Firearms and the elderly!

Discussion in 'Firearms' started by Ura-Ki, Dec 15, 2018.


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  1. Ura-Ki

    Ura-Ki Grampa Monkey

    So, this is an issue I have become quite familiar with, my Father!
    In his prime, there was nothing he couldn't shoot and shoot well, and being Navy, he has certain preferences in small arms. That being said, the years have caught up to him, and while he refuses to get old, the body is protesting. What to do? How to remain ever vigilant and ready for any thing that may come!
    This has been our quest.
    How to replace a 1911 in a fuddy five, and a Garand, cause .30/06 settles all arguements 168 grains at a time.
    Originally we thought a .30/30 lever would be the cats meow, but the recoil is a bit too stiff for those old salt cured bones. The AR is a non starter, cause it's one of them fancy fangled space age plastic fantastic poodle shooters that's good fer nuffin but poking holes in bad guys and pissing them off. Turns out a Ruger 77/44 carbine fit the bill nicely, it's light enough and has more then enough power to reach beyond what those salt rimmed aged eyes can see.
    For a fighting iron, this has been especially difficult, the aforementioned 1911 is a long time trusted companion and sure friend in a difficult situation, I tried to get it to run with a lighter recoil spring, but that required a switch to less then required ammo, so that was a no go. We picked out a Smith and Wesson M&P .40 2.0 and ran that for about a year, today we went out and found the Smith to be difficult to operate, especially with cold, arthritic stove up old hands that don't get used much for any thing besides stuffing moms cookin down the hatch! After our shoot, we stopped in the local gun shop for a look see, and low and behold, a darn Glock 43 worked a trick and ended up following us home!

    So, what do you aged Monkeys do when youth and strength turn to wisdom and cunning? Curious to hear what others have tried, and more important, what works for you and why you chose it!


    Happy Holidays!
     
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  2. Grandpa Patch

    Grandpa Patch Monkey+

    Well written post by the way! I am not that old, but age is becoming factor and issue for anything and everything. Including firearms. I love my Springfield 1911 Lightweight Operator and 12ga Remington 887, but in all honesty I can tell the difference in how I feel at the end of the day compared to years ago. I have thought of what next. My Springfield XD sub-compact has become my EDC firearm. Not only due to weight, ammo capacity, ease of concealment compared to the 1911, but also recoil and follow on target acquisition. Yes, I still carry the 1911 occasionally, but that is mostly when I go to the gun shop as the owner is a 1911 fanatic. I'm not a fan of Glocks, never have been. The Springfield XD is pretty much the same thing as a Glock in form, function and construction, but it isn't a Glock. I have no technical or factual data for not preferring Glocks. I just am tired of seeing them everytime I turn around and usually mishandled or carried by one of the many local idiots. Sorry, I digress. The 9mm is a nice trade off for me. It doesn't have the 'oomph' of the 1911, but with the advances in personal defense ammunition and the carry capacity of ammunition per magazine, I am more than comfortable with the 9mm.

    [​IMG]
     
  3. Dont

    Dont Just another old gray Jarhead Monkey

    Father has announced that he wants his shotgun and will be shooting trap come spring.. Being an old salt himself, he will not entertain any disagreement! He did give up his 1911 for the Glock 17 and swiftly grabbed my AR 15 I had just put togeather and said he would like an AR 10..

    Yes, I listen to the grumbling about failed hearing and hands that are no longer nimble. The occasional outburst about someone moving a needed tool or parts.. With that all aside, he is Pop and he will get his AR 10 and he is loved!
     
  4. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    AlaskaChick’ s father is to the point that his children have removed his firearms from his possession... He blew a Finger off, a couple of years ago, trying to open the Cyl, on his Dan Wesson Stainless .357 Mag... However GrandMa still has her FireArm (nice sweet little .380ACP) so they have personal protection should a Home Invader think to mess with these two 90 Year Olds...
    It is tough to make that judgement, but sometimes, we just have to do what needs to b e done... Just like Driving Priviledges... The Sheriff took GrandPa’s License last year, after two minor incidents... It. was time...
     
  5. TXKajun

    TXKajun Monkey+++

    KISS. A Rossi .357mag/.38 spcl carbine and matching revolver, S&W 486 with 4-6" barrel. Sweet shooting, will bring down darn near anything, moderate/lite recoil, especiall with the .38 spcl loads.

