Handgun suggestions for female beginner (IPSC Production).

[Canuck44]

I have short fingers, and learned on a shadow 1.
Altough i am not a fan of CZ and have steered clear of them by now,
It’s hard to find better bang for the buck (with either the 1 or 2), with acceptable accuracy and trigger out of the box.

I would agree with this if you said, after changing the hammer spring the trigger was much better. I have a newer version of the Shadow1 and the trigger was nothing like the Shadow I bought and later sold back 15 years ago. The new one I now have has a trigger not much better than a 75B out of the box. It is a still one of the best steel guns you can buy but CZ is not putting the effort into the regular Shadow it once did IMHO. For around $850 though the gun has great value and is still a player in anybodies hands.

Take Care

Bob

 

[keitha]

learning to decock safely takes about 2 minutes, a bit more practice and it will be even simpler to perform on demand. While it shouldn't be a surprise that I'd also recommend the CZ Shadow (used if you need to be thrifty), or the Shadow 2 if you have a larger budget, something like a Glock isn't a bad choice either. If she wants to try out a variety of different guns bring her out to Abbotsford on Steel night and we can let her try a few.

This...

 

[Maverik187]

This! Because we always have an abundance of different guns we’re happy let let people try. Otherwise go to DVC Ventures and try some out there.

learning to decock safely takes about 2 minutes, a bit more practice and it will be even simpler to perform on demand. While it shouldn't be a surprise that I'd also recommend the CZ Shadow (used if you need to be thrifty), or the Shadow 2 if you have a larger budget, something like a Glock isn't a bad choice either. If she wants to try out a variety of different guns bring her out to Abbotsford on Steel night and we can let her try a few.

 

[sixgun1]

i would suggest not buying anything until she has had the opportunity to handle and try a variety of different makes and models.

*** this***

 

[Galwiththeguns]

Been training for mine with CZ SP-01 Shadow. Highly recommended

 

[Meroh]

I just realized that the CZ Shadow doesn't have a decocker, so it would be harder for her to lower the hammer without accidentally having an AD. I guess thats something she will have to work on and practice a lot.

Used IWI Jericho; same ergonomics + decocker. I need one in 9mm too (I have a .40 and it is sweet!

 

[euxx]

Used IWI Jericho; same ergonomics + decocker. I need one in 9mm too (I have a .40 and it is sweet!

... and horrible trigger comparing to SP01 or shadow 2 and no spare parts

 

[Canuck44]

If you want a decocker there is a 75BD on the EE or was recently. Great little pistol. The SP-01 used to be made with a decocker version as well. Not sure if it still is in production or not. I guess there is something with the Jericho that folks like. Never quite understood the fascination when the 75B was available with lots of support but they say there is a girl for every boy so there you go.

Take Care

Bob

 

[Euro]

Best thing to do is go into a store and try everything out. My wife has a P10c in IPSC Production, and beats half of the "OMG IS THAT POLYMER? YOU NEED A SHADOW 2 TO COMPETE" morons. People that have been in C/D class for 8 years giving advice on what guns suck. Get a gun that fits your hand well and you enjoy shooting. There are plenty of GM/M shooters out there that shoot polymer guns and are top shooters in the world.

 

[jimbo14]

Best thing to do is go into a store and try everything out....

Not in this case. The best thing is for her to do is to take Slavex up on his offer of going to Abby on a Tues Steel night and talk to the gang. There are several top shooters there and they are a fantastic group of people. They will happily help her out.

 

[Canuck44]

Best thing to do is go into a store and try everything out. My wife has a P10c in IPSC Production, and beats half of the "OMG IS THAT POLYMER? YOU NEED A SHADOW 2 TO COMPETE" morons. People that have been in C/D class for 8 years giving advice on what guns suck. Get a gun that fits your hand well and you enjoy shooting. There are plenty of GM/M shooters out there that shoot polymer guns and are top shooters in the world.

This!

The only thing that matters is she is happy with the gun she picks, and shoots it a lot. Polymer guns rule IDPA G34/M&P Pro in all the pistol divisions.

For someone who has never shot IPSC or IDPA why anyone would suggest a $2K investment (gun, holster, mag holder and extra mags) when it is not necessary is beyond me. She may not like the shooting sports and that is OK too The last thing we should be doing is scaring her off with dropping two grand into a set up that likely won't do her much good. Small hands, petite build and a three and a half pound loaded brick may not be for everyone's vision of utopia.

Take Care

Bob

 

[P12]

I would say Glock 48, it's like a G19 but with a thinner grip. But before you buy anything she should hold to see if it fits her hand well.

 

[Slavex]

The statement to go into a store and try handling all the guns and pick the one that feels best, or that they like. Yeah, no. Wrong. We are talking about a new shooter, someone who doesn't likely know the correct way to even hold the gun like we do in IPSC, nor what to expect in how the gun cycles and recoils. The only way to do that is to get out, try live fire under proper instruction, and then makes some choices. Otherwise you end up like so many others, buying a gun based on "feelings" that have no basis in anything other than esthetics/cosmetics.

