Best make/model feedback on CCW pistols from students over the past couple of years

[40SW]

As an NRA certified firearms instructor, I get to experience a vast variety of handguns that are shot by students at the range. A variety of direct feedback is gathered on a daily basis. ,both positive and negative. I think the greatest benefit is seeing the consistent feedback from a variety of shooters, (differing in gender, age, physical build, hand size, etc). After years of doing this, One develops a consistent picture about certain models and makes of firearms and then combines that with their own experience.
Over the past couple of years I have come to a decision. I thought that I would keep notes on my Excell speadsheets next to the students name and make/model of pistol used. Both positive and negative about the specific model of firearm used. I love meaningful data and really enjoy compiling it. Its the anal retentive and obsessive compulsive part of my personality. ,but it does yield some good results. I have compiled a list of the top five handguns that have had the most positive feedback from CWP students over the past couple of years. Remember, these are from actual students at the range, this is actual data, both male and female, a variety of hand sizes, different builds, different ages, etc. This is not a scientific study at all, and the results are localized to Florida since this is where I teach, but it does paint a good picture of what makes/model people are most happy to shoot and are the most comfortable for them carry.


1. Springfield XD: 34 students: 32 male, 2 female. All results are positive. 100% positive feedback from all who used it. Number one feedback result. Ergonomics, reliability, shootability.

2. Glock 19: 50 students. 41 male, 9 female. Are results are positive, 100% positive feedback from all who used it. Number one results.
Grip/frame size, fits most hand sizes perfectly. Praise for general accuracy and comfort for the size.

3. Ruger SP101: 14 students, 13 male, 1 female. 100% positive from all users. Feedback common denominator: The most accurate revolver for the size that they have ever shot. Feels like a real gun in their hand. Good perceived recoil control even with the hottest loads.


4. Ruger GP100: 13 students, all male. 100% positive from all users, mirrors comments for the SP101

5. Bersa Thunder .380ACP. 56 students, 30 male, 26 female. 100% positive from all students. Reliability, Accurate for a small gun, price, sights, and availability. (same for other PPK types such as the Makarov, but Bersa wins due to being more available at gun shops and .380ACP ammo available at Walmart and 9x18 ammo not available at Walmart,remember, there are alot of seniors here and if the ammo is not at Walmart, they won't get the gun chambered for the unavailable ammo, the Maks are more popular with students who are more gun savy and are willing to buy 9x18 from Midway or Gunshops, rather than Walmart.).

Thoughts? /comments.

 

[Autolycus]

How did all of the guns get 100% feedback? It seems strange.

 

[40SW]

tecumseh:
I always ask every student at the shooting qualification portion of the class why they chose the handgun that they did, I also ask them for verbal feedback as to their shooting experience with that make/model. My classes are generally relatively small. 4-10 people per session. I started doing this a few years ago.

 

[Mulliganpaintdee]

I think the list you are compiling is a great idea. What parts of Florida do you teach in?

 

[40SW]

West Central Florida
Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Hernando Counties.

 

[Mulliganpaintdee]

agh I see. I enjoyed reading the list you made, hope you keep it up

Cheers
Denton

 

[MrBorland]

Very interesting. Thanks. Your data would be consistent with all the positive feedback I've already read about all the models listed.

One question, though: Do the student choose the specific gun or even the platform (pistol or revolver) they'll shoot with? There are fewer student shooting the revolvers, for example, so if they were shooting a revolver because they requested it, it may be that their feedback is better than if all student shot all handguns.

