Need advice: IDPA-legal single-stack 9mm

[Sean Smith]

A .38 Super 1911 would be the ticket for ESP... 10+1 magazine capacity is just right, recoil is light, stick a set of thin grips on it and it is smaller-hand friendly. A 9x19 1911 would be good too, but my understanding is that .38 Super is a more reliable feeder in a 1911 since its overall length is more like .45 ACP's than 9x19's is.

 

[Correia]

Here is a silly question. What does he want to shoot?

We have a kid in our local club who started at 8 years old. He is 16 now and is a very good shooter. Uses a 9mm 1911. As he gets older I expect him to be one of the best.

 

[bountyhunter]

He's not interested in a revolver. He has adolescent-sized hands, so I'm thinking a single-stack 9mm.

A Btowning HP is the best fit for small hands. It's what a lot of PD's issue to female officers. If you are dead set on a single stack, Springfield and STI both currently make the 1911 in single stack 9mm. I have an STI 9mm and it is really a soft recoiling gun.

 

[Dr.Rob]

A single stack 9mm will likely put him in ESP division.. so?

You can get an FEG HP clone for under $300, the New Charles Daley will run closer to $400.

That Star pistol is 1/3 the price of a 9mm Springfield. (And cheap enough that a young man's allowance could buy it for himself.. with the understanding that its not 'his" until he's 21.)

On 38 super.. if you don't reload, don't bother. factory ammo is $$$$ pricey compared to shooting 9mm.

If the Egyptian "Helwan" (Beretta Brigadier) was still available that might be a cool choice, but berettas are notorious for a long trigger reach.

As far as "disadvantage" in class... revolvers and 1911's shoot with less than 31 rounds.. as long as it holds 8, he should be good to go, (unless your SO's are going to split hairs.)

 

[Series 70]

> Here is a silly question. What does he want to shoot?

Well, he wants to shoot my Walther PP, but that's only a .380.

He does not have a particular preference at this point, which is why I'm trying to develop a list of suitable pistols to look at. He will handle each one himself and tell me if it feels right in his hand or not. We'll consider how easily he can manipulate its controls. Of those that he likes, we'll pick one based on some combination of price, availability of accessories, and IDPA division.

I do reload, so .38 Super is a possibility.

 

[Dr.Rob]

It's not a single stack but I've seen a Witness 38 super compact or two moving at low prices on Gunbroker and GunsAmerica. Holds ten I think, cheap way to get into a neat caliber.

Just do a search for '38 super' at either site.