Reeder Custom Guns - Had a great safety class last Sunday

One of my side enterprises involves conducting handgun safety classes at my rod and gun club. If you want a Massachusetts LTC( License to Carry) you have to take a class with a certified instructor. So I do a few classes through the year. I really enjoy it but I need some advice.

I have seen a trend where more women are getting their LTC's and many have trouble with autoloaders.

I don't want to start a war online but I see many of them who do not have the arm,hand and upper body strength to rack the slide on most centerfire autoloaders.

The SW Shield is a real bear for most. So is a full size 1911.

So when someone asks me what should I get I tell them you need to handle some firearms at a decent gun shop and see which one fits your hand the best and that you can operate it without a problem.

Many like the Ruger SP 101 as it is easy to operate. I kind of advocate a good 5 or 6 shot revolver for many.

What I would like is some advice regarding easy to operate autoloaders.

What autoloader would you recommend for someone who may have limited muscle strength? I know some will say there are techniques to use but I have tried them all.

Thank you.

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John,
Fellow Instructor here. There are several semi autos on the market including S&W “Shield EZ” and the Walther CCP designed with easy to rack slides. There might be others on the market. Also, but sub caliber, the Beretta tip up barrel small semi autos.
I also recommend a revolver as first gun generally the S&W 442/642 or the Ruger LCR in .38 or .22. (I know I know ..... a .22 but ...) No need for malfunction drills (just pull the trigger again) and much safer for a novice to check loaded status / less chance of a negligent discharge. Non snag for purse carry (which I try and discourage) and less chance of a glock type trigger ND if carried there. The added benefit is you teach them how to handle a revolver which is a dying art it seems. Your average new cop doesn’t know how to open the cylinder on one. Downside is mastering trigger pull on revolver. I’ve seen a wide variety of handling skills in 36 years as a Police Firearms Instructor. Books have been written about this so enough .... Just my opinion here “your mileage may vary”.

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I forgot another thing. Try and have them hold the slide stationary and PUSH the frame instead of pulling the slide. Seem to have more strength going into it that way.

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A PROPERLY LOADED J-FRAME BUT THERE ARE SEMI-AUTOS DESIGNED FOR THIS SITUATION. THE S&W EZ 9MM AND .380 AND THE RUGER LCP II LIGHT SLIDE .22.

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Its so easy and you don't have to think. Point. Squeeze. Repeat.

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in either 380 or 9mm. I would stay away from the 442 or any of the other hidden hammer guns as the trigger pull is horrendous and even with an action job it is terrible and most ladies, especially the elderly, have a hard time with the trigger pull.
Another problem you are going to have is the scarce selection of guns these days. Most gun shops have maybe 1/5th of the guns they normally have. We usually have 35 to 40 handguns but right now I think we have 7 or 8 and no way to order anything else. The only guns coming in are back orders. And that is pretty much how it is all over the country. So telling a lady to just pick any of the guns mentioned on here is not doing them any good as the chance of the gun shop having that model in stock is almost non existent. So the best you can do is make a list of guns and let them go to the various gun shops and see if any have those guns.

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She has weak wrists and can't work the slide on anything larger. When I saw the EZ the LGS and tried it out it was obvious to me it was the gun for her. She loves it....

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I hate to admit that some of us old guys have this very same problem especially with some of the smaller pistols in large calibers due to the heavy recoil spring.

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Had a great safety class last Sunday

Safety Class

Safety Class

I tried that. Didn’t work.

MY FIRST CHOICE FOR THEM WOULD BE

J FRAME for women

I have to go with John Taffin's pick with the S&W EZ

I gave a S&W EZ to my girl friend..

Slide retraction