A handgun for bad wrists.

mmattockx said:
Any steel framed 1911 in 9mm will be very soft shooting. Mild reloads and a softer recoil spring will get you down to popgun levels of recoil.
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Yep, this is a great suggestion. My Nork 9mm 1911 recoils mildly even with full 9mm loads. As mentioned above, reduced power reloads with matching recoil spring hardly produce any felt recoil at all.

I also agree with the revolver suggestion...medium-large frame 357 revolver and shoot with mild target loads ie., 125 grain projectiles over 3 grains 231 or 2.8 grains Clays.
 
Tradex had a number of Model 14 Smith and Wesson .38's at present. One of the finest shooting .38's ever built and a pretty good price.

Scott
 
Wow lots of feedback!

I have tried polymer-framed pistols and even in 9mm the snappyness is highly discomforting. Thus far I am leaning towards some kind of steel framed 9mm and would like to try out a revolver in .357/38spl to narrow things down.

Again, thank you all for the help!
 
There are many factors behind perceived recoil.
Pay a lot of attention to bore axis - the lower the better.
Look at HKP7 or Steyr M9 pistols and see how those are working for You.
Low recoil calibers - 9mm in auto and 38 Special in revolver.
 
well, if you can get to waterloo i can put you behind a couple of different 357/38 revolvers with light target loads and i think you'll be happy.

don't bother with the 380, since 99% are blow back operation and small, and end up flipping and twisting more then you'd expect due to the small size and light weight. If it wasn't for the bull#### 12-6 rules any of the 32 cal handguns would be ideal.

If you reload, 38 S&W is a baby to shoot, but you need to reload or it gets pricey, it's not common any more.
 
jada said:
Wow lots of feedback!

I have tried polymer-framed pistols and even in 9mm the snappyness is highly discomforting. Thus far I am leaning towards some kind of steel framed 9mm and would like to try out a revolver in .357/38spl to narrow things down.

Again, thank you all for the help!
Click to expand...

HK USP has very light recoil... double recoil springs. Check the vid of the guy shooting his I posted a little while ago. Everyone thinks the light pistols recoil more, but there are many factors. I would go for 9mm for sure due to the availability and lower cost of ammo. If you were in Windsor I would have 4 pistols for you to try...
 
I have severe tendon and nerve damage in my shooting hand/wrist...i shoot an STI GP6 9mm and the thing is dream! Grip angle/size is comfortable and the slide is easy for racking. Recoil is very well managed
 
I just picked up one of these in a trade....haven't had it out yet but it's an interesting design and feels good in the hand!
.357mag/.38sp with a very low bore axis due to the fact that it fires from the bottom 6 o clock position instead of the top 12 o clock.
chiappa-rhino-50ds-357mag-5-blk.jpg
 
I have arthritis in my hands and wrists.

What I have found is that the way a pistol fits the hand is much more important than caliber, load, or weight of the gun.

You gotta find something that fits your hands.
 
Look no further

Ruger GP100, with 6in barrel.

Load up 38spl and you will have mildest recoiling handgun, short of shooting 22LR.
 
Another vote for .38 S&W. I load mine with 2.2gr W231 and use 160gr RN; recoil is quite tame.
 
I still don't think someone with bad wrists is going to hold a 4+ pound revolver (which ergonomics are not at good as a semi in my opinion) and the recoil when it jerks in his hands... yes even 38sp does have recoil. Even in my monster 6" 686 it did...

A 2.5 lb 1911 or a 1.7 lb HK USP shooting mild 9mm loads (inexpensive ammo) will be the front runners I am sure. Getting into more expensive ammo would be a .380acp pistol... OP needs something to fit his hands properly and which doesn't exhibit much recoil. I think one of these 3 choices is best. Now for him to try it out.
 
Maybe a tape job is in order too.....if your wrists are so bad you can't support 5lbs you probably shouldn't be shooting handguns.
 
I know a guy at my range who has a disability, not sure which one but uses crutches. He still stands at the bay with his crutches extended, holding him up at the shoulders I think. He then shoots.

Whether he has carpal tunnel or whatever, there may be a point where he shouldn't be shooting at all. That's for him to decide.
 
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