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Choosing A Concealed Carry Gun (for seniors)

42K views 75 replies 56 participants last post by  LimaCharlie 
#1 ·
Just saw this in "Guns & Patriots". Its target audience may be senior citizens, but it has some good info for young/new shooters, as well.

Perhaps it may be of some help to someone.

~GR

P.S.: Ignore his condescending statements about "Bubba and Jethro". He just isn't a regular at my gun club.


Choosing A Concealed Carry Gun
by Bruce N. Eimer, Ph.D
08/10/2010

As a senior citizen, when you go to purchase your first defensive handgun for concealed carry, you may find yourself feeling nervous, confused, or "out of your element" at the gun shop. If this is what you experience, join the club! We've all been there and done that! After all, you've experienced a lot of things in your life, but this is a new experience for you. Know that this is where the value of a truly concerned and dedicated professional can shine through. That would be the gun shop sales person from whom you decide to buy your first gun, or second.

His or her role is to explain to you, in terms you can comprehend, with no condescension, the varieties of handguns available, and how they operate. It is important that you resist being seduced into believing that "cute", "sleek", "shiny", or complicated, make for a better defensive weapon. Three key rules of thumb to keep in mind are: (1) Form should follow function. (2) Function follows from a quality firearm chosen wisely by an educated, well-advised consumer. (3) Function follows when you purchase a quality handgun from a knowledgeable and reputable firearms salesperson who cares about your needs, and takes the time to competently explain the gun and how to use it.

When you go to a gun shop or indoor range, do you see other happy senior citizen's hanging around, looking at guns, shooting, and/or conversing about handguns, shooting and self-defense? Are the sales people friendly and helpful? On the other hand, if you go into a gun shop, and you see Bubba and his cousin Jethro, chewing tobacco and snickering at you, get out of there fast!

An ethical gun salesperson or firearms instructor wants to see you on a regular basis and to keep you as a customer or client, as he or she obtains satisfaction from observing you develop your performance skills with your chosen firearm/s. An ethical professional will never push you into buying a particular product. He or she will help you make a truly informed choice, which involves assessing the type of handgun you are most comfortable shooting, carrying and safely storing. He or she stays updated and honest with regard to the quality products on the market.

Try Before You Buy. I suggest that, when shopping for a defensive handgun, you find a range facility that other senior citizens frequent, that will let you rent different handguns, and that offers basic pistol, personal protection, and concealed carry classes taught by qualified, certified instructors. In such a senior citizen-friendly environment, you can best determine which type of handgun will best suit your particular needs, because you can try out different weapons andaccessories. It is always best to try before you buy.

The Choice Process. First, educate yourself by gathering information about the different types, makes and models of handguns available. Then, compile a list of your objectives based on your own personal attributes and needs, so that you can make an informed and personally appropriate selection of model and manufacturer. Remember that no one handgun is perfect for everyone, every situation, or for everyone's pocketbook. A handgun can be a great equalizer, but because all handguns were not created equal, you must choose intelligently. If you do so, you will acquire a personal protection tool that you'll be able to enjoy for many years, and then hand down as a family heirloom.


Essential Criteria For A Defensive Carry Gun
As we age, many of us tend to develop joint problems, arthritis, and hip, back and leg pain. Thus, a concealed carry gun riding on your hip, or in your pocket, that is too big and heavy, may place too much strain on your back, and it may also pull your pants down! Remember, as we age, gravity tends to pull us down enough, such that, sometimes, just carrying ourselves is a chore! So, think light and thin, which equals comfortable to carry concealed. However, also think about how you dress. Will the gun be easy to conceal?

Reliability. While the above criteria are important, we mustn't sacrifice reliability and durability in a carry gun. Remember, if you are going to carry your handgun everyday, and practice with it, it must hold up! So, choose a handgun with a reputation for reliability.

Good Fit. Now, in choosing your carry handgun, you must be the judge as to whether the gun you're considering provides a good fit for your hands. Does it point naturally? Is your trigger finger comfortably able to reach the trigger without your having to distort your proper grip?

Unless the gun is a point and shoot gun, are the sights usable? Can you see the front sight clearly with your corrective lenses on? Manageable Recoil. Is the gun comfortable to shoot? Is the recoil manageable? Seriously, if the gun is not comfortable to shoot, you will not shoot it, and then, you will not get your practice time in with the gun.

Controllable Trigger. Is the trigger controllable? That means not too heavy of a pull, but not too light either. Bottom line--does it feel right for you? That means, can you operate it without getting finger cramps, and conversely can you feel it when you press it? Can you repeatedly dry fire the gun without making figure eights with the front sight? Are you aware kinesthetically when you've pressed the trigger rearward far enough to cock and fire the weapon? Too light of a trigger spells, ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE.

