Training Handgun and Equipment Selection for New Shooters

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Jasper Miles
5 years ago
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1 Introduction As a pistol competitor and instructor, I am exposed to new shooters every week. After their first exposure to handgun shooting, the enthusiastic new shooter usually has two questions in mind: a. What is the best pistol? b. What other equipment will I need to begin to enjoy sport shooting? This article attempts to answer both questions, not by exploring the whole field of available guns and equipment, but making recommendations for each. This is not to say that I have perfect knowledge on the topics (I don t), I am simply offering suggestions that I know will work. Handgun Recommendation Just as there is no single automobile that is perfect for every purpose, there is no single handgun that is perfect for every purpose: the selection of a best pistol depends primarily upon the intended use of the firearm. Dozens of manufacturers produce hundreds of models in different calibers, oriented primarily toward a few primary purposes, including concealed carry self defense, open carry self defense, casual target shooting, police or military duty service, hunting, training, bullseye competition, action shooting competition, precision Olympic- style target shooting, and even collectibles that would never be fired. I ve probably omitted a few other purposes. Training Handgun The focus of this article is on a training handgun, which the new shooter will learn to handle and operate, a platform for skill development. Although a good training handgun could conceivably be used in a defensive role because of its power and capacity, its size makes it an unlikely candidate for concealed carry. Instead, the training handgun is most suitable for training exercises concentrating on safe, correct gun handling, marksmanship, and informal competition. I prefer moderately priced handguns that are above all reliable, simple, and safe: polymer- framed, striker- fired 9mm pistols. What this gun lacks in weight to manage recoil, the shooter provides with a firm grip, which must be learned in order to make the gun function reliably. The following list if features and attributes will help you to select the right training handgun. Caliber Let s make this simple: buy a gun chambered in 9mm Luger (also known as 9mm Parabellum, 9x19mm, or simply 9mm). Since the fall of 2014, when the FBI announced that they were going to switch to 9mm service pistols, the caliber argument should be settled for our purposes. More powerful calibers have no place in this stage of a new shooter s development. Ohland Chris Page 1 6/7/15

2 Firing System: Striker- fired The striker is an internal firing pin powered by an internal spring, as opposed to a visible external hammer that requires a de- cocker or external safety feature, neither of which adds any value for our purposes. Striker- fired pistols are relatively simple, therefore easy to operate and maintain, and usually less expensive. Hammer- fired pistols usually have what is called a DA/SA trigger, where DA means Double- Action (cock and release the hammer) and SA means Single- Action (release the hammer). DA/SA pistols have two distinct trigger pulls, making them more difficult for a new shooter to learn how to use. The difference in the weight of the trigger pull between DA and SA is significant, usually something like 9 pounds DA and 4-6 pounds SA in a standard pistol from the factory. That difference makes it much more difficult to hit the target with the DA shot because the trigger pull is so heavy compared to the following SA shots: the tendency is to hit low on the first shot. More training can certainly overcome this problem, but the problem can easily be avoided at this stage of the shooter s development by buying a gun that doesn t have this feature. In a striker- fired pistol, such as a 9mm Glock, about 70% of the cocking of the striker occurs when the slide is cycled, either by cocking the slide manually or firing the pistol, with the remaining 30% of cocking occurring when the trigger is pulled. For lack of a more accurate description, striker- fired pistols are usually termed Double Action, although the trigger pull weight is usually about 4-6 pounds. Magazine Catch The magazine in a pistol is held in place by a device called a magazine catch, which has a button or lever that is depressed by the shooting hand thumb to release the magazine. Just to confuse things a little, this button is alternatively called the magazine catch or magazine release. Whatever its name, you should choose a pistol that has a magazine catch that is either fully ambidextrous (workable for right- or left- handed shooters) or which can easily be reversed by the owner. One way to deal with the issue of the use of a magazine catch that is neither reversible nor ambidextrous is to simply learn to push the button or operate the lever with the index finger of the shooting hand. While this is dependent upon the fit of the gun to your hand, it s a fairly common technique with competition shooters. Safety Features The term safety feature describes a mechanical feature of a handgun that is intended to improve your ability to handle and operate the gun safely. Remember that these are all mechanical features: correct training and practice on your part is required to make you a safe shooter. Desirable Safety Features Trigger safety: sometimes called a trigger release, this is a little finger protruding from the face of the trigger which, when pressed, releases the trigger so that it can begin to be pressed. Ohland Chris Page 2 6/7/15