    Kajun
     
  6. SB21

    SB21 Monkey+++

    Set up a camera system to see all around the house and space out claymores . Never have to leave the lazyboy . :D
     
  7. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    That sounds like a prescription for Disaster... Knowing how Claymore’s would tend to take out Bearing Walls that are in front of them when they are triggered, If one blew just a few, likely the Roof would collapse on you in your Barka-lounger....
     
  8. SB21

    SB21 Monkey+++

    That's the reason for the cameras outside , with the claymores outside. Watch the camera to see which one to start clicking .. All nice and comfy in the recliner.
     
  9. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    Can still handle a 1911 or GP100 with full house loads, but the long arms need to wait on rotator cuff repair (third time, first was 40 years ago) and even then the MNs and garand may not again come out to play. Fingers crossed that I can play with the Citori again.
     
    Last edited: Dec 16, 2018
  10. Ura-Ki

    Ura-Ki Grampa Monkey

    I like Maw-Duce in a coupla on the roof, good coverage and range, gotta be pretty brave to try it with the Big Fiddy!
     
  11. hot diggity

    hot diggity Monkey+++ Site Supporter+++

    I've got another good 50 years ahead of me if I don't do anything stupid, but decades of abuse have forced me to compromise some of my firearm preferences. I simply won't shoot factory magnum loads in pistols or rifles and in semi-auto's like the Ruger .44 Magnum Carbine I've found powder/bullet combinations that will cycle the action without punishing recoil.

    For legal reasons I don't shoot handloads in my carry piece, but the size, weight, and total round count of my carry firearms have decreased over the years. It was a transition from military duty sidearm to practical CCW sidearms that I can carry comfortably all summer. I still carry Lockjaw, my terribly rust pitted 1911 on the job, but the smaller sidearms are capable, and eyeball accurate.

    Military bolt action rifle cartridges in everything but 6.5 Jap seem to perform very well with my reduced loads and cast bullets. They'll still put a hole through anything that needs penetrating. Semi-auto military .30 caliber stuff is gentle enough to handle.

    My shooting buddies are in their mid 70's and are still bullseye shooting every weekend. I think we all shot our last full power .357 Magnum load last summer. It was a scandium frame S&W 340PD. We each shot it once, then the owner traded it in, with only three rounds fired through it. It was absolutely unbearable for each of us old Marines and a Navy Doc.

    I've gravitated toward lower recoil semi-auto shotguns for years, and now prefer a Remington 11 with a Cutts Compensator, since it almost entirely eliminates recoil in the long action Model 11. I've been meaning to work up some round ball shotgun loads and see if I can stabilize a ball in a rifled tube at lower recoil than my big Lyman slugs produce.

    Torn up shoulder and arthritic knee make military shooting positions other than offhand a challenge, but I'm not going to shoot less because it hurts. I actually spend more time at the range now, since I spend more time stretching and getting comfortable.

    Where there's a will there's a way.
     
    Last edited: Dec 15, 2018
  12. Ura-Ki

    Ura-Ki Grampa Monkey

    I'm pushing the far side of the 40's and haven't had any issues with recoil or hard kickers, but I can see a time when things will change, I figure it's a good time to start thinkin 'bout the future, especially with what ever restrictions may come! My Project 1903 Springer should continue to be my go to every thing long arm, with the aggressive muzzle break, recoil is about the same as a 5.56 A2-AR! As long as my Beloved FN/FAL doesn't get any heavier, I should be good for the next 50 years or so! LOL
    Now, the 1911's that's a different deal, they are gonna have to pry the STI outta my grip after I expire, at least that's the plan!
     
  13. 3M-TA3

    3M-TA3 Cold Wet Monkey

    The firearms I will use as I age are the same ones I use now less the 12 gauge shotty in time. The reason is that I already picked my defensive battery to be usable by the average female as well as youth and the elderly:
    • Carry pistol: M&P Shield 9. Easy to charge, lightweight, small, and low recoil makes it easy to control.
    • Defensive Rifle: AR-15. Easy to charge, accurate, reasonably lightweight, ergonomic, low recoil makes it easy to control.
    • Defensive Rifle: AR308. Easy to charge, accurate, almost as light as an AR-15, compensator makes it easy to control.
    • Hunting Riffle: Tikka 6.5x55 (on the list). Small,lightweight, accurate, easy recoil but adequate for any animal in NA that doesn't want to eat you. Also a pretty decent "sniper" rifle.
    • Plinkers/Varmints: A-Bolt 22 & 10/22. Suitable for any shooter of any age.
     
