$10 Airsoft gun at Walmart for safety training

[.cheese.]

I went into the LGS asking for a "blue" training gun. You know, the ones that aren't really guns, just plastic molds of various models.

$49.95.

I nearly crapped my pants.

So I walked out and went to Walmart. $10.97 for an airsoft SIg lookalike. Sure it's not perfect, but it's close enough.

I bought it.

Since I'll be teaching some friends/family (currently borderline pro/anti) firearm safety, I want to start them on a mockup to teach them safety rules.

Then, since its Airsoft, I figure I can take them out back to let them take a few shots at a target and apply all the safety rules when doing so. After they show that they have things down, I'll take them to the range and let them use a .22lr pistol.

I think it's a good idea..... but seriously, what's up with $49.95 for a "blue gun"??!!

 

[Doggy Daddy]

+1

I bought an airsoft for similar "training" reasons. Only had it a couple days when my son pointed it at me as I came out of the shower in just my shorts and pulled the trigger.

He was quite surprised when the "empty" gun with no mag in it nailed me in the kidney with a pellet.

We all learned lessons that day.

 

[GhostlyKarliion]

I dunno, I live near Century Martial Art Supply in OKC and the rubber gun they sell is 39.95 (although you can get them on clearence for $14 sometimes if they have the factory powder still on them)

good choice with the airsoft, they make great training guns becuase they will fire if the trigger is pulled, if yours has the removable slide then you may be able to weigh it down with fishing lures to more resemble the weight of a real gun.

good luck with the training!

 

[Donut]

my P99 replica ($22 at Big 5) is weighted via metal bars in the magazine. I really like that little pistol.

 

[.cheese.]

what about an 8mm blank gun.

How expensive are those.

They should be safe, and if somebody messed up, they get that audible bang that signifies - "Somebody would just have died or been hurt because of stupidity"

I like the Airsoft though.

I'm starting to think I should become an NRA certified instructor. What is the minimum age? I'm dead-center 20's.

I know I like to teach Economics, and I also like to teach Linux System's Administration and programming, I figure teaching firearms and firearm safety is just another step in the same direction that I seem to like.

I like coming up with innovative ways to teach that really give my students an edge and an interest in what thy're learning.

 

[Linda]

You have to be at least 21 to be an instructor. 17-20 to be an asst. instructor.

 

[.cheese.]

That's it?

I'm well beyond that.

I thought it was 35 or something.

btw dead-center 20's =

|20| |21| |22| |23| |24| |25| |26| |27| |28| |29|

I fall exactly in the center.

 

[Justin]

what about an 8mm blank gun.

How expensive are those.

They should be safe, and if somebody messed up, they get that audible bang that signifies - "Somebody would just have died or been hurt because of stupidity"

Wrong, wrong, wrong.

Google Jon Erik Hexum to find out why.

 

[ShackleMeNot]

Guys, Rings blue guns and ASP red guns are completely solid and non-firing for a reason. Airsoft has a place in training but if something can come out of the barrel of the gun it is not an inert trainer.

 

[Neo-Luddite]

They are a specialized product often bought with taxpayer or company funds--so nobody really cares about the $50-175+ price tag. Besides, they are almost unbreakable. Now the thing I've wanted and rarely seen were the solid black plastic M-16a1's w/ metal barrels and old style triangle handguards they used to call 'rubber ducks' in basic training. I have seen (once) an old plastic M-1 version as well.

 

[.cheese.]

Justin - googled it and I see your point.

Is there a way to get one that makes that impossible?

Say - a .22 short blank starter-pistol or something (or rather a starter pistol that is mocked up to look like a real gun?)

I wouldn't be letting anybody put anything to their head though of course (like in the case you cited). That type of reckless behavior would not be tolerated.

I'm just trying to think of additional ways to conduct this properly. The Airsoft gun is a great start. I just wish there was some way it would make a loud report when you pull the trigger, because I find when you're new to shooting, part of the fear is the "boom" after you pull the trigger.

 

[Professor K]

8mm Blank guns run around 100 dollars each, with cheapo .22 crimp blank revolvers running like 30.

http://www.8mmblankgun.com/proddetail.php?prod=38-122

That site has lots of them. I like that 1911, the one I saw looked pretty cool.

