Using replica BB gun for training

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Buzznrose

Buzznrose

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New Braunfels, TX
Been getting leery about burning up 9MM and .22 since this new ammo cluster flock has Connemara ridiculous. So I bought a Glock 19 replica BB pistol (Umarex) and have been having a lot of fun practicing draws, moving and shooting, and even low light shooting. Use my carry holsters and while it’s not perfect, the draw and presentation are the same.

Lately, I’ve been burning through about a hundred rounds a few nights a week in my garage shooting one of these:

https://www.umarexusa.com/glock-19-co2-airgun

Lots of fun! Made by Umarex and licensed by Glock. Mags are $12 and hold 16 bb’s. I train at 7 yards in my garage. I had a nice Japanese Glock airsoft but this is way better IMO.

Cost...pretty cheap. I get 7 mags from a CO2 cartridge. 40 cartridges cost under $20, and 6000 bbs are under $8. I spend 30-40 minutes to get through those 7 mags. Total cost for BB’s and CO2 is under $1.00 (excluding targets and backstop).

For a backstop, I framed out a 4’ * 6’ rectangle using 2*4 lumber. I used two layers of foam flooring on the back, and several layers of heavy duty cardboard moving boxes on the front. I use the stick on targets.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Norsk-4-Pa...or-Foam-Tile-Multipurpose-Flooring/1002967934

https://www.lowes.com/pd/24-in-W-x-...ge-Heavy-Duty-Cardboard-Moving-Boxes/50098526

I know Umarex makes a lot of different models, so it might be worth it for around $100.

YMMV
 
I've been using a 1911 clone as a substitute for my High Power and Astra A70. Outside of the grip safety, controls are the same.

Just received a Dan Wesson 715 clone pellet gun. This thing is a quality build! Weighs as much as my Speed Six! Now I'm just hoping for a warm enough day to try it.
 
I did get some trigger time in on the CO2s again. The blowback action on the 1911 plus the fact that all the controls operate the same make it very realistic.

The Dan Wesson revolver is even more so. You load the pellets into the back of a simulated round. Then that goes into the swing out cylinder. The rounds fit into my speed strip. My technique is getting smoother and quicker. Point shooting is somewhat more accurate.

Starting my granddaughters with them. Emphasizing safety.
 
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Buzznrose said:
I had a nice Japanese Glock airsoft but this is way better IMO.
Click to expand...

I enjoyed your detailed post. Can you elaborate a little on the above comment re airsoft compared to your Glock BB pistol? I've been wanting to set up an indoor range and had decided on airsoft as I read somewhere that the Japanese airsoft pistols tend to be better made and more reliable than BB or pellet repeaters. My plans have been on hold however as the couple of airsoft pistols that I'm interested in are still not available.
 
Replica airguns for sight alignment practice are fine, but very few have the same type trigger pull you will find on your real gun and trigger pull practice to maintain sight alignment is key. Purchase some dummy rounds that are designed to be used over and over for dry fire, especially if you are practicing with a double action revolver. You will be surprised at how much better you will get. You can even go further if you want to spend the money and get one of the systems that have infrared rounds and a target that lets you know where your round would hit.
 
bigmike45 said:
Replica airguns for sight alignment practice are fine, but very few have the same type trigger pull you will find on your real gun and trigger pull practice to maintain sight alignment is key. Purchase some dummy rounds that are designed to be used over and over for dry fire, especially if you are practicing with a double action revolver. You will be surprised at how much better you will get. You can even go further if you want to spend the money and get one of the systems that have infrared rounds and a target that lets you know where your round would hit.
Click to expand...

You are right about dry firing. I would have never believed how effective it is until I actually tried it.

I still want to add airsoft or BB or whatever for some variety and the fun factor.
 
tm255 said:
You are right about dry firing. I would have never believed how effective it is until I actually tried it.

