Pistol choices for someone with numb hands

balttigger · May 3, 2018

A friend of mine that lives in PA is interested in getting a 9mm pistol for home defense (possibly ccw). Unfortunately for her, she has peripheral neuropathy and her hands and feet are constantly numb, so she really can't feel the trigger's tactile response. We are thinking a lighter trigger would be better for her and she likes the look of the HK P30 or P30SK, so I am thinking the LEM trigger would do the job. I also looked at the Sig P320 X-Series triggers and even though they aren't lighter, they break predictably at 90 degrees?

I will be taking her to the York show next month to dry test drive a few models and she might buy one if she likes it.

Any other platforms to consider? Her budget is maxed out at about 800 bucks OTD

Sundazes · May 3, 2018

Wow, thats a tough one. On first thought, I would say something that has something that has a visible hammer so she can see the movement of it.

CrazySanMan · May 3, 2018

If she has trouble feeling the trigger I think a lighter trigger would be more dangerous as there would be a greater chance of accidental discharge.

I would consider a SA/DA revolver in 38 special. It's recoil would be on par with 9mm. If she wanted a lighter trigger pull she could cock the hammer to shoot single action. This way the lighter trigger is "on demand" and not constant so there would be much less of a chance of an accidental discharge.

balttigger · May 3, 2018

She does not like SA/DA. I let her try my Sig P229 and she was not a fan of the SA/DA at all.

iH8DemLibz · May 3, 2018

If she truly can't feel what the trigger is doing, she has no business holding a handgun.

Occam · May 3, 2018

She may not like SA/DA, but she'll like it a lot better than accidentally killing someone. Sorry to hear she has that challenge, but it's better than a legal challenge with her liberty on the line because a sensitive striker fired gun "went off" in her hand.

Have her handle a Springfield XD-E. Not only does it have a pleasant SA/DA trigger, but it's flexible in terms of its safety features ... and because it's hammer operated, the slide is a lot easier to operate with compromised hands. But mostly ... be very, very careful here. You could get swept up in her liability if she mishandles something you helped her pick and showed her how to use, knowing the problem she wrestles with. This is life and death stuff, here. That completely eclipses a preference on her part for sticking with the "simpler" operating system of the SA-only striker guns. Be very careful.

balttigger · May 3, 2018

- hence the necessity to dry fire some to see how it feels to her and if there are issues as mentioned.

Atrox88 · May 3, 2018

Take her to an indoor range that rents handguns and let her try a few.

Exuberon · May 3, 2018

“Looks” should really be the LAST and LEAST significant factor in firearm selection.

Intended use, reliability and comfortable safe operations should be your primary considerations.

Since her tactile feedback is challenged, she really needs some training on proper firearm handling. The lady in question should take some robust firearms training course that includes range work with multiple pistol types (revolver, as well as striker and hammer semi-autos).

Safe operation of a firearm requires a large amount of tactile feedback. That’s going to be a huge challenge to overcome. Eyes concentrating on proper gun operation takes away from focus on target/situation awareness. Frequent practice will be required to create compensated muscle memory.

I recommend a gun that has a safety and a visual chamber indicator. I would also suggest a gun with a safe hammer drop like the Beretta 92 or H&K USPs. Ruger has some 9mm that have outstanding safety features including chamber and cocked conditions (like the SR9).

I’m sure other members, and qualified instructors here will give some useful advice in overcoming her challenges.

holesonpaper · May 3, 2018

sundazes said:
Wow, thats a tough one. On first thought, I would say something that has something that has a visible hammer so she can see the movement of it.

I second this and others advice. Although so might not like a DA/SA, there would be visible queues when pressing the trigger. Without being able to "feel" the trigger - I think you should stay clear from a striker fire pistol or a lighter trigger. Personally I think that's a bad combination. Heavier trigger that she can feel probably wins for safety reasons over what she "likes". Safety comes first. Accidental discharges are no joke.

scout6 · May 3, 2018

Occam said:
....

