[Mike1956]

A decent article linked from Grant Cunningham. Traditional wisdom isn't necessarily wisdom:
https://opspectraining.com/poor-gun...l&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

"We see a whole lot of mouse guns or “starter pistols” being sold to novices as the ultimate defensive pistol. (We call them starter pistols because they are much better at starting a fight than ending one.)"

 

[WrongRecroom]

My only issues is the Judge ...With 45lc or 45ACP if the smith model it makes a fine carry gun ..And as a plus they make heavy loads only for it due its long chamber ..

A first gun based on it being a "shotgun" yes .. But loaded with a decent 45lc I would say a good gun ..And the grips on the Judge tame the kick pretty good ...

But yeah J frame etc not a good first gun ..Or any light frame non rim fire wheel gun

 

[ShooterGranny]

No one told me that a j frame wasn't a good first gun. My first gun was a used j frame 5 shot - an old S&W Chief's special. I expected to learn to shoot well. So I did. It was NOT a featherweight, though. That would have been a disaster.

I WISH I still had that gun! It seems to take time to learn "Never part with a gun you really like!"

 

[bmcgilvray]

Yea G. Cunningham!

I emphatically agree with each and every sub-topic in his article.

Thanks for posting, Mike.

 

[Stevew]

My wife and sister started with j frames. It is still their preferred gun. They shoot them well. They both have several guns now. The j frame remains their favorite.

 

[Brad426]

Glock 19.

 

[OD*]

Excellent article, thanks Mike. :hand2:

A question though, isn't that article written by Warren Wilson?

 

[bmcgilvray]

Hey. You're right, Dan.

January 2, 2017/6 Comments/in Blog /by Warren Wilson

 

[Mike1956]

Excellent article, thanks Mike. :hand2:

A question though, isn't that article written by Warren Wilson?

Yes, Grant Cunningham linked it on his site. I linked from there.

 

[5lima30ret]

Great article and I agree 100%! I have always encouraged my students to not purchase a gun then come to training! I have a variety of guns I can let my students use then after the class they can make an informed decision. J-frames and very small .380's is what I see a lot of uninformed beginners purchase. I really like the S&W Mod 10 & Mod 15's for beginners! With .38 wadcatters most anybody can shoot them with with very little difficulty! (*This is not the advice that beginners will ususally hear from the typical gun store counter person!)

 

[Nakyak]

I think the article used about every cliche I've heard regarding shotguns, revolvers, and smaller carry guns. I agree with the article, but there are people defending themselves just fine with shotguns, judges, j frames, and small carry guns, some of which are first time buyers.

 

[Mike1956]

I think the article used about every cliche I've heard regarding shotguns, revolvers, and smaller carry guns. I agree with the article, but there are people defending themselves just fine with shotguns, judges, j frames, and small carry guns, some of which are first time buyers.

Sure, and there are lottery winners, too. That doesn't make spending one's paycheck on scratch-offs a plan to recommend.

 

[Nakyak]

Sure, and there are lottery winners, too. That doesn't make spending one's paycheck on scratch-offs a plan to recommend.

If winning the lottery was as easy as learning to shoot a smaller gun, or aim a shotgun, I think you'd see a lot more people advocate spending part of one's paycheck on tickets.

 

[ghost tracker]

"Novice" may perhaps be the most nebulous part. 'Cuz very few folks (especially "grown" men) can't EVER be honest and/or objective enough to admit that...they ARE one! While a rare someone may be a "born shooter" (reflexes, eyesight, temperament, athleticism, etc.) there is NO ONE who has a predisposed, innate talent of defending themselves with a firearm. I agree with the suggestion of making the FIRST part of the learning process to be listening & following the advice on handgun purchase from an experienced gunfighter. And that works best AFTER the gunfighter...has evaluated your skill set. :yup:

 

[AzQkr]

Yea G. Cunningham!

I emphatically agree with each and every sub-topic in his article.

Thanks for posting, Mike.

There's a lot of common sense in that article.

 

[maxwell97]

He makes some good points. I tend to think that a double-stack striker pistol in 9mm is probably the best starter gun for most folks.

However, it should be recognized that not everybody is going to follow the ideal path. Split times and 12-yard groups aren't the only things to consider. For example, if what a novice really needs is a gun that fits in his pocket, with his most likely use being to jam the barrel into an attacker's rib cage, then a .38 snubby is what he should probably buy. A service-caliber pistol may speed the development of marksmanship, but doesn't help the novice defend himself if it's at home in the lockbox.

 

[Kennydale]

I'm teaching my 19 year old grand daughter to shoot. She likes my G19 gen 4. Next time out I'm going to have her shoot my G26 and LCR in 38 +P also. I don't think she can purchase a firearm till she's 21(?). But when the time she does I'll suggest she also look into the SS9s that are so popular


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[G-man*]

It was an OK read. Agreed with most of his points, but a multidimensional topic with one sided commentary.....as most are.

 

[ghost tracker]

GMan, that's the difference between "commentary" and...GOSPEL. :biggrin2:
Opinions are like belly buttons, we've all got 'em and they're ALL full-a' LINT!

 

[G-man*]

GMan, that's the difference between "commentary" and...GOSPEL. :biggrin2:
Opinions are like belly buttons, we've all got 'em and they're ALL full-a' LINT!

Yeah, I mean, it was a decent article for what it was meant to be; short, and hitting the basics.

I guess I'm just a little more pragmatic in my thinking about things.

While I agree that the j frame is a hard monkey for a new shooter to learn on, I've also long held the opinion that the 1911 and Glock style pistols are better suited to professional or more experienced shooters for carry purposes.

Much really depends on the novice.