Gun Buying Tips For Those With Weak Hands
I want to address an important group of gun owners and buyers who often get overlooked—the elderly, who typically have diminished hand strength.
I wrote, Where to Begin When Choosing Your Firearm for Concealed Carry. However, I look back and, with regret, realize that I left out information that could have helped the elderly and those with less hand strength due to arthritis, a physical injury, or disability.
That post will help even if you have reduced hand strength, a disability, or similar. But, the additional points below may help you choose a firearm that will work best for you.
Considerations for buying a handgun —
The gun's size is a huge consideration. I see elderly folks (and women) given small .380 handguns for concealed carry.
This type of handgun is actually opposite from what a new shooter or one with weak hands needs. The firearms size plays a significant role in felt-recoil and how difficult it is to rack the slide.
Remember this: the smaller and lighter the firearm, the more the shooter will feel the recoil regardless of caliber. So if recoil is a major turnoff for you, purchasing a pocket pistol or smaller sub-compact will be something you want to avoid.
A small handgun is more difficult to grip because of less grip space. So when someone has weak hands, the last thing they need is a gun that is more difficult to grip.
Because recoil is a factor in smaller and lighter firearms, manufacturers have to put stiffer recoil springs in them. However, stiff recoil springs make it more difficult to operate the slide, i.e., locking the slide open or chambering a round.
For those with less hand strength, this is a deal-breaker.
Some handgun recommendations —
If you struggle to rack the slide, here are a couple of semi-auto handgun options I have used and can recommend.
While .22LR isn't an ideal caliber for self-defense, it may be an option, especially if you're familiar with Glock handguns. The Glock 44, is essentially just like every other Glock in terms of how it functions, except it's lighter, the slide is easier to rack, and the magazine is easier to load. Here is my rundown of the Glock 44.
Smith and Wesson, M&P Shield EZ. Designers made the Shield EZ with a slide that is easier to rack. Too bad this isn't just standard in all guns. Nevertheless, many people find the Shield EZ their favorite handgun for this reason.
Here is a video from our friend Eve Flanigan where she helps explain how to rack a semi-automatic handgun slide:
Yes, the proper technique helps operate a slide on a semi-automatic handgun. Still, sometimes even the appropriate technique can't overcome a disability or weak hands, so good pistol selection is important.
Are revolvers good for weak hands —
Revolvers can be an excellent option for the elderly or those with weaker hands, but there are still some things to consider.
Remember that revolvers do not have a recoil management system, so all recoil transfers to the shooter's hands.
Recoil may only be an issue if you're repeatedly firing your revolver on the range and less of a factor when using it in a self-defense situation.
Ruger LCR
Revolvers come in different calibers and with different grips that allow even the most recoil-sensitive shooter the ability to find something that works for them.
Revolvers are also good because you don't have to worry about racking a slide. Additionally, wheel guns don't have an external safety to confuse the operator.
If your hands are too weak to do administrative tasks on a semi-auto pistol, you may also struggle to pull a heavy, double-action trigger.
If this heavy pull is uncomfortable, look for a double-action/single-action revolver.
This type of action allows you to manually cock the hammer, placing the gun in single action mode. As long as it is not impossible for you to physically fire the revolver in double-action mode (hammer forward) during a stressful situation, this could be a viable option.
Sight consideration —
I know this doesn't have to do with weak hands, but rather something that affects the elderly (well, and me too), diminished eyesight.
Obviously, if you can't see, you probably shouldn't be shooting a gun out in public. But, anything that makes it easier to see your front sight will help, and this applies to all shooters.
If you are color blind or have difficulty seeing a specific color, try looking for a firearm with sights you can change without significant custom work. This way, you can change color, size, and the actual sighting method for your gun.
If you have difficulty focusing on close things (your sights) and things far off (the target,) consider a red dot optic. The optic allows you to stay target-focused and not switch between focal planes. Additionally, the bright dot is easier to see than a small iron sight.
If you've struggled to select a handgun, I hope you find this article and, Where to Begin When Choosing Your Firearm for Concealed Carry beneficial.
As always, stay safe, and God bless!
Thank you, Matthew. This is great information for those of us with weaker hands.
I wish I had been given this advice prior to shopping for my first gun, a Glock 42. Three years and much research later I have upgraded to a full size 9mm and love it!
And im exercising my nondominate hand with the grip master Riley recommended and am improving in my abilities in racking the slide more reliably.
Thanks for adding the video. I’ve watched it before as well. Very good info. You rock!
AWESOME information
Thank you for your service, my fellow American and fellow Believer. I appreciate your attention to those who have weak hands due to disability, as I do. This is great information!
Mathew,
Thank you for the article. I shot every caliber and pistol for over 35 years with no problem until injuring my neck and having nerve damage in my arm and hands. I bought a M&P EZ380 for my wife and now I use it because of the difficulty I had with my other pistols. It came to a point I could barely disassemble/reassemble them after cleaning too
I think more manufacturers will start making pistols for this group as people age or injury forces them to find alternatives
Regards
I identify with everything you are addressing in this article. I’m female, 60ish, have arthritis in my hands, and wear trifocals. I could not rack my husband’s Glock. In February, my husband, under the advice of a trusted gun enthusiast, bought me a Smith & Wesson Shield EZ. A whole new world opened up for us. We now shoot together regular and I almost have 1000 rounds through it already. I am waiting on some new HiViz sights to help with my vision issues and I will be set! It’s a sport we are really enjoying together. So glad to have a firearm that allows me to be included in the fun!
