[nathangdad]

In a four inch barrel stainless.

[gunney_m]

Quote:       Originally Posted by nathangdad

In a four inch barrel stainless.

+1 on the 44.

[BPierce]

First of all, "slide gets pinned against you with an auto": If the gun is pinned against you, you are in trouble no matter what kind of gun you have. (Perhaps you will have to figure out adapted weapon retention drills.) While it is true that you can stop some autos from firing (like pushing back on the slide of a 1911), it's not all that much of a problem. Not much chance of someone pinning the slide against something in the split second after a shot. Now with a revolver I can lock it up by grabbing the hammer. (Hold it down if dbl. action or get a finger in the way if cocked.) Try it, it's easy to hold the hammer down. With a hammerless revolver you don't have the option of cocking it so I just grab it and hold the cylinder so it can't turn while I take it away from you.

Now for "easy to drop a mag. in the heat of the moment": Even with speed loaders, it's easier to load a magazine (be sure to get a gun that the mag. falls from freely). Remember, you don't have the option of reloading behind cover. I have seen a lot more speed loaders dropped in range drills than magazines.

With your ability to move to cover limited, you need to minimize the chance that you might have to reload. That means a high capacity semi-automatic. Since weight is not much of a problem go for the .45 as a good compromise between power and recovery time. There are a number of options available but the Springfield XD might be a good choice at the low end of the price range.

[CavTrooper]

I'm in the same boat, or chair actually. One thing I think has to be considered is magazine capacity. Unlike our able bodied brethern we can't duck for cover when the lead starts flying to change a mag or reload a revolver.

[bltefft]

You mean like this, this is my armed wheelchair:

The auto you see in the pic is a Sig P6 (9mm). But I can also put my SA Full SIzed 1911 A1, or my G27, or my SP 101, or my XD45 in it.

Hack

(JUst left click once on the thumbnail) - I can slide it farther forward than you see, where it is is comfortable for me.

[godadone]

Never thought about a wheelchair bound person.

A good revolver is never a bad way to go. Esp a 7 or 8 shot .357.

However with a semi-auto that has the ability to remove the magazine and not be fired is something to consider for someone that can't retreat for cover very quickly.

[madcratebuilder]

Quote:       Originally Posted by CavTrooper

I'm in the same boat, or chair actually. One thing I think has to be considered is magazine capacity. Unlike our able bodied brethern we can't duck for cover when the lead starts flying to change a mag or reload a revolver.

I agree with your thinking. Being unable to take cover you would want to be able to lay down suppressing fire. A double stack auto would be the ticket.

[KW Gary M]

Is upper body strength that or an adult male who is not handicaped? If so, .357 Mag, .45 or .44 Mag. Since you are handicaped and don't have the movement others have you will want power. If body strength is not 100% 9MM. Easy to shoot and still quite effective stopping power.

[Palladin8]

The one thing that I didn't see mentioned was going to a range and renting several different types of guns and see what fits you and what you are comfortable shooting. That should be your first step in selecting a gun.

For concealment I would suggest a fanny pack specifically for concealed carry would be the best way to carry in this situation. It would not draw any attention as I see several people in a wheelchair wearing fanny packs. I have a Kimber Ultra CDPII that is a small framed .45acp. They do make them in 40 and 9mm as well. The recoil from the smaller framed 45 is pretty stout but not uncontrolable. If you were to use the fanny pack then the size of the pistol wouldn't be such an issue. A glock 19/23 would be a good option as well. The 19 carries 15 rounds of 9mm while the 23 carries 13 rounds of 40cal. They are a midsized pistol and both are fairly easy to conceal. I carried my Glock 23 in a fanny pack for awhile and it wasn't bad at all.
You mentioned that you are 5' so concealing a pistol on you would be a little more difficult than someone a little taller. If you are wanting to carry on your person then I would suggest a smaller pistol. I don't have experience with the Kel techs or Khar but people speak very highly of them and they seem to sell alot of them at the gun stores that I frequent. Whatever you do decide to buy I would practice with it alot not only shooting it but changing the mags out as quickly as you can until it becomes second nature. That way if you were ever to have to use it you will have the drill down so even in a stressfull situation you can acomplish it.

