Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Home Defense Firearm for a Geezer

I started this earlier and took a break and came back to finish. So I misunderstood your potential experience level. After reading my own post I had a face palm moment. I've been sharing information on this subject with relative newbies on other forums to help out lately. I should have first saved myself some time and checked your post # or registration date. You've probably considered most of what I very written below long ago. The principles are sound, but I didn't mean to insult your experience High Noon. Best to you and yours.

280: My young daughter and I both handled and shot Ken’s M&P .22, the year before last at Army Joe, which I think is similar to the EZ. Not a flawless performer, but that may have been due to the ammo we were using. It was a nice little pistol.

Valsdad: Yep, the Mossberg .410 or possibly the 28 GA semi-auto is still in contention.

EE: The report and the muzzle jump from the Gov’ner might be an issue for the folks, and it may be difficult for a geezer to be accurate with such a short barrel. As I said, they’re probably not going to spend much time at the range. Ranger_Green and I also discussed the Model 10 as an option, and it’s still a possibility, but I think it might be a bit too big for Mom’s small hands. The K22 would be a good revolver choice; although double action might be too stiff for their ageing hands. & I definitely agree that Constitutional Carry is needed now, more than ever, in TX.

ok Fellers, my folks want to arm themselves due to all the groids running amok in Big D. Dad is 81 & has very mild Parkinsons. He uses a cane, but he can walk without it. He spends time doing projects around the house, and he exercises daily. He's pretty good mentally, but has lapses sometimes where he repeats himself. Mom is 77 and is in great shape and is sharp as a tack. She was quite the marksman w/ a .22 rifle in her youth.

There's no way in hell Dad can handle a 12 GA, & I have my doubts he could even handle a 20.

He mentioned that Hannity recommended some kind of orange plastic pistol that shoots tear gas and rubber bullets. I told him that sounded like a good way to get sued and if he ever had such an encounter, he needed something with considerably more authority to permanently end the threat.

I spoke to Ranger_Green and we both decided that a JM Marlin in .45 Colt w/ reduced cowboy action loads would be an excellent choice for him and if she's interested, a JM 39A for Mom - either that or a Ruger Single six, nine or ten or possibly a Mark IV.

Does the forum concur?

I started this earlier and took a break and came back to finish. So I misunderstood your potential experience level. After reading my own post I had a face palm moment. I've been sharing information on this subject with relative newbies on other forums to help out lately. I should have first saved myself some time and checked your post # or registration date. You've probably considered most of what I very written below long ago. The principles are sound, but I didn't mean to insult your experience High Noon. Best to you and yours.


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Just a few thoughts.

I've introduced ladies newbies and seniors to firearms who have never picked one up.
My observations are that what works best for one person of age or other challenge might be different for someone else with similar physical and mental similarities.

For instance, a stereotype of some sports shops and even instructors is the generic revolver for women and those who are seniors.
I've found many just have harder times with both manual of arms and reliability with SOME revolvers and regretted their choice. It all depends.

If I were you, I would gather what you have, buy some practice ammo, then take them on a pleasant activity that they like... picnic or something. Afterward (not before...lead on hands), take them to the range at a time that you have it to yourself. It should be a pleasant learning experience for all. We can all benefit from proper practice.

One at a time, go over safety with focus on only ONE firearm; then on manual of arms, then targets. Reactive ones like clay or jugs are good after a single.shot preview to make sure they got the first things down.

Maybe just do that with two firearms. Day one.
Compare...

Repeat that procedure with the other handguns and long guns on different days. It's a process.
If you don't have much in the way of weapons, enlist friends or other family members who are shooters to come along and offer lunch and a box of ammo for everyone to join in.
Lastly, I'd find a range with rentals and use their facility when nobody is at the range. Perhaps a friend has property in the country and would like to share the experience.

Use double ear protection, especially if you use an indoor range, because sound blast is usually more of an issue with flinch than recoil. So buy plugs AND a cheap set of muffs for all.

After you make your way through the collection, you will compare close ones again, narrowing down the BEST choices. IF anyone is tired or having a bad day, then call it a day. Keep it positive.

I don't have time to write you a book here so, These are my brief recommendations, with areas you'll be able to fill in with due diligence and specific questions later.

Once the weapons of choice are narrowed down, then give them to your parents as special gifts, OR take them shopping and let them pick out the model that suits them PERSONALLY. It may be totally different than what we will recommend. Also, we don't know your budget, which will also narrow your choices.

THE most important thing once they have said weapon, is regular practice. And encouragement to do so. Make it a bonding tradition at least while things are hot, on a frequent basis. After it cools down, keep it going at least once a month and change up targets, etc to keep the routine interesting. The interest WILL BE enhanced IF they actually LIKE their chosen handguns/ rifles. Maybe a handgun each and one rifle at standby?
Your choices for your specific needs.

Without offering brand or model, My preference for you and them to focus on are the following:
1. Simplicity of use/ manual of arms (basic as possible) Most important under stress and limited time constraint.
2. Ability to utilize (ie. If it has a slide, can they rack it easily?)(If it's got a cylinder, will the cases eject reliably when your folks use it?)
3. Sights . Might be different for your Dad than you. Vision and simplicity will dictate much.
4. Long guns may be preferable to handguns/ pistols.... depending. Too many variables to discuss without more details from you and them. For instance do they intend on carrying to the store? For home defense carbine type long guns of quality do in fact offer benefits. However, if the threat hits without warning, it might be in the corner on the other side of the house. A handgun is much easier to carry in a holster and readily available when taken by surprise.
5. Caliber is last on this list. Important, but of lesser than ammo choices within a particular caliber...give or take. For handgun ammo, I'd start with 9mm if semiautomatic, . 38 for revolver. Recoil is not usually an issue, but can be for too many special reasons. There are some excellent choices of hollow points in 9mm. If you choose properly, recoil is not normally an issue. Muzzle blast is. Consider buying electric ear muffs for them. This will allow them to boost VOLUME to listen for approaching possible threats, communicate with each other and protect their own hearing. Blast will be mitigated too of course. A powerful flash light or weapons light is required to identify the threat. I've found that sometimes that's as far as necessary and blinds them or motivates them to leave you alone.

Remember 2 parting thoughts.
First, if we say get xyz brand and model, it might not be right for them and they may not either like it or become proficient as with another. It's a PROCESS to find and there's more than enough choices. But perhaps we can offer suggestions that make sense. Ask yourself first, "Would I buy a car that I'm vaguely familiar with but haven't test driven? Sometimes that works out. However it's difficult enough to tell our own Dads and Moms what they should have on a moment's notice.
The other guys will likely have good reasons for their recommendations. I would listen and do what you and yours decide since you will be living with them.

Second, if their area is under imminent threat, consider moving there temporarily, and becoming prepared yourself OR moving them in with you for this time. Many think that police presence is pretty good and it's sometimes hard to convince those set in their ways. With training, YOU can be 1000% better protection than law enforcement. Why? You care far more and if you're there.....you can and will take appropriate action with that local training which you should seek out. If it's not available, perhaps we can talk another time. I just don't want to assume anything else that I can't yet know. I'd encourage your family to stick together through these times and not worry, but let the little stress be positive motivation.
Also, don't forget God. I've had more close calls than I care to mention and I'm still here and a Happy Camper because of His protection. He's probably been looking after you and your family too. With His intervention, and doing what you are to protect your folks, they'll likely be the safest ones in town.
☕ 🙂 👍

My hats off to you for looking for positive input.