The first consideration when selecting handguns for the disabled is safety, and this is not limited to disabled people only. Every shooter must select a firearm that he can use safely and confidently. This is why the repeated emphasis on good training and regular practice never ceases.
What Determines A Safe Handgun For The Disabled?
The caliber of the bullet makes all the difference whether you’re using a pistol or revolver.
When starting as a new disabled shooter, the best choice you can make is a .22 caliber revolver because it has the smallest recoil. This is also the appropriate choice if you have upper-body disabilities like limited control or muscle strength, although you’ll be firing .22 magnum or .22 LR in this case. These are small revolvers with light recoil.
If, on the other hand, your upper body is functioning perfectly and you can safely and confidently pull the trigger of .22 revolvers, you may be permitted to use the .357 magnum while using .38 Special ammo due to the light recoil. You can move to the .357 magnum completely when ready.
A disabled shooter can also fire .44 Magnum revolvers, but they may get hurt due to the heavy recoil. I believe this is not worth the danger it may cause you or others around.
Start Small!
From the little we’ve discussed above, the emphasis is apparently on starting small. Your first gun can’t be an AK-47.
If you like to carry semi-autos, your first choice has to be the .22 caliber pistol, followed by the .32 caliber ACP, before the .380 ACP, and eventually, the 9MM. Note that as you progress up the ranks, the recoil becomes heavier. These guns are pretty useless if you suffer a limp writing issue.
The inability to shoot your pistol properly can cause it to jam, and this will be terrible in dangerous scenarios. I don’t suppose a criminal would show mercy to a disabled person who pulls a gun on him. So, instead of finding yourself in this fix, it is better to have a revolver. A pistol can be challenging to manage, unlike the revolver that has its ammo and empty brass within the cylinder until it is manually ejected.
Anyway, irrespective of the type of handgun you choose to use, shooting successfully is not just about pulling the trigger. It is equally about what you do before and after pulling. You may be able to shoot a .40 or .45 ACP pistol in self-defense, but it can be too much to handle. There is always the possibility of you dropping the gun or unknowingly pulling the trigger again. This is too much risk to face.
Handgun Recommendations For The Disabled
It’s easy to make the wrong choice when shopping for guns for the first time, so let’s check out the ideal selections for you.
Revolvers
Ruger SP101
This Ruger is a .22 caliber revolver firing 8 per round. It has a 4.20” stainless steel barrel that comes with rubber grips. The recoil after firing is very light, and your trigger is really easy too. The front sight operates a fiber optic, making it usable in low light, while the rear sight can be adjusted.
S&W 351PD
This is a 7-round firing .22 magnum that comes with a 1.5” barrel. The front sight uses an orange fiber-optic while the rear is a fixed U notch. The recoil is light too. This is suitable for persons with weak wrists and hands who have problems firing .357 Magnums or. 38 Specials.
Taurus 85
This Taurus fires 5 per round, has a 2” barrel, uses .38 Special +P, and comes with rubber grips for comfort. It is very comfortable to shoot and equally balanced due to its specs. For faster reloading, you have the option of speed loaders. This makes a good choice if you have severe recoil issues.
Taurus 65
The T. 65 has a 4” barrel, can fire 6 per round, and is made from matte blue steel. It is a .38 Special/.356u Magnum revolver featuring fixed sights and rubber grips. The recoil for this handgun j’s quite manageable, but it shouldn’t be used if you have problems with recoil. Speedloaders work fine with this too. This Taurus is good for disabled shooters with great muscular strength in the upper body and has no wrist or hand problems.
Semi-automatic Pistols
Walther P22
This is a .22 caliber pistol with adjustable sights, adjustable grips, and a 3.4” barrel. It fires a whopping 10+1 per round and comes with an easy-to-pull slide—ideal for persons with weak wrists and hands.
Ruger Mark IV 22
The Ruger Mark IV is a .22 caliber pistol. It features a 4.40” barrel and a lightweight aluminum receiver. It can fire 10+1 per round and works very similarly to the 1911 45 ACP. You can easily pull back its slide, making it suitable even if you have weak wrists and hands.
Kel-Tec P-32
This Kel-Tec is a double-action pistol weighing just 5lbs. It features a smooth trigger pull, 2.7” barrel, low-profile fixed sights, and .32 ACP. It can fire 7+1 rounds. If you are sensitive to recoil, this is okay for you.
Beretta Tomcat
This is a .32 ACP pistol that fires 7+1 rounds and comes with a 2.4” barrel. If you have weak wrists and hands or are sensitive to recoil, this is the weapon for you. You can load and unload the Tomcat by pushing down its barrel release lever rather than pulling the slide.
Glock 19 Gen 4
This is one at the apex. It is a 9MM caliber, striker-fired pistol that comes with fixed sights and a 4.02” barrel. It can go an unbelievable 15+1 per round. Yet, recoil is manageable, and its slide can be easily operated. One of the most dependable you can find.
Conclusion on Selecting Handguns For The Disabled
Selecting handguns for the disabled has to be carefully done as a strong decision can put them and people close to them in grave danger. It is important too that they recognize their limits. Sure, it’s okay to practice so you can handle more lethal guns, but it is very wrong to do so when you’re unsure yet. You don’t want to hurt anyone, do you? Besides, a gun with too heavy recoil will be hard to use on a criminal. Losing control of your pistol after the first shot is disastrous.