firearms for older folks ??

[alxone]

so i keep thinking about getting a gun for my dad but he is sick (cancer ) and kinda weak from the radiation treatment . so what would be a good lightweight firearm that is not gonna knock him down when he shoots it?
he is over 6 feet tall and weighs next to nothing (135 ,remember the man is sick).
guns iv tried
ruger p series (he said it was too bulky )
norinco 213 (jumps around too much for him )
sks (too heavy )
ak (also too heavy )

kinda thinking about tossing a m1 carbine in his closet but i think he would feel better with a pistol. so any suggestions on a full sized pistol (thats not gonna break the bank ) ??

[sneakerd]

Get him a .22, like a S&W K22. Great revolver with lots of history, holds its value.

[KevDen2005]

Man I just feel bad that he has cancer. My prayers are with him.

[sneakerd]

Zundfolge's idea would have been my 2nd choice if self defense was the object.

[JohnTRourke]

.38spl revolver

no manual of arms, just squeeze the trigger and keep squeezing.

even put a crimson trace on it if you want.

bodyguard 38. (laser included, brand new about $400), really light, not technically a J frame, but the same physical size.

[bchase75]

A .38 seems like the way to go, but I'd steer clear of the ultra-light models. A buddy of mine bought a LCR for his wife, and recoil with standard 158 grain ammo is sharp to say the least. Tolerable with lighter bullets, but still not a gun for a novice or anyone with any sensitivity to recoil.

Ruger SP101 with a three inch barrel might be a good choice. Not heavy in the hand, but you can shoot .38 special all day comfortably.

[Zundfolge]

A .22 would be good for plinking, but maybe not enough for home defense.

You should be able to find a used S&W model 64 in .38spec pretty cheap and easy (if nothing else you can order one from J&G Sales for under 300 for a square butt and right at 300 for a round butt Only problem with the J&G guns is that they're bobbed hammer DAO).

Really any S&W J or K frame in .38 would do him well.

If $500 isn't too much (not sure where your bank breaks) there's a nice Colt Agent on Armslist up in Denver (I don't know the seller ... usual disclaimers apply).

[JohnnyEgo]

Not meant to be a silly question, but does he have the hand strength to pull a DA trigger or cock a hammer? I have an acquaintance with MS who is confined to a wheel chair. He cannot work a DA trigger. He chambers a round a semi auto pistol by pushing the front sight against his wheel chair arm rest using his body weight. He is a young man with a sharp mind and no mental issues, but has a great deal of difficulty manipulating things. A small gun is out of the question for him for this reason. He uses a 1911 chambered in .38 Super.

[BlasterBob]

Alex, be sure to let us know what you finally decide to get for your Dad. OK?

[Seamonkey]

Have you thought about or looked into non-lethal products like mace or a tazer?