I still want to add airsoft or BB or whatever for some variety and the fun factor.
Click to expand...
tm255....I fully agree and have one myself. I love any airgun and use to dispatch many Ritz and other crackers in my back yard. The local bird population love me for that....LOL
 
tm255 said:
I enjoyed your detailed post. Can you elaborate a little on the above comment re airsoft compared to your Glock BB pistol? I've been wanting to set up an indoor range and had decided on airsoft as I read somewhere that the Japanese airsoft pistols tend to be better made and more reliable than BB or pellet repeaters. My plans have been on hold however as the couple of airsoft pistols that I'm interested in are still not available.
Click to expand...
My Airsoft pistols were a pain. The magazines had to be filled with "green gas", which is basically propane, and didn't hold a charge well. And the airsoft pellets went everywhere and had to be swept up or blown out of the garage. And you cannot reuse them. You can, but if they crack and break in the barrel, they can be a pain to remove. And you have to use a target and/or backstop that either catches or contains the pellets.

The only good point for me with airsoft is the pellets are safer than BB's and probably won't break glass, where a BB probably would

I can capture and reuse BB's pretty easy. And picking them up is easy with a magnet. And I can use a simple wooden frame with cheap cardboard and the same stick on targets I use at the range for practice.

YMMV. But BB's work much better for me.
 
bigmike45 said:
Replica airguns for sight alignment practice are fine, but very few have the same type trigger pull you will find on your real gun and trigger pull practice to maintain sight alignment is key. Purchase some dummy rounds that are designed to be used over and over for dry fire, especially if you are practicing with a double action revolver. You will be surprised at how much better you will get. You can even go further if you want to spend the money and get one of the systems that have infrared rounds and a target that lets you know where your round would hit.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I get the whole dry fire and same trigger argument, and I do agree dry fire is a good practice.

But unless you only carry one gun ever, I disagree that you won'd get a benefit from a good BB pistol trigger. My Glock BB pistol has a crappy Glock trigger, but I shoot a lot of different striker fire guns with triggers ranging from pretty good to not so great, and another not great trigger is okay with me. I'm NOT a trigger "snob", and have learned to shoot well with poor Glock triggers. When I actually use a very nice trigger, like in my buddy's STI competition 1911, I can really make it shoot well...but the reality for me is I want to be good with ANY triggers.
 
Back when my employer & state went to work-remotely-phase I started shooting my CO2 bb handguns in the back yard during lunch. Then I used some stimulus $ to get a few more - models that I’ll never own, at least not for shooters, like a Mauser broom handle and a Luger P08. Lots of fun.

For Christmas I bought my wife the closest airgun replica to her EDC gun. She’s an accurate shot but not very fast. It was a bit of a gamble as a Christmas gift but she really liked it and she wants to shoot it tomorrow - she’s not usually the one to ask to shoot. Same manual of arms, blowback action, good practice for sight picture acquisition. AND convenient plus inexpensive.

No it’s not like practice with real ammo, but there are lots of positives!
 
If you want a some recoil, you could always get a springer pistol. Manual of arms will be completely different, plus a single shot. I have a Cometa Indian that been with me for years. Those went up in price over the years. But there are others. Cruise through any of the bigger airgun websites for ideas.
 
Y’all are making this way too complicated and overthinking it.

If you want realistic range time, shoot your actual carry firearm with carry ammo.

All I’m saying is there are ways to get range time that is convenient and economical. Is it 100%? Nope. Neither is dry fire practice, but every good competitive shooter will advocate to do it for a few minutes every day.

Air pistols that use your same carry gear that allow you to draw and fire at a target will help build muscle memory and good habits (if you practice good moves). If you practice poor actions, you’ll reinforce them too!
 