[bltefft]

Quote:       Originally Posted by bltefft

You mean like this, this is my armed wheelchair: The auto you see in the pic is a Sig P6 (9mm). But I can also put my SA Full SIzed 1911 A1, or my G27, or my SP 101, or my XD45 in it. Hack (JUst left click once on the thumbnail) - I can slide it farther forward than you see, where it is is comfortable for me.

ny_vin2006

I only use my armed wheelchair around the house or out in the garage while I'm reloading.

The suggestion for a fanny pack, is one you could use. Obviously, one can see my gun in the holster on the side panel of my wheelchair.

But, a fanny pack would offer great concealment.

I am a right leg, above the knee, amputee. I do have a prosthetic leg so, I can get up and move around. When I am up and about, I usually drop my little Ruger LCP (.380 Auto) in my front pants pocket.

I also have an in-the wast kind of holster that totes my larger autos, if wanted to have one with me.

But around the house, you can't beat my armed wheelchair.

Hack
(folks call me that because I ride a Harley Davidson Road King motorcycle that has a sidecar attached to it. Sidecars are AKA hacks.

[CavTrooper]

Quote:       Originally Posted by bltefft

You mean like this, this is my armed wheelchair: The auto you see in the pic is a Sig P6 (9mm). But I can also put my SA Full SIzed 1911 A1, or my G27, or my SP 101, or my XD45 in it. Hack (JUst left click once on the thumbnail) - I can slide it farther forward than you see, where it is is comfortable for me.

Not bad. Not very concealed though. I do have a question for you though. WHat happens if you get knocked out of the chair? Are you afraid you'd lose the gun? I've been carrying a 1991A1 striong side in a Galco FLETCH holster. I find that to draw my weapon I have to lean forward and to the left. Not something I want to do.

[CavTrooper]

blteft,
I just saw your last post. I'm just the opposite. I use forearm crutches around the house and have to use the chair for anything out the front door.

[CavTrooper]

Upper body strength isn't a problem for me so I can fire major calibers. I carry either a 1911A1 (mostly) or a Taurus PT945.
The problem I see with revolvers is capacity and comfort. A auto and magazines are more comfortable to carry in a chair than a revolver with speed loaders.
Renting several different guns is an excellent idea.

[TXplt]

Quote:       Originally Posted by 2b41

I would consider carrying the weapon on the whellchair itself. Somewhere on your strong side in a mounted holster. It would be easy enough to fab up some kind of concealment for it, and it allows you to carry a good sized weapon. One suggestion of a weapon is the new Sig P250. I haven't shot it yet, but it seems like its going to be a great gun. It is very versatile, being based on a steel action/frame, with interchangable slides and grips. You can get a grip that fits your hand in whatever caliber you want.

+1 for the frame idea, and Sig products in general.

It's tough to go wrong with a good .38/.357. Snubbies are tough to shoot well, though (due to their short sight radius). In general, I'm a wheelgun fan.

If you're mounting or concealing it on the frame, maybe consider a Taurus Judge (3" Barrel; either 2.5" or 3" chamber). It could be loaded with alternating buckshot and .45 colt rounds (maybe even get 2 for firepower). It's a formidable self-defense weapon.

[Constantine1911]

Definately a wheelgun, something 38 special or larger.

[bltefft]

Quote:       Originally Posted by CavTrooper

Not bad. Not very concealed though. I do have a question for you though. WHat happens if you get knocked out of the chair? Are you afraid you'd lose the gun? I've been carrying a 1991A1 striong side in a Galco FLETCH holster. I find that to draw my weapon I have to lean forward and to the left. Not something I want to do.

I reckon if someone gets the drop on me and knocks me out of my wheelchair I'd be up the creek.

The gun on the wheelchair is kinda like a gun beside a computer, beside a Lazy-boy, on the night stand beside the bed, etc. In this scenario I'm in the house and prepared in case I hear the racket of someone breaking in for a home invasion.