Only problem with blank guns is that the ammo is expensive, you could prolly reload those if you put the effort into it, but they're berdan primed. Cheapest blanks I found were 20 per box of 50 8mm blanks.

As far as safety, besides possibly hurting someone's ears a lot, it's pretty safe. The barrel is plugged.

Airsoft guns are good and bad training tools. Someone once described airsoft as "military tactics without military discipline." Some people say it gives you bad reflexes, too. I guess it's good, as a projectile comes out if you mess up.

Blank gun is also good, as it simulates the recoil and noise of an airsoft gun, but it's much more expensive than an airsoft gun to shoot.

While the cheap airsoft gun might be a good training tool, they are kinda fragile. The rubber gun is better for, say, disarmament training, as it's indestructible. Unless you go hard on it, the airsoft gun should work, though. 40 dollars for the rubber gun is a rip, but it's apples to oranges.

If you want a really cool airsoft gun, try a gas blowback. 50-150 dollars, but they're fun. My personal favorite is the Marui 1911 with propane, steady 330 fps with .2s, with pretty nice kick. Very fun gun, recoil still isnt as good as a .22, but it's still pretty nice, and it's usually loud enough for neighbors to complain.

 

[.cheese.]

I'm going to use the Airsoft this time to teach firearm safety.

I might buy a blank .22 pistol as well so they can shoot it and get over the fear of the "bang" when they pull the trigger.

Once they show that they can confidently and safely use a gun (not real guns during training), then I'll take them to the range and let them start shooting the real deal.

I figure I have a Glock 22 that needs to be broken in, so at the range I'll give them a Walther P22, and I'll use the Glock 22 to demonstrate grip, aiming, etc.... and they can follow my lead.

Kills two birds with one stone.

After they have the basics down, I'll just let them go to town assuming they're safe. I want them to understand that guns take responsibility and careful thinking, but I also don't want to discourage them or ruin the fun of shooting at the range.

 

[rhubarb]

I have that same $10 softair Sig from Wally World.

My four year old uses it for safety and target practice. I have a small cardboard box nailed to a wall in the house with a sheet of typing paper taped over it. The plastic BBs will penetrate a sheet of paper from 20 feet. They also sting like the dickens. He has shot real guns but he gets a kick out of the that one as well. I agree it's a safe way to train a beginner. One thing I like about this particular gun is that it requires working the slide after every shot. This feature prevents spray and pray shooting and keeps me engaged with my son on every shot.

In fact, I must confess that I practice drawing and shooting with it as well. It's easier, safer and cleaner than going to the range.

And there's the grins I get when my son finds a wayward BB on the floor: "Daddy, Daddy, I found a boolit!"

 

[Lonestar]

Toys guns and airsoft guns make great training tools. I have a few cheap airsoft guns and even a cap gun revolver. Its a great tool for training young or inexperienced shooters before giving them a real firearm or even for informal target pratice at home. Unfortunately some jurisdiction frown upon discharging BB guns in residental areas but airsoft guns are safer to shoot outdoors and even indoors.

 

[Zero_DgZ]

Good plan. Also, unlike the blue gun the airsoft gun can harmlessly fire, which could be used to teach good trigger discipline, holstering without blowing your 'nads off, &c. Even with no ammo in it (and thus no danger) the gun will go "pop" when the trigger is pulled.

(If it's cocked. I'm assuming it's a spring gun, for that price.)

 

[expvideo]

I have a clear plastic airsoft replica of my carry gun for practicing drawing and shooting at home. My little brother (just turned 6) wanted to try, so I bought a p22 airsoft for him to shoot. Then he got jealous of my holster, so I had to buy him a holster for it too. I'm going out to visit him this weekend and we'll probably shoot some pop cans or something.

*use eye protection

 

[Mountain Pass]

Ive used dummy guns and airsoft for training for years. Its a good idea. Especially when the law is an issue in certain areas. No point in dragging out a real weapon to the wood where you might come across people, scaring the hell outta them..Not to mention it saves wear and tear on the weapon.