Accuracy. In your hands, the gun needs to be reasonably accurate when you shoot it at 10 yards and in. Is the gun forgiving of the arc of movement created by your hand tremor? Are you able to place accurate follow-up shots? Bad guys have a nasty habit of not going down after just one shot. Good second shot recovery is essential. You must be capable of delivering more than one nasty surprise to Mr. Bad Guy!

Simple, Easy, And Safe To Operate. Your defensive handgun should be simple, easy, and safe to operate. If it is an auto-loading pistol, is the slide easy to operate? Do you have the hand strength to be able to pull the slide all the way back to cycle a round into the chamber, or to clear the gun? Can you easily operate the slide stop/release lever to lock the slide back? Can your thumb reach and operate the magazine catch to drop the magazine? If you have a revolver, can your thumb reach and operate the cylinder release latch? Under stress, whatever fine motor skills you do have tends to fly away. So, Simple Is Good (SIG).

Easy To Maintain. Don't choose a gun that's difficult to field strip for routine cleaning and maintenance. The end result will be that you won't maintain it, and it will eventually rot, or it won't work when you need it! As we age, many of us develop arthritis, which makes it difficult to disassemble and reassemble mechanical devices with many, stubborn little parts.

Affordability. The gun should also be affordable to purchase and use. If you're on a fixed income, you don't want to have to sell your firstborn grandchild to afford the gun, or the ammunition for it! If practice ammunition is too expensive, then you may become reluctant to practice. Choose a handgun in a caliber for which there's plenty of cheap, quality, target ammunition, and a good supply of affordable, defensive, jacketed hollow point ammunition.

So, What Handguns Fit The Bill? There are many excellent handguns that meet all of these criteria. Of these, several come to mind as worthy of recommendation for senior citizen concealed carry. They are: the .32 ACP, LWS Seecamp .32 and Kel-Tec P-32; the 9mm, Glock 26, Kahr Arms PM9 and MK9, and Sig Sauer P239; and the classic, lightweight, .38 Special, snub-nose, Smith and Wesson J-Frame revolvers. Each of these reliable, well-made handguns offers a low profile, concealed carry package that can provide discreet protection for the average senior citizen. No one but you will know you're carrying until they need to know.

Editor’s Note:
Thanks to our friends at the United States Concealed Carry Association for this article. To know more about concealed carry please click here.


Bruce N. Eimer, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical and forensic psychologist, NRA Certified Firearms Instructor, Florida and Utah Concealed Firearms Instructor, and a Professional Writer in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As a co-owner of Personal Defense Solutions, LLC, Bruce offers individual shooting instruction and teaches concealed carry and handgun safety classes that prepare people to apply for the Florida Non-Resident Concealed Carry Permit which is honored by 28 states. For more information, he can be reached by phone at 215-938-7283 and by e-mail at: Dr.Bruce@PersonalDefenseSolutions.net
 
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#30 ·
Sticky material!

As I age, I think about the guns I have and how I would do if really needed. Although I am still a newbie and have what I want, I am seriously thinking about the not so distant future.
I need nothing fancy, just practical and easy - and effective. The time for "cool" is over. I want easy and fun.

Thanks Gunrnr....excellent.
 
#32 · (Edited by Moderator)
Great article. I get a lot of seniors in classes that were sold guns with heavy trigger pulls and had no idea this could be an issue (we have even had a couple with double action revolvers that could not even fire the gun) . People need to realize that the salesman behind the counter may not always have your best interest and this article can hopefully help someone to point them in the right direction.
 
#33 ·
I always liked the "parachute" analogy. (If you need one and don’t have it, you’ll never need it again!) I carried a “J” frame for 50 years. I’ve always felt if you love your family and friends you’ll carry 24/7. That’s why I carry 24/7. Long story cut short. I was involved with a young man that was high on uppers a year or so ago. He had me cornered in a bath room with about as much floor space as an office desk. I didn’t think five 38 HPs would put him down unless I did head shots. In the end I didn’t have to put him down, but I did switch from the “J” frame to a 45 (S&W 4516-1) (Double action) with two extra clips of ammo. You’d think that would be heavy to carry. If you’re ever in a position where only one person is going to walk away a 105 howitzer isn’t heavy! What you’re going to want is something that makes holes the size of a dinner plate and lots of them. Here’s hoping you never need one,, but!!!
 
#35 ·
As with most 'buy this, not that' gun advice articles, there is much in what he said that can be debated. My choice came to concealability and ease of use. I have three carry pistols. BTW, I am an experienced shooter so I did not need, or want, Bubba's advice. Two of my pistols are .22lr, a Beretta Model 21A; a Walther style American Arms, and a Ruger LCP in .380. All are pocket concealable and easy to carry. All are 'pull, point, shoot'. No fussing with safetys or other devices. I always carry with one in chamber and a full magazine. I won't be drawn into a debate about the effectiveness of the .22lr. Three times in my life I have had to draw a gun and show it for defense. All three times the bad guys ran, none asked me the caliber before hightailing. The caliber was pretty effective. Another theory I have is that to be effective the gun must be practiced with. .22lr is inexpensive and will get used. Even my .380 is nearly $1.00 round these days and I am reluctant to burn much practicing with it.
 