American_Fusilier said:
I just bought the Umarex glock 19 BB pistol myself for the express reason of training. Though I use a full size glock, and it doesn't fit into my safariland holster, I do think the training value is quite high, and I'll be focusing on that until ammo becomes a little less crazily priced.
Click to expand...
I have the Umarex Glock 19 as well. Ran thru the crono at 400 plus fps. I have the one that has the non moving slide. Bought That one to get the max shots from a CO2 cartridge. have ran one CO2 so far and I am very happy with it. The trigger isn't axactly like the Glocks it is close enough for good realistic practice. So far really enjoying the gun. cant beat the price and the Price of ammo.
 
Buzznrose said:
Been getting leery about burning up 9MM and .22 since this new ammo cluster flock has Connemara ridiculous. So I bought a Glock 19 replica BB pistol (Umarex) and have been having a lot of fun practicing draws, moving and shooting, and even low light shooting. Use my carry holsters and while it’s not perfect, the draw and presentation are the same.

Lately, I’ve been burning through about a hundred rounds a few nights a week in my garage shooting one of these:

https://www.umarexusa.com/glock-19-co2-airgun

Lots of fun! Made by Umarex and licensed by Glock. Mags are $12 and hold 16 bb’s. I train at 7 yards in my garage. I had a nice Japanese Glock airsoft but this is way better IMO.

Cost...pretty cheap. I get 7 mags from a CO2 cartridge. 40 cartridges cost under $20, and 6000 bbs are under $8. I spend 30-40 minutes to get through those 7 mags. Total cost for BB’s and CO2 is under $1.00 (excluding targets and backstop).

For a backstop, I framed out a 4’ * 6’ rectangle using 2*4 lumber. I used two layers of foam flooring on the back, and several layers of heavy duty cardboard moving boxes on the front. I use the stick on targets.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Norsk-4-Pa...or-Foam-Tile-Multipurpose-Flooring/1002967934

https://www.lowes.com/pd/24-in-W-x-...ge-Heavy-Duty-Cardboard-Moving-Boxes/50098526

I know Umarex makes a lot of different models, so it might be worth it for around $100.

YMMV
Click to expand...
So Did you get the moving slide. I bought the one with the non moving slide to get more shots per co2 cartridge. The trigger is not that far off a actual glock trigger so it helps in being able to practice the longer trigger pull while keeping sights on target. Really like the Gun. Fit an older glock Holster so I can actually practice Draw and fire rotines as well as a bit of double tap. Of course it doesn't have the tighter reset but good trigger time is still good trigger time. Very well made and hefty Gun.
 
Fishingted said:
So Did you get the moving slide. I bought the one with the non moving slide to get more shots per co2 cartridge. The trigger is not that far off a actual glock trigger so it helps in being able to practice the longer trigger pull while keeping sights on target. Really like the Gun. Fit an older glock Holster so I can actually practice Draw and fire rotines as well as a bit of double tap. Of course it doesn't have the tighter reset but good trigger time is still good trigger time. Very well made and hefty Gun.
Click to expand...
Same gun as you. I use my carry holster for drills. I am enjoying the trigger time.
 
Fishingted said:
I have the Umarex Glock 19 as well. Ran thru the crono at 400 plus fps. I have the one that has the non moving slide. Bought That one to get the max shots from a CO2 cartridge. have ran one CO2 so far and I am very happy with it. The trigger isn't axactly like the Glocks it is close enough for good realistic practice. So far really enjoying the gun. cant beat the price and the Price of ammo.
Click to expand...

That's the same one I got, without the moving slide, and for the same reason. I too have only put one co2 through it.

You're totally right about the trigger too, but it could have worse problems.

I bought 2 extra magazines for it for less reloading time.

It needs a pretty beefy backstop, especially if you're using it inside. But it's really fun.
 
Thanks. Just what I need...another pit to throw my money into!

Imma hafta get me one or five of these.

NOTE:

When shooting indoors, definitely wear your PPE.

I remember setting up to shoot my Daisy BB gun in the basement of Mom and Dad's house when I was a kid...those BBs fly everywhere when they hit the cinder block walls. Be safe.
 
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