I wouldn't argue widdat. Plus she'll look mean as hell with one. I'm just thinking a lever might be a hair quicker and easier to work in a panic than a charging handle, which she might fumble for. And she can use her whole hand to rack the lever, whereas she may have trouble using just one finger on the charging handle - you mentioned arthritis and weakness.
I wouldn't go with something that has a magazine (either semi-auto or, in a lever action, a tube magazine). You gotta figure this thing will be loaded for years on end, and that spring is gonna give eventually. But, wait, you don't subscribe to that do ya, Shoes?
That reminds me. This past weekend I was at my dad's and he was looking through his gun cabinet for something or another. In the process, he pulled out an Astra 400 that one of his ex-wives left behind and asked me what caliber it was. The magazine was filled with 9mm Starfires that I know I loaded into it nearly fifteen years ago. I think I'll be on the lookout for a new magazine for Dad's Astra.
I've been doing this for a long time. I've replaced hundreds of springs in Remington, Mossberg, and Winchester patrol shotguns over the years and I've taught hundreds of classes (thousands of students) and I see it all the time. Hell, I lost four magazines myself back when I was young and dumb.
I don't think I ever said I don't subscribe to it...I'm just undecided at this point. I've heard highly qualified people argue both sides....
Well, she doesn't seem to have a problem with gross motor skills. I took her to a gun store to let her handle one, and she didn't have a problem working the charging handle.
Well, then, there ya go! The ultimate test, of course, is to stick it in the closet, then burst in on her unexpectedly and see how fast she can grab it and load it while you're screaming "boogah=boogah" and hitting her repeatedly with a full-auto paintball gun.
Elwood's post got me to thinking though. I had it stuck in my head that a DA revolver was out, just because she couldn't pull the trigger on my Grandad's old Model 36... ...but I just remembered, when Apostle and I were out looking for him another handgun, we handled one of those Scandium snubbies, and that DA trigger was long, but it was hella-light. Maybe I should get her to see how one of those feels.
Yeah, just don't get her a Scandium one. The model we looked at was S&W 340PD, I believe. I wawnts one. PS - Range USA has a nice little Taurus or Ruger (can't remember) 38 DA revolver on consignment right now. If I remember right, trigger pull was decent.
Well, it's definately lighter than what you would find on a heavy frame 44 straight from the factory.
As long as you are within 25m you should need to aim, it just just be reflexive fire. I don't know what the fuck you guys did your Walkers but down here they got the smoothies ride of any horse around. If I'm out hunting all day there ain't shit I'd rather be sitting on.... Let me rephrase that... nothing without an ice chest strapped to the back I'd rather be sitting on.
Just be careful. I'm a fan of the full-house mag, but .38 +P+ is a little thumper in my Airweight. Those Scandium jobs are even lighter and I've been told that full-house mags in that .357 is a wrist breaker. Look at a 637 Chief, I carry one on my ankle every day and I bought one for my granddad many years ago. He's getting on up there and he has no problems with it.
If DA revolvers, long guns, and semiauto pistols are out, what about a Colt SAA knock off is like .38?