 

[40SW]

Mr.Borland:
Excellent question.
Alot of my referrals come from gunshops and a good component are also from other environments, such as ranges and also the NRA website.
There is a good mixture of novice and proficient shooters (what we would call "gun people").
Its about 50/50. About half of them are walkins into a gunshop and they have never shot a gun in their life so the gunshop owner recommends a few models and the customer fondles them and decides. These are people who would probably go to a range once a year after that and they look at the firearm as strictly a tool for personal protection. They are influenced heavily by the gunshop recommendations.
The other 50%, are what you and I would call "gun people". Pretty much the folks that you would find here. These are gun guys and gals on the web who read the firearms media publications, have friends in the same culture, and have multiple firearms and are active in RKBA and shoot at least once a month. These guys know exactly what they want and are firm in their preferences.
So I think the data is reliable since we have at least 50% of the core student group consisting of "gun people".
I hope that answers your question.

 

[Trebor]

I've been doing something similar since I taught my first class. My notes are in with the class records though. I really need to put them all together sometime.

While this type of info isn't scientific, it is interesting, and certain trends do become noticeable. So far the single most reliable handguns I've seen have been the Ruger centerfire auto's (various models). I've had students have problems with almost every other gun design (that I've seen) at one time or another, but the Ruger guns just run.

 

[Quoheleth]

Would be interesting to also hear of guns that the students despised or that you, as their instructor, noted as being despicable. It doesn't matter why...too big, too small, too unreliable, too powerful, too weak, etc....but it could be a worthy read as well.

Any thoughts from students using the S&W MP autos?

Well done, sir!

Q

 

[40SW]

Trebor:
Excellent point about the Ruger autos., but I have had very few students use them for some reason. I personally love them and agree with you about their reliability aspects, but I think the problem with Ruger centerfire autos in my geographic area is two fold.

1. Gun shops don't promote them and they are rarely in stock. Typically any given gunshop in this area, has plenty of Ruger rimfire autos and plenty of Ruger centerfire revolvers.

2. The few students that I had use Ruger centerfire autos have either loved them or hated them. The ones that love them have been using them for ages and are diehards, the ones that didn't, complained about the grip size and the bulk of the gun being uncomfortable.

 

[40SW]

Quoheleth :
Every student who has handled the S&W M&P autos has loved them. I own one myself and love it two, but since its relatively new, there isn't enough data on it yet.
I do know that the Clearwater FL police department has switched to them. (.40SW version) Their former issue was the Walther P99 (both in .40SW). Clearwater FL is a town of about 100,000 near Tampa/St.Petersburg. I have several close friends who work their as deputies. They also love the gun.
As far as pistols that are not well received and liked. The list is extensive, but here are some examples that I have had poor feedback on.

1. Bryco Jennings/Raven, etc. Someone always thinks that they can save money on personal protection and they will get one of these stamped nightmares and then they wonder why they have malfunctions at the range after purchasing a $60 pistol thats been sitting in a gunshops inventory for 4 years.

2. Used Harrington and Richardson Revolvers , again, people trying to save money and buying a gun with a rusty action.

3. Kel Tec. Please don't take this the wrong way, I personally love Kel Tec and their innovative designs, but alot of students struggle with them and give me negative feedback.

4. Taurus:
Again , I like Taurus alot, and it varies model by model, but alot of students don't like them at all and I get mixed feedback.

5. Hi Point:
This one is strange, I actually think their carbines are exceptional and they do have an excellent customer service dept and warranty. I like their fixed barrel designs on pistols, their carbines are fun to shoot and reliable, but alot of folks give me negative feedback on these and complain about metal chipping and barrel finishes peeling,but I personally like their products. Carbines more than pistols for sure.

 

[possum]

thanks for sharing.

1. Springfield XD: 34 students: 32 male, 2 female. All results are positive. 100% positive feedback from all who used it. Number one feedback result. Ergonomics, reliability, shootability

you can add me to the above i have ran my xd's hard and i love both of em,for the reasons stated above and more.

 

[40SW]

possum:
I have heard from many experienced shooters that in their opinion, the XD is the best pistol to have come out in the last twenty years. I own several XDs as well, one in .40SW and the new .45ACP as well.
I am coming to the conclusion that they are correct. It is the pistol that I am most accurate with(including any 1911 that I have ever shot) and I have never had a malfunction, the pistol is built like a tank.