Got a friend in need of a new pistol and I am going to help him get one. He's a former Rohrbaugh owner, but let me have it years ago.
Problem is he can no longer work the slide on his Kahr P40. Not enough strength in his hands anymore (He's 92) Been a semi-auto guy his whole life, we've talked about .38 revolvers but his is not ready yet for one. He's still sharp upstairs and in reasonable health, so no concerns there. (His generation is cut from a different cloth.) Needs something for defense when he goes to town every week or so, and something for that bump in the night.
I am seeing deals for a Smith and Wesson Shield EZ in .30 Super Carry for under $250.
I checked out the EZ line of pistols at a local gun show this weekend and am convinced that they should be easy enough for him to operate.
The cartridge seems to be dying. Not a lot of options on local store shelves, but plenty available online. Pistols still available in the S&W catalog.
I like the increased capacity of the smaller round over the 9mm, and a bit less recoil. It also is real close to 9mm performance.
Not real worried that he would go through enough rounds to ever worry about a shortage. Figuring about four 50 round boxes of practice ammo and two 20 round boxes of self defense ammo might be enough for him. Get an extra magazine and a holster and this might be all he ever needs. A box to be shot off his front porch to train with and get his zero, and the rest for a yearly refresher.
I know this is not a gun I would want for myself, but trying my best not to let my prejudices get in the way of an honest assessment of what he needs.
Asking for the opinion of the gentlemen of this forum who have a few more grey hairs than I have and may be closer to his situation to help me out, as well as the other gun guys that frequent here.
Thanks in advance.
