rack a slide and the larger frame with a moderate round has lower recoil