Locking the slide for left handed shooters, when the gun does not have an ambidextrous slide lock button: Line up your right thumb with the notch in the slide that the slide lock fits into. When you pull back on the slide, your thumb will line up with the slide lock button to slide it into position.
Hi Nancy….I a 65 yo L handed female and consider myself pretty good at adapting to guns and things built for R handers. What a great idea. Wished I’d thought of that but glad you did!!!
71 yr old female, left handed with bad arthritis. Firearm recommendations please!
78 years old, very weak hands! Same questi
on please
From Dottie…Look into a .32 Beretta Tomcat or a .22lr Bobcat. My stainless 21A Bobcat weighs 12.8 ounces fully loaded (7 + 1) I love my bobcat because I don’t have to operate the slide, NOT EVER (unless sometimes to clear a jam. You just rotate a small spring-loaded button fwd ,and the barrel quickly springs open; drop one in there and it negates the need to use the slideto chamber a bullet. You’re doing it manually. The safety is actually larger than on my 9mms. And it totally prevents the slide from moving when up and on. plus it has an exposed hammer so you can operate it in single action mode by pulling the hammer fully back and locked just before you fire. I agree that rimfire pistols are perhaps less reliable then centerfire ones,but Beretta Tomcat gives you that option in the .32 & is only minimally larger. I have spent a lot of money on 9mms that have a lot of weight and a lot of kick, are much louder which makes me flinch w/o earmuffs. And I never carry them.
I think the grip is comfortable because I can get almost all my fingers (small hands) on the grip (I put wood grips on) but half my pinky hangs off. Sometimes i just curl it on bottom of grip. Love that there’s no kick but it is pretty loud due to the 2.92? inch barrel. I don’t feel any kick at all with the .22lr so I don’t have to re-aim usually and my groups at 30′ are 4-6 inches but I am a beginner target shooter. The sights are small and not too helpful . And think Crimson Trace quit making laser grips for them a few yrs back. Very accurate with practice. Recommend if you get one have someone experienced with familiarize you… Like its important to pop the barrel open and remove the bullet before trying to release a fully cocked hammer, just as you would use the slide to eject a chambered round to safely clear the weapon… but it’s easy to forget cuz it’s a bit foreign to operate a “pop up” barrel. They can be $550-600 but got mine at g. show for $225 in Oregon and bought a new stainless one 2 wks later online after Xmas 2023 when Beretta had a $150 rebate deal going. So the new one was only $250 after some other discount codes & rebate. There are lots of chat sites, articles, and videos about these berettas. Quite a history of this little pistol and the Oldest Gun manufacturer in the world under continuous operation.
Just purchased a Sig 365x, my first handgun, and am having much difficulty racking the slide. It’s equipped with a MOS red dot. I’m wondering if I should remove the MOS until I’m more used to racking as it seems to be in the way. As it’s not yet been fired I’m able to exchange it, but at a significant $ loss. Any recommendations? Thanks to all in advance! *I’m a petite 53 year old woman with less hand strength than I’d realized.
From Dottie…Look into a .32 Beretta Tomcat or a .22lr Bobcat. My stainless 21A Bobcat weighs 12.8 ounces fully loaded (7 + 1) I love my bobcat because I don’t have to operate the slide, NOT EVER (unless sometimes to clear a jam. You just rotate a small spring-loaded button fwd ,and the barrel quickly springs open; drop one in there and it negates the need to use the slideto chamber a bullet. You’re doing it manually. The safety is actually larger than on my 9mms. And it totally prevents the slide from moving when up and on. plus it has an exposed hammer so you can operate it in single action mode by pulling the hammer fully back and locked just before you fire. I agree that rimfire pistols are perhaps less reliable then centerfire ones,but Beretta Tomcat gives you that option in the .32 & is only minimally larger. I have spent a lot of money on 9mms that have a lot of weight and a lot of kick, are much louder which makes me flinch w/o earmuffs. And I never carry them.
I think the grip is comfortable because I can get almost all my fingers (small hands) on the grip (I put wood grips on) but half my pinky hangs off. Sometimes i just curl it on bottom of grip. Love that there’s no kick but it is pretty loud due to the 2.92? inch barrel. I don’t feel any kick at all with the .22lr so I don’t have to re-aim usually and my groups at 30′ are 4-6 inches but I am a beginner target shooter. The sights are small and not too helpful . And think Crimson Trace quit making laser grips for them a few yrs back. Very accurate with practice. Recommend if you get one have someone experienced with familiarize you… Like its important to pop the barrel open and remove the bullet before trying to release a fully cocked hammer, just as you would use the slide to eject a chambered round to safely clear the weapon… but it’s easy to forget cuz it’s a bit foreign to operate a “pop up” barrel. They can be $550-600 but got mine at g. show for $225 in Oregon and bought a new stainless one 2 wks later online after Xmas 2023 when Beretta had a $150 rebate deal going. So the new one was only $250 after some other discount codes & rebate. There are lots of chat sites, articles, and videos about these berettas. Quite a history of this little pistol and the Oldest Gun manufacturer in the world under continuous operation.