 

[TommyGunWop]

if you can get your hand on an Heckler and Koch P7M13
that would be what i would recommend
cant go wrong

 

[Slavex]

if you can get your hand on an Heckler and Koch P7M13
that would be what i would recommend
cant go wrong

um, yeah APRIL FOOLS is over eh

 

[Euro]

The statement to go into a store and try handling all the guns and pick the one that feels best, or that they like. Yeah, no. Wrong. We are talking about a new shooter, someone who doesn't likely know the correct way to even hold the gun like we do in IPSC, nor what to expect in how the gun cycles and recoils. The only way to do that is to get out, try live fire under proper instruction, and then makes some choices. Otherwise you end up like so many others, buying a gun based on "feelings" that have no basis in anything other than esthetics/cosmetics.

As the man said, she shoots a P226 but it's only SAO. So his wife already shoots, and I would assume that he showed her how to handle/grip a firearm if she is shooting it and liking it. So wrong, she does know how the gun feels when it cycles. If his club is anything like to two clubs I'm a member of about 95% of the people will be shooting SP01 and Shadow 2. So yes, a gun store will have a better selection of guns to fit to her hand. She already knows how recoil works.

 

[xldbldbl]

This!

The only thing that matters is she is happy with the gun she picks, and shoots it a lot. Polymer guns rule IDPA G34/M&P Pro in all the pistol divisions.

For someone who has never shot IPSC or IDPA why anyone would suggest a $2K investment (gun, holster, mag holder and extra mags) when it is not necessary is beyond me. She may not like the shooting sports and that is OK too The last thing we should be doing is scaring her off with dropping two grand into a set up that likely won't do her much good. Small hands, petite build and a three and a half pound loaded brick may not be for everyone's vision of utopia.

Take Care

Bob

It doesnt need to be a 2K investment, im into the GF's shadow 2 and set up for under $1500, used shadow 2 $1100 shipped, 6 used mags $200 shipped, used rig, ghost belt, holster & mag pouches $165 shipped, having one of the better guns for the sport she will be more likely to enjoy it, the all metal gun instead of a polymer with reduce felt recoil and if by some chance she decides IPSC is not for her I will get most if not all my money back. Its the same thing with parents getting their child into music, they can buy a cheap no name or a good used brand name one, yes the cheaper option will work but child is likely going to want to play the brand name one more and if they child decides to stop they get can get their money back, if the child decides to keep going and wants a new or different one the original one is still worth what they paid for it on trade, the cheaper brand new one is now worth much less than what was originally paid regardless if its upgraded or discarded..

 

[AGrant580]

My wife has been shooting pistols for a little over a year now and anytime we're at a shoot we just ask some of the guys if she can try their pistol and she has tried everything from a SD9VE, glock, to a shadow2 and the one pistol she keeps saying she liked the most was a Shawdow 1 felt the best in her tiny hands she is only 5 foot. Just our observation..

 

[Canuck44]

It doesnt need to be a 2K investment, im into the GF's shadow 2 and set up for under $1500, used shadow 2 $1100 shipped, 6 used mags $200 shipped, used rig, ghost belt, holster & mag pouches $165 shipped, having one of the better guns for the sport she will be more likely to enjoy it, the all metal gun instead of a polymer with reduce felt recoil and if by some chance she decides IPSC is not for her I will get most if not all my money back. Its the same thing with parents getting their child into music, they can buy a cheap no name or a good used brand name one, yes the cheaper option will work but child is likely going to want to play the brand name one more and if they child decides to stop they get can get their money back, if the child decides to keep going and wants a new or different one the original one is still worth what they paid for it on trade, the cheaper brand new one is now worth much less than what was originally paid regardless if its upgraded or discarded..

The used Shadow2 is spot on. Waiting for the other accessories may or may not show up as quick as you suggest a;though it worked for you. Your total runs to $1,500 and you can likely add $100 for shipping. The amount still is way higher than necessary for a gun this lady may or may not be able to shoot. The used Shadow2 better be the upgrade version as well. The early versions have their frames cracking something that would be a concern for most.

I hope she does try out as many guns as she can before making her decision. Truth be known most of us know results in shooting falls to the archer not the arrow. Most of us find the arrow we like and shoot about as well as we can. With practice, assuming someone has shown us how to hold a pistol and pull the trigger, most shooters improve quickly then level out. Her significant other will do that I am sure. He does after all shoot IPSC.

Take Care

Bob

 

[jimbo14]

As the man said, she shoots a P226 but it's only SAO. So his wife already shoots, and I would assume that he showed her how to handle/grip a firearm if she is shooting it and liking it. So wrong, she does know how the gun feels when it cycles. If his club is anything like to two clubs I'm a member of about 95% of the people will be shooting SP01 and Shadow 2. So yes, a gun store will have a better selection of guns to fit to her hand. She already knows how recoil works.

When an IPSC Grand Master invites you over to try out some guns, and there are several other highly skilled IPSC shooters willing to help newbies with free instruction/tips, at a casual steel night, don't try and dissuade the invitee. It doesn't make sense!