Need a Variety for a Friend to Try

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dovedescending

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I'm trying to assemble a variety of handguns for a friend of mine to try out. He's new to handguns, and I want to make sure he has a selection to mess with so he can get a good overall feel for what he wants.

So far I have or can borrow:

-CZ 82
-Charter Arms Undercover .38 (the old school Colt-style type)
-Taurus Millennium Pro .45ACP
-S&W M&P 9mm
-Rossi 972 .357
-AMT Hardballer .45ACP (which may not function particularly well)

Any glaring category omissions? What others should I try to find?
 
Looks like a very good selection already!
I had a friend whos new to shooting shoot my 92 Inox and my CZ 75. He said he had a lot of fun. I also had him shoot my Mossberg 500 loaded with Hydrashocks :D

I shot some too
 
I'd try to get ahold of a compact or subcompact glock, and some form of pocket .380. Derringers are something that are fun, though a LAST last resort as a defensive weapon. I don't know much about the AMT, especially if it doesn't function reliably, but an example of a quality 1911 would be great to try. I would most DEFINITELY try him on a .22 pistol (if he likes glocks, try the ISSC Glock style .22; if he likes 1911s, GSG(ATI?) makes a nice one.) or a conversion for one of the other pistols if one is available. I'd also try him on a bigger bore revolver, he may like to shoot a .44 mag pug there are masochists like that out there :evil::neener:
 
Any glaring category omissions?
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Yes... a .22 pistol or revolver.
For new shooters, this is the starting point, and the way to build fundamentals.

I take new shooters to the range a number of times each year, and always start with a .22. Last week I took a 50+ year old co-worker and veteran, who claimed to be an experienced shooter.

He shot...ahhh...fairly with my .22 revolver and somewhat better with my .22 semi, but when he said he was ready to move to the 1911, he was punching rounds 3 inches low and 3 inches left at 15 feet. To his credit, he was pretty consistent. :)

He had paid for his first 50 rounds of .45 acp ammo, was disgusted with his results and went back to the .22 (of which I had brought a 550 round box).

.22LR ammo is the greatest bargain on the planet. Better yet, it's recoil is next to nothing. Anyone who does not train himself and others with .22LR is missing out on a great opportunity.

First, learn the fundamentals. Then figure out what you want to carry and shoot a lot.
 
Looks like a good variety, with the already mentioned lack of a rimfire to start out on and do basic safety demonstration with.

You're a good friend, your buddy owes you lunch and ammo. I've opened up the safe a few times for others to provide them a pile-o-guns, this is the way to introduce new shooters and help them pick out what they do and don't like.

And a Glock 19 or some variation
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compact or subcompact glock
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Dude has two polymer autoloaders along, does he HAVE to specifically provide a Glock? And if so, why don't you boys bring a Glock to the party?
 
"He's new to handguns"

I hate to sound like a broken record, but half of your list are semi auto's, and as I've said before you'd be hard pressed to find a Firearms Instructor that would recommend one to a new shooter. Personally, I'd start with a medium frame .38 and go from there, but If you pressed me to add a semi auto to the list, it would be a Glock 17 or 19. Bless you for your efforts towards your friend!:)

LD45
 
I'll just toss this in: Don't overwhelm the guy. I have a tendency to do this myself.

Make sure he has time and ammo to put plenty of rounds through each one so he gets a real feel for the gun.

Trying to process the different feel and technique of 7-10 different handguns in one sitting might be a little bewildering.

Good luck and have fun!
 
I hate to sound like a broken record, but half of your list are semi auto's, and as I've said before you'd be hard pressed to find a Firearms Instructor that would recommend one to a new shooter.
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Yes, some of them are a little bit of "niche" guns -- perhaps not the very best for introducing a new shooter. But everyone has to start somewhere and a guy can't necessarily go buy a bunch of nice guns for his friend to try out.

