Handicapped shooter assistance

[graycrait]

Saw a young man, Sam, today with his dad, Mack.  The young guy has some serious muscle issues and is wheel chair bound.  He could not pull the hammer back on an LCRX or pull the trigger, but it was close.  Smart young guy and thoughtful dad.  They were from the Knoxville area and I am from Clarksville, but I told them I suspect I can find some folks in the Knoxville area who could help in finding some kind of light, low recoil handgun that Sam could work, even with modifications to his wheel chair or the gun itself. Sam's control "knob" for his wheel chair is a wood six gun grip, which I thought was cool.  I've been able to help some handicapped shooters in the past and it really makes you think.  I sent a pm to Gordon, Dolomite Supafly, but I'll forward any helpful info to Sam and Mack.  You almost have to see the set-up and meet Sam to come up with viable suggestions.

 

Thanks,

 

Craig Harrington

Clarksville, TN  

[TNWNGR]

Yep. Very doable. A fixed rest or monopod attachment to the chairs arm and he's in business. I'm thinking a Ruger Charger and a 45/22 are probably going to work best for him but he should be easily able to shoot a Bearcat for his revolver experience.

[Jonnin]

what can he do? 

You can make a robot to pull the trigger based off his eye movements or something.   You can even put the gun itself on a pan/tilt/zoom mount with a trigger puller if he can control such a thing. 

 

If it was just inability to work a strong spring on a trigger, there are guns with triggers so light you can look at em and set it off.  That is no challenge to create, though it can be pricy...  but there are some guns you can put a hair trigger on relatively  easy and cheap, like a ruger mark pistol or a 10-22.   Trouble with a hair trigger is he might lack coordination to use it.  Depends on what exactly his disease is.

 

And as for a hammer, an auto or something that does not have a hammer might work better for him?  

 

All around it screams 10-22 or mark 3 customized?   And if he can't manage those, the robotics become the solution, sadly.  That would be last resort, though.  

 

Have you or can you get pics of the setup and explain more details on what you think might be doable?

Edited June 30, 2015 by Jonnin

[graycrait]

Jonin,

 

I like your MKIII suggestion but it would have to be a 22/45 Lite for him to work.  Maybe if it had a recess to sit in where his cupholder sits with one of those bolt pull back extensions with a 1.75lb trigger.

 

Sam's hands don't work like ours.  I should have taken some pics.

 

Thanks for the suggestions though.  Brainstorming should turn up some good ideas for Sam.

 

Craig  

[peejman]

Sounds like he's in good hands.  Holler if you need some help.

[Dolomite_supafly]

Turns out my friend, who is my doctor, knows Sam and Mack. So between us we will do all we can to get him shooting.

[graycrait]

Looks like Sam and Mack are in good hands. 

[Erik88]

Way to go guys. I was going to suggest something in single action like a p238 or p238. Or the 1911 of course. I'm sure you guys will figure it out though.