June 19, 2020, 08:11 AM | #1 |
Member
Join Date: January 2, 2015
Location: Virginia
Posts: 94
|
Training handgun
I need a training handgun for my 15 year old son. He has shot rifles in .22LR, .22 Hornet, .222 Rem, and .223/5.56. He has hunted with a 16 gauge (nice Belgian A-5) and shot clays with a Win. Model 42 .410.
In handguns he has shot .22LR, 38 spc., 357 Sig, 45 ACP, and 45LC. He is great shot and enjoys hunting. I do not much mind whether the handgun is a revolver or semi-auto, but am leaning towards a semi-auto (don't really know why). I would like to keep the recoil down. I hand load plenty of calibers and can always get new dies for a cartridge that I currently do not reload. Does anyone have a suggestion for a training handgun? My problem is that I have so many guns that I am always handing him something different. I would like him to have one that is his "own" and that he can shoot on a regular basis, just for practice. If you ask, training for what? I would say just plain 'ole target practice. Perhaps I should say I am looking for a practice handgun rather than a "training" one. I am open to rimfire or centerfire. Thanks, Mates. Last edited by Coppershot; June 19, 2020 at 04:02 PM. |
June 19, 2020, 09:01 AM | #2 |
Member
Join Date: February 7, 2020
Location: Coastal North Carolina
Posts: 52
|
My 15 yo grandson shoots my .38 Colt DS, a .357 S&W m19, and my Governor in .410, 45ACP, and 45C, but his favorite handgun is my EDC - an S&W double action only Model 3953.
He's shot many other 9mm and .40s in my S&W Gen3 collection too, but he says the single stack 3953 fits his hand best, has a nice balance, and the half-cocked trigger once a round is chambered reminds him of the great Model 19 trigger. Hand fit is an important factor for pistol selection. A poor grip only makes skills-building more difficult. I might add that the DAO model helps him transition from pistol to revolver without difficulty. |
June 19, 2020, 09:34 AM | #3 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: October 25, 2001
Location: Alabama
Posts: 18,543
|
Quote:
My judgement wasn't the best at age 15, and my Dad wasn't an enthusiast, but we figured it out. I still have and shoot my third and fourth pistols from 60 years ago. (No. 1 was a Luger, not a good choice. It later went to a collector after the supply of Canadian surplus ammo dried up. Nos. 2, 3, and 4 were .22s; no. 2 traded in on no. 4.) |
|
June 19, 2020, 09:40 AM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 4, 2014
Location: None of yer business, sonny
Posts: 440
|
My soon-to-be 13-year old recently requested a 9mm for Christmas. He enjoys shooting my Sig P210 and XDM and even tolerates the Shield. I, too, want to get him something different. I've been think something DA/SA in stainless like a Beretta 92 or CZ75 or maybe a Ruger or Charter revolver.
BTW, (in case you had a confused look on your face) he is an oversized 12-year old. He is nearly 6 feet tall already with hands much larger than mine. |
June 19, 2020, 09:57 AM | #5 |
Member
Join Date: January 2, 2015
Location: Virginia
Posts: 94
|
Good point on grip requirements. He wears a large shooting glove but can go XL. His favorites have been a Sig P226; Colt Trooper MK III (38 spc.); S & W Mod. 327 (again, shooting 38 spl.); S&W M & P 22. He is not too fond of the Glock trigger.
|
June 19, 2020, 10:14 AM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 28, 2009
Location: North Central Illinois
Posts: 2,710
|
Train with a .22 LR. To put a shot in the X-ring, regardless of the caliber, the basic fundamentals of pistol shooting are still required. Stance, grip, sight picture, trigger press, and follow through are the same when shooting a .22 LR, a 9mm or a .45acp. Don't totally ignore the larger calibers, but train mostly with the .22 LR.
|
June 19, 2020, 12:07 PM | #7 |
Member
Join Date: January 2, 2015
Location: Virginia
Posts: 94
|
Great point, Mike38. He needs work on his stance, plus I have plenty of .22LR.
|
June 19, 2020, 02:06 PM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: June 19, 2012
Location: MS - USA
Posts: 899
|
My training 22LR suggestions would be the M&P 22 or the Taurus TX22. They both operate identically to a centerfire striker fired handgun, so later transition should be simple.
