Handgun selection vs. training

[butch952]

I see allot of threads that ask "what is the best handgun for self defense"I think that training is more important than the old brand brand A vs brand B argument and to be honest I think it is a waste of time.I think any major brand handgun of a minimum caliber.38 special or 9mm that is a good fit for ones hand is the best choice.Take the time to train with it,learn how to clear malfunctions when they happen.Just my opinion whats yours?

[ocspeedracer]

stop confusing us with logic, this is California remember.

[stphnman20]

I agree with you. Training is always important.

[tomah]

yea i think training and range time would be more helpful than people suggesting which guns they think work the best.

everyone has their own personal opinions about guns and everyone has different fitment.

once you have shot a lot of different types of guns for more than a couple hundred rounds, you really start to see what you like and dislike about certain weapons and how they handle.

[Cyc Wid It]

You mean if I just buy the latest and greatest gun I won't be able to shoot like the movies???

[butch952]

stop confusing us with logic, this is California remember.

Darn it!

[mif_slim]

I say the gun makes the shooter better, no training necessary. That is why they have the saying "you get what you pay for" the more expensive it gets the more training comes with the gun so it'll aim itself, clear itself and load itself better and faster.

[9mmepiphany]

When I have new students who want to learn to shoot, I'll usually let them use one of my guns so they can get a feel who what works best for them. I thought about charging a rental fee, but it seemed silly on top of the instructional fee...plus I have control over what they are doing with it. I even bring different sizes of the same platform for them to try

I don't push any one platform or caliber. Most have gone with the Sig 226/228, with the Glock 19/26 being a close 2nd.

The best thing to do is try different platforms before you start buying what folks tell you that you need

[Untamed1972]

I see allot of threads that ask "what is the best handgun for self defense"I think that training is more important than the old brand brand A vs brand B argument and to be honest I think it is a waste of time.I think any major brand handgun of a minimum caliber.38 special or 9mm that is a good fit for ones hand is the the choice.Take the time to train with it,learn how to clear malfunctions when they happen.Just my opinion whats yours?

I concur. Good fundamentals of marksmanship, trigger control and such should be able to be learned with any firearm. From there is just a matter of making a personal selection based on ergonomics for things like grip vs. handsize, placement of controls for handsize and right/left-handed shooter.

Being a good shooter is at least 90%+ about good fundamentals, once you've mastered the fundamentals some fine tuning can be done via gear selection to meet ones personal ergonomic needs/requirements.

[Ed_in_Sac]

I agree, it like arguing which is the best load and ignoring the shooters speed and accuracy.

[Helpful_Cub]

I think its more important to actually have a gun... There's a lot of places were having one will cause problem and all of the training in the world won't help if you aren't armed. Just my 2 cents.

[greybeard]

I feel it is always important to train with a gun. so is a chicken or the egg question. Yes the first gun you buy for training may turn out to be a sucko gun for you but now you are trained and hopefully know what you want than.

[Greg-Dawg]

Take a class and buy your gun has been my motto.

[Grayblue]

If the gun is more compatible with a shooter. That shooter can be more effective with the same amount of training expenditure in time and money.

If you set a "lowest common denominator" type goal like : "Score a minimum of XXX points on a XXX course" then it can be achieved with any good brand pistol with enough training.

But, if the goal is maximum effectiveness, it does not work that way. A shooter's max effectiveness can differ with brand with same amount of training time and money available. That's why I hate "one size fits all"(which is a blatant lie) issue/use policy with some government agencies.

[ap3572001]

I see allot of threads that ask "what is the best handgun for self defense"I think that training is more important than the old brand brand A vs brand B argument and to be honest I think it is a waste of time.I think any major brand handgun of a minimum caliber.38 special or 9mm that is a good fit for ones hand is the the choice.Take the time to train with it,learn how to clear malfunctions when they happen.Just my opinion whats yours?

Training is MOST important.
Based on what I see on public ranges ( since 1983) in the Bay Area ,most people should hope that they will never have to use what they got.