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GunNut
Posts: 4,617 Senior Member
Interesting results based on actual new shooter training experience...
GunNut
Posts: 4,617 Senior Member
I have to preface this by saying I go out of my way to ONLY educate and not push preconceived notions (not backed by science or experience) on new shooters. I don't like when folks tell me what to do/think so I try to not do it myself.
I have been spending a lot of time training new shooters for SD and even though I train the basics with a .22 pistol I then move them along through a bunch of different platforms so at least they can make informed decisions when they go to the range I usually send them to that has a great selection of rental gun.
In the "normal" lineup I have a Ruger Mark I, a .380 SA Pistol. A .38 snub nose revolver, a Glock 43 and a compact 1911. I think that is a decent cross section of handguns and recoil levels for them to make at least a first bring assessment as to what they like.
1- So here are two interesting facts. NOT ONE shooter has picked a snub nosed DA gun as their preferred SD platform and NOT ONE shooter has found it easy to operate or become proficient with the same gun. Actually most of them outright HATE them.
2- ALMOST UNANIMOUSLY the Glock 43 is the favorite, and just about EVERY shooter has swiftly learned to operate one safely and shoot proficiently.
And yet, any new buyer that goes to a gun counter or talks to an expert ends up with a recommendation of a S&W snub nose. Interesting no?
I have been spending a lot of time training new shooters for SD and even though I train the basics with a .22 pistol I then move them along through a bunch of different platforms so at least they can make informed decisions when they go to the range I usually send them to that has a great selection of rental gun.
In the "normal" lineup I have a Ruger Mark I, a .380 SA Pistol. A .38 snub nose revolver, a Glock 43 and a compact 1911. I think that is a decent cross section of handguns and recoil levels for them to make at least a first bring assessment as to what they like.
1- So here are two interesting facts. NOT ONE shooter has picked a snub nosed DA gun as their preferred SD platform and NOT ONE shooter has found it easy to operate or become proficient with the same gun. Actually most of them outright HATE them.
2- ALMOST UNANIMOUSLY the Glock 43 is the favorite, and just about EVERY shooter has swiftly learned to operate one safely and shoot proficiently.
And yet, any new buyer that goes to a gun counter or talks to an expert ends up with a recommendation of a S&W snub nose. Interesting no?
Old West Saying: God created men, but Col. Sam Colt made them equal.
General George Patton: “Watch what people are cynical about, and one can often discover what they lack.”
Replies
"Slow is smooth, smooth is fast, and speed is the economy of motion" - Scott Jedlinski
I have no problems with the DA trigger but I had two petite girls (sisters) try to shoot it and neither one could pull the trigger in DA mode, one was using TWO fingers. This is just a stock older S&W model 60.
GOD I HATE that I'm selling Glocks... I can hear Zee in the corner chuckling...
How easy it is to make people believe a lie, and [how] hard it is to undo that work again! -- Mark Twain
The only thing I wish Glock would do from the factory is undercut the trigger guard.
"Slow is smooth, smooth is fast, and speed is the economy of motion" - Scott Jedlinski
I have come to think that it probably is the best tool to teach someone the concept that the sights never hold still for you, and that you have to constantly correct through the trigger press, no matter what the trigger system is. If you're teaching handguns and DON'T have a 4" .22 DA wheelie, you need to go shopping.
"Nothing is safe from stupid." - Zee
Plus the revolver teaches the basics of the situation better as you KNOW you only have a handful of rounds, not 17+1. Make the shots count. Get good, then get fast.
Winston Churchill
In my opinion, correctly handling a DA snubby needs more training and trigger discipline, both alien concepts nowadays in our instant-gratification pampered mindsets.
"Problem" is that yes, in our modern times a semiauto pistol is a better tool for 99.9% of the situations.
......then there's the "coolness factor"....
Same two females ROCKED my Kimber Pro Tactical .45 1911 because.... I never told them it was too much gun for them!!!!!! 😁😁😁
How easy it is to make people believe a lie, and [how] hard it is to undo that work again! -- Mark Twain
"If you get it and didn't work for it, someone else worked for it and didn't get it..."
Meh, no methodology to the attacks, but, glad to see the stats are down quite a bit in this report.
https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/fvv.pdf
"If you get it and didn't work for it, someone else worked for it and didn't get it..."
I SWEAR I am not trying at ALL to impose preconceived notions on the new shooters. I'm actually going out of my way to NOT influence their opinions, AT ALL!!! BTW he shot the revolver just fine and accurately. She did to for the most part, just hated the ergonomics and trigger pull.
- It's the simplest mechanism. No safety, etc. "The original point and click." Eh, so is a Glock or a myriad of other semi-autos, with better ergonomics and an easier trigger to learn
- A revolver will not jam. False. A revolver is significantly less likely to jam, I will say that. However, I counter that when it does jam it is down for the count, period. When a semi-auto jams, there is a high likelihood that it can be quickly corrected.
Revolvers have their place. I even carry a J-frame from time to time. However, I feel for most shooters a reliable semi-auto is a far better choice. Costs less, easier to shoot, easier to conceal, and quite reliable.
"Slow is smooth, smooth is fast, and speed is the economy of motion" - Scott Jedlinski