One time (bout 2 years ago) a guy come to the side door (where my wheelchair ramp is) and ring the doorbell. Through the closed, locked door, I asked what he wanted. He wanted a few dollars to get some gas for his car so he could make it back somewhere for a funeral or something. I said, sorry, I couldn't help him. I was surprised to see the door knob move, the SOB is trying my door to see if it was locked. I told him that I was calling the cops. I did not tell him that I had my fully loaded XD45 in hand (maybe I should have, not sure), I didn't like leaving the door to call the cops, but I did call the cops. My fear was that while I was calling, he'd bust in (I had go from the laundry room to the kitchen to get the phone). And while I called the cops I oriented myself so that I faced the entrance to the laundry room. If he came through that door into the kitchen, I'd already decided I was probably going to have the shoot him. I've always heard that if you shoot, to shoot to kill, so that there's only one side to the story.

To make a long story short, he must have left. I never saw a car. The cops did come and I told them what happened. They drove around the neighborhood, but didn't find the guy. They said they'd be on the lookout. I asked what to do if he had broken in, the cop said that I'd have the right to protect myself with any means possible - if, I was in fear of my life. I understood what he was saying to mean that if I got the drop on the intruder, and he was no longer a threat to my life, I couldn't just shoot him.

So, what would you do if the chips were down, but you got the drop in the intruder. I think for some folks, the moment the guy got in the house - he was a dead man, regardless. I'm not sure I could be that cold blooded. I'd more than likely hold him for the cops - but, what if he holds a grudge and returns - maybe I should have just ended it for him.

I'm sure glad the door was locked.

Hack

[Scubaguy007]

I have carried everything from a 3" Model 60 S&W 357, to a Kel Tec 32, and I have to put it to you this way, WHATEVER YOU CAN GET TO QUICKEST! I was hurt at 18, and I learned real quick that I no longer had the option of fight or flight, I only had fight, and regardless of strength, stamina or anything else someone worthless turd could just push me over and I would be screwed. So I learn I could not rely on hiding a gun in my chair, if I was seperated from the chair I was as helpless as being unarmed. So I have carried on an ankle holster, and or coat inside pocket. I carry a Glock 26 or a Glock 27 depending on my mood. : ) I usually have a +2 mag extension on the gun I am carrying unless I need to keep it on the Ultra down-low. I like the Kel Tec PF9 as well, it is very thin and I sometimes even forget I have it. In my state you can carry in a holster pretty much anywhere, and I have a special rig for my chair to carry it and allow it allows me to keep it on me if I am seperated from the chair. I don't have a patent pending yet. So I can't show it off just yet.
I can show you these however.

[tenacity]

I am also in a wheelchair, in my mid 20's, and have very week muscle strength. I am looking to begin living on my own and need something for self defense. I rather not carry a gun, but if I do I have a couple questions since I know very little about guns. I found three guns I believe I could hold the Kel-Tec P32, the Ruger LCP, and the Kahr Arms P380. My coworker gave me some advice. He suggested a revolver since he think I can use the slide. I looked and cannot find one light enough. I also recently read about something called a Tip Up Barrel. Not sure what this is, but sounds like you don't need strength to move a slide. I also read about something new called the Palm Pistol, http://www.palmpistol.com. Anyone have any thoughts about this or suggestions about other self defense options?

[9mmXDm]

Quote:       Originally Posted by tenacity

I am also in a wheelchair, in my mid 20's, and have very week muscle strength. I am looking to begin living on my own and need something for self defense. I rather not carry a gun, but if I do I have a couple questions since I know very little about guns. I found three guns I believe I could hold the Kel-Tec P32, the Ruger LCP, and the Kahr Arms P380. My coworker gave me some advice. He suggested a revolver since he think I can use the slide. I looked and cannot find one light enough. I also recently read about something called a Tip Up Barrel. Not sure what this is, but sounds like you don't need strength to move a slide. I also read about something new called the Palm Pistol, http://www.palmpistol.com. Anyone have any thoughts about this or suggestions about other self defense options?

The Palmpistol IMO is a bad idea for a self defense firearm. It only holds one round. So you have multiple attackers what are you going to do? I doubt you could reload it quickly enough to fend off the others. Unless you very very very weak and cannot hold a regular pistol let alone fire one then this is something that would be used for last ditch effort.

From what I am seeing a tip up barrel is one that is attached to the front of the frame by a rigid pin. The rear is on a lever system. When your out the barrel pops up. Like here in the picture below.

"Beretta model 86, 9mm Short, tip-up barrel is opened"

[TheLastMountain]

Why stop with one? Have a 1911 secured to the chair, and a wheel gun on you. Just my 2 cents.