Simple defensive firearm for couple in their 80's out in the country?

[miatakix]

So I have a dilemma.

I feel like I kind of need to get another pistol, now, after visiting my grandparents recently and messing up their only centerfire firearm. I offered to clean their their pistols, and when I got around to the Savage pocket pistol, I didn't actually test it to see if it worked or anything before disassembling, cleaning, and reassembling it. I stayed up all night trying to get the darn thing to work! The trigger/hammer drop only works sometimes, arrgh, maddening! I wish I really knew if it worked before, but grandpa said when he last fired it (15 years ago!!) it worked fine... I took it out to test fire the next day, and indeed it only worked sometimes even when auto-reloading...you could get the hammer to drop if you pulled the hammer back hard (while still cocked) and pulled the trigger again. I remain stumped. I know I reassembled the thing right, I dug up the original manual and followed the directions to the letter. Tried reassembling the thing like 20 times, no luck.

In any case, although it's a really cool little pistol design, I don't think it's so good for them, to start with. It was made in 1909, and looks/feels like it. They bought it in the 40's, and haven't taken the best care of it. Add that to the fact that the slide is naturally hard to rack due to the design (blowback...HEAVY pull), and that my grandparents are getting kind of old... even if I took it to a gunsmith to get it fixed, they can't use it. Neither of them have been able to rack the slide for about 10 years.

The thought crossed my mind that a solid double action revolver like a model 10 S&W may be the better for them. Cheap investment, fits the bill, etc. I've been hankering for a single action revolver for a while, now, but that might be a little dated for actual defense. But what about a 1894? Grandpa loves my 336 (he's a big western fan), but there's no way I'm going to leave mine there He says it's the only firearm he's ever seen that he likes. He always wants to keep himself and the wife armed, but doesn't actually typically like firearms. Or a shotgun, which I wouldn't be too upset about buying? I know he's not a big shotgun fan, and they recoil quite a bit...

Anyone have any thoughts on what's best for an older couple that is fairly weakened but still out and about, and lives out in the country so doesn't have to worry about penetration? Best to have something stupid-simple for my grandma, too, as she doesn't like guns, and won't take to training, but says she won't hesitate to use one "if she needs it." Guess the single-action revolver thought is kind of selfish on my part. Guess that's why I was thinking, DA revolver or 1894 or shotgun.

[ryan p.]

Hello.

I would like to put in my two cents worth. you might want to go with two firearms. a marlin 1894c and a .357 magnum/38 special double action revolver.
they use the same ammunition, and out of the marlin better performance.
lots of ammo choices are available. ammo is cheap when compared to other calibers. also the double action revolver can be left loaded for years with no worries. The revolver is also very simple to operate, just point and pull trigger.
The marlin would be useful for longer distance shooting as well as hunting.
when .38 special ammunition is used in either firearm very little recoil is felt.
when .357 magnum is used you have a top notch man stopper. also with two guns they both can be armed if things get REALLY UGLY.



Ryan Poe

[41Retro]

The Taurus Judge, that shoots .45 Colt / .410 shotshells interchangeably, is interesting. I think its a double action, five shot revolver. I don't know what the triggers are like but it sounds like just the ticket.

[T-Bone]

I think a Ruger Redhawk in .38 might be the ticket. Solid construction, strong frame, simple mechanically, inexpensive - especially used. You might also check out a GP100.

[ChipM]

I think you are on the right track. An 1894 in 357 is a good choice though a little cumbersome for someone in their 80's in a home situation. The Taurus is interesting though recoil and weight maybe a factor. The shotgun if worried about recoil look at a short barrelled mossberg 410 or 20 ga loaded with buckshot. A little cumbersome but the sound of that pump in a dark house can send the avg criminal running

[big medicine]

I think a S&W Airweight might just be the ticket. It is a 5 shot double action without a hammer. Not nuch to go wrong with it and very dependable. It would be easy for an elderly person to shoot and the recoil from the 38 special should be manageable.

My wife has one and shoote it very well. One thing you can di is to get the Strike Three Ammo for it. The strike three has 3 Buck Shot per each 38 Special case. I have her pistol loaded with 2 of those and then 3 158 JHP.

[fk]

My specific recommendation for you would be a Model 870 20Ga shotgun. easy to handle, points well, and scares the hell out of someone when you rake the action. Don't need a lot of practice, very dependable and deadly. The round when you shoot it stays inside and doesn't penetrate 2 other houses.

5 rounds of #2 Buckshot and its ready for anything. Plus you don't have to be within 7ft to hit something like pistol. That is if you have been praticing, something a 80yr old might tend to skip.

That's number one in my gun safe a sweet little Rem. 870 pump shotgun. Never have felt underarmed.
Plus you can get one for under $200 if you look for one.
Hope this helps.

fknipfer

[miatakix]

Thanks so much for the great ideas, guys!

Gave in to a 1894 CB chambered for 45LC today (http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=108620532). Might still get one of these other suggestions for my grandparents, though, in addition to leaving one of my lever actions over there. Great ideas on 38s and 357s, not a real big fan of the round, myself, but it is so stinking practical for this case... The Judge is an intriguing idea, too. Hmm.

Now that I'll have a 45LC rifle, I'll have to pick up a good matching single action revolver at some point down the road. But the g'parents come first.

Now just to decide which rifle to leave at my grandparents' place, the 1894 or the 336...and which pistol or shotgun to get. Hmm.

[georgeky]

Maybe a good 1911 .45 for the grandparents

[swany]

This is a little out of the way compared to the rest of the suggestions. Try a 10-22 with a 30rd extra clip for defense. I personally done a test on two different 10-22s the first one jammed at round 857, the second one made it to round 894. So I guess around every 800 rounds you should have to clean one. Acceptable close range inside a 4 inch circle at 25 yds for all rounds shot.

A 336 in 30-30 would be a good investment, find one used clean it up make sure it functions and come and clean it every year until it is once yours again. Just consider you are storing it at your grandparents. Let the rest of the clan know what you are doing so there are no arguments later.