[misc.handicap] Handguns for the Handicapped

hes@ccvr1.cc.ncsu.edu (Henry E. Schaffer) (03/20/91)

Index Number: 14063

  I've posted a series of book reviews of books on pistolsmithing
in rec.guns, and I also posted this item which came from one of the
books.  I thought it was an upbeat presentation of a topic which is
seldom covered.  One of my net.friends suggested that this groups
might be interested.  (The book reviews are available from me, or
for a ftp site covered in a recent posting in rec.guns.)

 From: Pistolsmithing by Nonte
 Chapter 30, Handguns for the Handicapped

  This is a short, 4 page, chapter with a very positive outlook.  To
give you an example, I've extracted the section on semi-auto pistol
modification for a one-handed shooter.
-------------

  People generally feel handguns take two hands for operation, even if
firing is done with one hand.  Thus, loss of a hand or arm can interfere 
seriously.  Years ago, I ran across a Colt .45 Auto modified for use by
a one-armed shooter.  A broad steel lug had been silver-soldered to the
left side of the slide, and its front face serrated.  Grasping the gun
in his only hand, the owner could retract the slide by placing the lug
against any handy surface, and shoving the gun forward -- he could even
jam the lug against his leg or boot heel and get the job done.  The
served for jacking a round into the chamber, for locking the slide open
on an empty magazine, clearing a misfire, or any of the other purposes
for which a slide is retracted.  Loading required no gun alterations.
With the slide locked back, he merely shoved the gun into the front of
his waistband, then extracted a loaded magazine from his hip pocket,
shoved it into the butt, withdrew the gun, then depressed the slide stop
to chamber the first round-- all with his one good hand.

  This could be done with any auto, thus adapting it to one-handed
operation.  Additionally, funneling the magazine well might simplify
loading, and extending the slide stop rearward would simplify dropping
the slide.  As for loading magazines, almost anyone can learn to thumb
cartridges into place with one hand when the magazine butt is rested
on a solid surface.

  In regard to removing an empty magazine, the one-hander will have no
trouble with the Colt-style button release behind the trigger.  Butt
catches are an impossibility, though, unless the gun is jammed in the
waistband, then it's no problem to work the catch one-handed.  Another
solution to butt-catch operation would be an extension welded on and
shaped so it could be operated by pressure against one's leg, hip, or
another object.
---------------------

--henry schaffer  n c state univ