3 Firing pin safety: an internal device that blocks the firing pin until the trigger is fully pressed, preventing the pistol from firing if it is dropped. Drop Safety: an internal feature, sometimes a step in the path of the trigger bar, designed to prevent the pistol from firing if the trigger is not fully pulled back. Dropping a cocked pistol that has a functioning drop safety should not result in a discharge of the pistol. Loaded Chamber Indicator: an external device that protrudes from the surface of the gun to show you and your instructor that there is a round of ammunition in the chamber. Striker Status Indicator: an external device that clearly shows you and your instructor whether the striker is cocked. Acceptable Safety Features Grip safety: As the name implies, this is a device that prevents the pistol from being fired unless it is held in the shooter s hand. External safety: This is an external lever, designed to block the hammer or sear until it is released. If the gun has an external safety and you are left- handed, make sure that the safety is ambidextrous or can be reversed. Undesirable Safety Features Magazine- Disconnect safety: This is an internal device that prevents the pistol from being fired without having a magazine in place, adding another layer of assurance that a loaded gun cannot be fired accidentally. The apparent assumption is that you will never want to pull the trigger unless there is a magazine in the gun. Unfortunately, this feature makes the pistol difficult to dry fire repeatedly, and dry firing is something we do regularly in training. When clearing a semi- auto pistol (making it safe to handle or clean), the normal safety procedure is to remove the magazine, then cycle the slide manually to eject any round in the chamber. The magazine safety insures that the gun will not fire if the second step, ejecting any live round in the chamber, is skipped. While the magazine safety device can often be removed with some difficulty, doing so may void the warranty and expose you to liability for removing a safety feature from a gun. It s best to avoid a gun with this feature. Handgun Fit While the quality, features, power, and price of semi- automatic handguns are the factors most often promoted by gun shops, one critical factor is often overlooked: the fit of the handgun to your hands. For you to be able to operate a handgun safely and accurately, it must fit your hands, at least within reason. The semi- auto relies upon your ability to hold it firmly as it is fired, so that the slide will fully cycle, repeatedly extracting and unloading the fired cartridge case and loading a fresh cartridge, until the magazine is empty. Ohland Chris Page 3 6/7/15

4 Training Handgun and Equipment Selection for New Shooters The slide retracts and stays retracted when the last round in a magazine is fired. When loading the pistol the shooter must fully retract the slide against the power of the recoil spring, which in this case is usually between 15 and 18 pounds. With a firm grip you will be able to keep the pistol s muzzle level, enabling safe control of the pistol, quicker follow- up shots, and better accuracy. A firm grip is dependent, to a large degree, on the fit of the gun to your hands. Fit Factors Semi- auto pistol fit consists of several factors: grip frame circumference, grip frame length, and trigger reach. Other factors, including recoil spring strength, caliber, and sights are also important in selection. Grip Frame Circumference Fit The shooter s hands must fit the grip frame (or handle ) of the gun reasonably well, meaning that the shooter s strong hand (the one with the trigger finger) must be able to enclose the grip as shown in this photo, with the last three fingers of the strong hand being able to wrap around the grip frame fully. The fingertips of the strong hand should be able to wrap around the front strap and touch the textured surface of the grip on the side panel. The gap between the base of the thumb and the fingertips is important to the ability to complete the grip with the other hand. If the gap is too large or too small, your grip will be compromised, and for a new shooter that is a problem you should avoid. Several manufacturers offer polymer- framed pistols that include replaceable back straps, allowing a degree of fitting of the grip frame size to the shooter. For example, the 4th Generation Glock G17 can effectively have three grip frame circumference sizes, achieved by installing one of two option back straps. Leaving the two optional back straps in the box produces the smallest frame size. Changing back straps is very easy, something that anyone who can clean a gun should be able to do without help. If the gun you take off the shelf is too small for your hands, see if it comes with replaceable back straps or palm swell inserts. If it does, ask the person selling the gun install the back strap to fit your hand. This is not difficult, it might take a couple of minutes, but it is critical if you want the gun to fit your hand. This feature is often available on Glock (Gen4), Smith & Wesson M&P, Springfield XD (M), and the Heckler & Koch (HK) VP9, and the Walther PPQ M2 among others. If you re unable to get the store to fit the back strap for you, remember than there are ways to make a grip frame bigger, but there is no way to make one smaller without modifying the Ohland Chris Page 4 6/7/15

