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bilb9494

Brand new and looking for some advise

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I shot a lot of rental handguns and found the striker fired pistols to be the simplest. People that shoot horrible with a Glock/M&P are horrible shooters. It's not the gun.

 

Really? You Don't Say?

 

This is not to take away from Glocks, M&P's, Xd's, and others... but there is a reason why most serious, high end guns are based on 1911 design, Single Action trigger.

 

The Single Action trigger often puts the onus on the shooter to do their thing. A stock M&P or Glock trigger is just tooo much, too much mush, grit, weight.

 

That is why you have so many choices, it is great, different guns for different people. My gun of choice is a 1911, both for the ergonomics, reliability, and shoot-ability.

 

I must admit... I have been a horrid person. I usually am anal about cleaning, and 99% of my guns get cleaned after every time they are shot.... except my competition guns.

 

a Smith Wesson 1911 9mm Pro Series, and a SVI Infinity 40 cal.

 

I have put approximatively 1,200 rounds through the race gun as most would call, the SVI, had it drop in the gravel/sand pit, and still work like a charm, with absolutely ZERO malfunctions during the 1,200 rounds, or the few thousand I put through it over the last year. The last 1,200 rounds were without cleaning, and only a bore-snake and some oil through it at the match after it dropped.

 

The smith 1911 has been equally as trouble free.

 

The point is... while yes, a SA trigger will be far easier/better to shoot, saying that anyone who does not shoot a Block or M&P well is a crappy shooter is plain moronic.

 

Go ahead, please enlighten me and others on here.

 

(and yes, I have owned plenty of Blocks, M&P's, HK's, XD's over the years.... have shot them all, owned them all), Striker fired guns can be simple.... but for some damn reason I am not as accurate with striker fired Walthers and Smith M&P as I am with any other gun. In fact, my 70 year old German Makarov, shoots more accurately in my hands than modern tupperwear.

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Buy a 22 revolver and learn proper hold trigger pull stance etc....a great first pistol....

 

You will then upgrade to other guns and realize what you like or dont like...right now it is Fundementals....

 

Putting you into any other gun at this time would be wrong IMO for anyone to do...

 

Once the basics are there...buy and try whatever you see...1911...glock...etc..then you can have your opinions and favs hates

As well....

 

But guess what..you will always cone back and LOVE shooting that 22revolver... :)

 

^^^^THIS^^^^^

 

Dad started us three siblings with a S&W K-22 Combat with 4" tube WAY BACK over 40 years ago! It came with the smaller K-frame wodden grips that fit our Kiddie hands perfectly! In SA mode we could hit 12 ga. hulls all day long at combat distance of 10 yards! GREAT Trainer and first hand gun! The three of us shot the Pi$$ out of that revolver, with never a hickup!

 

Until Humans are coming out of the womb constructed differently, a SA revolver will lead the way in teaching the basics of sight alignment DURING ignition!

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Really? You Don't Say?

 

This is not to take away from Glocks, M&P's, Xd's, and others... but there is a reason why most serious, high end guns are based on 1911 design, Single Action trigger.

 

The Single Action trigger often puts the onus on the shooter to do their thing. A stock M&P or Glock trigger is just tooo much, too much mush, grit, weight.

 

That is why you have so many choices, it is great, different guns for different people. My gun of choice is a 1911, both for the ergonomics, reliability, and shoot-ability.

 

I must admit... I have been a horrid person. I usually am anal about cleaning, and 99% of my guns get cleaned after every time they are shot.... except my competition guns.

 

a Smith Wesson 1911 9mm Pro Series, and a SVI Infinity 40 cal.

 

I have put approximatively 1,200 rounds through the race gun as most would call, the SVI, had it drop in the gravel/sand pit, and still work like a charm, with absolutely ZERO malfunctions during the 1,200 rounds, or the few thousand I put through it over the last year. The last 1,200 rounds were without cleaning, and only a bore-snake and some oil through it at the match after it dropped.

 

The smith 1911 has been equally as trouble free.

 

The point is... while yes, a SA trigger will be far easier/better to shoot, saying that anyone who does not shoot a Block or M&P well is a crappy shooter is plain moronic.

 

Go ahead, please enlighten me and others on here.

 

(and yes, I have owned plenty of Blocks, M&P's, HK's, XD's over the years.... have shot them all, owned them all), Striker fired guns can be simple.... but for some damn reason I am not as accurate with striker fired Walthers and Smith M&P as I am with any other gun. In fact, my 70 year old German Makarov, shoots more accurately in my hands than modern tupperwear.

 

My analogy is if you take a horrible golfer and put good clubs in their hand they're still a horrible golfer. It's not the clubs. If you take a good golfer and give them crap clubs, their game is going to suffer a little but they're not going to turn them into horrible players. Well, along those lines... If you take a tour level player and give him crap clubs and then he shoots 78 and 79, fellow tour players might call that horrible. Regular duffers might call it pretty good.

