Does anyone use an AirSoft pistol for training against targets or mannequins? - Page 2

Jammer Six · October 30, 2012, 06:31 PM

No, I don't.

**Frank Ettin** · October 30, 2012, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnwilliamson062

I always thought airsoft/paintball was better for training things besides shooting...

Well, as I mentioned, our experience over a number of years and which several hundred students is that good quality airsoft replicas of real pistols (not paintball) can really help teach basic marksmanship skills to beginners.

valleyforge.1777 · November 2, 2012, 11:18 PM

I am looking into buying one of the AirSoft replicas of a Sig Sauer P229. The gun is all steel. It weighs 2 pounds. It has REAL DA/SA action, just like the real thing. It has a de-cocker, just like the real thing. It has a slide release just like the real thing. It locks back the slide on an empty mag, just like the real thing. And, it has recoil. I have not felt the recoil myself, but looking at the videos on YouTube, it looks like the shooter will perceive the recoil, not as much as with a real 9 mm, but not trivial either.

The purpose is to use a shooting dummy target to simulate CQ gun fighting. I can use it to simulate encountering a robber in my home. I can use it to simulate a mugging. Since it will not be a square range set up, I can grab an arm and get behind or along side the bad guy, and then draw and shoot from retention, etc. It will not be real in that he (the mannequin I am going to make) will not shoot back, and I can not strike him hard like a real bad guy, but if this works out I might spring for a real training target dummy that can be punched, hit, etc. We'll see how it goes. But I am satisfied that the AirSoft pistol I am going to get is "real enough".

jon_in_wv · November 4, 2012, 12:30 AM

A few months ago I bought a Sig Trailside and I take it to the range with me every time I shoot. I put about 50-100 rounds downrange with it and my pistol shooting has improved dramatically. The recoil, grip, tirgger, and sights are totally different than my M&Ps but it has still improved my overall shooting. I would think and airsoft weapon wouldn't be much different especially if you can get one that shares some similarities with you primary weapon. Any time spent shooting properly will improve your shooting.

What I don't believe in is simply firing rounds down range. When I taught TKD I always stressed GOOD practice. If you practice your technique properly until you get tired and do it 50 more times improperly, you are teaching yourself to do it poorly more than well. If you practice a bad habit when you are shooting you are training in bad habits. If you practice good technique and habits you will grow more in your training.

I guess what I'm saying is if the airsoft gun helps you practice good technique and habits then it will be beneficial. If it encourages bad technique you are better off not using it. Whether or not it is exactly like shooting a real weapon isn't nearly as important.

Rainbow Demon · November 4, 2012, 09:55 AM

The Walther/Umarex all metal .177 BB CO2 PPKS pistol is a good beginning shooter trainer for similar sized pocket pistols, such as the Bersa. The felt recoil of the recriprocating slide mechanism is about what you'd expect from a .22 and not much less than some .32 ACP pistols I've used.
Actually you feel the recoil more because theres no muzzle blast to draw your attention away from the recoil.
Something along those lines in airsoft 6mm may do the job as well.

October 30, 2012, 06:31 PM	#26
Jammer Six Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 749	No, I don't. __________________ "Huh?" --Jammer Six, 1998

November 4, 2012, 12:30 AM	#29
jon_in_wv Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2004 Posts: 661	A few months ago I bought a Sig Trailside and I take it to the range with me every time I shoot. I put about 50-100 rounds downrange with it and my pistol shooting has improved dramatically. The recoil, grip, tirgger, and sights are totally different than my M&Ps but it has still improved my overall shooting. I would think and airsoft weapon wouldn't be much different especially if you can get one that shares some similarities with you primary weapon. Any time spent shooting properly will improve your shooting. What I don't believe in is simply firing rounds down range. When I taught TKD I always stressed GOOD practice. If you practice your technique properly until you get tired and do it 50 more times improperly, you are teaching yourself to do it poorly more than well. If you practice a bad habit when you are shooting you are training in bad habits. If you practice good technique and habits you will grow more in your training. I guess what I'm saying is if the airsoft gun helps you practice good technique and habits then it will be beneficial. If it encourages bad technique you are better off not using it. Whether or not it is exactly like shooting a real weapon isn't nearly as important. __________________ Why has INTEGRITY become such a rare commodity?

November 2, 2012, 11:18 PM	#28
valleyforge.1777 Senior Member Join Date: June 2, 2011 Posts: 134	I am looking into buying one of the AirSoft replicas of a Sig Sauer P229. The gun is all steel. It weighs 2 pounds. It has REAL DA/SA action, just like the real thing. It has a de-cocker, just like the real thing. It has a slide release just like the real thing. It locks back the slide on an empty mag, just like the real thing. And, it has recoil. I have not felt the recoil myself, but looking at the videos on YouTube, it looks like the shooter will perceive the recoil, not as much as with a real 9 mm, but not trivial either. The purpose is to use a shooting dummy target to simulate CQ gun fighting. I can use it to simulate encountering a robber in my home. I can use it to simulate a mugging. Since it will not be a square range set up, I can grab an arm and get behind or along side the bad guy, and then draw and shoot from retention, etc. It will not be real in that he (the mannequin I am going to make) will not shoot back, and I can not strike him hard like a real bad guy, but if this works out I might spring for a real training target dummy that can be punched, hit, etc. We'll see how it goes. But I am satisfied that the AirSoft pistol I am going to get is "real enough".

November 4, 2012, 09:55 AM	#30
Rainbow Demon Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2012 Posts: 397	The Walther/Umarex all metal .177 BB CO2 PPKS pistol is a good beginning shooter trainer for similar sized pocket pistols, such as the Bersa. The felt recoil of the recriprocating slide mechanism is about what you'd expect from a .22 and not much less than some .32 ACP pistols I've used. Actually you feel the recoil more because theres no muzzle blast to draw your attention away from the recoil. Something along those lines in airsoft 6mm may do the job as well.