Having said that, he is big enough to handle anything at this point....in which case he could consider a full sized or duty sized 9mm which should serve well for training and practice purposes and will also transition well to home or personal defense as he gets older. In that area, I'd have him looking at M&P, G19/17, PPQ, VP9, P320, FN509, etc. Go with whichever seems to feel best to him. |
June 19, 2020, 02:12 PM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 13, 2005
Posts: 4,700
|
How about a 22 conversion unit ? Lately I have been shooting Ciener units on my Browning HP and M1911 frames.
|
June 19, 2020, 02:43 PM | #10 |
Junior Member
Join Date: September 2, 2015
Posts: 8
|
tx22
|
June 19, 2020, 03:55 PM | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 21, 2004
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 962
|
Toss up between the Ruger and the Browning Buckmark. Both are good guns with different grips angle/feel. Take him to the gun shop and get his input after he handles them.
__________________
All that is neccessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. Edmund Burke |
June 19, 2020, 04:24 PM | #12 |
Member
Join Date: January 2, 2015
Location: Virginia
Posts: 94
|
I've got a Ruger Mk IV Hunter. If that's a good option I don't need to buy another firearm.
|
June 19, 2020, 05:20 PM | #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: April 28, 2013
Posts: 3,176
|
For high volume shooting, a .22, my favorite is my Ruger MK II with a 5” Bull Barrel, stainless Target model. Lighting match sticks at 10 yds is a blast. When I was much younger and had great eyesight I could routinely hit gophers out to 30 yds and on a good day out to 60 yds. Boy was that a long time ago, about 40 years. For a moderate amount of shooting a nice semi auto 9mm, too many nice ones but my favorite is my CZ75SA.
|
June 19, 2020, 08:44 PM | #14 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 8, 2007
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 16,189
|
Quote:
|
|
June 19, 2020, 09:39 PM | #15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: June 10, 2005
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 2,747
|
Affordable and reliable...if considering a 9mm, I'd recommended a S&W SD9. Otherwise, I'd stick to 22LR
__________________
God's creatures big and small, eat them one, eat them all. |
June 19, 2020, 09:46 PM | #16 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: March 12, 2011
Location: Washington state
Posts: 1,558
|
Quote:
I want one is the best reason I have for getting some of my guns. My next purchase will be a "because I want it". Unless my wife asks....then it is a training gun for the boys.
__________________
You can't fix stupid....however ignorance can be cured through education! |
|
June 20, 2020, 08:13 AM | #17 |
Senior Member
Join Date: June 15, 2016
Location: Rural PA
Posts: 1,639
|
I would consider a compact or duty sized 9mm auto or 22lr. I have and really enjoy a S&W M&P22 Compact. It's a great shooter and super reliable, but the light weight makes precision shots a challenge(for me anyway). I also LOVE my MKIII 22/45. It is incredibly accurate and in stainless, is a nice looker. In 9mm, I would look at a an M&P or maybe a Canik. I would look at low maintenance, modern pistols. They'll have finishes and materials that will hold up better to neglect. I'm not implying that your son will neglect it, but kids are kids.
__________________
22lr, 20 gauge, 8mm Mauser, 35 Remington, 30-06, 5.56x45/223, 9mm, 380acp |
June 20, 2020, 03:55 PM | #18 |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 30, 2015
Location: My back yard
Posts: 971
|
I enjoy the Ruger LCR, mine is in 22 Mag. I love the TX 22, but my Ruger MK II is the most accurate.
|
June 20, 2020, 04:20 PM | #19 |
Senior Member
Join Date: April 3, 2010
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,394
|
I'm with Mike38 and would recommend a browning buckmark or a ruger mkIV. In my opinion both guns are equally reliable and accurate. Since this are single stack autos it should fit his hand quite nicely. This is what I use for weak hand shooting as well. Since he is only 15 and I don't know if he works part time this will be easy on your wallet for ammo as well.