 

It all comes back to the definition of "horrible". Since this is the new firearms owner section, horrible to me means missing the paper at 7 yards or 18 inch groupings at 7 yards.. For you guys that shoot competition and are much better shooters than me, horrible might mean hitting 7 rings at 25 yards or whatever is considered good by me but would be horrible by your standards . It's all about context. And, I mean nothing patronizing. The skill of some of the great shooters at my range is amazing. The best shooters are shooting revolvers and 1911s.

 

I had no inking that my comment would create such debate. I feel like I kicked a hornet's nest. That was not my intention.

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Who's the fanboy? Why are people so defensive about Glocks vs 1911. I've shot them all from the rental case at the range. I prefer striker fired plastic. I'm not saying it's better or more accurate or whatever else people are trying to debate on here. It is just what I prefer from my limited experience.

 

Maybe our definitions of "horrible shooter" differ. I just can't get on board that someone is a good shooter with a revolver or 1911 and you hand them a Glock and they turn into a horrible shooter.

 

The person I quoted is obviously a glock fanboy. he says get a glock and doesn't list any real reason why. Just bashes 1911s. I personally don't have a problem with glocks. They are fine guns and many people will agree with that. I will never own one because they dont feel right in my hand and I'm not comfortable with the lack of a safety.

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You're welcome Duppie!

 

I just worked last week with a (girl)friend of mine to get her issues solved. She was doing a bunch of stuff the wrong way, so we worked on everything and her groups with her XD-9 got tighter and tighter until she just plum wore-out. About 1/2 way through the trials and tribulations, I let her try my 586 Combat S&W with 4" tube. It reminded her of shooting her .22 rifle when she was a little girl. She was able to concentrate on making the sear let go just as the sights were properly aligned in the center of the black bull. Just like back when she was 12 with the .22 rifle. Prior to the lesson, everything was grouping low & left out of the black bull. Post-lesson, she had partially conquered the safe-action trigger AND a flinch. I gave her instructions to practice with an empty gun in a mirror and watch for the flinch as she was developing the muscle memory to squeeze instead of pull her trigger. Next week we'll do it again. Maybe you'd like to join us?

 

Dave

 

 

I'm the (girl)friend Dave worked with and I can say Dave has helped me very much. I have to agree that my first handgun should have been a revolver! I shoot much better and feel more at ease with it than I do with my XD 9. I was dipping to the left in anticipation of the recoil, the trigger is mush compared to the revolver. Need to work more on the dry firing. I am not giving up on my Springfield as I'm not a quitter but I definitely would recommend a Revolver for all new shooters!

 

Thanks again Dave!

 

Happy Shooting!!

Chris

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I'm the (girl)friend Dave worked with and I can say Dave has helped me very much. I have to agree that my first handgun should have been a revolver! I shoot much better and feel more at ease with it than I do with my XD 9. I was dipping to the left in anticipation of the recoil, the trigger is mush compared to the revolver. Need to work more on the dry firing. I am not giving up on my Springfield as I'm not a quitter but I definitely would recommend a Revolver for all new shooters!

 

Thanks again Dave!

 

Happy Shooting!!

Chris

 

Chris,

 

It's always a pleasure for me to be of some help! I don't want you to quit on your XD-9 either, because shooting it well will make you a better shooter in the long run! Glad you had a good time today!

 

I was really impressed with your Son Jim's first attempt with my revolver: 1st shot right thru the X-ring, lol! And out of 12 shots (2 speed-loaders' worth) he was in the black 11 or 12 times!

 

Both of you really enjoy the sport and it shows. Glad to see Mom & Son having so much good fun together enjoying our great hobby!

 

Please continue to do the dry-fire practice and we'll get together again soon!

 

All the best,

 

Dave

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As a newbie I first chose my handgun by asking friends what they recommended. Took the majority opinion & researched the Springfield XD 9. I liked the safety features that were listed on Springfield's website. Then I went to Cheyenne and handled a few of them and the XD 9 felt good in my hand (not too big, not too heavy & the recoil would not be too much for me) so I bought it. Looking back there are so many other things I should have considered when purchasing my first handgun. Have two Permits in the works and a revolver will be one of them. Now I will just have to keep trying out the guns of my fellow club members to see which one that will be! ;)

 

Chris

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Chris,

 

It's always a pleasure for me to be of some help! I don't want you to quit on your XD-9 either, because shooting it well will make you a better shooter in the long run! Glad you had a good time today!

 

I was really impressed with your Son Jim's first attempt with my revolver: 1st shot right thru the X-ring, lol! And out of 12 shots (2 speed-loaders' worth) he was in the black 11 or 12 times!

 

Both of you really enjoy the sport and it shows. Glad to see Mom & Son having so much good fun together enjoying our great hobby!

 

Please continue to do the dry-fire practice and we'll get together again soon!