    Last edited: Dec 15, 2018
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  14. Gator 45/70

    Gator 45/70 Monkey+++

    PSA has a Gen 2 out,Fairly reasonable pricing, I would suggest an adjustable gas block and can the one it comes with.
     
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  15. 3M-TA3

    3M-TA3 Cold Wet Monkey

    Having observed "the cycle of life" with grandparents, parents, and older siblings, with exercise, proper nutrition and staying active you can push things to the mid 70's, but compromise starts in the 50's & 60's. You value to"the herd" changes as well; you go from sheepdog/protector to sage and advisor. It's just as important, maybe more so, just yet one more change in life and contribution.
     
  16. Ura-Ki

    Ura-Ki Grampa Monkey

    We liked the Shield 9, and the M&P .40 2.0 was basically the same thing only more betterer, until Dad could no longer grasp the slide with enough strength ( and smallish slide serrations) so we ended up with the Glock 43, only because Dad could grasp the slide firmly and rack it properly. Sadly, the Shield 9 mm couldn't be charged! Ironically, the Beretta 92 is still the easiest for him to manipulate, just too large to carry comfortably concealed, same with his old service Colt XSE with it's front serrations, and much better sights! Even the Bersa Thunder was too stiff, and the SIG 938 was just as bad, but has better sights! oh well, Glock it is! Actually, the Glock conceals better then I would have thought, time to go see Ryan for one of his killer custom hybrid holsters! LOL Besides, Ryan will get a kick out of Dad and my F.I.L who will also be needing a top shelf holster!

    FYI, ya better get on the ball with getting that Tikka, I hear rumors they will be dropping that flavor in the U.S. pretty soon! That would be a very sad move says me, a Tikka Super Varmint in that flavor has long been on my must have list, and Beretta stopped importing them 3 years ago! I got extremely lucky to get my .30/06 Super before they dried up! Cost me a SAKO Finnlite to get it, but it was so worth it! Start stocking up on 140 gr Swift Scrioccos as soon as you can lay in a stash, the 6.5 is getting awfully popular with the AR crowd and ya don't wanna get caught out! I would also lay in a stash of good Lapua brass, and set it aside. let me know when ya get one and I can send ya my load data!
     
  17. hot diggity

    hot diggity Monkey+++ Site Supporter+++

    @3M-TA3, that's very insightful, and exactly what I've observed at work. There was a time when it stung, realizing that it was taking me longer to recover after PT. I turned it to my advantage as I neared retirement, leading runs up and down from the third deck of the barracks and then down every goat path I could find. They hated to run down the Company street, anticipating the command of "Quick Time...March"... and I'd keep right on going off into the woods again. I could thrash anybody on a rope climb without dropping my pack, and loved it.

    I learned to exploit my strengths and conceal my weaknesses. 20 years later, nobody dares say a word when I clock in at 0759, because they know I'll hit the ground running at 0800. The funny looks at the old RSO on his day off, shooting that antique revolver fade as the ragged hole appears in the center of my target. My value to "the herd" has certainly changed, but what's been interesting to me is the reaction of young bucks who are facing me for the first time. They seem to instantly understand my "My range, my rules." style, and make my job easier as I get older.
     
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  18. Lancer

    Lancer TANSTAFL! Site Supporter+++

    Who/where did your RC surgery? I had mine done a few years ago, supraspinatus was fully detached. (Never lift a zero turn mower out of a muddy ditch alone :) ). Back to like new, although the Physical Terrorist gave me a real rough way to go for a couple of moths after. No issue with any of my weapons, well post retirement age...
    oops dating myself.
     
    Last edited: Dec 16, 2018
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  19. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    I forget who, nor do I remember exactly what was done, but both the original cuts were done in Beverly, MA back in the early 90s. (A lug wrench slipped---) Third cut hasn't been done yet. Also well past retirement.
     
  20. RouteClearance

    RouteClearance Monkey+++

    It has been a few instances where I have witnessed elderly people that either bought the firearm they could not operate and one middle aged woman with both rheumatoid arthritis and carpal tunnel in both hands(she was a typist) that we could not find any type of handgun she could shoot.
     
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