Personally, I'd start with a medium frame .38 and go from there
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Yes, but he's got the Charter and Rossi. I'd take the Rossi (first time I've ever said that, to be sure) and leave the Charter home. Or vice-versa. Use whichever is the longer-barreled gun.

but If you pressed me to add a semi auto to the list, it would be a Glock 17 or 19.
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He's already got an M&P. That's enough in the polymer autoloader category.

I'd take along the M&P, the 1911 variant, probably the CZ, the Rossi, and try to find a .22 auto like a Ruger Mk II. Make sure he's got 50 rounds to put through each and plenty of time to work with them and get to know them. That would be 250 rds and probably about enough for a first range trip.
 
Sam1911 said:
Yes, some of them are a little bit of "niche" guns -- perhaps not the very best for introducing a new shooter. But everyone has to start somewhere and a guy can't necessarily go buy a bunch of nice guns for his friend to try out.


Yes, but he's got the Charter and Rossi. I'd take the Rossi (first time I've ever said that, to be sure) and leave the Charter home. Or vice-versa. Use whichever is the longer-barreled gun.

He's already got an M&P. That's enough in the polymer autoloader category.

I'd take along the M&P, the 1911 variant, probably the CZ, the Rossi, and try to find a .22 auto like a Ruger Mk II. Make sure he's got 50 rounds to put through each and plenty of time to work with them and get to know them. That would be 250 rds and probably about enough for a first range trip.
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My bad.
Apparently all "polymer" guns are the same. I forgot. So using that logic you should also limit yourself to only one handgun with a metal frame as well. Presumably they are all the same too.
 
"He's already got an M&P. That's enough in the polymer autoloader category"

I understand, but the Polymer frame wasn't why I added the Glock. I've handled the M&P (and didn't like it at all) and the grip angle and trigger is like night and day between the two, but heck he'll have fun with what his friend has!

LD45
 
Apparently all "polymer" guns are the same. I forgot. So using that logic you should also limit yourself to only one handgun with a metal frame as well. Presumably they are all the same too.
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Look, I'm just saying he's trying to catch every possible category of gun for this new shooter and my personal opinion is that can be distracting as it's too much information to process at once.

('Sides, if he doesn't bring out a Desert Eagle and a tip-barrel Beretta .25 ACP, then he's really not covering the whole field, right? ;))

Is a Glock just like an M&P? Or xD, or even that Taurus one? Of course not. But if you're showing him broad categories, then yes, having either one of those covers polymer-framed striker-fired autos.

Letting him shoot a single-stack SA 1911, a striker-fired polymer gun, a DA/SA auto with de-cocker, a DA revolver, maybe the little Makarov, and a .22 target auto, (maybe go crazy and include a single-action revolver, too) would give him an understanding of the different systems.

From there he could decide the bigger-picture questions: whether he prefers more controls or fewer controls, heavier steel guns or lighter polymer guns, revolvers or autos, etc.

That's probably 200-300 rds of testing right there. Enough for a new shooter on the first day. When he's ready to hit the range again or go off to the gun shop, then he can say what category of gun he liked and can narrow the focus from there. ("You know, if you kinda liked that Glock, you should test out the M&P and the xD. They work the same way but each has a slightly different feels to it and you might like one of them even more..."

Look, if it's that big a deal, bring the Glock and the M&P. I'm just trying to simplify things for the new shooter who's going to have a lot to process in a little bit of time.
 
That's probably 200-300 rds of testing right there. Enough for a new shooter on the first day. When he's ready to hit the range again or go off to the gun shop, then he can say what category of gun he liked and can narrow the focus from there.
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WHAT?!?!?!
No, the only way to pick a new gun is by using the opinions of a bunch of bored people surfing the 'net at work, you can't just try a bunch of guns and figure out what features you do or don't like! That's CRAZY!
 
Whenever I take out a new shooter, I use
.22 lr revolver-simple, basic, non-intimidating
.22 lr autoloader-still non-intimidating, gets into SA autoloader function/safety
.357 revolver with .38 spl
9mm (S&W M59)
.357 revolver with Magnums
1911 .45
.44 magnum (because everyone wants to try the Big Dog!)

Alternating action type (revolver/semiauto) really helps folks figure out what they like.
 
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