 

All the best,

 

Dave

 

Thanks!! You will definitely see us more at the range and we can't wait to get into some of the different disciplines. Action shooting is really got my trigger finger itchy!!! ;) But need to work on getting the gun to feel more natural in my hand. I don't like feeling awkward!

 

See you soon,

Chris

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I just took a basic pistol class last week. i have been shooting on and off for the better part of 20 years and have firearms in the house. i have gone to the range with my wife on numerous occasions but she never felt fully comfortable and wanted to take (with me) the class. I/we usually shoot a 9mm and rent a .22 at the range, but with the class we were able to use and get familure with a 1911. i don't mind shooting a DAO, but i must admit the single action .45 was very easy to shoot. after watching my wife handle the 2 1911's i would not hesitate to recomend one, even as a first firearm. i would however recomend renting one prior to purchase.

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I just took a basic pistol class last week. i have been shooting on and off for the better part of 20 years and have firearms in the house. i have gone to the range with my wife on numerous occasions but she never felt fully comfortable and wanted to take (with me) the class. I/we usually shoot a 9mm and rent a .22 at the range, but with the class we were able to use and get familure with a 1911. i don't mind shooting a DAO, but i must admit the single action .45 was very easy to shoot. after watching my wife handle the 2 1911's i would not hesitate to recomend one, even as a first firearm. i would however recomend renting one prior to purchase.

 

You offer an interesting perspective and observation. You've owned firearms for 20 years and took a class in basic pistol and were "exposed" to the 1911. Glad you had a good time with it. Most if not all women I teach tend to gravitate to a single-action trigger for target work. Your first-hand report backs this up......

 

1911's come in 9mm as well as .40 caliber too, so if .45 ammo seems a bit too pricey, you can always keep the baby and just throw-out the old bath water.......

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OP: Its up to your comfort level. Try out a .45, including striker and SA 1911 style to see if you like it. I think any of the common autoloader rounds will be find for most beginners (9mm, .40, .45). Just know the .45 ammo is going to be at a premium price-wise over 9mm, so that may affect your wallet. Other posters had good ideas of going with a 1911 with a .22 slide kit, more cost up front, but shooting .22 for practice will save lots of cash over time.

 

My experience in the 15 years of shooting was NOT getting a 1911 style gun earlier on. I now have one in 9mm and it is my favorite out of my pistols. Try one before you make a decision.

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To the OP :

 

I'm a short woman with small hands and my first gun was a 1911 .45acp. Not what I would have picked ( or been steered to) off the shelf ..I got it from a family friend's estate. I love that gun , I really do. IMO , it is the most "fun" to shoot out of my collection.

 

I was told 1911s can be finicky about technique and ammo. I have only used Federal for ammo so I can't comment on that ..but I can tell you that until I learned to not ride the recoil , the gun would fail to eject ( FTE) So in my case , the technique part did hold true. It NEVER jams on me , anymore , ever. The minute I hand it to someone who is new to shooting and they don't hold on to it..FTE. It is the only 1911 I have used , so it could just be my gun is more particular than others? I don;t know. But I do know that now that I know how to shoot a bit better , it is reliable as anything.

 

Another thing I notice..when I hand my M&P Pro series .40 cal to someone who shoots those types of guns , they RAVE about the trigger. And I liked it at first as well. But after having the trigger upgraded in my 1911 , and after shooting my S& W Model 60 3 inch and Model 19 4 inch...the trigger on my M&P does admittedly feel , to me , like a slinky in need of Viagra.

 

Just another relative newbie's take on a few of the topics mentioned here :)

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Sandy,

 

The jamming condition you describe with your .45 is commonly referred to as "limp-wristing", and it results from "riding the recoil", thus not allowing the gun to do as it was originally designed. This problem can be overcome with training (like you did practicing & obtaining a firmer grip) or simply by replacing the recoil spring in the gun's slide (top piece) with one of less resistance. Depending upon whether or not you employ only full-house factory or use a friend's softer-recoiling hand loads will determine which exact spring setting ("poundage") is best suited for your particular situation. Drop-in parts can be mail-ordered from places like Brownell's, which is only 30 minutes from my Son's apartment in Iowa.

 

I'm still rollin' on the floor over the Viagra remark, and I may just "steal" it, lol!

 

Have a great day with the munchkins!

 

Dave

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Another thing I notice..when I hand my M&P Pro series .40 cal to someone who shoots those types of guns , they RAVE about the trigger. And I liked it at first as well. But after having the trigger upgraded in my 1911 , and after shooting my S& W Model 60 3 inch and Model 19 4 inch...the trigger on my M&P does admittedly feel , to me , like a slinky in need of Viagra.

 

2 words for you: Trigger Job. M&Ps shoot soooooo much better with a trigger job done. The Pro series was supposed to help, compared to the stock M&P trigger, but it's not that much of an improvement. I originally disliked M&P's a great deal because of the stock trigger. However, after checking some APEX jobs, I liked it more... then I got the 9L from Lunker....

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