5 gun considerably. Don t buy a gun with a grip frame that is too big. If it s a little small, either replaceable back straps or a wraparound rubber grip can increase the size. Grip Frame Length fit Modern handguns are typically available in three frame sizes: Standard or Full Size, Compact, and Subcompact. There is no industry standard supporting these terms, they are just a means of allowing manufacturers to bracket the size of their guns for comparison by the market. For a training handgun, I recommend a gun with a Full Size frame: it will be easier to learn to handle. The right frame size for the new shooter is an important factor in the shooter s ability to successfully grip and handle the gun. The frame should be long (or tall) enough for the last three fingers of the strong hand to contact the frame firmly: the little ( pinkie ) finger should not be out of touch with the bottom of the frame. An adjustment can be made for smaller guns in this case, by the use of a magazine grip extension that provides additional grip area. Trigger Reach Fit The center of the distal phalanx ( fingertip or end bone) of the trigger finger must reach the center of the trigger while you are holding the pistol correctly. If you cannot reach the middle of the trigger with the center of your fingertip, you will have a tendency to steer the gun to one side as you pull the trigger. If you have a very long trigger finger, be sure that you can center the fingertip on the trigger as you try the gun fit. You should be able to pull the trigger straight back until it stops, smoothly. Pulling the trigger without having ammunition in the gun is called dry firing, and it is something you must do at the gun store to check the trigger pull. Ask permission before dry firing a pistol in a store, it s the polite thing to do. Recoil Spring Strength Handguns are made with springs to perform several functions, and one particular spring can cause problems for some people: the recoil spring. This is the spring that controls the slide as it recoils and goes back into position at the end of a cycle. Typically, in a 9mm handgun this spring will exert a force of about pounds. In order for the shooter to retract the slide manually, s/he will need to be able to hold the pistol in the shooting hand and pull the slide fully to the rear with the other hand. Your ability to retract the slide is critical to operation of the handgun, and this is easy to try at a gun shop with the pistol you are considering. There are some gun designs that successfully reduce the effort required to cycle the slide, including the Walther CCP. Magazines You will need three magazines to use a handgun in most kinds of competition, and up to six magazines are often useful in USPSA matches. For beginners, three will be sufficient. Ohland Chris Page 5 6/7/15

6 Your magazines should be able to hold 10 or more rounds of ammunition. More capacity isn t much of a benefit (but may be unavoidable), and less is going to prove to be inconvenient. Shooting Equipment Along with a good handgun and some magazines, you will need some other shooting equipment to participate in the sport. I recommend equipment that I know will work, but you are certainly free to experiment with alternatives. Holster A belt holster is used in several kinds of pistol competition. There are dozens of types and brands of holsters on the market, so this is fertile ground for some careful shopping. Holster Material Plastic or Kydex preferred for low cost: Nylon is OK if it is well made, but many are not. Leather is expensive, and offers little advantage over synthetics for this purpose. Leather softens with use and changes the fit and grip characteristics of the holster, neither of which is desirable. Holster Features Use only a holster with the outside the waistband (OWB) design. Avoid cross- draw, shoulder, thigh, tactical, and appendix holsters, all of which present safety problems in learning to shoot. The holster is to be worn at the 3 O clock position on the belt for right- handed shooters, or the 9 O clock position for left- handed shooters. This holster will not be suitable for concealed carry. Ever. Do not buy a holster with a locking feature (NO SERPA holsters): You will be holstering and un- holstering the gun very frequently, so don t add frustration and risk by buying a holster with an external retention feature, such as a button or tab that you need to push. The holster I recommend has an adjustable tension feature that enables you to tune the grip of the gun to the holster simply by turning a screw. A thumb strap has no place on a holster that will be used as frequently as will this one. You must be able to draw the pistol completely by establishing a three- finger grip on the frame and lifting it out of the holster. Your holster must completely enclose the trigger guard. This is a common requirement for sanctioning bodies, such as USPSA. Specific Holster Recommendation Blade- Tech makes Kydex or plastic holsters to fit most models of pistols, as well as magazine pouches to match. The specific holster I use most often is the Blade- Tech OWB (Outside the Waistband) model, which is available to fit almost any handgun made perfectly. Because they do fit perfectly, Blade Tech holsters are usually made to order, so you should expect to wait three or four weeks for delivery. Ohland Chris Page 6 6/7/15