Have her handle a Springfield XD-E. Not only does it have a pleasant SA/DA trigger, but it's flexible in terms of its safety features ... and because it's hammer operated, the slide is a lot easier to operate with compromised hands.....

Occam beat me to it. XD-E, Or as others have said, small revolver. Striker with a light trigger in this scenario seems to be an accidental discharge waiting to happen.

GOG-MD · May 3, 2018

iH8DemLibz said:
If she truly can't feel what the trigger is doing, she has no business holding a handgun.

I would agree. Trigger control is impossible if you can't feel the trigger.

If she still wants to own a handgun, I would still concur with the others on here who suggest avoiding a light SA trigger. Get something with a heavy enough pull that she's less likely to suffer a negligent discharge and place special emphasis from the start on indexing that trigger finger. Keep it completely out of the trigger guard until she has the target in sight and is ready to fire.

John from MD · May 3, 2018

balttigger said:
A friend of mine that lives in PA is interested in getting a 9mm pistol for home defense (possibly ccw). Unfortunately for her, she has peripheral neuropathy and her hands and feet are constantly numb, so she really can't feel the trigger's tactile response. We are thinking a lighter trigger would be better for her and she likes the look of the HK P30 or P30SK, so I am thinking the LEM trigger would do the job. I also looked at the Sig P320 X-Series triggers and even though they aren't lighter, they break predictably at 90 degrees?

I will be taking her to the York show next month to dry test drive a few models and she might buy one if she likes it.

Any other platforms to consider? Her budget is maxed out at about 800 bucks OTD

I would recommend something like a Kahr which requires the same trigger pull each time and doesn't have a reset like most striker fired pistols. A revolver would be another recommendation.

Mr. Ed · May 3, 2018

I agree with most of the previous posts... avoid a light trigger. And take her to a range that rents different handguns so she can get a feel for some different choices.

Not to be unsupportive here, but objectively the concept of someone who can't feel their fingers using a firearm for self defense seems to be a less than ideal choice, especially for use in a defensive/high stress situation. Have you considered some sort of bear spray or taser as an alternative?

Kudos to you for trying to help, and I wish you good luck in that endeavor.

swinokur · May 3, 2018

I have neuropathy in my hands as well. I have found that not only are my tactiles sensations lessened, but my grip strength is also reduced. I am much more prone to dropping things now. It is something I have to think about and remind myself of when I pick up a firearm. But I practice more than others who might not have the problem.

The decision to possess a firearm should take this into account as well. I can imagine more than one scenario where not having firm control of the firearm might be as bad as not having one at all.

Just food for thought.

John from MD · May 3, 2018

swinokur said:
I have neuropathy in my hands as well. I have found that not only are my tactiles sensations lessened, but my grip strength is also reduced. I am much more prone to dropping things now. It is something I have to think about and remind myself of when I pick up a firearm. But I practice more than others who might not have the problem.

The decision to possess a firearm should take this into account as well. I can imagine more than one scenario where not having firm control of the firearm might be as bad as not having one at all.

Just food for thought.

Just use both hands and don't let the BG get within 21 feet.

BTW, I have the same problem but I have adapted somehow although I don't have that much hand strength these days. :sad20:

swinokur · May 3, 2018

My worry would be shooting off hand or even one handed. That's why I try to practice to keep this from happening. In a SD scenario, you don't have as much control over your shooting stance as when you practice normally.

The situation controls you more than the other way around.

Just my .02

John from MD · May 3, 2018

True.

Blacksmith101 · May 3, 2018

My vote would be try a revolver because it has many more visual clues to what is going on.

sgt23preston · May 3, 2018

iH8DemLibz said:
If she truly can't feel what the trigger is doing, she has no business holding a handgun.

This is the absolute TRUTH...

Pistol choices for someone with numb hands

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