#36 ·
If I were overly concerned with the cost of a round of ammo, I may take it into consideration.
But, have you ever thought about hand-loading your own ammo?
If you have a friend, that may hand-load ammo for a hobby that could also be an option if you are too poor or tight with money to buy a proper amount of ammo for both practice and the safety that a side arm may afford you.
Sorry to be so blunt. But the suggestion that anyone risk the life of their family members, certainly not to mention the life of a cheap, tight fisted gun owner on cheap, underpowered ammo just plain pisses me off.
 
#37 ·
The price of ammunition

When you factor in the value of your life, your wife's life, your children's lives, your friend's lives, hell, even your dog's life... ammunition costs are of little consequence.
 
#39 ·
IM a 40 year licensed to carry civilian, prior t that a Military Veteran. Ive transitioned over the years from a 1911 45 ACP Colt/Remington issue..Today they are using Beretta 9mm,
There was a time when I was a much younger man, I felt ok carrying a .25 cal Beretta Jet fire. and if it slowed a bad guy down, I would still prevail.. but today at 70 years of age, IM back into a 45 ACP. Not as much a bad ass today as when I was in my 20's and 30's 1911 's they have changed dramatically over the last 50 years. my Carry 45 ACP , weighs 25 oz. and fits nicely in the pocket of my cargo shorts without obvious printing , I'm carrying.in my left pocket. At my age a 45 ACP has enough put down power, I'm not going to have to get physically involved with some 300 lbs. Samoan, all juiced up and only pissed off by a lesser caliber.
Left pocket carry 45 ACP





I like this carry the best and have been using it for 15 years.. it allows me to put my hand in my pocket without throwing up a flag to people around me....I see a potential threat and I can go into my pocket and be ready to click off the safety, or relax if a potential threat passes. I do not like waist high holsters for just that reason.. in ordr to be as prepared as I am with my hand in my pocked a waist high holster user would have to telegraph his readiness and it would be obvious to peole around him including plain closed cops and other concealed carry people not know your intentions..
 
#41 · (Edited)
My Kimber 45 ACP is no bigger than my Bersa Thunder .380... both with crimson laser grips.. IN my opinion , a must for senior citizens. At our age you want to keep you eyes on the threat or multiple and not on the sights.. But if fear of location is an issue with a red dot laser, I also have Meprolight night sights.


.





So my recommendation for a senior carry.. it would be this Kimber 45 ACP, its the size of a .380, but much more effective.
 
#43 ·
I sell a LOT of Ruger LCRs to seniors and those with hand/wrist issues. It's a good alternative, especially with today's superior defensive ammunition.
 
#44 ·
My dear old grandpa is 83 years old and in a wheel chair, he carries a Rossi .38 special he has had since 1990. It is a great little gun for him and he is also leaving it to me when he passes. I love the gun and have shot it before. He had it loaded with some old fmj rounds that he got when he bought it and trust me they are some cheap stuff that looks like they've had a lot of water damage and do not look very reliable. I got those out of the gun and loaded it with some hornady critical defense. I am his care take and he is a handicap senior so he is vulnerable so keeping that gun on him at all times gives me a certain level of comfort especially while I am not in the house and he is alone.
 
#49 ·
Put me down for adding the OP as a sticky...Great article and advise.

Better yet...I'd like to see a more permanent place for seniors to share info with each other regarding all matters gun related.

Possibly something like "Seniors With Shooters", "Geezers With Guns", "Ol' Farts With Firearms".....Well, maybe not, but y'all get the idea....?

FLc
 
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#52 ·
Sometimes I wonder if older folks gravitate to wheel guns more because of personal experience and nostalgic reasons, or because theyre just plain easier to operate. I actually started on semi-autos but find myself increasingly appreciative of revolvers as I get well into my 40's. Not any particular reasons except that simplicity and reliability just seem to trump all other progressive bells and whistles in the end. I have no immediate plans to retire my S&W Shield from EDC duty any time soon though! Ha! :)
 
#53 ·
I have a little S&W Airweight 38 spl. I'm not going anywhere that I need more than 5 shots. Hell, I'm not going anywhere that I need one! They are light and can be operated with one hand. They make just as much noise as any other pistol and holes as well.

Alan
 
#55 ·
I buy all my holsters from Daltech, they will custom make me a holster to fit every gun I have. Everything I have bought from them has had to be custom made. Due to I have several unique guns, some very old and they have been great to work with. They also have the best leather belts to hold my holsters.
 
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