Ranked: The 5 Best Guns For Senior Citizens

19FortyFive ^ | 3/3/2021 | Richard Douglas

[Onthebrink]

In most cases, you’ll want to focus on either a shotgun or a pistol. Shotguns, especially pump-action shotguns, are generally easy to use, point well, and mostly handle by feel. However, shotguns can be heavier and come with a good amount of recoil. If this is a problem, you might want to go with a handgun instead. No matter what type of firearm you choose, from a revolver to a rifle, you should remember to prioritize two things: recoil and reliability.

A gun with lighter recoil is often better for older shooters. Although it may seem counterintuitive, a heavier, larger gun can help with this, because there’s more surface area to dissipate the energy. Reliability is also key, especially in-home or self-defense situations. You definitely don’t want your gun to jam at the worst possible moment. Keeping these things in mind, here are some of my recommendations for the best guns for older shooters.

[MHGinTN]

Because of where the Berettas have the safety (on the slide) I prefer the Taurus 92 with rail underneath. Bedside companion with green laser and flash on the rail.

[COBOL2Java]

I’ll stick with my SS Beretta Model 96 with an aftermarket 15 round mag. and hollow points. (No. the SS doesn’t stand for Schultz Staffel.)

Heh! I love my 21A Bobcat. Fun little .22 to shoot. I just completed a course on its disassembly / reassembly; complex little dude!

[vetvetdoug]

Now that I am a Senior Citizen, I'm going to keep dancing with the one that brung me...M1911 .45....It's been a reliable friend for over fifty years. I can break it down blindfolded and put it back together.

[Big Red Badger]

The new 21A’s
Look mighty
Sweet!
.
Thanks for posting
The Photo!

[sarge83]

I would suggest .410 buckshot instead of bird shot in a Judge.

I had a friend who couldn’t physically pull the slide on an automatic pistol and I suggested a nice .357 four inch barrel with P+ .38spl hollow points and she found she could cock the trigger and fire single action with the revolver.

For an automatic I suggested a Taurus Pop up barrel pistol which at that time came in .25ACP and .22LR. She didn’t have to rack the slide, just insert the magazine, release the barrel and pop it open, drop in a round, close the barrel and she’s ready to fire. The calibers are pretty weak but they beat nothing. She went for the .357 loaded with .38spls.

[nobamanomore]

I’m 64, I can shoot anything, heading for cape Buffalo with the. 416 Rigby next year. I normally shoot about 20000 rounds a year, this time I’m sitting on my inventory.

[MHGinTN]

There are new excellent rounds for the 32 acp pistols. Currently there are Beretta 32s coming to the US from Italian police surplus, with 12 round magazines in double/single. They are concealable and reliable.

I also alternate carry with a Taurus 22 magnum revolver in 2 inch barrel, eight round wheel gun. With stripper reloads they can be reloaded quickly. There are also a couple of other 32 acp pistols which make nice carry pieces with the new cavitation rounds: CZ and Kel-tec 32.

The advantage of a semi auto is the reload time using magazines as opposed to strips to reload. I only have a couple hundred rounds through my little Kel-tec but it is reliable. And the CZ 32 is 100% after around 250 rounds through it. With the new extreme cavitation 32 acp rounds I do not feel under gunned for concealed carry.

The recoil with the 22 magnums, and the 32 ACP pieces is near nothing though the sound is first rate.

[Georgia Girl 2]

We have a Mossberg 500 tactical and it kicks like mule which is why I held on to my Beretta 391 which is a real soft shooter. Ak74 I use has little recoil as does my Ruger SR 22. Its not the gun its how well you can use it.

[MHGinTN]

Dittoes on the AK74 ... and real shredder round that.

[Georgia Girl 2]

Yes a nasty little round. 😏

[JimRed]

...30 rounds of ammo...

Illegal in eleven states.

[Big Red Badger]

I keep an eye out
for the Beretta when
I get to a Free State.
Thanks!

[Vigilant1]

I would put revolvers on the list. Many elderly people lack the hand strength to rack the slide on an auto pistol. A revolver doesn't require much hand strength to load. They are also simpler to operate.

For first time senior gun buyers I recommend the Rock Island M200. It has a 4" barrel that makes it easier to shoot than a snubnose. It's chambered in .38 special, a good defense caliber with moderate recoil. And the M200 is spartan, but reliable and very affordable. MSRP is $275 but they generally retail around $220 at gunshops.

Rock Island M200

[Songcraft]

Ping!

[MHGinTN]

There are ten round mags for the Berettas.

[Still Thinking]

He would have said mass but he’s not Catholic.

[Myrddin]

The 9mm EZ is a great carry choice. The M17 is flawless with a larger magazine, easy field strip and optics ready.

[Squantos]

Serbu 12 gauge with a Paradigm Gator choke using # 5 turkey loads ....... Pattern covers the living room wall from your recliner . Nice conversation starter, ........:o)

[glimmerman70]

Just to be safe I should probly get both..

[Mr. Jeeves]

For “senior” home defense, which I guess is the thrust of the article, a full-sized 9 mm pistol with jacketed hollow-point defense ammo is probably the best option. I prefer a Walther PPQ (5” competition barrel) or a Glock 34 - minimal recoil and it always goes bang when you need it to. Small people can shoot big guns better than big people can shoot small guns.

Long guns seem suboptimal for home defense unless you have had training to use them in close quarters without being disarmed. But hiding on the roof with an AR-15 is OK, if your house has the right architecture. :)

Tiny concealed carry pistols have their place, but wouldn’t be what I would reach for first when at home.