__________________
ONLY TWO DEFINING FORCES HAVE GIVEN UP THEIR LIVES FOR YOU. ONE IS JESUS CHRIST FOR YOUR SOUL AND THE OTHER IS THE AMERICAN SOLDIER FOR YOUR FREEDOM. |
June 20, 2020, 04:59 PM | #20 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 27, 2018
Posts: 302
|
The S&W MP22 is a great idea for a trainer. It has a very similar feel to the bigger calibers of the MP line. The Tarus has also garnered some serious attention in terms of performing/handling exactly like a poly semi auto.
|
June 20, 2020, 05:30 PM | #21 |
Senior Member
Join Date: March 18, 2009
Posts: 715
|
Ruger Mark III 22/45 was my first pistol and I still love it to this day! Just wish I could find a lower with the swap-able hand grips for a decent price.
|
June 21, 2020, 07:13 AM | #22 |
Member
Join Date: January 2, 2015
Location: Virginia
Posts: 94
|
Thanks for all the informed replies, Mates. I have a few of the guns mentioned. Lots of good options so I'll figure out something.
|
June 21, 2020, 03:03 PM | #23 |
Senior Member
Join Date: July 19, 2010
Posts: 460
|
In a revolver look at an SP101 3" or 4.2" in 327 Magnum. He can start with 32 S&W Long and then 32 H&R magnum and then 327 Federal Magnum.
Semi auto get a 9mm and a 22lr conversion. Can learn the mechanics of a semi and then move on to 9mm and 9mm+P. |
July 13, 2020, 09:50 AM | #24 |
member
Join Date: June 3, 2017
Location: South
Posts: 1,422
|
About 3 months ago, I gave a review of a new firearm after taking it to the range for it's first shooting. On that day, I shot 200 rds of 380. Thought nothing of the amount of ammo. I have been shooting a combinations of that amount of 9mm and 380 now about twice weekly for years.
But those days are over. And they will be for a long time. I do not have a crystal ball, but predicted exactly what is going on now for a very time. And NO I am not talking about the virus. So, I have adapted to still going twice a week but now shooting 22.cal. I will not go into my 380 and 9mm stash that I have been saving for years. Way too precious of a commodity to do so. But I have to keep up my Skill level. Most especially point and shoot. So enter the 22.cal Recently bought a LCP 22. to go along with my SR22, LCR22 and Here is a picture of three months ago. I have a very big supply of 22.cal, but have bought a additional 10,000 rds in the last few months. And what is my prediction? Well, I am already seeing the trend. Give in a few a month and you will see very little 22.cal. for sale. What then. Air pistols. Already buying a many pellets as possible. Example Khar P380 now shooting LCP22 LCR9mm now shooting LCR22 |
July 13, 2020, 10:32 AM | #25 |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 1, 2009
Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma
Posts: 8,638
|
I'm all for training with a .22 pistol,,,
It's cheap so allows for more trigger time. I'm not an advocate of using the single-action target style pistols though,,, Ruger Marks, Browning Buckmarks, S&W Victory, etc are all fine guns,,, But I go for training with something resembling a carry weapon. Earlier someone mentioned the S&W M&P 22 or the Taurus TX22,,, They both function like striker fired center-fires. Another great trainer would be the Ruger SR-22,,, It functions exactly like SA/DA exposed hammer center-fires. I own and love to shoot several of the single-action target style pistols,,, They are hard to beat for inherent accuracy and high fun factor,,, But let those be later acquisitions. For the first handgun, get a .22 that approximates a desired carry weapon. Aarond .
__________________
Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time) |
|
|