Despite what the anti’s say, more people I know are getting into guns for the first time. I had the pleasure of taking a conceal carry class with my mom a few months ago. She is a new gun owner. We started with the Smith & Wesson 3913 Lady Smith for her. It’s a single stack, SA/DA 9mm.

The upside to the Smith is that the recoil is smooth and not overpowering. The gun is well balanced and not too heavy. Coupled with the adequate stopping power of the 9mm round, it would seem like a good choice.

Here’s where it gets tricky. My mom has Rheumatoid arthritis. She is very functional but lacks strength in her hands and her trigger finger. Double action is very hard for her, and the Smith lacks a spurred hammer so that first shot is extremely difficult for her. Also, the amount of strength required to work the slide is beyond what she is able to manage comfortably.

I’ve thought about a revolver but there are drawbacks. Double action would remain difficult, or she would have to draw back the hammer for each shot which would also be cumbersome. The recoil will be more stout on a revolver, even a .38, unless we get her a heavy one.

I’ve been considering dropping caliber to the .22lr. I’ve shot and enjoyed the Walther P22, and remember the action being easy to manipulate, recoil was extremely mild and the gun itself being a lot of fun to shoot.

So I ask for your opinions. What do you guys (and girls) think? What is the perfect gun for my crippled madre?