St Michael

Hi folks,

P95Carry got me in touch with the local IDPA club, and I went to the intro IDPA class/shoot last Saturday. What a great sport! I'm hooked.

I also learned that IDPA permits minors to compete, so I'm going to let my 13 year old son join too.

I'm using a Glock 27, but this gun is a little too hot for my son.

I'm looking at all the different options in 9mm, trying to find something that is a solid reliable and relatively simple gun, weight/size doesn't matter so much, and I prefer he start on DAO.

I'm pricing used Glocks, S&W's, Berettas, Steyrs, Taurus, Springfield XDs, etc...but even used, I can't find anything in the $250 or less range that I want to spend for his "learner" gun.

I have found several used Ruger P series in a 9mm within the price range I'm looking at, but I know nothing about the Rugers and their suitability for IDPA. Anybody have thoughts on the Rugers?

Any suggestions on other options I might be missing? He doesn't have to have it right this minute, but I'm in the research/buy-if-price-is-right stage.

stryder

First, congrats on getting your boy involved in IDPA. He'll have fun and know more than anyone in Hollywood about gunhandling.

I don't know anything firsthand about Rugers, but they are a brand name and I personally think you could trust them. Have you considered starting him on a .38 revolver? Not a snubbie but a 4 or 6 in bbl. It may not have the "cool guy" appeal but I think a used one could fit into your price range, and many good shooters started with wheelguns.

jarhead79

Bersa Thunder 9,,, WOOOOOHHOOOOO!!!

__________________
Sig P239 9mm
Bersa Thunder .380 Duo-Tone (RIP) & .45
NAA Guardian .32NAA
Ruger SP101 .38 SPL

UBG Holsters current wait time as of 11-1-2008: 2-3 weeks.

'75scout

What about a used CZ-75?

P95Carry

Just to chime in - thinking very much of the budget I think the boy could well get on OK with a P95 - so I will take mine on Saturday when we have a match and he can try it out.

Can't think of too much else that'll help keep price down to desired level.

__________________
Chris - P95
NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member.

"To own a gun and assume that you are armed
is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!."

If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug

Bud White

If it has to be a auto a ruger basically will fit the bill if a wheelie then any 38 i dont play the games so have no ideal what will go or not ..

but my boy shoots a 38 pretty well and a xd subcompact in 9mm hes only 8

Roadrunner

Rugers are excellent guns, just butt-ugly (sorry there's no kinder way to put it). They'll shoot accurately and reliably, all you could ask. I would recommend that you let him choose his own weapon as much as possible however. If he's responsible enough for you to allow him to shoot competitively, then he must at least have an idea of what to look for. Ultimately he's the one who has to shoot it, so let him find what works best. It may not be what you expect to work, but that doesn't matter so long as it does in fact work.

__________________
- Kurt
“Freedom is the sure possession of those alone who have the courage to defend it.” ~Pericles of Athens
Primary Carry - Colt Commander .45 in a Brommeland Max-Con V

St Michael

That's dangerous... ;-)

He wants a Glock!

But I don't want to spend that much right now. I still have to pick up two more rifles for deer season this fall. I got a Browning BLR in .308 for Mike last fall, which wasn't cheap, and I have above 800 rounds of good military ball ammo in .308 to practice with, so I sold my .270 so that we're all shooting .308.

Now my 11 year old daughter just informed me that since she'll be twelve in time for deer season, she wants to hunt too.

So right now I gotta pick up two .308s and a pistol for Mike for IDPA. And my wife is taking NRA Basic Pistol next month, so SHE should have something to shoot too (though she disagrees on this point...)

Anyway...I can't find a Glock for him in the $250 range, and due to the other pressing gun purchases coming up, I'm very reluctant to spend more than that on his pistol.

St Michael

I looked at these too. Not sure how reliable they would be for IDPA. Anyone have experience with them in competition shooting?

St Michael

Thanks again for this offer, Chris, but a "glitch" has come up. My dear wife (and I DO mean that, she's a saint) didn't realize the upcoming shoot was on Holy Saturday, and we have company coming in. I'm still going to go to the shoot, but mom put her foot down and Mike has to stay home to visit with the relatives from out of town...