There is a quote that says, “You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to get old.”
This is especially true for one Syracuse, NY couple…
Harry and Ethel B. were in their 70’s when they started to have health issues.
Harry was legally blind and used a wheelchair to get around, and Ethel used a cane to walk.
One evening, the couple were lying in bed when they heard a loud noise in their kitchen.
Ethel grabbed a pellet gun, while Harry retrieved a .22 caliber rifle.
Ethel made her way to the living room where she found an intruder trying to steal the TV.
The burglar had a knife in his hand, and Ethel fired a few shots from the pellet gun, but they had no effect on the intruder.
Harry – who had been an avid hunter and target shooter – made his way to the living room with his rifle.
Even though he is legally blind, Harry said he was able to see a blur that he believed was the intruder.
Harry said, “I just wanted to chase him away. I told him to get out of here or I would blow his head off. Then I fired the gun and I guess I hit him.″
The suspect was shot in the stomach, he required surgery, but was expected to survive.
″I wasn’t scared. If he had kept coming, I would have fired again. But after the first shot he was long gone,″ said Harry.
The shooting was ruled to be self-defense.
This story is a perfect case of not allowing physical limitations to stop you from defending yourself.
People often ask what is the best handgun if they are dealing with physical limitations.
I always tell them the best gun is one you can safely handle and confidently shoot.
Now, if it’s been a while since you last shot a pistol, you may want to start with a smaller caliber.
Start with a smaller caliber and try guns until you find the one that fits you.
If your arms or hands have limited strength then a .22 might be the best choice – they are small in size with light recoil.
Many people will tell you that a .22 doesn’t pack enough punch, but again, the best self-defense gun is one you can handle.
So, if a .22 is the gun you feel confident with, then it’s the best one for you.
Check out the Ruger 10-22 and the .22 handguns made by Ruger.
Also, if a .22 caliber is very easy for you to handle, then you should try a .38 or .380.
If these are easy to handle you can move up to 9mm, and so on.
And if one of your limitations is hand strength you should consider a revolver.
When you are at the gun shop try pulling back the slide on a semi-auto to see how it feels.
Also, here are a few guns you may want to check out the next time you go to the shooting range.
Smith & Wesson Shield EZ:
The Shield comes in different caliber options.
The .380 ACP is perfect for people with arthritis or those who have difficulty operating a semi-automatic pistol.
The slide on the Shield is one of the easiest to pull back.
And the Shield .380 has less recoil than a comparable 9mm.
The .380 comes with an 8 round magazine that has tabs on both sides. This makes it easier to load.
The Shield .380 sells for about $400.
Ruger LCP 2:
The LCP 2 is a compact, lightweight pistol at only 10.6 oz.
It’s chambered in .380 and has a 5-pound trigger pull that is easy for shooters with weaker fingers.
The LCP 2 is about 5.1 inches long and has a 6+1 round capacity.
The LCP 2 is a newer gun with improvements from the first version.
This includes better sights and a wider grip for easier handling.
The Ruger LCP 2 sells for $350 new.
Ruger SP101:
The SP101 is a revolver.
It has a 4.2-inch barrel made of stainless steel with rubber grips.
The SP101 comes in many different caliber options but I would start with the .22.
The trigger pull is very smooth and the revolver has light recoil.
The revolver has a front sight optic and an adjustable rear sight.
The SP101 sells for $750 new.
Smith & Wesson Bodyguard .380:
The Bodyguard is a polymer-framed pistol that is about 5 inches long and weighs 12 oz.
It has a 6+1 round capacity and drift adjustable sights.
The pistol has an external take-down lever and slide stop. It also has manual thumb safety.
The front and rear sights are snag resistant.
The Bodyguard can be purchased with a built-in ambidextrous Crimson Trace laser.
The laser is operated by the index finger on either hand.
The laser can be a big advantage for shooters that have difficulty holding the firearm.
The Bodyguard sells for about $380 new.
The bottom line is that you should always have a plan to defend yourself.
Just because we are all aging and losing physical strength doesn’t mean you can’t be a good shooter.
And don’t let some salesmen tell you that the best gun is a big caliber .45 pistol.
A .22, .380, or 9mm can still pack a punch strong enough to save your life.