7 Magazine Pouches Magazine pouches are usually made to hold one or two fully loaded magazines, and they must be made specifically for the magazines that fit your pistol. There is often a spring tension device on magazine pouches, allowing you to adjust them so that the magazines will not fall out when you are walking or running, but will not offer too much resistance to allow you to pull a magazine out quickly. Your magazine pouches should be of the same make and material as holster, preferably. You will need either two single magazine pouches or one double magazine pouch. Belt The belt you choose to carry your holster and magazine pouches should fit in the belt loops on your trousers or shorts, it must not be a separate gun belt. It must be stiff enough to hold your holstered pistol and loaded magazine pouches without allowing them to move around when you walk normally. Belts of this type are between 1.5 and 1.75 wide, fitting your holster and magazine pouches snugly. Heavy nylon duty- type belts, with Velcro buckle, such as Instructor belts or tactical belts are popular choices for this use. I have three recommendations for belts: the 5.11Trainer Belt, the 5.11 Operator Belt, and the Tactical Tailor Rigger s Belt. And Finally, Ammunition While I have specified 9mm as the caliber for the training handgun, there are other important characteristics to consider. I will avoid making any brand name recommendations, but I will say that you should start with what is usually called ball or round nose cartridges because they are usually less expensive and less prone to feeding problems than are cartridges loaded with hollow- point bullets. In training, all we are doing is shooting holes in paper, so target penetration and energy delivered to the target are unimportant. Avoid cartridges with hollow- point bullets: use full metal jacket ( FMJ ) or full metal case ( FMC ) round nose bullets, because they are less expensive and far less likely to cause feeding problems than are hollow- points. There is nothing wrong with 9mm ball ammunition with a 115- grain bullet, and it will be a bit less expensive than ammo with heavier bullets. Just be aware that 115- grain bullets produce a little more snap in the recoil, more muzzle jump, so they will be a little more tiring to shoot over a long day. For bullet weight, cartridges loaded with the 115- grain bullet are by far the most common, and are perfectly acceptable, but if you can find cartridges loaded with 124- or 147- grain bullets, you will find that they are softer to shoot. In general, a heavier bullet produces less snappy recoil, making the handgun more comfortable to shoot. Choose ammunition that has either brass or aluminum cartridge cases. Some low- priced ammunition is made with steel cartridge cases, which do not expand to seal the chamber when being fired. The result is an exceptionally dirty gun, with smoke and soot escaping from the chamber. Ohland Chris Page 7 6/7/15

8 Brass cartridge cases are usually reloadable, but aluminum cartridge cases are not. This might be important in the future if you plan to reload ammunition, but at this stage either will work perfectly well for your purposes. Gun Case To transport your pistol to and from the range, you need to carry it in a case of some kind. Be sure that you understand and obey the local laws covering firearms transport. Range safety rules usually govern (in some detail) the unloading and handling of firearms and ammunition, so it s a good idea to have a soft case that holds your pistol, alone, without extra magazines. You can put that pistol case in a larger carrying case or range bag, along with your magazines and ammunition. It s a good general rule to carry your training handgun and magazines in separate cases: readiness is not a concern for you with this pistol. The equipment you use to carry your firearms to the range is not the same equipment that is appropriate for home storage, in most cases. Conclusion This article has to stop at some point, even though there are still lots of interesting topics to cover, such as firearms maintenance and aftermarket parts. Allow me to direct you to the numerous Internet forums, usually oriented around a particular brand of pistol, for that kind of detailed information and discussion. (End) Ohland Chris Page 8 6/7/15

Section Five - Semi Auto Pistols

Section Five - Semi Auto Pistols Like revolvers, semi auto pistols have parts that are unique to them. In figure 1 below we have pointed out the most common parts to the semi auto handgun and give detailed